Cricket

[Busaholic]

I (and a substantial number of others) have been glued to the Lancs/Middx game. The fall, and rise, of a team like that simply can't happen in 20sodding20. I can't recall one single 20/20 game - yet my head's full of heroic Lanky CC successes (and many more failures). Young Jones's effort, and subsequent celebration, will live long in the memory. A quick 50 in the 20/20 won't.
Neither will a quick 150.

I absolutely agree with every word. 20/20 is a fad, and will be forgotten about in a decade's time. Did you realise Jones and Hameed are Lancs youngest-EVER opening partnership? Durham's narrow win over money-no-object Surrey was great as well.

 

[Howardh]

I absolutely agree with every word. 20/20 is a fad, and will be forgotten about in a decade's time. Did you realise Jones and Hameed are Lancs youngest-EVER opening partnership? Durham's narrow win over money-no-object Surrey was great as well.

Next week, especially if the weather is kind, produces a dream end to the Championship. Three teams can win it (two playing each other) and one of three go down with Notts.
If one could be in four places at once....

 

[Cletus]

Not sure the decision to recall Gareth Batty to the test squad for the tour to Bangladesh is the right one.

 

[ainsworth74]

Bit of a left field decision it seems to me! Bolt from the blue and all that...

 

[Busaholic]

Not sure the decision to recall Gareth Batty to the test squad for the tour to Bangladesh is the right one.

I'm beginning to despair a bit at some of Trevor Bayliss's selections, first the retention of Compton and Vince way beyond decency, then Ball only given one test so that Finn could continue to misfire, but this one takes the biscuit. The nearest thing to Gordon Ramsey in English cricket, even looks a bit like him in some photos. So Jack Leach with his 64 wickets for Somerset at 20 odd, including on a pitch designed to negate his impact at Headingley, is not good enough because he may not be expected to score a 50 when our batsmen fail! How many tests would Phil Tufnell have played under this lot? Precisely none, even though he was the best spinner in England for a while.

 

[Whistler40145]

I wasn't at all surprised that Hales has been dropped, the inclusion of Haseeb Hameed is a very bold move, but also shows that the selectors have faith in him. I'm also pleased that Ben Duckett has been selected, but not surprised that Ian Bell is omitted, I'm unsure if Ben Stokes will be firing on all cylinders, Chris Woakes has certainly made his mark in the Test XI and may this continue. I'm still unconvinced by the inclusion of Steven Finn, I would've liked to have a Left Arm pace bowler, just to provide a bit of variety, but completely bowled over by the selection of Batty and Ansari.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

I'm beginning to despair a bit at some of Trevor Bayliss's selections, .

I might be wrong, but isn't the touring party chosen by Whitaker/Fraser/Newall ?(altho' I would always blame an Aussie if possible)

...but of course, you will remember, as I do that it has always been beneficial to play for certain counties when it comes to selection for England, and Somerset are probably one of the least favoured.

 

[Whistler40145]

Indeed, the Selectors decide on who gets selected.

 

[Busaholic]

, I would've liked to have a Left Arm pace bowler, just to provide a bit of variety, but completely bowled over by the selection of Batty and Ansari.

Money talks, and no county has more money than Surrey. The selection of football World Cup venues is rational compared to this one. I suppose at least the bits-and-pieces Liam Dawson, apparently admired by Bayliss even before he saw him play (can't see the admiration would survive seeing him play!), didn't get selected. The quotes of Dawson I've read put me in mind of the worst of KP, but at least the latter could play.

 

[Whistler40145]

Does anyone know why Tom Smith isn't playing for Lancashire?

 

[Howardh]

Does anyone know why Tom Smith isn't playing for Lancashire?

Injured. No surprise there, then.

 

[Whistler40145]

Quite surprised that he even made it back into the 1st XI this season.

I wonder if retirement is on the cards?

 

[Busaholic]

I might be wrong, but isn't the touring party chosen by Whitaker/Fraser/Newall ?(altho' I would always blame an Aussie if possible)

...but of course, you will remember, as I do that it has always been beneficial to play for certain counties when it comes to selection for England, and Somerset are probably one of the least favoured.

Fraser allowed Finn to play for Middlesex in the deciding match of the championship v Yorkshire, whose Bairstow and Root were denied the chance, much to the chagrin of both county and player in Jonny's case. His replacement Hodd batted his socks off though and, I hope, helped scupper Middlesex's chances of the title. I'd like to see Somerset win it for the first time ever, as much for Marcus Trescothick's sake as anything else.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The final day of the current round of County Championship Division One matches looks likely to make interesting decision making by all the three sides threatened with the final relegation place.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
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Hampshire 411 all out and 245-9 declared

Durham 361 all out and 297-4

Durham win by six wickets. Hampshire and Nottinghamshire are the two sides to be relegated to Division Two.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Fraser allowed Finn to play for Middlesex in the deciding match of the championship v Yorkshire, whose Bairstow and Root were denied the chance, much to the chagrin of both county and player in Jonny's case. His replacement Hodd batted his socks off though and, I hope, helped scupper Middlesex's chances of the title. I'd like to see Somerset win it for the first time ever, as much for Marcus Trescothick's sake as anything else.

Well, Middlesex won it in the end, I was hoping for a Somerset victory also (Middx were my third choice as a neutral in this), but it was an exciting end to the Championship. I actually went to Lord's yesterday, excellent day, especially the tension when Yorkshire's last pair were inching (in singles) towards the final batting point.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Nice that Middlesex won (I wonder if you can buy those sweaters the players were wearing?)

 

[backontrack]

Andrew Strauss must be proud. He won it for Middlesex without even playing...

 

[Busaholic]

Andrew Strauss must be proud. He won it for Middlesex without even playing...

I've seen no mention in the cricket press to remind people that Strauss, when he was England captain, chose not to tour Bangladesh, a decision that was strongly criticised by Mike Atherton, a man not usually given to being personally judgmental. I therefore expect Morgan to be given the captaincy of the one-day teams back for India, which imo he definitely should not be considered for, either as captain or team member.

 

[ainsworth74]

I have nothing to say for were I to say anything I would have to ban myself but this has come to pass:

Durham relegated in return for ECB bailout, Hampshire stay up

Durham have been relegated from the top flight of the County Championship, with Hampshire staying up in their place, after being hit with a penalty for receiving financial support from the ECB during the 2016 season. They will begin 2017 in Division Two with a 48-point penalty in return for a £3.8m bailout.

The club has accepted it will no longer be allowed to bid to host Test matches at Chester-le-Street, although they will be eligible for ODIs and T20 internationals. Durham will also start next season with -4 points in the NatWest T20 Blast and -2 points in the Royal London Cup; hand back non-player related ECB prize money for 2016; and be subject to a more closely controlled salary cap until 2020.

...

Source

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What on earth has happened at Durham to have led to this draconian course of action being taken?

 

[ExRes]

What on earth has happened at Durham to have led to this draconian course of action being taken?

From what I've seen it seems to be that Durham fell for the line that the ECB spun about spreading international cricket around the counties, Durham simply borrowed more than they were able to pay back, a mistake that many businesses of all types have made

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

From what I've seen it seems to be that Durham fell for the line that the ECB spun about spreading international cricket around the counties, Durham simply borrowed more than they were able to pay back, a mistake that many businesses of all types have made

I think that's about right, the ECB's hands aren't clean and I think that they really have let Durham down. Glamorgan were in the same boat after taking International Cricket, seem to recall the Welsh Govt had to give them a helping hand.

 

[Howardh]

I have nothing to say for were I to say anything I would have to ban myself but this has come to pass:



Source

What...eh...what...blimey! Didn't see that coming! Thought at worst a points deduction next season. So all that nailbiting about Lancashire staying up was irrelevant whan Durham were doomed.

 

[Busaholic]

I have nothing to say for were I to say anything I would have to ban myself but this has come to pass:



Source

I'll say this, because I'm not a Durham supporter. I absolutely disagree with this decision in every regard, but I'm going to stick with the decision to allow Hampshire to stay up in their place. This is the Hampshire who were trounced by Durham in the final championship match, despite Hampshire having prepared a pitch which they thought would help their spinners, and despite Durham having to bat last. The alternative to Hampshire staying up that was being promulgated by cricket writers etc was that Kent, who would normally have been promoted from Division 2 as they came second but for the change to one promotion place this season, be promoted in Durham's place. Now Kent voted against the City T20 farrago, so were obviously beyond the pale, so Rod Bransgrove's Hampshire, the club most run like a Premiership fiefdom, got the nod. Surprise! surprise! I hope Hampshire get well and truly trounced in every match next season. They heartily deserved demotion.

 

[DarloRich]

I have nothing to say for were I to say anything I would have to ban myself but this has come to pass:

Agreed! The treatment of Durham is a disgrace. The plot thickens when you consider this situation is not covered by any rules and this article in the Independent:

Independent

Durham outraged as ECB relegate side after telling them to turn down £4m bid
Private consortium were keen to buy struggling county and clear their debts

Durham County Cricket Club have been hit with a string of stinging and unprecedented sanctions by the ECB for falling into financial trouble – despite the the governing body encouraging the club not to take up a £4m offer from a private consortium that could have bailed them out.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...elling-them-to-turn-down-4m-bid-a7343276.html

 

[Busaholic]

Agreed! The treatment of Durham is a disgrace. The plot thickens when you consider this situation is not covered by any rules and this article in the Independent:



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...elling-them-to-turn-down-4m-bid-a7343276.html

Durham's debt may not quite pale into insignificance beside Yorkshire's, but it is considerably less, the only difference being (a) Yorkshire's debt is not to the ECB and (b) that county is one of the 'untouchables', especially with Colin Graves now in charge at ECB. The Times correspondent described the situation of Durham next season as one of serfdom, and it may not be overstating the case.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Third ODI match

Needing to win this match after losing the first two matches, Australia amassed a total of 371-6 in their 50 overs. In return, South Africa were behind the required run rate and were 217-5 when David Miller came in at number 6 to score 118 not out from 79 balls, with 6 x 6 and 10 x 4 to ensure that South Africa reached the winning total of 372-6 with four balls to spare.

South Africa now hold an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the ODI series.

 

[ainsworth74]

Durham's debt may not quite pale into insignificance beside Yorkshire's, but it is considerably less, the only difference being (a) Yorkshire's debt is not to the ECB and (b) that county is one of the 'untouchables', especially with Colin Graves now in charge at ECB. The Times correspondent described the situation of Durham next season as one of serfdom, and it may not be overstating the case.

My understanding is that we do not owe money (or at least didn't) to the ECB (or at least they weren't a major creditor). Our problem has, in part been, that our major creditor (the Local Authority) was not willing to agree a payment holiday (see Warwickshire) or write off the debt with tax payers money (see Glamorgan). Plus it now looks like we were told by the ECB not to go for a private buy out (we're a company not a members club remember) and instead go for their bail out instead.

 

[Busaholic]

My understanding is that we do not owe money (or at least didn't) to the ECB (or at least they weren't a major creditor). Our problem has, in part been, that our major creditor (the Local Authority) was not willing to agree a payment holiday (see Warwickshire) or write off the debt with tax payers money (see Glamorgan). Plus it now looks like we were told by the ECB not to go for a private buy out (we're a company not a members club remember) and instead go for their bail out instead.

Whatever the situation might have been, demoting Durham to the Second Division should have been the end of it as far as playing staff were concerned. Instead, the points deduction next season makes it almost impossible for Durham to make any progress in any competition, which in turn will probably mean that more players will leave prematurely and just leave Collingwood and one or two other diehards to play in a team of colts. Unfortunately (in some ways) Durham has meekly accepted the bail-out and it seems the only legal appeal on the horizon is Kent's, on the basis they should replace Durham in the First Division rather than Hampshire. Apparently there is no mechanism within cricket's current structure for Durham to appeal against the TCB decision.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Ist ODI match

England 309-8 (50 overs)
Stokes 101 with 4 x 6 and 8 x 4
Buttler 63 with 4 x 6 and 3 x 4
Duckett 60 with 6 x 4

I wonder how the England bowlers will fare in keeping a tight rein on the run rate when Bangladesh start their reply.