About v2England's Summer of Cricket 2024
+12
KP_fan
GSC
Good Golly I'm Olly
Pebbles
king_carlos
JDizzle
Lowlandbrit
Jetty
VTR
guildfordbat
alfie
Duty281
16 posters
The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Cricket
Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4 • 
1, 2, 3, 4
England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Fri 05 Apr 2024, 11:27 am
First topic message reminder :
Now the County Championship has begun, it is officially summer once more. Don't let the rain tell you otherwise!
We can talk about promising county performances, the build up to the World T20, and Ollie Robinson's latest injury when it happens. Then, in just under two months, England start playing games:
England v Pakistan, four T20s, 22nd May-30th May
World T20 in June
England v West Indies, three tests, 10th July-30th July
England v Sri Lanka, three tests, 21st August-10th September
England v Australia, three T20s, 11th September-15th September
England v Australia, five ODIs, 19th September-29th September
It's a bit of a pressure summer for England. The ODI side made the most disappointing defence of a World Cup crown since France in the football in 2002, so there's pressure on the T20 side, and Mott in particular, to deliver something decent in the Caribbean.
For the test match side, it's been three series without a series win for England, so the expectation is on for England to get back to winning ways against the West Indies and Sri Lanka. The West Indies often cause England a few troubles, but England have won their last seven home series v the West Indies, dating back to 2000, and you have to go back to 1988 for the last time the West Indies won a series in England.
Sri Lanka are visiting for the first time in eight years for a test series, so it's well overdue. They've certainly managed to upset England in the past, very famously in 1998, but also in 2014, so it's a series that cannot be taken for granted.
And to round off the summer the ECB are making a dash for cash, with eight limited overs games against the Aussies in the fading September light, in games that will probably be forgotten in no time at all.
Now the County Championship has begun, it is officially summer once more. Don't let the rain tell you otherwise!
We can talk about promising county performances, the build up to the World T20, and Ollie Robinson's latest injury when it happens. Then, in just under two months, England start playing games:
England v Pakistan, four T20s, 22nd May-30th May
World T20 in June
England v West Indies, three tests, 10th July-30th July
England v Sri Lanka, three tests, 21st August-10th September
England v Australia, three T20s, 11th September-15th September
England v Australia, five ODIs, 19th September-29th September
It's a bit of a pressure summer for England. The ODI side made the most disappointing defence of a World Cup crown since France in the football in 2002, so there's pressure on the T20 side, and Mott in particular, to deliver something decent in the Caribbean.
For the test match side, it's been three series without a series win for England, so the expectation is on for England to get back to winning ways against the West Indies and Sri Lanka. The West Indies often cause England a few troubles, but England have won their last seven home series v the West Indies, dating back to 2000, and you have to go back to 1988 for the last time the West Indies won a series in England.
Sri Lanka are visiting for the first time in eight years for a test series, so it's well overdue. They've certainly managed to upset England in the past, very famously in 1998, but also in 2014, so it's a series that cannot be taken for granted.
And to round off the summer the ECB are making a dash for cash, with eight limited overs games against the Aussies in the fading September light, in games that will probably be forgotten in no time at all.
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
guildfordbat, alfie and VTR like this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by VTR Sat 25 May 2024, 6:33 pm
Duty281 wrote:VTR wrote:Bowling seems promising but out for a duck again. Maybe he could replace Jimmy by opening the bowling and batting at 11. Recall Moeen to bat at 6 and provide a second spin option
*Duty goes into cardiac arrest*
Pick of the bowlers today against international level batting, building momentum ready for that recall!
VTR- Posts : 4920
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : Fine Leg
Duty281 likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Good Golly I'm Olly Sat 25 May 2024, 10:02 pm
God it is good to see Jofra back bowling 90mph and in the England shirt again.
I see Stokes reeled off another 10 over spell today too.
Are the injury gods finally smiling on them both?
I see Stokes reeled off another 10 over spell today too.
Are the injury gods finally smiling on them both?
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
- Posts : 51071
Join date : 2011-09-18
Age : 28
Location : Chris Woakes's wardrobe
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by king_carlos Sun 26 May 2024, 12:33 pm
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:God it is good to see Jofra back bowling 90mph and in the England shirt again.
I've missed watching him play a lot. He's just a fun cricketer. Express pace. Great skill. Gives it a whack with the bat. It was very nice seeing the crowd lift when he whacked away those boundaries in the last over. Folk just enjoy watching Jof play. Hopefully we see a decent amount more of it, even if it is only in white ball.
king_carlos- Posts : 12364
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Ankh-Morpork
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by guildfordbat Mon 27 May 2024, 10:19 am
At risk of jumping too far ahead to the Test series against the West Indies in July, I would flag that Ollie Pope's form is a concern. [I don't believe this is solely a reaction to Surrey's thrashing yesterday.]
Since his match winning 196 in Hyderabad, Pope's had 17 innings (16 completed) for England and Surrey in which he's scored 310 runs at an average of 19. Just one half-century in that time with a score of 63 against Worcs.
I've seen most of his knocks at the Oval this season when he's appeared too frenetic from the start and got out quickly and cheaply. I suppose the flip side of ''frenetic'' when things come off and he makes a big score is ''busy''. However, things are not coming off for him presently and instead he's looking a tad desperate.
Since his match winning 196 in Hyderabad, Pope's had 17 innings (16 completed) for England and Surrey in which he's scored 310 runs at an average of 19. Just one half-century in that time with a score of 63 against Worcs.
I've seen most of his knocks at the Oval this season when he's appeared too frenetic from the start and got out quickly and cheaply. I suppose the flip side of ''frenetic'' when things come off and he makes a big score is ''busy''. However, things are not coming off for him presently and instead he's looking a tad desperate.
guildfordbat- Posts : 16701
Join date : 2011-04-07
Duty281 and VTR like this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Mon 27 May 2024, 11:22 am
Crawley has also been quite Pope like in the CC this year.
His list of scores reading - 5, 4, 41, 1, 6, 10, 0, 238, 16 and 1!
His list of scores reading - 5, 4, 41, 1, 6, 10, 0, 238, 16 and 1!
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
guildfordbat likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by guildfordbat Mon 27 May 2024, 11:54 am
Duty281 wrote:Crawley has also been quite Pope like in the CC this year.
His list of scores reading - 5, 4, 41, 1, 6, 10, 0, 238, 16 and 1!
Yep, see the similarities although Pope is looking a long way off a double ton. Guess Crawley was too before he got his.
guildfordbat- Posts : 16701
Join date : 2011-04-07
Duty281 likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Tue 28 May 2024, 12:12 pm
England's next T20 is tonight against Pakistan in Cardiff. It's in doubt, due to yet more rain, though it's not a 'definitely not' as was the case at Leeds.
Buttler will miss the game due to the birth of his third child, but this does at least mean he should be good for the World Cup. It also gives an opportunity, most likely, for Duckett to make a claim. Hartley won't be making his debut, but I really think England should try him out before the World Cup.
Buttler will miss the game due to the birth of his third child, but this does at least mean he should be good for the World Cup. It also gives an opportunity, most likely, for Duckett to make a claim. Hartley won't be making his debut, but I really think England should try him out before the World Cup.
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Tue 28 May 2024, 8:19 pm
Game abandoned. The weather wins its second game of the series.
The fourth and final T20 is scheduled for Thursday...also with lots of rain forecast! Nice to know England are getting properly sharp for the World Cup. Three games unbeaten as well!
The fourth and final T20 is scheduled for Thursday...also with lots of rain forecast! Nice to know England are getting properly sharp for the World Cup. Three games unbeaten as well!
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
VTR likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by VTR Tue 28 May 2024, 9:18 pm
Yep, a confidence building unbeaten run and also now can't lose the series. World Cup wins are built on momentum like this
VTR- Posts : 4920
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : Fine Leg
Duty281 likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Wed 29 May 2024, 2:50 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/crggxgz3rg0o
Looks like England are also getting perfectly attuned to the conditions they'll face at the World Cup, without ever leaving Blighty.
Looks like England are also getting perfectly attuned to the conditions they'll face at the World Cup, without ever leaving Blighty.
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
VTR likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Thu 30 May 2024, 6:11 pm
Actual cricket about to take place. Wood in for Topley, England's only change. Hartley will, if he plays, make a debut at the World Cup itself. Buttler remains in the side.
England bowling first.
England bowling first.
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Thu 30 May 2024, 9:49 pm
Brook seals a very comfortable win with a six.
Pakistan were 59/0 after 5.5 overs, but England fought back. Led by a delightful spell from Rashid, and some serious heat from Wood. The batting was a doddle. Salt and Buttler knocked off most of it, then it was a cruise.
World Cup will be a stroll in the park. [Will delete after the Scotland loss]
Pakistan were 59/0 after 5.5 overs, but England fought back. Led by a delightful spell from Rashid, and some serious heat from Wood. The batting was a doddle. Salt and Buttler knocked off most of it, then it was a cruise.
World Cup will be a stroll in the park. [Will delete after the Scotland loss]
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by VTR Thu 30 May 2024, 9:50 pm
Easy win in the end. Not sure why Pakistan appeared to be playing Dwayne Leverock as their wicket keeper!
VTR- Posts : 4920
Join date : 2012-03-23
Location : Fine Leg
Duty281 likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Thu 30 May 2024, 9:57 pm
Now that's a name!
https://youtu.be/gQC6fQSB5rU?si=axvuzp0oz98sRKz-&t=32
https://youtu.be/gQC6fQSB5rU?si=axvuzp0oz98sRKz-&t=32
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
VTR likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by alfie Fri 31 May 2024, 5:41 am
Nice to see England got a bit of warm up cricket between showers...
Couple of easy wins . Not sure anything new learned ; or whether much can be taken from these games. But good to see Wood and Archer getting a few overs without (yet) breaking down
And at least the first four batsmen spent some time at the crease. Team makeup seems pretty locked in already.
Couple of easy wins . Not sure anything new learned ; or whether much can be taken from these games. But good to see Wood and Archer getting a few overs without (yet) breaking down
And at least the first four batsmen spent some time at the crease. Team makeup seems pretty locked in already.
alfie- Posts : 20969
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Melbourne.
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by king_carlos Fri 31 May 2024, 2:51 pm
2 out of 4 games being rained off obviously sucks, but, I'd say those two games went really well from England's perspective. Positives definitely outweighing the negatives.
Positives:
- Top 5 looking comfortable with their roles
- Mo and Livi both having success bowling
- Jof looking close to Jof
- Jordan bowling well - really important with balancing this side given Surran has struggled with the ball for a while
- Dilly's shoulder looks OK
- Wood bowling absolute heat
Downsides would be:
- Topley not looking near his best
- Hartley not getting a debut
- Surran getting zero overs to show if he's bowling better
Most of my biggest concerns from the CWC feel alleviated to an extent. There seemed to be no role definition or comfort with roles in batting or bowling there. The clarity from the Bayliss-Morgan era was gone. Batters looked confused about when to attack. The bowling, whilst better than batting, felt thin in all three phases. Then, the fielding was mostly dire by their former standards.
The batting roles are very clear here. Jos will combine being an anchor with a high SR as Jos does. Salt and Jacks will go hard. Bairstow can target spin. Brooks can hit 360 degrees. Mo can hit spin. Livi can hit pace. Jordan (or maybe Surran) are very good number 8s.
I do have concerns about Livi being found out a bit as a hitter, but, I think the batting power and depth is there regardless. I also have lingering concerns about YJB's running between the wickets. He just isn't as quick anymore, which can be vital in the middle overs. Especially if we get slow and low turners. It looks like he is responding to that by going down the Windies route of targeting 6s even if it requires some dot balls. He's got the striking power that I am willing to see that playout. Plus, Duckett suits a very different style of middle overs spin playing perfectly if required.
Bowling wise, the middle overs look stacked with multiple spin options, Wood and Jof as a strike options. Death bowling has Jof and Jordan as go to options with Topley (form dependent), Wood (pace matchup) and Dilly (spin matchup). I expect them to go for a similar tactic in the PP to the last World T20 with Stokes. They tried to sneak Stokes in for the 1st and 7th over as they are usually the lowest scoring. Then, if he started well they might nab another PP over. It looks like Mo will be doing similar.
Jof helps balance things so much. Strike bowler in the PP or middle. Elite at the death. I've thought for a while that three phase bowlers are the real all-rounders in T20 cricket.
I thought they fielded very well as a whole. The injection of Jordan and some younger players definitely helping there. Jordan is elite in the field. Whilst Salt, Jacks and Brook are good fielders. Whisper it, but Jof was moving well too. It's often forgotten, but he's a fantastic boundary fielder given his athleticism and height. YJB, Dilly and Mo aren't the lithest these days. That's very coverable though. Dilly will habitually be at third man or fine leg as he has been for a long while. YJB and Mo will be in the ring. Whereas at the CWC there was one legged Stokes and Malan on top of those guys. Plus Jonny was moving even worse then. At that point, the majority of your fielders need hiding to some extent.
Positives:
- Top 5 looking comfortable with their roles
- Mo and Livi both having success bowling
- Jof looking close to Jof
- Jordan bowling well - really important with balancing this side given Surran has struggled with the ball for a while
- Dilly's shoulder looks OK
- Wood bowling absolute heat
Downsides would be:
- Topley not looking near his best
- Hartley not getting a debut
- Surran getting zero overs to show if he's bowling better
Most of my biggest concerns from the CWC feel alleviated to an extent. There seemed to be no role definition or comfort with roles in batting or bowling there. The clarity from the Bayliss-Morgan era was gone. Batters looked confused about when to attack. The bowling, whilst better than batting, felt thin in all three phases. Then, the fielding was mostly dire by their former standards.
The batting roles are very clear here. Jos will combine being an anchor with a high SR as Jos does. Salt and Jacks will go hard. Bairstow can target spin. Brooks can hit 360 degrees. Mo can hit spin. Livi can hit pace. Jordan (or maybe Surran) are very good number 8s.
I do have concerns about Livi being found out a bit as a hitter, but, I think the batting power and depth is there regardless. I also have lingering concerns about YJB's running between the wickets. He just isn't as quick anymore, which can be vital in the middle overs. Especially if we get slow and low turners. It looks like he is responding to that by going down the Windies route of targeting 6s even if it requires some dot balls. He's got the striking power that I am willing to see that playout. Plus, Duckett suits a very different style of middle overs spin playing perfectly if required.
Bowling wise, the middle overs look stacked with multiple spin options, Wood and Jof as a strike options. Death bowling has Jof and Jordan as go to options with Topley (form dependent), Wood (pace matchup) and Dilly (spin matchup). I expect them to go for a similar tactic in the PP to the last World T20 with Stokes. They tried to sneak Stokes in for the 1st and 7th over as they are usually the lowest scoring. Then, if he started well they might nab another PP over. It looks like Mo will be doing similar.
Jof helps balance things so much. Strike bowler in the PP or middle. Elite at the death. I've thought for a while that three phase bowlers are the real all-rounders in T20 cricket.
I thought they fielded very well as a whole. The injection of Jordan and some younger players definitely helping there. Jordan is elite in the field. Whilst Salt, Jacks and Brook are good fielders. Whisper it, but Jof was moving well too. It's often forgotten, but he's a fantastic boundary fielder given his athleticism and height. YJB, Dilly and Mo aren't the lithest these days. That's very coverable though. Dilly will habitually be at third man or fine leg as he has been for a long while. YJB and Mo will be in the ring. Whereas at the CWC there was one legged Stokes and Malan on top of those guys. Plus Jonny was moving even worse then. At that point, the majority of your fielders need hiding to some extent.
king_carlos- Posts : 12364
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Ankh-Morpork
guildfordbat and Duty281 like this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Fri 31 May 2024, 3:12 pm
I feel as positive as can be about England's chances. Obviously, it's T20, so there's a lot of randomness, and I think a lot of the grounds at this World Cup aren't going to have the biggest boundaries, so there's loads of potential winners.
But England are in as good a place as they can be. The batting was shocking at the 50 over World Cup. But Buttler's rediscovered his form, there's a settled batting order, and everyone in that top five can launch multiple maximums and score centuries. The bowling is the main concern. But Wood appears, early stages yet, to have put that horror winter behind him, Jofra's back and Rashid looks as good as ever.
Lots to be positive about.
But England are in as good a place as they can be. The batting was shocking at the 50 over World Cup. But Buttler's rediscovered his form, there's a settled batting order, and everyone in that top five can launch multiple maximums and score centuries. The bowling is the main concern. But Wood appears, early stages yet, to have put that horror winter behind him, Jofra's back and Rashid looks as good as ever.
Lots to be positive about.
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Fri 31 May 2024, 6:12 pm
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/31/england-durham-brydon-carse-banned-after-betting-on-cricket
Well, I didn't have money on this...
Carse banned from all cricket for three months after placing 303 bets, in a two year timeframe, on cricket games.
Well, I didn't have money on this...
Carse banned from all cricket for three months after placing 303 bets, in a two year timeframe, on cricket games.
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Good Golly I'm Olly Fri 31 May 2024, 6:29 pm
Wood, Archer and Stokes all fit and bowling at the same time?
Is this the end of times?
Is this the end of times?
Good Golly I'm Olly- Tractor Boy
- Posts : 51071
Join date : 2011-09-18
Age : 28
Location : Chris Woakes's wardrobe
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by king_carlos Sat 01 Jun 2024, 12:24 am
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Wood, Archer and Stokes all fit and bowling at the same time?
Is this the end of times?
Give it till October '25. We'll have 4 medium pacers fit and Robinson bowling offies.
king_carlos- Posts : 12364
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Ankh-Morpork
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Tue 04 Jun 2024, 12:07 pm
60 years today since Geoffrey Boycott made his test debut, and the great man puts down his thoughts on how cricket has changed, for better and for worse, in this excellent article (from The Telegraph).
- Spoiler:
- On June 4 it will be the 60th anniversary of my Test debut. A lifetime ago. It is a nice opportunity to stop and think about how much cricket has changed. Some of it for the better, some not.
In those days you found out you had been picked for England by tuning in to Sunday’s BBC 1 o’clock news on the radio. I had scored three hundreds before the first Test so knew I had a chance of being picked. Yorkshire were playing a Championship match at Leicester when it happened. There was a rest day on a Sunday even in county cricket. Alan Thompson, the northern cricket correspondent of the Daily Express, lived in Huddersfield and offered to drive me home on Saturday night so I could sleep in my own bed, then pick me up for Sunday lunch at his house before driving me back to Leicester that evening.
I was so naive and he was canny. He obviously had a strong inkling I would be picked for England so made sure I was at his house that day and arranged for a photographer to come along too! Alan had a picture taken of me playing cricket on the front lawn with his son Ian while the rest of the country’s cricket writers went spare looking for me. Thommo had a great scoop. Years later I said to him: “You b-----, you set me up.” Many times we laughed about it. Alan was smart.
The county match finished Tuesday night so I went home to get clean whites and by Wednesday afternoon I was at the Trent Bridge nets getting ready for an Ashes Test and meeting my England team-mates for the first time.
There were no Lions tours in those days or England pathway programmes. I didn’t know anybody in that England team apart from my Yorkshire colleagues. At the pre-match dinner on Wednesday night, this little fella came up to me and introduced himself as Walter Robins – the chairman of selectors. I had no idea who he was.
He said he would give me two matches for certain and would like to give me three but had a Test series to win so we would see how it goes. It was a wonderful thing to say. It gave me so much confidence because I knew I would be given a proper chance rather than judged on one game or one innings.
After the selectors left the dinner we had a pre-match meeting at which Ted Dexter, the captain, spoke about how we would bowl at their batsmen. They had a formidable line-up – Bill Lawry, Bobby Simpson, Ian Redpath, Norm O’Neill, Brian Booth and Peter Burge. Fred Trueman, with a few chosen words, had them all out in no time. “Simpson? Couple of outswingers then a nip backer and he’ll be gone. Lawry? A couple of bouncers, a yorker and it’ll be good night vicar.” In his head he had five for nought in no time. That was our Fred.
My match fee was £100. There was no cap presentation, or speeches by former players like there is today. Today it is a big thing. I was just handed a cap and sweater in the dressing room. I can’t even remember by whom, which shows how unimportant it was in those days. Society was a lot less sentimental then than it is now. Today it is a big thing. I didn’t have a car then so my mum couldn’t come to Trent Bridge to watch. TV was in its infancy with poor quality black-and-white pictures, but we couldn’t afford one anyway so Mum and Dad had to listen on the radio.
We had only 12 players at the match – two spinners if England needed them – rather than the big squad of 15-plus like today. John Edrich trod on the ball in practice and overnight his foot became swollen so he could not play. England had to pick all five bowlers and Fred Titmus as a stand-in opening batsman.
Fred was my partner and I didn’t know he was deaf in one ear. I pushed a single to the on-side and called for a run but he didn’t react because he couldn’t hear me. Neil Hawke ran across, picked up the ball. Meanwhile, Titmus panicked and stumbled while Hawke threw it into Wally Grout behind the stumps. As Titmus was just getting up off his backside Wally held the ball over the stumps and then threw it back to Hawke, refusing the run out because Fred had slipped over as he was impeded by Hawke. It was great sportsmanship.
I thought of that during the Jonny Bairstow incident at Lord’s. Wally was a tough old b------ but he played fair. He did not even consult the captain, Bobby Simpson, and he could have run Fred out but just tossed it back. I played with great, tough Aussies but in the heat of the moment that generation of Australians instinctively knew right from wrong and how to be sportsmen. At Lord’s last summer with Pat Cummins and his team it was win at all costs – he didn’t understand the phrase “it’s not cricket”.
After the Sandpaper incident in Cape Town in 2018, which reflected badly on Australian cricket, there was a golden opportunity to show the world true Australian sportsmanship. Sadly, unlike Wally Grout, Pat Cummins took the wrong option.
The press had written a lot about me before my debut, and it was well known that I liked a quiet moment before batting to collect my thoughts. The Australians, having read that, kept popping into our dressing room to have a chat and try to put me off. It was childish really. Anything to get an edge but it was wasted on me because nothing affected my concentration. The Aussies like a bit of gamesmanship and that is acceptable.
The biggest change is uncovered pitches. It was overcast and murky at Trent Bridge and I got to 23 not out on day one when it rained and there was no play for the rest of the day. I sat there watching the rain come down. The only covering was on the bowlers run-ups and follow-through, not on the pitch. They only covered the pitch when play was called off. It was madness.
Looking back now you think, ‘What was going on’? When we came back the next morning the pitch was wet through and the ball took off. Graham McKenzie hit me on the hand, and I didn’t realise at the time that I had broken a finger. I stubbed it in the ground later when fielding and missed the next Test as a result of McKenzie hitting me with one that lifted off a wet pitch. I was happy to top score with 48 before being caught by Simpson off Grahame Corling, who would cause me problems throughout the series and make me quickly alter my technique.
By the time pitches were fully covered in 1979 I was in my 39th year and way past my best but I thought Christmas had come early as I averaged 100 that summer in first-class cricket. Today, pitches are much better prepared. Dickie Bird got it right. When they decided to cover pitches he said to me: “There should be two sets of statistics. One for uncovered pitches and one for covered pitches because it is a totally different way of playing.”
These days with big bats and dry grass-less pitches the first thought for the Bazballers is to whack it and score runs. Great, I love watching it. But for us we had to concentrate on technique and staying in. At Yorkshire we played on seven club grounds. The pitches were good for club cricket on a Saturday afternoon but over three days with better county bowlers many of them seamed or turned and if it rained they did all sorts of things.
Helmets have changed the game too. They take away the fear factor of fast bowling. We were taught as youngsters to look at the ball at all times even when you duck, weave or sway. You had to choose carefully when to hook because if you got it wrong you would end up in hospital with a serious head injury. It sorted out people short on courage and those who were not good against fast bowling. Nobody wants to see head injuries in cricket but when you take away the threat of a fast bowler hurting you then moderate batsmen can look better than they are. I’m glad players are safe but a great fast bowler racing in and batsmen hopping about is a fantastic sight we must not lose because of too much health and safety.
The other change is bats. My bat was 2lb 4oz. It was very difficult to hit over the top because you had to connect perfectly. Even great batsmen did not hit sixes. Donald Bradman only hit six sixes in 52 Test matches and he was twice as good as anyone else who has played the game. Hitting over the top was frowned upon by many coaches as it gave bowlers an opportunity to get you out and I certainly wasn’t going to do it on my Test debut. Neville Cardus said: “A cricketer is what his period and environment makes of him and he reacts and plays accordingly.”
Now bats are so much bigger everyone can bash the ball further and Ben Stokes has hit 128 sixes in 102 Tests. The Indian Premier League makes young men millionaires overnight and T20 encourages young kids to attack. I have never been against T20 because I understand it brings enjoyment to a different set of people to those who love Test cricket. Cricket is supposed to be fun for players and spectators and T20 is here to stay. We had nothing like it. When people say to me how would you have got on, I say we all adapt. I would have loved to have played it. Like every other young kid I would be running off to India with three empty suitcases to fill them up with money!
When the ball swings the young batsmen of today do not play it as well as we did but they are better at attacking shots because that is their environment. If Harry Brook had been born 50 years earlier, he would still have been a top player. He would just have been a different player. The talent is the same.
There were no coaches at county matches or Test matches to help us. Once the pre-season April practices were finished you were on your own having to see to your own fitness and many times during a season organise your own practice bowlers. It encouraged us to be a thinking cricketer and a thinking cricketer is a better cricketer, plus it made us self-reliant and self-disciplined. That was a good thing as we could not rely on anyone else.
But I would have loved all the analysis they have today, which is brilliant. You see batsmen get out and straight away look at their innings on an iPad with a coach and see where they went wrong. When I got out I had to ask a team-mate his opinion on what mistake I had made. In my era we had no way of knowing whether it was your own fault or a bad umpiring decision.
The one thing that has not changed in 60 years is players get nervous, but I believe it is important to have nerves. Anyone who says they are not nervous is either a liar or an idiot. You are nervous because you care, you don’t want to fail or embarrass yourself. All those feelings go through your mind. The best players channel that nervous energy into performing well. The lesser players let nerves get the better of them and it hinders their performance.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/06/03/boycott-sixty-years-on-test-debut-cricket-changed-england/
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
alfie and VTR like this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Tue 04 Jun 2024, 10:56 pm
Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Alick Athanaze, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph (vice-capt), Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Zachary McCaskie, Kirk McKenzie, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Kevin Sinclair.
Development player: Isai Thorne
West Indies have sneakily named their squad for the three match test series. Holder and Seales return, after missing the Australia tour. Seales has done very well for Sussex this season. Shamar Joseph obviously retains his place after his 7/58 in Brisbane. Louis, who has played just 7 FC games, though has an average of 49, is a potential debutant, as are Imlach and McCaskie.
Overall, looks a team that can do damage with pace on the ball, but a bit lacking on the batting front. Quite an inexperienced side overall. There's still lots of hope about Athanaze, while we'll have to see how good Louis is. This is, of course, the West Indies against England, so someone like Hodge or Da Silva putting up a double ton is pretty much inevitable!
Development player: Isai Thorne
West Indies have sneakily named their squad for the three match test series. Holder and Seales return, after missing the Australia tour. Seales has done very well for Sussex this season. Shamar Joseph obviously retains his place after his 7/58 in Brisbane. Louis, who has played just 7 FC games, though has an average of 49, is a potential debutant, as are Imlach and McCaskie.
Overall, looks a team that can do damage with pace on the ball, but a bit lacking on the batting front. Quite an inexperienced side overall. There's still lots of hope about Athanaze, while we'll have to see how good Louis is. This is, of course, the West Indies against England, so someone like Hodge or Da Silva putting up a double ton is pretty much inevitable!
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
VTR likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by alfie Wed 05 Jun 2024, 4:52 am
Thanks for posting that article , Duty 
Lot of good sense from old Geoffrey in that. Interesting to hear his positive views on the ultra short game : somehow can't quite see him smashing 45 off twelve balls in a brightly coloured t-shirt ; but I suppose as he says "players adapt"...
Lot of good sense from old Geoffrey in that. Interesting to hear his positive views on the ultra short game : somehow can't quite see him smashing 45 off twelve balls in a brightly coloured t-shirt ; but I suppose as he says "players adapt"...
alfie- Posts : 20969
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Melbourne.
Duty281 likes this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Pal Joey Wed 05 Jun 2024, 11:03 am
alfie wrote:Thanks for posting that article , Duty
Lot of good sense from old Geoffrey in that. Interesting to hear his positive views on the ultra short game : somehow can't quite see him smashing 45 off twelve balls in a brightly coloured t-shirt ; but I suppose as he says "players adapt"...
So do the fans, alfie.
I remember the long hot summer days when I'd be lounging under an umbrella next to the pool for hours... listening to Alan McGilvray and Blowers on the radio.
"... and Boycott plays this one; a simple forward defensive shot. No run. He's still on 31."
I'd then pop down to the shops, buy an ice cream... come back home, check the letter box, make a quick phone call... then resume my place next to the pool.
"... and this time Boycott punches one towards the cover region... but again the fielder is there. No run.
And so Boycott remains on 31 at the end of that over... and it's time for a drink."
I'm pretty sure he went on to make another century.
Anyone with such patience and determination needs to be taken seriously.
Pal Joey- PJ
- Posts : 53377
Join date : 2011-01-27
Location : Ku-ring-gai
guildfordbat, alfie and Duty281 like this post
Re: England's Summer of Cricket 2024
by Duty281 Sat 15 Jun 2024, 4:53 pm
Chris Woakes got back to competitive first team cricket for the first time in just over four months yesterday. Good to see.
Duty281- Posts : 33117
Join date : 2011-06-06
Age : 28
Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
Page 4 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4
Similar topics» END OF TEST CRICKET- could be englands fault
» The summer of cricket 2020
» The summer of cricket 2020
» The summer of cricket 2020
» The summer of cricket 2020
» The summer of cricket 2020
» The summer of cricket 2020
» The summer of cricket 2020
» The summer of cricket 2020
The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Cricket
Page 4 of 4
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum