Tag Archives: cricket

Cricket: time to ban the drinks waiters!

November 28, 2013 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , , Leave a comment

I wrote during the Ashes in England earlier this year of some changes I would like to see made to the laws of the game of cricket at the top level of the game. One of the areas in which I was proposing change was in the area of the running onto the field of drinks by 12th, 13th and 14th men.

I was astonished to see live just the number of interruptions to the flow of the game by such “drinks waiters” during the first three days of cricket at the Gabba during the first test match. The accountant in me decided to tally up the number of interruptions during one hour of play, specifically the third hour of play on day 3.

During the hour in question, in which the only wicket to fall was one in the final over of the hour, there were no less than eight incursions onto the field by drinks waiters to provide members of both teams with a drink and, in the case of the batters, a change of gloves. Most astonishingly was the call onto the field by the Australian captain, Michael Clarke, for a change of gloves and a drink exactly four minutes or one over before 1:40pm, being the time an actual drinks break would have taken place.

Now I concede that it was a warm and steamy day in Brisbane on the third day of the test match when I undertook this exercise of counting the number incursions by drinks waiters on the field but in an hour when 14 overs were bowled can it really be justified by either side that greater than half of the breaks between overs in the hour in question were punctuated by a break for a drink? Put differentialy, was it really necessary for the drinks to be on the field every 7.5 minutes during the hour of play?

I understand that the ICC has directed its umpires to stamp out this practice in the interests of speeding up play, however, if Messrs Dar and Dharmasena received that message from their pay masters they obviously decided to ignore it because, aside from the occasion I complain of immediately before drinks when Mr Dar did approach Clarke, ostensibly I assume to speed things along, they did nothing to stop the drinks waiters entering the field of play seemingly at the whim of the players.

Of course, every incursion onto the field creates a delay and every delay means that play has to go into overtime to allow for all of the overs required (90 in a day) to be bowled. I just don’t understand why these constant incursions into the field of play are continued to be allowed. At the top level of the game, cricketers are professional athletes and surely they have the necessary level of fitness to continue in the middle without the need to have a drink every 10 minutes (or more to the point every 7 minutes). Club cricketers the world over are called on every weekend to wait for the full hour between drinks so why do the “professionals” get special treatment?

It is a black mark on the game of cricket and I again maintain that it is time for a change in the laws to be made because that is the only way the practice is going to be stamped out. I concede that there are bigger issues in the game that require amendment to the laws but having seen the delays caused by these ongoing disruptions it is the one that is at the forefront of my mind at present.

The Ashes: First Test Player Ratings

November 26, 2013 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , Leave a comment

Australia dominated England in the First Test match completed at the Gabba on Sunday. Here are my ratings of the performances of the players from the Australian side:

David Warner: 9 out of 10

This was the performance Australia cricket fans, particularly those who have doubted Warner’s position in the team, have been waiting for.  His first innings 49 had the feel of “same old same old” about when a bad shot induced his down fall after he had scored quickly.  His second innings hundred was akin to watching him mature in front of our eyes.  His hundred was nothing short of excellent: he did not attack as a means of defence as has previously been his method.  Frankly though his performance has been sullied by his comment in the media but this rating is not a rating of that.

Chris Rogers: 4.5 out of 10

It was far from Rogers best game.  He never looked comfortable on the bouncing Gabba surface and succumbed, frankly, to two ordinary shots.  Will return to conditions more to his liking for the second test.

Shane Watson: 4.5 out of 10

It was also far from Watson’s best game.  After doing the hard yards in the first innings, and looking very good, he sparred at the widest ball he received and was caught in the slips.  Pumped up in the second innings after an excellent pull shot he had a brain melt and skied one to mid on.  Must stop being so impetuous if he is to be a long term option at number 3.

Michael Clarke: 9 out of 10

After his first innings score was probably the most under pressure bloke in Brisbane.  He did not put a step wrong thereafter: his captaincy was brilliant and his batting in the second innings took the game away from the English when Australia was in trouble.  The plans he has developed with the coach and his willingness to go for the metaphorical throat of the English played a significant part in Australia’s dominant win.

Steve Smith: 5 out of 10

Another player who was looking solid in the first innings before playing a bad shot.  A duck in the second innings came after a long partnership when a lengthy spell in the middle from him was required.  Was a livewire in the field and his catching was of the highest standard.

George Bailey: 5 out of 10

On debut looked very nervous in the first innings before getting a good ball from Jimmy Anderson.  In the second innings, when the pressure was off really, he looked more assured and kept Australia’s run rate up as they chased a lead in advance of a declaration.  Missed a run out of Cook late on day 3 which could have played a big part in England pushing for a draw (if they were able to do so).

Brad Haddin: 9.5 out of 10

Australia’s best player for mine.  Was called on to rebuild Australia’s first innings and was easily Australia’s most comfortable batsman on the first day Gabba wicket.  Through away a hundred in the first innings chasing quick runs and got fast runs again in the second innings as the declaration approached.  Haddin was excellent with the gloves this game to boot.  His best game for Australia for some time.

Mitchell Johnson: 9 out of 10

In his first game back in the baggy green in 14 months Johnson’s work with the willow accompanied by his bowling saw him tapped on the shoulder by the Channel 9 commentators for man of the match honours.  He bowled with pace and hostility and set the Englishmen on the back foot right from his first over.  In the middle session of day 2 he lifted his fellow players and the crowd with one of the swiftest spells witnessed at the Gabba in recent times.  A “Michelle” in the second innings was a just reward.  Now he needs to replicate it.

Peter Siddle: 6.5 out of 10

Relegated to Australia’s 3rd choice seamer, Siddle did a workmanlike job without setting the world on fire.  His ball to dismiss Bell in the second innings was an absolute “jaffa” but that aside all that could be said about Siddle’s work was that he did the job his captain asked of him.

Ryan Harris: 7.5 out of 10

Much has been made of Johnson’s bowling but Australia’s best bowler, Harris, bowled an unbelievably good first spell against the English to remove Cook and Pietersen.  He looked like taking wickets every time he took the ball and had his status as Australia’s best bowler confirmed by the obvious relief in the body language of the English when he was spelled.

Nathan Lyon: 8 out of 10

Was this performance enough for the selectors to take the foot of Lyon’s throat and give him time in the team? If it was not then he will never convince them of his bona fides.  His first spell contributed as much to the downfall of Carberry as Johnson’s bowling and he took big wickets in both innings.

 

It’s only a game: sledging, stress and hyperbole

November 26, 2013 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

I was saddened to hear that Jonathan Trott, the immensely talented top order batsman from England, has returned home from the current Ashes tour in Australia to seek treatment for a stress related disorder. Well I am saddened that he is leaving the tour, I am equally overjoyed that Trott has stuck his hand up and sought assistance when he needed it.

The revalation that Trott has been dealing, for some time, with a stress related disorder and the intense focus in the aftermath of the “sledgegate” from the first test of the Ashes have given me, and should give all sports fans, a moment of pause. The fact is that cricket is a game played between two teams. It is not a conflict or war: it is not a scenario where life and death is on the line. The stakes between the teams are pride, respect and a trophy: not the control of the beach head or the fall of a despot. I think that fact has been lost on fans and pundits alike of late and that must stop!

It strikes me, that moment of pause had, that the reporting of cricket has gotten all a little bit serious and, alternatively, nasty. The reporting of the game in the Courier Mail during the first test has been nothing short of disrespectful and, indeed, nasty. Writing articles that specifically did not name a particular player and then dropping to new low depths to attack the looks of the partners of the English players was, I am sure all agree, the lowest form journalism. No fair minded fan of the game could support the “journalism” of the Courier Mail and, aside from firing up Stuart Broad, it served only to support the point that the reporting of the game has gotten unnecessarily nasty. The conduct of the print “journalists” (though I question that designation for those writing for the Courier Mail) was not sledging. It was nasty hyperbole of the worst order.

Sledging has been part of the game since its inception at all levels of the game. The fact that Michael Clarke sledged James Anderson and it appeared on Channel 9 (does anyone really think that this was a genuine mistake by the way?) is the only reason that we are talking about it. If it has not been picked up by the stump microphone it would not have been issue and Clarke would not have been charged. I played cricket from the age of 7 and have to say that even in U/12’s cricket there was an element of sledging during the course of play. Frankly: I heard worse sledging directed at me, than what Clarke said, in U/14’s cricket and remember vividly being welcomed to the crease in my first grade cricket game at the age of 15 to a spray of vitriol from the slips, wicket keeper and bowler that would make David Warner blush.

Now all of that sounds a little archaic but the point I raise here is that sledging is part of the game and is, of itself, a reinforcement that cricket is just game. This is because, no matter what was said on the field there was no player, ever, in my experience of playing cricket between the ages of 7 and 19 (with a couple of failed comebacks at 23, 25 and 29) who I did not shake the hand of at the end of the days play or who I wouldn’t have sat with at the end of play with for a chat and a beverage or 10. This is where the reporting of the game and sledging at the moment is missing the point: after the sledging that formed part of “sledgegate” at the end of the game each player shook each other’s hand and each captain in the press conferences said that what happened on the field would stay on the field.

If you love the game of cricket you must equally love sledging because it is part of the game and always will be. It is time for those that report the game to get off their metaphorical high horses on this topic and focus on the game and Australia’s victory.

Returning to Jonathan Trott and his return home to seek treatment: I am an Australian cricket fan and a sufferer of mental illness. My thoughts are with him as he goes through his treatment and I hope he returns to the field when he is ready to do so. The suggestion from some in the media and on social media that David Warner or sledging is to blame for Trott’s condition are as misguided as the “journalists” who write for the Courier Mail. Andy Flower and Hugh Morris have been overt on this point. Regardless of the cause/s Trott’s illness also serves to remind us that there are more important things in life than playing a game of cricket.

In the aftermath of the first test I think we all should take a moment and be reminded of this. The time for the ridiculous reporting of the game in the press and the angst surrounding sledging must stop because it is distracting everyone from the game itself rather than promoting it. Afterall, isn’t that what the media are supposed to be doing rather than inciting angst between the fans and players with their hyperbole?

The Ashes: First Test Recap

November 24, 2013 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , , 3 Comments

Australia has just wrapped up a massive first test victory at the Gabba in a final (fourth) day that had it all: wickets, rain and angst between the players. This was a result that no one expected: as Australian fans we hoped for it, indeed the religious among us prayed for it, but we never expected it would happend. This was not just a win: this was a destruction of an opponent who had rejoiced in holding the upper hand. England did not win a session of the game from the final session of day one until the close of play today.

For Australia, much credit must go to the captain and coach: every plan they put in place worked and players who had been under pressure, real or imagined in the press, like Warner, Johnson and Lyon all played a massive part in what was the most quintessential of team victories.

For England, there is a real sense from having watched this game closely that under pressure they unravelled. I mentioned the infighting seen yesterday and again and again we have seen in this test match wickets of English batters fall to injudicious shot selection to balls they did not need to play or did not need to play in the air. This is a team that bested Australia 3-0 only months ago and yet today, and the last 3 days, they have looked out matched and out of sorts.

Absent injuries (or some Howard / Invers inspired stupidity) the Australian team will be the same for the Adelaide test match as it was for this one and rightly so. The English have some obvious question marks in their team at the moment: Jonathan Trott is out of form and out of sorts, Graeme Swann has lost his edge and was out bowled by Nathan Lyon in this game and the third fast bowler position is a massive worry for them. That last issue is one likely to see a change but the others will stay the same.

It has been mentioned to me by many this week that Australia looked united and came into this game with an intent to make a statement. The outmuscled and out manned a much more fancied line up and with that they won over a subdued crowd that became a roaring mass on Friday afternoon. I have been a monumental critic of Cricket Australia in advance of this series and that criticism remains but boy did the team get the job done on the field.

Aside from today’s crowd which was disappointing to say the least the crowd numbers for the first three days were outstanding and those numbers were without the phalanx of Barmy Army members who will arrive for the Adelaide test match. The Gabba Test as the first test of the summer is a tradition worth keeping, not only because Australia is unbeatable there, but because traditions continue to matter whether Cricket Australia believes so or not.

Next up for the English is a trial game in Alice Springs: personally I hope that the weather is around 40 degrees for the whole time the game is underway. The Australian’s will enjoy a day off tomorrow and then start planning for Adelaide. One thing is certain: we have only seen four days out of a, now, potential 24 days of cricket in this series so there is a long way to go before the Urn is returned to Australian hands. So for now, lets bask in this win, but from tomorrow lets, players, fans and pundits, all get back to the task of winning back the biggest prize in cricket: now is not a time for complacency and ego but a time to keep the eyes of the main prize.

Bring on Adelaide!

The Ashes: First Test Day Four Preview

November 24, 2013 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , Leave a comment

If you had have told me at the start of this test that by Day 4 of this first test Australia would be in an impregnable position and the knifes would already be out for the English in their press and on social media I would have told you to go and have a long hard think about it. The fact is that no one expected either the Australians to play so well or England to allow them to play do well with their lack of form.

The equation is simple now: England has to bat for 2 days (noting that there is some inclement weather on the horizon) whilst Australia needs to take 8 wickets.

For England much rests on the shoulders of the men at the crease, Cook and Pietersen, and Bell who present as the only batters left for England who can bat for two days. The question will be whether, mentally, the batters who will be at the other end of Cook have the patience to stay with him.

For Australia today is all about executing on the plans they have for each batter just like they did on day 2. Complacency and cockiness are not traits that one associates with Darren Lehmann teams but this is a young team in some respects so there is a danger of some in the team (Warner I am looking at you) getting too far ahead of themselves. The pundits and selectors continue to have a question mark over N Lyon, bizarrely in my view, and today presents another opportunity for him to bowl Australia to victory.

Having had a bone rattling storm last night in Brisbane, players fans and pundits alike will have one eye on the radar today to track incoming inclemency which one expects is the only thing that can save the English.

It will be another fascinating day of cricket at the Gabba!

The Ashes: First Test, Day Three Talking Points

November 23, 2013 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , , Leave a comment

It was another brilliant day of cricket at the Gabba today, particularly if you are a fan of the men in the baggy green. Australia have, since the final session of day 1, won every session of this test match and today was another clean sweep. With two days to go, there can only be one result in this game save that the rain bucketing down on my roof may still play a role on the ultimate outcome.

Having watched, again, every minute of day 3 live (but for 15 minutes after lunch) here are my talking points arising from the day:

The English are rattled: and it is showing!

A funny thing happened midway through this day of cricket: the Poms started barking at each other. First it was Prior at the Captain. Then it was Swann at Prior (after an errant throw). Then it was Broad at Prior (after he did not move quickly to intercept a 4). From a unit united only 36 hours before hand all of a sudden the wheels were falling off. Things did not improve after Australia declared: J Trott’s display with the willow was indicative of a muddled outlook and a rattled psyche.

D Warner: I salute you!

I have been a staunch critic of the selection of David Warner and that was before he tried to deck Joe Root and all of the other off field palaver that he went through this year. I was concerned about his temperament and about his technique standing up to the rigours of test match cricket. Today he proved me wrong. His innings today was one of both sound temperament and technique: it was almost like we were watching Warner mature on the spot. No longer was he wafting at balls outside off stump, no longer was he, from I was sitting, picking fights with the opposition. His driving was sublime, his defence solid and he set a solid, if not spectacular tempo. It might have been his 4th hundred but this one will be remembered as the one that won the diehards.

Cook v Clarke: stop the fight now!

I commented earlier in this test match that Michael Clarke has had an excellent tactical match. I will go further now, having seen Captain Cook seek to marshall his troops today, and say that Michael Clarke has metaphorically played Alastair Cook off the break in this game. Cook, again, today seemed bereft of ideas and was simply reactionary. I lost count of the number of times a ball was struck in the air to a particular part of the field that was unmanned only to see a fielder move there the very next ball. There seemed today to be no plans in the English arsenal to get the Australian batters out, other than the idiotic plan to milk the strike to Michael Clarke upon his arrival.

Absent a day of batting of Laxman / Dravid proportions from Cook and Pietersen tomorrow, I would not be blocking out my diary on Monday to watch to Day 5: Australia should finish of the English on Day 4 and post its most important victory of the Michael Clarke era.