Cricket

[Da_Elf]

Are there any english, african, australian, indian, etc , etc, people here who like cricket and are comming to barbados for this years world cup?

most of the people ive seem so far on the forum strike me as under 30 (maybe under 20) and might not be into a sport like cricket.

[[Cameron]]

How does age affect if you're into cricket? Or any sport for that matter?
Anyway, I'm not mad on cricket, but a lot of my friends are. I'll watch it if its on though.

[Timosity]

I love cricket, I'd love to be able to go to the world cup in the West Indies, unfortunately money and time off work is the main problem.

I'm looking forward to the world cup and hopefully Australia can win its 3rd world cup in a row, I hope there is some good competition though.

I like the West Indies side, they've always been popular since they dominated the game in the 70's 80's and early 90's, they've been pretty ordinary in the last decade but are on the improve. I'm guessing Brian Lara will retire after, but who knows. They definitely have a chance to win the world cup, especially at home.

[Da_Elf]

well the age thinkg i mentioned because in my day kids were all into sports. but now with so many kids growning up with nintendo and PS controlls in their hands your getting alot less going out for sports.

lara i think will retire. I really hope we win but i know we will not win this year. Even being on thier home turf wont help since the stadium we built for world cup was only finished a short time ago and i doubt they have gotten in much practice on that field.

[Jon]

I'm thinking about going, but I might not have enough time and cash to go and see England being thrashed 

Personally I think that South Africa have one of the best ODI squads and I think that it will be either them, Australia or the West Indies who will win it.

[Da_Elf]

id bet on australia if i was a betting man.

[Jon]

id bet on australia if i was a betting man.

I'm not so sure, as Australia have looked quite bad in their last two ODI's, and perhaps shouldn't have won them, as AT LAST their top/middle order collapsed. They need to find some decent victories soon (The tri-series would be good) before the world cup, but when Australia are playing, they always seem to be favourites.

[Mr Flibble]

I'd like to be interested in cricket. What other sport stops for high tea?

As it stands, I wouldn't chose to watch it on TV. Though I do find myself following The Ashes. That's about it. Cricket isn't much of a past time in Northern Ireland.

[Da_Elf]

for a game that can go on a few days they bloody well learnt to stop for tea hehehe

[Timosity]

I'm not so sure, as Australia have looked quite bad in their last two ODI's, and perhaps shouldn't have won them

They have played pretty bad in the last 2 ODI's but they did win them, and quite comfortably too in the end after a shaky start, thanks to Michael Hussey (Averages just under 80 in tests and ODI's).

When Gilchrist, Ponting and Symonds fire they're virtually unbeatable, and generally at least one of them does, good back up from Hayden, Michael Clarke, Hussey, White and Lee. If a team can get through those guys cheaply, they've done well and should win, but it's rare to happen

The good thing about one day cricket is that no team is invincible, one individual, on their day, can win a match for the team.

Australia has the best batting line up, fielding is one of their strong points too, but the bowling is at a more experimental stage currently, but they have a lot of options and quite a few guys are getting a bit of experience

I'm so biased

[Jon]

The good thing about one day cricket is that no team is invincible, one individual, on their day, can win a match for the team.

Australia Vs Bangledesh 2005...

I agree as any team can be the best on their day.

[Timosity]

Yeah, I remember that game, I think Symonds got suspended for drinking the night before the match

New Zealand just smashed England by 90 runs in a low scoring match, it'll make the series interesting to see which team makes the final

[Jon]

I've just seen that score and it is embarassing that we could lose when we bowled the Kiwi's out for 210, Freddie getting figures of 10-2-21-4.
But as you say it does make the Tri-series more interesting.

Yeah, I remember that game, I think Symonds got suspended for drinking the night before the match

Haha, true aussie.

[Erenan]

Cricket is cool. Ever since I saw Lagaan, I've wanted to get into it more than I have, but I live in California. There's not very much Cricket activity around here, and large sporting goods stores don't carry the equipment.

[Timosity]

England played terribly today, Australia rapped up the game before the lights came on. I think they're just totally over the tour, and really want to just go home. They must be at a low point mentally, which can't be good for the upcoming world cup.

It has been really frustrating that Australia hasn't won the toss lately, so they can choose to bat first, then at least there will be some entertainment and possibly a high score.

The sad thing is Australia hasn't really hit form yet either and they are still winning easily, I think they still need some hard run chases to help for the world cup though, they may get a shock when they come up against a team with some good form

[Jon]

I think that you are right Timosity, as England don't have any fight in them any more. This may sound strange but I would really like Australia to bat first, like you said, for the entertainment factor.

I guess the only positive England can take from this ODI tour is that we have a player who has mastered the 'Sweep' shot 

[Timosity]

I guess the only positive England can take from this ODI tour is that we have a player who has mastered the 'Sweep' shot 

It's a pretty good sweep shot too, I'd never heard of Mal Loye before, and it's interesting a batsman debuting at 34. Sweeping fast bowlers for 6 when they're bowling in the 140-150+km/h is very unusual and entertaining. Though he still hasn't had more than a cameo inns yet, I'd like to see him when he gets going, as he must have done regularly in the county comp to make the English side.

Petersen is a big loss, he's one of those irreplaceable players that can win a match, and a consistent player with all the shots and not afraid to take on any bowler, he was in form when he got injured too.

Though the strength of a side can be shown by the guys that can't make the side, which also puts pressure on the guys in the side to perform.

[Timosity]

Well it's into the finals of the tri nations ODI series Aus v Eng, NZ didn't make it

And England has just won the 1st of 3 finals, with 3 balls to spare.

Collingwood's  century did the trick and his partnership with Bell, then Flintoff helped.

England's bowling at the end of the Aus innings was excellent, after they looked to be heading towards 300, they were restricted to 252. a decent total, England still had to bat well, and they did it.

It's made the series much more interesting, and it's going to be tough for Australia to win, but I still think they can do it.

[Jon]

I have just seen the highlights of the days play. Even I feel some sympathy for the australians, as they have been outstanding for the whole tornament but had a shocker in the field. They really should have finished England off when it was 15-3.


P.S Happy Birthday Glenn!

[Da_Elf]

what!!?? england won? damn i missed it. 15 for 3 doesnt sound too good. bravo for them for getting their stride