Cricket

No idea

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/F10569147?show=50

It's a fantastically relaxing game to watch.

The fielding arrangements seem to conform immaculately to the principles of Feng Shui.

Louis you seen this yet?

Yeah and I'm fucking appalled, partially because history has looked dimly upon the Pakistan team's integrity and partially because I predicted 3-0 before the series began and went round crowing to everyone after that wound up the eventual (although alas impermanent) scoreline.

Have any of you cricket guys read "Anyone but England" by Mark Marqusee? Really gave me a different perspective on cricket and the often dodgy politics that surrounds it. One of his points was that Pakistan have a history of unproven innuendos about ball tampering being made against them, for example in the 1992 series in England. This might explain why they took such umbrage in 2006.

The only argument Pakistan could possibly have is that they were well on top in the match when it was called off, and probably bound for victory. But they made their decision and had to face the consequences. Protesting by staying off the field is pretty much a one-way ticket to loserville, and Hair's accusations of ball-tampering were, I'd imagine, well-founded. Most countries have done it at some point, if you're caught, 5-run penalty, fines, accept it, carry on. Don't throw a fucking strop like idiot babies.

No I haven't read that book but it look intersting, will investigate!

Also, in yesterday's Evening Standard (picked up free of charge on a train, not bought) I found the word "umbrage" spelt "umbridge". Either listening to the Archers while writing or just plain flaming incompetent. Note to newspapers: please employ people who are not iliterate (HINT).

Oh I agree that Pakistan were wrong to walk off, it's just that their actions didn't come out of nowhere, and that there's a history to this. You're right that all countries have a history of ball tampering, but it seems to be Pakistan in England that get pilloried for it.

I would highly recommend the Marqusee book. He's an American sociologist who fell in love with cricket in the 70s. This gives him an outsiders view of the game, and he has some pithy stuff to say about it.

I found the word "umbrage" spelt "umbridge". Either listening to the Archers while writing or just plain flaming incompetent. Note to newspapers: please employ people who are not iliterate (HINT).

Is that a "don't employ me, please" hint, then?

Ah, self-depracation will only get you so far it seems.

Shoaib needs a job

BBC now reporting Michael Holding has resigned from the ICC over the issue.

Michael Holding has resigned from cricket's governing body, the ICC, over its decision to change the result of a 2006 Test between England and Pakistan.

Pakistan were deemed to have forfeited the game at the Oval after they refused to return to the field when umpires accused them of ball tampering.

The tourists were later cleared of the latter offence and on Thursday the outcome of the match changed to a draw. "That game should never, ever be a draw," said West Indies legend Holding.

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Holding agrees Pakistan were innocent of ball-tampering but insists their refusal to retake the field should have been punished.

"When you take certain actions, you must be quite happy to suffer the consequences," he said.

"I have just written my letter of resignation to the ICC Cricket Committee because I cannot agree with what they've done.

"A lot of things that are happening today that I don't want to be involved with, so I've moved on."

Fucking West Indies. Thirteen needed off three and a half overs with six wickets in hand and they lose by 1 run. Shit, shit, shit.

Michael Holding in integrity in cricket vs historical revisionism shockah.

Pakistan refused to return to the field. Therefore, they forfeited. The game therefore was not, and never will be, a draw.

So can we expect low scores from England againt the SA bowlers and a 4-0 test series defeat?

Not if this rain keeps up.

You think that's Englands only hope?

I come to the cricket thread and what are the English talking about? The weather.

Throwdowns to Graeme: England - SA series summer '08

and its a collapse

England 148-3 v South Africa day one

England lost three wickets in three overs to slip to 117-3 midway through the first afternoon at Lord's.

Andrew Strauss (44) had looked in good touch after England were put in, but he was given out by Daryl Harper to one replays showed pitched outside leg.

Until then the South African attack had not threatened England, Alastair Cook notching his 11th fifty in a 114 stand.

But Michael Vaughan (2) missed a good one from Dale Steyn that swung away and Cook (60) gloved a brutal rising ball.

Bell and KP partnership of 192 takes England up to 309-3. Well done (now keep going tomorrow!)

Good batting pitch so wonder why SA put ENG in to bat.

Smith should have known it was a slow pitch, but thats easy for me to say innit!

Great century from Pietersen. Lets hope Bell gets his tomorrow as well.

and i hope they make big scores and colly/ambrose contribute too

Well played Ian Bell!

use the ILC thread!

No.

Colly just got an absolutely shocking decision there.

i'm going to ignore you until you use the specific thread

did someone speak?

Fuck david cameron on TMS.

Agreed.

I'm glad I have sky sports then

I'd rather a fly in my ointment than be smeared with shit ;)

As long as that cunt stays away from sky sports coverage

Well done Bell, shame about the double hundred miss -- but I'm glad he actually made a great contribution when I didn't believe he could. Hopefully he'll go on now and that 199 won't be read any other way, should he not go on an be amazing for England.

It's a real shame he didn't get the 200. I remember when Gooch was out for 196 against Australia in 1985. And of course his 333 4 years later.

5 i mean

And he was dropped on 30 by the Indian wicketkeeper

bah, Eng bowling economically with little cutting edge and SA bore on towards a draw...

the problem is it's still a great batting track, SA are going to be much tougher on a second innings, all down to Monty at the moment but this is where you need a Flintoff to get you a wicket or 2.

Yay for the return of The Sheffield Shield!

Freddie definitely playing tomorrow, then.

Did Mark Pougatch's commentary on TMS in the 1st Test annoy other people as much as it annoyed me?

He should stick to football.

He wasn't that bad! Arlo White, now he's a (thankfully absent) disgrace to the profession. None of the BBC lot even approach Talksport's Andrew McKenna when it comes to sheer fist-in-mouth terribleness, though.

Can't we take all this to the series-specific ILC thread?

NO!!!!

Easier to use this thread as a rolling cricket thread isn't it?