1st Test Match @ Lords - the start of the summer!

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 12:28 Tue 20 May 2008

Holy smokes...I'm lost....where is that bottle of Port at. Maybe after that it will all make sense

benread · Post by **benread** » 13:12 Tue 20 May 2008

Derek T. wrote:OK - got you on the bowled thing (no chucking or throwing allowed unless fielding) - so when do you get a penalty run?

When you do anything against the laws such as no ball or a wide.

You can read the laws of the game at http://www.lords.org if you are really interested!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 14:44 Tue 20 May 2008

For our American cousins, a serious (but simplified) explanation of the rules of cricket.

2 innings of 10 outs per innings. 2 bases, with a run awarded for successfully getting from home, to first and back to home without being tagged or the base to which you are running being tagged.

The pitcher has to bounce the ball in front of the batter and must throw overarm (hand higher than elbow) and with a straight arm. Pitcher is allowed to run up to the mound to help his momentum. Two pitchers alternate pitches, with each throwing 6 pitches in turn. The strike zone is marked by three bits of wood with two bits balanced on top - if a pitch goes through the strike zone then it knocks off the two bits of wood. One strike and you're out. Pitchers can be pulled at any time except during the 6 pitches. Once pulled, they go out to fielding duty and are free to return to pitch some more at any later stage of the game.

There are no DHs. Pitchers bat if the specialist batsmen all get out.

If the two sides don't have enough time to each get 10 outs twice, the game ends in a draw. This type of game can be played over anything from 2 days of 6 hours per day (amateur sides) to 5 days (international games). There is a variation where each side gets 1 innings of an agreed number of pitches and the side scoring the most runs wins. If you get 10 outs before the number of pitches is reached then you lose the rest of them (not a good thing). The current shortest version of the game takes around 3 hours to complete.

Andy - how does that sound now? 5 days with nothing to do except lie in the sun, drink port and watch sport?

Alex

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 15:52 Tue 20 May 2008

AHB wrote: Andy - how does that sound now? 5 days with nothing to do except lie in the sun, drink port and watch sport?

Alex

Other than 5 days to do nothing and drink port....the rest just sounds positively boring

.

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 21:09 Mon 26 May 2008

See what happens if you don't mention it?

benread · Post by **benread** » 21:20 Mon 26 May 2008

KillerB wrote:See what happens if you don't mention it?

History was created - thats what! The highest ever 4th innings run chase at Old Trafford to win a test match.

We cannot lose the series now. Just ready for a pasting from the South Africans I expect!

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 22:22 Mon 26 May 2008

It is a 'Geek' sport. There's a different bloody record for the longest visit to the toilet at every Test venue!
I always note the amount of politicians who like cricket. Of course they are very good at being patient...before nothing happens.

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 23:05 Mon 26 May 2008

Something wonderful happens for the home team at Old Trafford and Conky is not interested?

Whatever next - the Prime Minister thinks nothing important happens in Crewe?

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 00:35 Tue 27 May 2008

benread wrote:History was created - thats what! The highest ever 4th innings run chase at Old Trafford to win a test match.

I find the fact that people have the time to find these things out extremely reassuringly!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:02 Tue 27 May 2008

I thought that it was England's fourth highest 4th innings score to win a test, anywhere in the world?

It was certainly England's highest winning 4th innings score at Old Trafford.

benread · Post by **benread** » 22:03 Tue 27 May 2008

AHB wrote:I thought that it was England's fourth highest 4th innings score to win a test, anywhere in the world?

It was certainly England's highest winning 4th innings score at Old Trafford.

I believe it was the fifth highest 1st innings deficit succesfully overcome and the fifth highest run chase ever succesfully completed. You can read about the others here if you wish!

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 22:33 Tue 27 May 2008

Ben!!!

I had such high hopes. You looked such a red blooded male, about to dive in and punch a shark or two on the nose.

But no, you've joined the Dark Side...Sorry, the Geek Side.

benread · Post by **benread** » 22:42 Tue 27 May 2008

I do have some great pictures of me diving with an Oceaninc White Tip shark about 3 years ago in Egypt.

Hopefully the the link below will let you see them!

Me and the shark!

Post by **DRT** » 23:05 Tue 27 May 2008

Great pics, Ben. I think they prove beyond doubt that you are insane enough to be here

Derek

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 07:23 Wed 28 May 2008

benread wrote:I do have some great pictures of me diving with an Oceaninc White Tip shark about 3 years ago in Egypt.

Hopefully the the link below will let you see them!

Me and the shark!

Nice pics Ben! You should come to Oman one day. Apparently it's a diver's paradise. We've only been snorkling so far (almost every weekend that is

) and it's absolutely gorgeous.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 09:19 Thu 29 May 2008

benread wrote:I do have some great pictures of me diving with an Oceaninc White Tip shark about 3 years ago in Egypt.

Hopefully the the link below will let you see them!

Me and the shark!

Fabulous pictures. Who was holding the port at the time?

benread · Post by **benread** » 11:33 Thu 29 May 2008

AHB wrote:
benread wrote:I do have some great pictures of me diving with an Oceaninc White Tip shark about 3 years ago in Egypt.

Hopefully the the link below will let you see them!

Me and the shark!
Fabulous pictures. Who was holding the port at the time?

It was Egypt - no Port. See Oman for similar references!

benread · Post by **benread** » 11:47 Wed 04 Jun 2008

For our overseas colleagues who deride cricket, read on to see how your national teams are doing on the international stage!

USA, Germany and Norway all get honourable mentions in dispatches!

BBC Sport website:

Jersey move up cricket rankings

ThePortForum.com

1st Test Match @ Lords - the start of the summer!

What will be the outcome of the test match?