******Cricket Thread******

[ancoats]

That's something I can’t answer, I'm afraid. Apart from the obvious, money.

money should not be the question at international levels... football does free to air england games
like i said all england test matches should be on free to air and sponsorship invited even on the bbc

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

prices are daft and again a problem that needs redressing
schools and kids should be given free tickets all the time to promote cricket in school

It’s because counties have to bid to get test matches at their grounds.

They're sealed bids too, so they don’t know how much to bid and probably overbid to make sure they get one. (Outside of Lords and The Oval, which seem to get them whatever)

 

[Gabriel]

Very true and they’re probably about as good as Burns and Hameed. We’ve got lots of mediocre openers.

Does Nick Compton still play?

No, he’s retired now.

I actually think they should persist with Burns and Hameed for Australia. Burns is averaging 38 this summer, which is actually slightly higher than his Test average, but that’s been against the two best Test teams. Hameed is averaging 28 in the three Tests back, so he could do with a decent knock. Their inclusion also allows England to have a left/right partnership at the top. My only concern is that neither has toured Australia before, so if they do go with them, then they need someone at three who can drop anchor. Malan averaged 42 when England last played in Australia, so I presume that’s why he’s been recalled.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Jack Leach called up for the next test the Indians must be bricking it. Is Parky injured? He's not in the Lancs team at Notts. I was just looking at the averages and noticed Malan has had just 1 innings in the CC this season, that's unreal. I know he was injured early season but 1 innings, how is he meant to get into nick for test cricket.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

No, he’s retired now.

I actually think they should persist with Burns and Hameed for Australia. Burns is averaging 38 this summer, which is actually slightly higher than his Test average, but that’s been against the two best Test teams. Hameed is averaging 28 in the three Tests back, so he could do with a decent knock. Their inclusion also allows England to have a left/right partnership at the top. My only concern is that neither has toured Australia before, so if they do go with them, then they need someone at three who can drop anchor. Malan averaged 42 when England last played in Australia, so I presume that’s why he’s been recalled.

I don’t disagree as there is no one knocking on the door to replace them. I get the sense that Hameed will get roughed up in Australia. He doesn’t have a great presence at the crease as of yet.

I’ve pretty much given up on the Ashes this year. We don’t have the batsmen, pace bowlers and a decent spinner. Anything other than a 5-0 loss will be a bonus.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

It’s because counties have to bid to get test matches at their grounds.

They're sealed bids too, so they don’t know how much to bid and probably overbid to make sure they get one. (Outside of Lords and The Oval, which seem to get them whatever)

It's certainly a negative to the system, and a bad weather week can destroy finances. I think Lancashire didn't bid for an Ashes test as it could have been ruinous, favouring ODIs.

Not sure how Lords/Oval are allocated them, but it's fair to assume that every touring teams wants to play at Lords.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

It's certainly a negative to the system, and a bad weather week can destroy finances. I think Lancashire didn't bid for an Ashes test as it could have been ruinous, favouring ODIs.

Not sure how Lords/Oval are allocated them, but it's fair to assume that every touring teams wants to play at Lords.

I get the Lords reasoning. I just hope Middlesex have to stump up as much money as non-London grounds do.

I wonder how much Lancs had to bid to get the India test this year, only to find out it’s in September! The weather forecast doesn’t look great for the first couple of days.

Fortunately, I’m going on day 3 :-)

 

[Gabriel]

I get the Lords reasoning. I just hope Middlesex have to stump up as much money as non-London grounds do.

I wonder how much Lancs had to bid to get the India test this year, only to find out it’s in September! The weather forecast doesn’t look great for the first couple of days.

Fortunately, I’m going on day 3 :-)

In the last Ashes series in England, the Old Trafford Test was also in September with the fifth at the Oval. It's just that they're inverted this year.

Day 3! Admire your optimism...

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

In the last Ashes series in England, the Old Trafford Test was also in September with the fifth at the Oval. It's just that they're inverted this year.

Day 3! Admire your optimism...

Surely the weather will help it stretch to 3 days!

 

[Gabriel]

Surely the weather will help it stretch to 3 days!

Think the weather might be slightly better from day three on: Ambre Solaire or Deep Heat?