NationStates Jolt Archive

discuss.

Nice thread..

It's close between Daniel Vettori and Nathan Astle for me. Probably Astle though, just.
If we're talking about past players.. It'll have to be Martin Crowe.

Jiminy Cricket

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/teachers_resources/images/jiminy_140x143.gif

What, past, present...?

At the moment, it would have probably be either The Incredible Hogg or Harmison, when he's bowling well.

As for in the past, you obviously have to say Don Bradman. But I would also say that W.G. Grace is one of the best characters the game has produced.

What, past, present...?

At the moment, it would have probably be either The Incredible Hogg or Harmison, when he's bowling well.

As for in the past, you obviously have to say Don Bradman. But I would also say that W.G. Grace is one of the best characters the game has produced.
Ahh the Don is great, but not my favourite. Easily best cricketer to live though, IMO.

Ahh the Don is great, but not my favourite. Easily best cricketer to live though, IMO.
Yeah, his average is almost twice as big as the next best players. It was an astonishing career. It is a shame that he failed in his last innings to get that 100 average - but still, 99.96 isn't exactly bad. :p

Yeah, his average is almost twice as big as the next best players. It was an astonishing career. It is a shame that he failed in his last innings to get that 100 average - but still, 99.96 isn't exactly bad. :p
I kinda think it's good he didn't get 100. I mean, that would be too much lol. He's great and all, but a 100 average? That's too much for anyone no matter how good they are.

You know, that guy, with the hair, the one who walks around on his hind legs?















Seriously, I'm not much of a sports fan at the best of times, but I find cricket mind numbingly boring even compared to the likes of golf or tennis...

Ahh the Don is great, but not my favourite. Easily best cricketer to live though, IMO.

Yeah, the Don is the best, but he's not my fave either.

Boony's a deadset legend, easily my favourite. AB was tough as nails, Viv Richards was just brutal & Joel Big Bird Garner was way cool. Warney's the best leggie ever to have played, but a complete wanker. Ricky Ponting is probably the best batsman going around today. Gilchrist's batting is great to watch & Flintoff is a fantastic all-rounder (& top sportsman). Edit: Forgot Tendulkar, the Little Master.

Boony's the champ though. 52 not out!

I kinda think it's good he didn't get 100. I mean, that would be too much lol. He's great and all, but a 100 average? That's too much for anyone no matter how good they are.
I suppose the anecdote that he nearly got a 100 average but was out for a duck in his last innings is slightly more interesting than 'perfect player with 100 average'.

If that makes any sense. :p

Yeah, the Don is the best, but he's not my fave either.

Boony's a deadset legend, easily my favourite. AB was tough as nails, Viv Richards was just brutal & Joel Big Bird Garner was way cool. Warney's the best leggie ever to have played, but a complete wanker. Ricky Ponting is probably the best batsman going around today. Gilchrist's batting is great to watch & Flintoff is a fantastic all-rounder (& top sportsman).

Boony's the champ though. 52 not out!
I think Warne is an awesome player. He's the only player I've ever watched where I've genuinely believed he is going to get a wicket with ever single ball. During the Ashes I would hate it when he came on, and we'd all cheer when they put Gillespie back...easy runs coming. :p

ANy player where the ball bounces straight up and catches him right on the underside of his groin where any protection(if he's even wearing any) is minimum. They're all a tie. :)

For some reason I always enjoy it a little more when Astle gets runs. His 222 against england was fucking legendary.

Internationally Kumar Sangakkara is pretty cool. I like a guy who can keep for 2 days to Murili and then bat at number 3 and make a century...

I suppose the anecdote that he nearly got a 100 average but was out for a duck in his last innings is slightly more interesting than 'perfect player with 100 average'.

If that makes any sense. :p
Yea I get what you mean.

I guess I should do my faouvrite players outside of NZ.
Hmm.. I'm a big fan of Vaughn as a batter.
Favourite bowler, well, has to be.. Warne. Freak lol.
Wicket-keeper=Sangakkara.

Can't be bothered of doing past players.

For some reason I always enjoy it a little more when Astle gets runs. His 222 against england was fucking legendary.

Internationally Kumar Sangakarra is pretty cool. I like a guy who can keep for 2 days to Murili and then bat at number 3 and make a century...
Those 6's were amazing huh? Good ol' Astle.

I think Warne is an awesome player. He's the only player I've ever watched where I've genuinely believed he is going to get a wicket with ever single ball. During the Ashes I would hate it when he came on, and we'd all cheer when they put Gillespie back...easy runs coming. :p

Yeah, it was a bit like that! :)

I forgot to mention Glen McGrath. I suspect he's the cricketing evolution of the Terminator. He just bowls unplayable line & length, and absolutely, positively, will not stop.

Actually special mention has to go to English county wicket keeper Chris Scott for his sense of perspective.

In 1994, Scott droped Brian Lara whilst Lara was on 18 and said: "Oh dear, he'll probably go on and get a hundred"... Lara finished not out with a 427 ball 501..




"todays yesterdays" at www.cricinfo.com today reminded me of that one :D

Yeah, it was a bit like that! :)

I forgot to mention Glen McGrath. I suspect he's the cricketing evolution of the Terminator. He just bowls unplayable line & length, and absolutely, positively, will not stop.
He is a fantastic bowler, and with Hawkeye now you can see exactly how precise he is. I for one am pleased that he's got to retire at some point soon, but probably not as pleased as the batsman facing him!

As for Aussie's up and coming bowlers, I think Lee is one to watch if he can be a little more accurate. Consistently bowling 95mph is just frightening. :eek:

Actually special mention has to go to English county wicket keeper Chris Scott for his sense of perspective.

In 1994, Scott droped Brian Lara whilst Lara was on 18 and said: "Oh dear, he'll probably go on and get a hundred"... Lara finished not out with a 427 ball 501..




"todays yesterdays" at www.cricinfo.com today reminded me of that one :D

Outstanding! I remember his 501, but hadn't heard that little anecdote before. :p

At the moment, it would have probably be either The Incredible Hogg or Harmison, when he's bowling well.


Yeah, Rodney Hogg was an amazing bowler. Shame about the rest of the Australian side at the time. Harmison - he played in the Melbourne sub-district league, didn't he?

Actually special mention has to go to English county wicket keeper Chris Scott for his sense of perspective.

In 1994, Scott droped Brian Lara whilst Lara was on 18 and said: "Oh dear, he'll probably go on and get a hundred"... Lara finished not out with a 427 ball 501..
:p

We're having a little trouble with the England national keeper at the moment. I do tend to defend him more than others, but it's hard not to admit that he does drop an awful lot of catches. He's not making up for it at the moment with his batting either.

:p

We're having a little trouble with the England national keeper at the moment. I do tend to defend him more than others, but it's hard not to admit that he does drop an awful lot of catches. He's not making up for it at the moment with his batting either.

Bring back that dude that tried to duck under a chris cairns slow yorker :D

Errinundera']Yeah, Rodney Hogg was an amazing bowler. Shame about the rest of the Australian side at the time. Harmison - he played in the Melbourne sub-district league, didn't he?
Tut tut, there are good players outside of Aussie land!

That's Matthew 'The Incredible Hogg' Hoggard, currently rated as the number 5 bowler in the world, and Harmison...how can you not know who Harmison is? :eek: He's had a bit of a dry spell recently, but he was the best bowler in the world for a while a couple of years back.

You should remember Harmison if you're Australian...he's the bowler whose name immediately preceeded the sound of the stumps being smashed down... :p

Tut tut, there are good players outside of Aussie land!


Just ragging you. The upcoming ashes series will be sensational.

Errinundera']Just ragging you. The upcoming ashes series will be sensational.
Yeah, my brother is actually going Down Under and should be watching the Sydney game. My Uncle and his family moved out there last year so he's lucky that he can go and stay with them.

I can't say I'm confident about England retaining the Ashes at the moment, they seem to have taken their eye of the ball (both metaphorically and literally) since the last Ashes series. But hopefully we'll win the next England series (when both Warne and Mcgrath are gone!).

Yeah, my brother is actually going Down Under and should be watching the Sydney game. My Uncle and his family moved out there last year so he's lucky that he can go and stay with them.

I can't say I'm confident about England retaining the Ashes at the moment, they seem to have taken their eye of the ball (both metaphorically and literally) since the last Ashes series. But hopefully we'll win the next England series (when both Warne and Mcgrath are gone!).

I'll be going to the Boxing Day test at the MCG, it should be a cracker. England's form has dropped off since the Ashes though, they'll need to lift if they're going to beat us at home.

BTW, my favourite current cricketer is Ricky Ponting. I saw him make 250 against India at the MCG. Not much of captain, though.

Favourite overseas player is Sehwag - wow!

I'll be going to the Boxing Day test at the MCG, it should be a cracker. England's form has dropped off since the Ashes though, they'll need to lift if they're going to beat us at home.
Well, the thing is I can't work out if the form has actually dropped, or if they're just not as focused now they've won the main prize. The loss of Vaughan as Captain has probably been the most significant blow, but there have also been a number of small but irritating loses to injury. Our main bowling strike attack force hasn't actually played intact since the Ashes.

I could shrug off the loss against Pakistan, as it is always notoriously difficult to win on the sub-continent, but drawing to Sri Lanka at home is an inexcusable result for a team claiming to challenging for the number one in the world slot.

Well, the thing is I can't work out if the form has actually dropped, or if they're just not as focused now they've won the main prize. The loss of Vaughan as Captain has probably been the most significant blow, but there have also been a number of small but irritating loses to injury. Our main bowling strike attack force hasn't actually played intact since the Ashes.

I could shrug off the loss against Pakistan, as it is always notoriously difficult to win on the sub-continent, but drawing to Sri Lanka at home is an inexcusable result for a team claiming to challenging for the number one in the world slot.

Who do you play between now & the start of the Ashes? There's still time to get the focus back, recover from the injuries, etc. What's the story with Vaughan? I haven't been following the English news.

Who do you play between now & the start of the Ashes? There's still time to get the focus back, recover from the injuries, etc. What's the story with Vaughan? I haven't been following the English news.
Vaughan has been out with a knee injury since the start of the India series. He's played a couple of county games for Yorkshire in the last week or so, but they're not rushing him back to England because they don't want to injure him again. Harmison should be back soonish; I haven't heard about Simon Jones for ages, but his loss is quite a painful one; Ashley Giles should be back at some point in the not too distant future (although Panisar might now give him a run for his money with the place).

Fortunately, the team should be back to full strength by time they go to Australia, barring any more injuries. And we've got the Pakistan series coming up for them to practice and start to focus again. I don't think England's recent form is a worrying thing (they've still showed what they're capable of when they actually pay attention), but I still think retaining the Ashes on Aussie turf is going to be a tough call.

Vaughan has been out with a knee injury since the start of the India series. He's played a couple of county games for Yorkshire in the last week or so, but they're not rushing him back to England because they don't want to injure him again. Harmison should be back soonish; I haven't heard about Simon Jones for ages, but his loss is quite a painful one; Ashley Giles should be back at some point in the not too distant future (although Panisar might now give him a run for his money with the place).

Fortunately, the team should be back to full strength by time they go to Australia, barring any more injuries. And we've got the Pakistan series coming up for them to practice and start to focus again. I don't think England's recent form is a worrying thing (they've still showed what they're capable of when they actually pay attention), but I still think retaining the Ashes on Aussie turf is going to be a tough call.

I reckon you'd do better to leave Giles behind & bring someone knew. Giles has never been very successful here & he's not going to be playing for much longer. Better to develop some new talent IMO.

I reckon you'd do better to leave Giles behind & bring someone knew. Giles has never been very successful here & he's not going to be playing for much longer. Better to develop some new talent IMO.
Well, if young Monty can learn to actually catch a ball then he's in with a good shot. He probably needs to work on his batting as well - I know he's a tail ender, but it's nice to have the tail wag as much as possible.

We're never going to develop someone like Warne though, as the conditions in England favour the seamers. We might get lucky and one day find a naturally gifted spinner, but at the moment the best we seem able to do is 'adequate'.

Well, if young Monty can learn to actually catch a ball then he's in with a good shot. He probably needs to work on his batting as well - I know he's a tail ender, but it's nice to have the tail wag as much as possible.

We're never going to develop someone like Warne though, as the conditions in England favour the seamers. We might get lucky and one day find a naturally gifted spinner, but at the moment the best we seem able to do is 'adequate'.

NZ has the same issue with spinners in our conditions. We got lucky though and found someone who flights and drifts more than he turns. We do still have our obligatory second spinner, (Formerly Wiseman, now Patel) for subcontinent matches, but he probably wont play many at home.

NZ has the same issue with spinners in our conditions. We got lucky though and found someone who flights and drifts more than he turns. We do still have our obligatory second spinner, (Formerly Wiseman, now Patel) for subcontinent matches, but he probably wont play many at home.
When are England and NZ next playing each other? We must be due a series soon.

I hope England does find a good spinner. I think good spin is the most fearsome weapon a team can unleash, and when it is done well it can almost be unplayable. Add to the fact that it's slow, and so a batsman can really slog the ball if he connects, and you can get some classic battles, like Pieterson/Warne in the Ashes.

When are England and NZ next playing each other? We must be due a series soon.


We're the third team in the VB series in australia early next year :D

I'm not sure when the next test series is.

Flintoff was truly awesome in the Ashes, as was Simon Jones. Shane Warne is always great to watch, as is Murali.

So, yeah, I have a bias towards the Bowlers. But as far as batsmen are concerned, Gilchrist and bloody AFRIDI take the cake.

Hard to choose one really. It hard to compare different generations. These days there are too many robots manufactured out of academies who all bowl bat and field the same. I miss the days of the 80s and before when you saw 'raw' talents..including real tail enders with no idea how to bat, players with larger than life personalities (rather than ones developed out of media frenzies like these days...has england doen anything other than win the ashes?), and bats that required genuine batting skill to use..rather than the ones we have these days with huge edges and seem to propell the balls towards the boundaries with minimal effort..whether the ball hit the sweet spot or not.

As such, my favs are players I think are, or would have been, high quality players in the 80s/early 90s and prior.

Batsmen: Sachin, Lara, Viv, The Don, Compton, Pollock, and easily the most beautiful technique to watch - mark waugh.

Bowlers: Fast - Hadlee, Marshall Spin - Warne, Muralitharan.

All rounders : Sobers, Hadlee, Khan, Akram. But its hard to beat a thumping chris cairns innings!

Wicketkeeper : Gilchrist, Logie.

Fielder : Rhodes (easily).


So my team would look like this :

Sachin
Pollock, G
Bradman, D
Lara, B
Viv
Gilchrist (wk)
Hadlee
Marshall, M
Akram, W
Warne
Murali

Khan, Compton, Sobers (12th men)


Ohhh..that line up makes the hairs stand up on my forearm woahhhh I just cant see it loosing...ever.

..including real tail enders with no idea how to bat...
I love it when a clueless tailender comes to the middle. Every ball has the potential to either be a wicket or a six. It can be great entertainment. :D

New Zealand's chris martin is keeping the tradition of the tailender alive and well. He holds the record for the most wickets taken without scoring a run, the most consecutive scores of 0 or 0 not out in tests, and he has the worst wickets:runs ratio of any test bowler. Currently he has 48 test runs, and 99 test wickets.

New Zealand's chris martin is keeping the tradition of the tailender alive and well. He holds the record for the most wickets taken without scoring a run, the most consecutive scores of 0 or 0 not out in tests, and he has the worst wickets:runs ratio of any test bowler. Currently he has 48 test runs, and 99 test wickets.
Heh. :p

Glad to see that a true tailender is still around somewhere. There seem to be so many games at the moment where the tail saves the top order. While I like the tail wagging when it's my team, I still miss the old whack-or-miss days of the tail. :p

Heh. :p

Glad to see that a true tailender is still around somewhere. There seem to be so many games at the moment where the tail saves the top order. While I like the tail wagging when it's my team, I still miss the old whack-or-miss days of the tail. :p

That happened SO often in the last ashes... on both sides, but more for Australia.

Personally, I've never been a fan of Ricky Ponting... sure he's good but not my favourite, a bit like the Don. Right now, Afridi does it for me. He's enormous, can pund a ball so very far and with reasonable accuracy, and can bowl, but if you ever make him run... its just good fun.

Personally, I've never been a fan of Ricky Ponting... sure he's good but not my favourite, a bit like the Don. Right now, Afridi does it for me. He's enormous, can pund a ball so very far and with reasonable accuracy, and can bowl, but if you ever make him run... its just good fun.
I'm not too keen on Ponting either, but I think my perception of him has been coloured by his poor Captaincy skills.

I'm not too keen on Ponting either, but I think my perception of him has been coloured by his poor Captaincy skills.

Yeah, probably the same with me.

I think he should just be focusing on his batting, coz he is very good at that.

Yeah, probably the same with me.

I think he should just be focusing on his batting, coz he is very good at that.

So who should captain the aussies you think? I think Gilchrist is too out of form to do it atm.

So who should captain the aussies you think? I think Gilchrist is too out of form to do it atm.
How can you look past Ponting in the first place? Sure, he's not the World's best captain.. But under him Australia have done great things.

How can you look past Ponting in the first place? Sure, he's not the World's best captain.. But under him Australia have done great things.


Yeah, looking at the current team, I suppose there isn't really anybody else who could do better... but I still don't like him.

Iwould Say Jack Hobbs

Yeah, looking at the current team, I suppose there isn't really anybody else who could do better... but I still don't like him.

I think Mike Hussey has the potential to be a very good captain.

Shane Warne is tactically very astute, but a complete idiot in most other respects.

Adam Gilchrist has been quite successful (winning the test series in India for example), but his form has been down, and it's too much work to be captain, wicketkeeper & key batsman.

Michael Clarke might be one to watch for the future.

What about Freddy?

I think Mike Hussey has the potential to be a very good captain.

Shane Warne is tactically very astute, but a complete idiot in most other respects.

Adam Gilchrist has been quite successful (winning the test series in India for example), but his form has been down, and it's too much work to be captain, wicketkeeper & key batsman.

Michael Clarke might be one to watch for the future.
Hussey... He would have to be my No. 2 behind Ponting.

Yeah, looking at the current team, I suppose there isn't really anybody else who could do better... but I still don't like him.
Me neither.. He's a dick.

So who should captain the aussies you think? I think Gilchrist is too out of form to do it atm.

The Oz player with the cricket smarts to be a good captain is Shane Warne but his off-field behaviour is in the complete dickhead class. And that's coming from a fellow Victorian (though not a fellow dickhead).

Errinundera']The Oz player with the cricket smarts to be a good captain is Shane Warne but his off-field behaviour is in the complete dickhead class. And that's coming from a fellow Victorian (though not a fellow dickhead).
Yea Warney is a true tosser if there ever was one. Wasn't his wife like really hot? Stupid, stupid man.

Simon Jones. Simply because he shyed at the stumps (read Justin Langer) prior to the Ashes.

Now most hated Cricketer is a choice between:

Murali (always a cheat)
Brett Lee (His face annoys me)
Graeme Smith (TWAT)

I think Mike Hussey has the potential to be a very good captain.

Shane Warne is tactically very astute, but a complete idiot in most other respects.

Adam Gilchrist has been quite successful (winning the test series in India for example), but his form has been down, and it's too much work to be captain, wicketkeeper & key batsman.

Michael Clarke might be one to watch for the future.

I have to agree in regards to Warne, however Gilchrist simply isn't captain material.

On reflection, I'd still make Warne captain however.

Simon Jones. Simply because he shyed at the stumps (read Justin Langer) prior to the Ashes.

Now most hated Cricketer is a choice between:

Murali (always a cheat)
Brett Lee (His face annoys me)
Graeme Smith (TWAT)
Hmm.. Brett Lee is a fucker indeed. A great chant here in NZ: "Brett Lee's a wanker!" Love it.

However, Murali is fantastic. His demolition of England the other day was truely great cricket.

I've grown to like Graeme Smith.. He's a really good batsmen.

Hmm.. Brett Lee is a fucker indeed. A great chant here in NZ: "Brett Lee's a wanker!" Love it.

However, Murali is fantastic. His demolition of England the other day was truely great cricket.

I've grown to like Graeme Smith.. He's a really good batsmen.

MURALI IS A CHEAT. He wouldn't even be bowling if the ICC had not caved in to public pressure.

As for Graeme Smith, my sole experiance of him is the alleged abuse he gave to Michael Vaughan, thus it is upon that that I base my opinion.

MURALI IS A CHEAT. He wouldn't even be bowling if the ICC had not caved in to public pressure.

As for Graeme Smith, my sole experiance of him is the alleged abuse he gave to Michael Vaughan, thus it is upon that that I base my opinion.
Nah, he ain't a cheat. They cleared him, that's all that matters.

Nah, he ain't a cheat. They cleared him, that's all that matters.

I'm still upset after yesterday. I need an excuse.

I'm still upset after yesterday. I need an excuse.
English? Well, I don't blame you.

Should have really won the series too.

English? Well, I don't blame you.

Should have really won the series too.

No. Any other team should have won the series. England have a unique ability to get into a winning position, and then proceed tomake the match as nerve wracking or depressing as possible.

We really need Vaughan, Harmison, Giles and Jones back though.

No. Any other team should have won the series. England have a unique ability to get into a winning position, and then proceed tomake the match as nerve wracking or depressing as possible.

We really need Vaughan, Harmison, Giles and Jones back though.
Hmmmm. Jones.. He's a sexy bowler. As is Vaughn a sexy batter.

I really don't like all your new guys. Especially the bowlers. I don't mind Cook though, he is solid enough.

Really looking forward to the Ashes this year.

MURALI IS A CHEAT.

I have business dealings with a Sri Lankan who is a keen cricket follower. If I have an issue with his company I ring him and start off by saying, "You know, Muralitharan is a chucker." If I want a favour I start with, "That Shane Warne is a drugs cheat."

Errinundera']I have business dealings with a Sri Lankan who is a keen cricket follower. If I have an issue with his company I ring him and start off by saying, "You know, Muralitharan is a chucker." If I want a favour I start with, "That Shane Warne is a drugs cheat."
:p

Hmmmm. Jones.. He's a sexy bowler. As is Vaughn a sexy batter.

I really don't like all your new guys. Especially the bowlers. I don't mind Cook though, he is solid enough.

Really looking forward to the Ashes this year.

Meh. Mahmood realy looks ordinary, and Plunkett unspectacular. As for Panesar, well, he can bowl, but thats about it really.

Anderson is the best young bowler we have anyway.

Oh, interestingly, my old chemistry teacher is Alistair Cook's mother.

Murali (always a cheat)
They actually did a test on him during the last tour where they put his arm in a cast that meant he couldn't bend the elbow more than the ICC rules allowed. He was still able to bowl properly, and it still looked like he was chucking it. It's just his weird action.

Meh. Mahmood realy looks ordinary, and Plunkett unspectacular. As for Panesar, well, he can bowl, but thats about it really.

Anderson is the best young bowler we have anyway.

Oh, interestingly, my old chemistry teacher is Alistair Cook's mother.
I'm not at all impressed with Mahmood, but Plunkett is a maybe and I quite like young Monty. If only he could catch...

I've never been impressed with Anderson. He has no consistency whatsoever; he'll take 5 wickets in one innings and then go for 150 runs in the next five innings.

Cook is good though, and looks like a better alternative to Bell at the moment.

Meh. Mahmood realy looks ordinary, and Plunkett unspectacular. As for Panesar, well, he can bowl, but thats about it really.

Anderson is the best young bowler we have anyway.

Oh, interestingly, my old chemistry teacher is Alistair Cook's mother.
Panesar is shocking.. They have to get rid of him surely. Worst fielding ever. I can say with 90% confidence I would do a better job than him.

Panesar is shocking.. They have to get rid of him surely. Worst fielding ever. I can say with 90% confidence I would do a better job than him.
But he is the closest thing we have to a new spinner. They can't drop him, at least not when Giles has gone - there is no one to replace him with. I suspect he'll just have to have some long practice sessions in the nets. :p

England need to give up on spin I think. They're too useless to win on the subcontinent anyway, so they may as well just pack it in and try to win with pace everywhere else.

But he is the closest thing we have to a new spinner. They can't drop him, at least not when Giles has gone - there is no one to replace him with. I suspect he'll just have to have some long practice sessions in the nets. :p
In the nets? Probably spend most of his time on the field catching lol. Giles is cool, I like the old bugger. Not too bad with the bat either.

In the nets? Probably spend most of his time on the field catching lol.
:rolleyes: In the nets was quicker to type and (I thought) easier to understand than "go out on the field with practice coaches and run around catching."

But then I've just had to write that out anyway now, so obviously is wasn't quicker...

:rolleyes: In the nets was quicker to type and (I thought) easier to understand than "go out on the field with practice coaches and run around catching."

But then I've just had to write that out anyway now, so obviously is wasn't quicker...
Hehe, I knew what you meant.. Just wanted to be annoying.

Seriously though, it's what he needs to do. Run around catching. Lots of it.

Hehe, I knew what you meant.. Just wanted to be annoying.

Seriously though, it's what he needs to do. Run around catching. Lots of it.
I expect they'll also sit down and work out which position on the field is the one least likely to get the ball. I might shove him in really close actually, maybe silly point, so he has no time to think about what's happening.

But then that probably wouldn't really work...

I expect they'll also sit down and work out which position on the field is the one least likely to get the ball. I might shove him in really close actually, maybe silly point, so he has no time to think about what's happening.

But then that probably wouldn't really work...
I usually field at first or second slip and sometimes point. When I was fielding at silly point one time, my trusty hands failed me and I dropped the easiest of easy catches. It was hilliarously easy and I still dropped it.

That doesn't have much relevance to Monty though.. I would be tempted to just leave him at third man or long on/off.

I expect they'll also sit down and work out which position on the field is the one least likely to get the ball. I might shove him in really close actually, maybe silly point, so he has no time to think about what's happening.

But then that probably wouldn't really work...


Nah, nowhere in close where he's more likely to fuck up his fingers taking (or droping) a reactionary catch. His fingers are all he has going for him..

I usually field at first or second slip and sometimes point. When I was fielding at silly point one time, my trusty hands failed me and I dropped the easiest of easy catches. It was hilliarously easy and I still dropped it.

That doesn't have much relevance to Monty though.. I would be tempted to just leave him at third man or long on/off.
I think third man is probably best - there aren't really many catches that go that way. I'd be happier leaving him in a position where he 'just' missed a boundary and cost an extra 3 runs than in a position where he misses a chance to get someone out.

The trouble is, the more of an issue this becomes the more it's going to bother him, and he might even get worse. I think Giles coming back will be the best thing because it will give him a break and allow him a bit of time to pull himself together.

I think third man is probably best - there aren't really many catches that go that way. I'd be happier leaving him in a position where he 'just' missed a boundary and cost an extra 3 runs than in a position where he misses a chance to get someone out.

The trouble is, the more of an issue this becomes the more it's going to bother him, and he might even get worse. I think Giles coming back will be the best thing because it will give him a break and allow him a bit of time to pull himself together.
The thing is, I can't see England fielding 2 spinners within the next 6 months-year or so.
Do you know when Giles is due back?
As you said, it will give him some welcome time to go sort his shit out.

What about Jones as a keeper? I didn't like him too much to start out with, but I've come to rate him quite highly. Not nearly as high as McCullum or Sangakkara though.

What about Jones as a keeper? I didn't like him too much to start out with, but I've come to rate him quite highly. Not nearly as high as McCullum or Sangakkara though.

McCullum as fairly average as a keeper. Good batsman and fairly athletic, but watching him compared to the likes of boucher or sangakkara when those teams toured, you could see the difference.

Ofc, Boucher can never live down droping fleming in the '03 world cup..

The thing is, I can't see England fielding 2 spinners within the next 6 months-year or so.
Do you know when Giles is due back?
As you said, it will give him some welcome time to go sort his shit out.
Giles shouldn't be too long now, although I've not heard any news recently. It looks like most of the first choice team should be back by the Pakistan tour, with the exception of Simon Jones, who is still a big question mark. I just hope that this Flintoff injury doesn't turn out to be something serious. That would be just what we need.

What about Jones as a keeper? I didn't like him too much to start out with, but I've come to rate him quite highly. Not nearly as high as McCullum or Sangakkara though.
I've gone the other way, myself. He's Kent's keeper (my team) so I backed him before, but it's become harder and harder to ignore all the chances he misses. And not just the important chances; if you watch him closely, he often drops normal throw ins and the like. They don't count, but it does show how he's a long way from a world class keeper.

Add to that the fact that he hasn't had a decent batting innings for a while and keeps getting out to stupid shots, and I think there is a strong case to replace him.

I've gone the other way, myself. He's Kent's keeper (my team) so I backed him before, but it's become harder and harder to ignore all the chances he misses. And not just the important chances; if you watch him closely, he often drops normal throw ins and the like. They don't count, but it does show how he's a long way from a world class keeper.

Add to that the fact that he hasn't had a decent batting innings for a while and keeps getting out to stupid shots, and I think there is a strong case to replace him.
Fair enough.. You've probably been watching closer than me.

Kinda reminds me of a phase when McCullum would always take throw ins infront of the stumps. It's just a bad habit. I'm pretty sure someone pointed out to him what he was doing and he went back to taking it behind the stumps on every throw.

Flintoff's presence is pretty damn important. He is one of those players you just feel better having in your team (I imagine so anyway). Very similiar to Chris Cairns I think. Although Freddy is probably a slightly quicker/better bowler.

Flintoff's presence is pretty damn important. He is one of those players you just feel better having in your team (I imagine so anyway). Very similiar to Chris Cairns I think. Although Freddy is probably a slightly quicker/better bowler.
It would be just our luck to lose Flintoff just as the others are returning. It's one of the problems of all these injuries - the team at full strength fits so well that losing any part of it is a real pain.

It would be just our luck to lose Flintoff just as the others are returning. It's one of the problems of all these injuries - the team at full strength fits so well that losing any part of it is a real pain.
Indeed. Who you picking for the World Cup?

Indeed. Who you picking for the World Cup?
Ha! Our one day team is so terrible at the moment it doesn't really make that much of a difference, but I've never been keen on having the 'two team' approach - I would go with the Test side.

We'll go out in the first rounds anyway...

I mean who are you picking to win it, heh. Not your England team for it :p

I mean who are you picking to win it, heh. Not your England team for it :p
lol, ok. :p

Australia is the obvious choice, but I have to say that after that amazing game the other month I would be keeping an eye on South Africa as well.

lol, ok. :p

Australia is the obvious choice, but I have to say that after that amazing game the other month I would be keeping an eye on South Africa as well.
I loved that game. Was amazing to watch.

I hope it's a little more interesting than just Australia dominating. Would be cool to see the hosts get a few upsets. Maybe India getting to the final. I doubt NZ will do very well.. Our selections in the past few series have been very stupid and doesn't look as if we have any (good) opening batsmen.

I loved that game. Was amazing to watch.

I hope it's a little more interesting than just Australia dominating. Would be cool to see the hosts get a few upsets. Maybe India getting to the final. I doubt NZ will do very well.. Our selections in the past few series have been very stupid and doesn't look as if we have any (good) opening batsmen.
I would pick India if they were on home soil, but they never do as well when they're away.

While I think the Aussies are going to win, I don't think it will be a walk over. Because of the Ashes defeat, the Aussie air of invinsibility has gone and for the first time in 10 years they look vulnerable, so everyone is going to think they have a shot at beating them.

The Aussies are favourites, but they're going to have to fight for it.

I would pick India if they were on home soil, but they never do as well when they're away.

While I think the Aussies are going to win, I don't think it will be a walk over. Because of the Ashes defeat, the Aussie air of invinsibility has gone and for the first time in 10 years they look vulnerable, so everyone is going to think they have a shot at beating them.

The Aussies are favourites, but they're going to have to fight for it.
Yea, Aussie will probably take it.. Boy, hard to say that heh.

I'm slightly concerned that West Indies won't be able to produce excellent pitches though. Having said that, it shouldn't be too hard I guess.

Yea, Aussie will probably take it.. Boy, hard to say that heh.

I'm slightly concerned that West Indies won't be able to produce excellent pitches though. Having said that, it shouldn't be too hard I guess.
The Windies will produce the best pitches for their own players. I don't know about NZ, but England seems to be the only country honourable enough to produce good pitches, rather than pitches specifically for its own players.

Having said that, WI are so bad these days I think they're going to need all the help they can get.

The Windies will produce the best pitches for their own players. I don't know about NZ, but England seems to be the only country honourable enough to produce good pitches, rather than pitches specifically for its own players.

Having said that, WI are so bad these days I think they're going to need all the help they can get.
We have a few good pitches around. Here in Wellington at the Basin there's always a good pitch that doesn't really favour one team or another.
England of course has the best pitches in the World in my view. Australia are perhaps the worst at making their pitches to suit their players, which is why them losing on home soil is great to watch.

lets be fair though, these days for ODIs groundsmen just flatten the crap out of them and let the batsmen have at it..

Dhoni is my current favorite player. I have a feeling that he will go on to break many records and become a great player.

Dhoni is my current favorite player. I have a feeling that he will go on to break many records and become a great player.


India finally found a player who can actually keep a little bit. The fact he can bat is a tidy bonus..

India finally found a player who can actually keep a little bit. The fact he can bat is a tidy bonus..

yeah...we always had shitty wicket-keepers...I am glad we finally found a decent keeper who can bat like a top-order batsman and is a hard-hitter too.

My favorite cricket player is Mr. I-Don't-Care-The-Slightest-Bit-About-This-Thread-Because-It's-Stupid-And-Because-I-Am-Eating-Spaghetti-Right-Now.

My favorite cricket player is Mr. I-Don't-Care-The-Slightest-Bit-About-This-Thread-Because-It's-Stupid-And-Because-I-Am-Eating-Spaghetti-Right-Now.

Good for you! I like him too, though I think that he often lets himself down with his loose technique & poor shot selection. Not to mention that he just can't pick the googly!

I think third man is probably best - there aren't really many catches that go that way. I'd be happier leaving him in a position where he 'just' missed a boundary and cost an extra 3 runs than in a position where he misses a chance to get someone out.

The trouble is, the more of an issue this becomes the more it's going to bother him, and he might even get worse. I think Giles coming back will be the best thing because it will give him a break and allow him a bit of time to pull himself together.

If Monty really is that bad in the field, I can't wait to see him here for the Ashes. It's been ages since Tuffers was last here & the Poms just aren't the same team without him.

The Windies will produce the best pitches for their own players. I don't know about NZ, but England seems to be the only country honourable enough to produce good pitches, rather than pitches specifically for its own players.

Having said that, WI are so bad these days I think they're going to need all the help they can get.

It's not honour, its rank stupidity.

How easy would the Ashes, and the recent series against Muralitheran, have been had we actually made fast wickets, not wickets that crumble after two days play?

Incidentally, does anyone else agree that Murali looks like an Oompah Loompah from the old Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film?

Incidentally, does anyone else agree that Murali looks like an Oompah Loompah from the old Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film?
Ha! Now that you mention it, yea. I can definatly see it. Well picked up.

Ha! Now that you mention it, yea. I can definatly see it. Well picked up.

I just started imagining the sledging he could do.....:D

I just started imagining the sledging he could do.....:D
Great man that Murali. When he isn't doing his crazy eye bowling, he's always smiling. It's good to see.

Great man that Murali. When he isn't doing his crazy eye bowling, he's always smiling. It's good to see.

Nice bloke too.

Nice bloke too.
So they say, indeed. In it for the love of the game, and when you're that damn skillful, why not? That's why I like him so much more than Warne.. I mean, Warne's good, but he doesn't have that passion that Murali does.

class mat balls runs wkts bbi bbm ave econ sr 4 5 10
Tests 106 35161 14035 635 9/51 16/220 22.10 2.39 55.37 37 53 16


What could he POSSIBLY have to smile about :p

class mat balls runs wkts bbi bbm ave econ sr 4 5 10
Tests 106 35161 14035 635 9/51 16/220 22.10 2.39 55.37 37 53 16


What could he POSSIBLY have to smile about :p
Heh, indeed.
Boy didn't he have a great last two tests against England. Wow.

*Martin Donnelly the best Left hander to ever the play the game even though his test carrer never had much of a show.
*Walter Hammond the other great of the Bradman era.
*Ewen Chatfield was and is pretty awesome did i mention i got him out?:p
*Stephen Fleming, he may be a Cantab but we can make him normal.
*Myself
*Nante Hayward of South Africa the 'New Donald' just not as good.
*Paddles
*John Wright
*Bob Blair batted couragously against the Jarps after learning of the death of his wife.
Women
*Anna Dodd she is really cool.
80's
*Paddles
Current
Stephen Fleming

If Monty really is that bad in the field, I can't wait to see him here for the Ashes. It's been ages since Tuffers was last here & the Poms just aren't the same team without him.
Ah, Tuffers. Is there a better symbol of England's terrible form in the 1990s?

It's not honour, its rank stupidity.

How easy would the Ashes, and the recent series against Muralitheran, have been had we actually made fast wickets, not wickets that crumble after two days play?
The Sri Lanka series should have been easy on a pitch made of jelly. England threw it away; it wasn't the pitches fault.

And I believe the Aussies are good enough to win anywhere on any pitch.

i just read your Tg Peisandros.
Yes this is an awesome thread, i'll read it all tonight.

The Sri Lanka series should have been easy on a pitch made of jelly. England threw it away; it wasn't the pitches fault.

And I believe the Aussies are good enough to win anywhere on any pitch.

We've pretty much proven that over the last 10 years. We've won in England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, the Carribean & NZ and have rarely been beaten at home. I think it was the Kiwis who last did that?

We've pretty much proven that over the last 10 years. We've won in England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, the Carribean & NZ and have rarely been beaten at home. I think it was the Kiwis who last did that?

Us and South Africa kept you out of the finals of the VB series a while ago. I think in the test series in... 2001 (maybe?) it was a 0-0 draw after 3 tests. Fking great series, in 2 of the games, all four results were possible in the last session of the match. That's what makes a test great.

Actually, if I remember rightly there was a match at Perth where four NZers got centuries. I'm gonna look up on cricinfo for the score cards for that series..

Us and South Africa kept you out of the finals of the VB series a while ago. I think in the test series in... 2001 (maybe?) it was a 0-0 draw after 3 tests. Fking great series, in 2 of the games, all four results were possible in the last session of the match. That's what makes a test great.

Actually, if I remember rightly there was a match at Perth where four NZers got centuries. I'm gonna look up on cricinfo for the score cards for that series..

Yeah, that was a really good series. The Kiwis really took it up to us in that one.

Your last visit here wasn't too flash though. 100 run parternship last wicket partnership with McGrath & Gillespie, in which they each scored maided test 50s. :p

3-0 if I remember rightly, then 3-0 again in the return leg in NZ?

Yeah, that was a really good series. The Kiwis really took it up to us in that one.

Your last visit here wasn't too flash though. 100 run parternship last wicket partnership with McGrath & Gillespie, in which they each scored maided test 50s. :p

3-0 if I remember rightly, then 3-0 again in the return leg in NZ?

hah, sounds about right. Who were the last team to beat the aussies at home in a test series? I know they lost the ashes, and India trounced them in 2001, but I can't think of the last time they lost a test series at home.

West Indies 1992/3 summer was the last time Oz lost at home.

Actually I'm gobsmacked. Check here:

http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Series/SeriesListCountry.asp

Errinundera']West Indies 1992/3 summer was the last time Oz lost at home.

Actually I'm gobsmacked. Check here:

http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Series/SeriesListCountry.asp

Shit New Zealand ruled in the 80s :D

That's hadlee for you eh.

Shit New Zealand ruled in the 80s :D

That's hadlee for you eh.

I was a fan of Dean Jones (cricket ability, not personality). Technically he was, imo, the best Oz test batsmen in the time between Greg Chappell and Ricky Ponting.

Unfortunately, he didn't have clue against Hadlee.

Mind you, Hadlee had his personality issues too.

Shit New Zealand ruled in the 80s :D

That's hadlee for you eh.

"Hadlee's a wanker! Hadlee's a wanker!"

(A much favoured chant at the MCG.)

Errinundera']I was a fan of Dean Jones (cricket ability, not personality). Technically he was, imo, the best Oz test batsmen in the time between Greg Chappell and Ricky Ponting.

Unfortunately, he didn't have clue against Hadlee.

Mind you, Hadlee had his personality issues too.

I was a big fan of Deano (being a Vic), but I don't think he was a technically great batsman, particularly in the test arena. I think he was very innovative when it came to batting in the one dayers, possibly the first batsman to really recognise the differences & exploit the possibilities.

"Hadlee's a wanker! Hadlee's a wanker!"

(A much favoured chant at the MCG.)

Yeah it kinda sucks for you when he finishes with 15 wickets in a match :p

Although that happened in Brisbane I think.

Us and South Africa kept you out of the finals of the VB series a while ago. I think in the test series in... 2001 (maybe?) it was a 0-0 draw after 3 tests. Fking great series, in 2 of the games, all four results were possible in the last session of the match. That's what makes a test great.

Actually, if I remember rightly there was a match at Perth where four NZers got centuries. I'm gonna look up on cricinfo for the score cards for that series..
Vincent, Parore, (Richardson, Astle and Fleming, McMillian or Vettori)- the other two were out of these guys.
The first two were deffinates.
The team was.
Vincent
Richardson
Fleming
Astle
McMillian
Cairns
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Bond
Tuffey/Martin???
I think...

*snip*
Ahh.. Is that the VB Series where Bond was fucking awesome?

Ahh.. Is that the VB Series where Bond was fucking awesome?
Nah the Test serious where he was fucken awsome.
1st test we were saved by rain
2nd or 3rd test they were.
The other test we were in a spot to win that too.

Nah the Test serious where he was fucken awsome.
1st test we were saved by rain
2nd or 3rd test they were.
The other test we were in a spot to win that too.

That was a good series. What happened to Shane Bond? I haven't heard of him for ages.

That was a good series. What happened to Shane Bond? I haven't heard of him for ages.
He played against Sri Lanka but he tweeked his back again.
I think he has been out of cricket for 3 of his 5 years all up since making the team in '01.

Shane Bond is one fast bowler that I really liked. Such a clean action unlike Shoab Chuckther or Brat Lee.:p Shame that he could not play more.

I heard that he is a cop in Christchurch or somewhere? is that right?

Shane Bond is one fast bowler that I really liked. Such a clean action unlike Shoab Chuckther or Brat Lee.:p Shame that he could not play more.

I heard that he is a cop in Christchurch or somewhere? is that right?
Nah he is still 'playing' right now it is the 'offseason' but he is injured.

Five of New Zealands Top Six Bowlers are out of action.:p
Bond
Vettori
Tuffey
Butler
Oram

Martin is active and i'd say Franklin is our Seventh best.