Comments for The Cricket Blog http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk The number one blog for the world of cricket. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:13:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on IPL 2010 Predictions: Round 1 by nura http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/ipl-2010-predictions-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-8983 nura Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:13:08 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=986#comment-8983 game 9 DD-MI DD will win game 9 DD-MI
DD will win

]]> Comment on IPL 2010 Predictions: Round 1 by nura http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/ipl-2010-predictions-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-8982 nura Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:12:25 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=986#comment-8982 game 9 DD-MI DD will win game 9 DD-MI DD will win

]]> Comment on Player Profile: Umar Akmal by aewparsons http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/player-profile-umar-akmal/comment-page-1/#comment-8936 aewparsons Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:11:45 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=950#comment-8936 NIce pick this from Tom Walker and very pleasing to see that he has deviated from the usual cliched list of names for his first pick. It will be interesting to see who he comes up with in the rest of the series. Nice one Tom. NIce pick this from Tom Walker and very pleasing to see that he has deviated from the usual cliched list of names for his first pick. It will be interesting to see who he comes up with in the rest of the series. Nice one Tom.

]]> Comment on IPL 2010 Predictions: Round 1 by Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/ipl-2010-predictions-round-1/comment-page-1/#comment-8933 Paul Spencer Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:54:09 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=986#comment-8933 What team does he play for? What team does he play for?

]]> Comment on Shakib tosses it away by Alex Wojciech http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/shakib-tosses-it-away/comment-page-1/#comment-8875 Alex Wojciech Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:52:30 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=980#comment-8875 Thanks Miles, great to be kept up to date! Out here in Cartagena, Colombia, the television networks have, for some inexplicable reason known only to themselves, decided not to show the test match! How very dare they! And 198 long wave continues to play only merengue. If only the great pirate Sir Francis had conquered the bloody place all those years ago....the weathers better than in Guyana anyway! Anyhoo, it does seem a bit strange that Finn has come from nowhere to play.The two picked ahead of him for the tour must be quietly seething, and wondering how they might best spike his gatorade. Andy Flower must have had a Duncan Fletcher moment and 'seen something in the lad'. I bet David Lloyd has used that phrase today already. Several times. That said, I think Finn is in the Harmy mold, so he would offer something different to right arm trundlers from Bresnan and Broad. If you added Plunkett to those two, I would fancy the mighty Englefield Green 2nd X1 to rack up at least three figures on those Bangladeshi wickets! Actually... Thanks Miles, great to be kept up to date! Out here in Cartagena, Colombia, the television networks have, for some inexplicable reason known only to themselves, decided not to show the test match! How very dare they! And 198 long wave continues to play only merengue. If only the great pirate Sir Francis had conquered the bloody place all those years ago….the weathers better than in Guyana anyway!

Anyhoo, it does seem a bit strange that Finn has come from nowhere to play.The two picked ahead of him for the tour must be quietly seething, and wondering how they might best spike his gatorade. Andy Flower must have had a Duncan Fletcher moment and ’seen something in the lad’. I bet David Lloyd has used that phrase today already. Several times. That said, I think Finn is in the Harmy mold, so he would offer something different to right arm trundlers from Bresnan and Broad. If you added Plunkett to those two, I would fancy the mighty Englefield Green 2nd X1 to rack up at least three figures on those Bangladeshi wickets! Actually…

]]> Comment on Shakib tosses it away by Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/shakib-tosses-it-away/comment-page-1/#comment-8871 Paul Spencer Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:15:25 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=980#comment-8871 England selection policy is plain wrongheaded. Again, the management persist with a six batsman strategy - even though they are playing against a very weak and inexperienced bowling attack. I really, really hope that Broad breaks down and Finn's lack of stamina results in over-bowling Bresnan, which in turn leads to his being injured!! In all seriousness, I wish no England player harm, but I do feel that the current strategy is unduly defensive and does little good for what must be a deeply confused bowling unit. Shahzad and Plunkett were picked ahead of Finn yet sit in the dressing room learning how to add water to orange juice. Rashid is the degree level drinks waiter - why not use him; at least he's used to it?! Shahzad would be better off in Barbados with his Yorkshire team mates - at least he'd get a game and the opposition will be no worse!! Treadwell must have thought he was going to benefit from Rashid's shabby treatment. He knows better now! Reserve sock and sweater attendant is his current role in Bangladesh and is likely to remain so if the Tigers (ha!ha!) implode in this match. It's too late now to change the state of things. England will continue with their four bowlers into the domestic Summer and probably use the same defensive tactic against Australia in the winter. Any bets yet on the tone and nature of the miserable post-mortem on England's failure to retain the Ashes? England selection policy is plain wrongheaded.
Again, the management persist with a six batsman strategy – even though they are playing against a very weak and inexperienced bowling attack.
I really, really hope that Broad breaks down and Finn’s lack of stamina results in over-bowling Bresnan, which in turn leads to his being injured!!
In all seriousness, I wish no England player harm, but I do feel that the current strategy is unduly defensive and does little good for what must be a deeply confused bowling unit.
Shahzad and Plunkett were picked ahead of Finn yet sit in the dressing room learning how to add water to orange juice. Rashid is the degree level drinks waiter – why not use him; at least he’s used to it?! Shahzad would be better off in Barbados with his Yorkshire team mates – at least he’d get a game and the opposition will be no worse!!
Treadwell must have thought he was going to benefit from Rashid’s shabby treatment. He knows better now! Reserve sock and sweater attendant is his current role in Bangladesh and is likely to remain so if the Tigers (ha!ha!) implode in this match.
It’s too late now to change the state of things. England will continue with their four bowlers into the domestic Summer and probably use the same defensive tactic against Australia in the winter.
Any bets yet on the tone and nature of the miserable post-mortem on England’s failure to retain the Ashes?

]]> Comment on Pakistan dishes out severe punishments following Australia tour by Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/pakistan-dishes-out-severe-punishments-following-australia-tour/comment-page-1/#comment-8858 Paul Spencer Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:42:15 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=965#comment-8858 I was tempted to go to Headingley this season for the Pakistan-Australia test match. I don't think I'll bother now. Yousuf and Younis are world class players. I have no insights whatsoever into the internal workings of the Pakistan team. The punishments meted out suggest that their actions were of the most heinous possible kind. What on earth would possess two such estimable cricketers to risk their playing careers? It seems likely to me that there may be a variety of sinners and that these two are the victims of 'Victors' Justice'. The sooner the Pakistan Cricket authorities earn respect with wise and thoughtful actions, the sooner the Pakistan Cricket team will be able to fulfil its immense potential. I was tempted to go to Headingley this season for the Pakistan-Australia test match. I don’t think I’ll bother now. Yousuf and Younis are world class players. I have no insights whatsoever into the internal workings of the Pakistan team. The punishments meted out suggest that their actions were of the most heinous possible kind.
What on earth would possess two such estimable cricketers to risk their playing careers? It seems likely to me that there may be a variety of sinners and that these two are the victims of ‘Victors’ Justice’.
The sooner the Pakistan Cricket authorities earn respect with wise and thoughtful actions, the sooner the Pakistan Cricket team will be able to fulfil its immense potential.

]]> Comment on Pressing concerns for England’s selectors by Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/pressing-concerns-for-englands-selectors/comment-page-1/#comment-8857 Paul Spencer Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:33:41 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=964#comment-8857 I broadly agree with your proposed line up for the next test, Miles. I wouldn't rule out the possibility that Peterson may fulfil the role of second spinner instead of Treadwell. He was used more than I would have expected in the ODI's; his poor form with the bat makes it more pressing for him to contribute elsewhere while we all wait for his return to normal. England have only occasionally felt comfortable using two spinners. This is regrettable in my view but I suspect the management feels our strongest suit is in seam bowling. It may be that both Finn and Shahzad are selected. Should England opt for Treadwell, then my preference would be to give Shahzad his first test cap. I suspect Finn is the better long-term option but to ignore Shahzad now would be to send the same inconsistent message to him as was sent to Rashid. I broadly agree with your proposed line up for the next test, Miles. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that Peterson may fulfil the role of second spinner instead of Treadwell. He was used more than I would have expected in the ODI’s; his poor form with the bat makes it more pressing for him to contribute elsewhere while we all wait for his return to normal.
England have only occasionally felt comfortable using two spinners. This is regrettable in my view but I suspect the management feels our strongest suit is in seam bowling. It may be that both Finn and Shahzad are selected.
Should England opt for Treadwell, then my preference would be to give Shahzad his first test cap. I suspect Finn is the better long-term option but to ignore Shahzad now would be to send the same inconsistent message to him as was sent to Rashid.

]]> Comment on England ready themselves for the Test arena by Josh http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/england-ready-themselves-for-the-test-arena/comment-page-1/#comment-8821 Josh Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:20:48 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=938#comment-8821 I hope Finn plays, of that second string of England bowlers he looks the best of the lot. Offers pace and bounce, not many can offer that for us right now. Good to see Trott and Prior in the runs, though that strike rate for Prior can't be right surely?! I don't think we'll have any trouble beating Bangladesh, the only issue will be, will KP get some runs? Disappointing that one man overrides so much else, but its a fact! I hope Finn plays, of that second string of England bowlers he looks the best of the lot. Offers pace and bounce, not many can offer that for us right now. Good to see Trott and Prior in the runs, though that strike rate for Prior can’t be right surely?! I don’t think we’ll have any trouble beating Bangladesh, the only issue will be, will KP get some runs? Disappointing that one man overrides so much else, but its a fact!

]]> Comment on England whitewash Bangladesh by Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/england-whitewash-bangladesh/comment-page-1/#comment-8797 Paul Spencer Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:00:43 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=933#comment-8797 Like you, MIles, I was pleased by England's performance in the ODI's. I was even more pleased to note the definite progress that Bangladesh are making. At no stage did I feel this was a hopelessly uneven contest. England were plainly the better side but at times we were put under severe pressure and it could even be argued that Bangladesh were unlucky in game two. I notice that Zimbabwe are doing well against the West Indies. This might be no more than a reflection of the West Indies' continuing decline. I prefer to believe that Zimbabwe, like Bangladesh, are on an upward trajectory. If both these cricketing under-achievers can make significant progress it will make international cricket so much more interesting. Like you, MIles, I was pleased by England’s performance in the ODI’s. I was even more pleased to note the definite progress that Bangladesh are making. At no stage did I feel this was a hopelessly uneven contest. England were plainly the better side but at times we were put under severe pressure and it could even be argued that Bangladesh were unlucky in game two.
I notice that Zimbabwe are doing well against the West Indies. This might be no more than a reflection of the West Indies’ continuing decline. I prefer to believe that Zimbabwe, like Bangladesh, are on an upward trajectory.
If both these cricketing under-achievers can make significant progress it will make international cricket so much more interesting.

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