Cricket Thread

[supercity88]

The decline of the West Indies is simply incomprehensible to me. Nobody's been able to explain it to me to my satisfaction. I know that amongst many kids in the islands football's taken over, and that's one of the reasons.
When I was growing up they were the team. And that remained true right through the seventies, and well into the eighties. Very, very melancholy.

It will all come down to money. A lack of investment in grassroots and also the fact players can earn so much from franchise cricket that they've pursued that over playing for the West Indies, particularly in test cricket. If you're a youngster from a poor background, you're going to pursue a sport where there's the opportunity to make money and cricket doesn't offer that. Gone are the days where the youngsters would grow up watching a great side with players that became heroes they wanted to emulate. There aren't many players now that will be inspiring a new generation.

 

[waspish]

The decline of the West Indies is simply incomprehensible to me. Nobody's been able to explain it to me to my satisfaction. I know that amongst many kids in the islands football's taken over, and that's one of the reasons.
When I was growing up they were the team. And that remained true right through the seventies, and well into the eighties. Very, very melancholy.

No money in test match cricket and the best players go and play in 20/20 and with so many competitions now they’ll make a very good living out of it..

Need a two league for test matches!

 

[bavarian blue]

Satellite tv came to the Windies , American sports were shown daily .Why play cricket when you can be a millionaire in the USA?

 

[Gabriel]

County Championship on again today. Leaders Surrey heading to Taunton, Lancashire hosting bottom-placed Northamptonshire (expect 4 days of glorious weather…), and third-placed Hampshire host Essex who are currently second. Last round of fixtures before the shortened forms dominate August. If all of the home sides win this week (including Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire), the Championship might be well set for an exciting September.

 

[bavarian blue]

County Championship on again today. Leaders Surrey heading to Taunton, Lancashire hosting bottom-placed Northamptonshire (expect 4 days of glorious weather…), and third-placed Hampshire host Essex who are currently second. Last round of fixtures before the shortened forms dominate August. If all of the home sides win this week (including Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire), the Championship might be well set for an exciting September.

I hope you are right , Surrey are a bit too strong for the rest of the league.

 

[cleavers]

Lancashire hosting bottom-placed Northamptonshire (expect 4 days of glorious weather…)

I think the weather will be very similar to the test match, which incidentally appears to be the pitch they're using today, which is a bit surprising.

Northants won the toss and are batting.

 

[Gabriel]

I hope you are right , Surrey are a bit too strong for the rest of the league.

Probably right. Somerset won the toss, chose to bat, and find themselves 69-4. Still think Essex look a good bet, though. They have Hampshire 72 for 5.

 

[Gabriel]

No batting points for Warwickshire at Edgbaston. All out for 60 before lunch and Middlesex 3-1 in reply.

 

[bavarian blue]

Yes, Surrey and Essex going well . Looks a bit chilly at Old Trafford.

 

[chesterbells]

Am at Old Trafford after getting some freebies through Sky Rewards. Decent crowd though only 1/4 open. Amazingly the weather has been decent too.
Lancs started well 3 morning wickets but have becalmed a bit and Gay has hit a ton for them