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If we can have atopic on football, we should celebrate the 'official' start of summer in the UK - the 1st Test match at Lords!

I appreciate not everyone will share my enthusiasm but I am sure many do. So my question....

What will the result be?

(I will happily explain the difference between draw and tie for anyone who does not know!)

benread wrote:If we can have atopic on football, we should celebrate the 'official' start of summer in the UK - the 1st Test match at Lords!

I appreciate not everyone will share my enthusiasm but I am sure many do. So my question....

What will the result be?

(I will happily explain the difference between draw and tie for anyone who does not know!)

It's looking like a draw due to the weather. If England can knock out a big score between now and lunch tomorrow it could be an England win by an innings but I can't really see it happening.

Good to see Strauss and Cook batting all through the day yesterday

I cannot disagree a draw is likely but in a bout of delusional patriotic fervour I hope for a win! Were Cook and Strauss to bat through the day again and England declare around 5.30pm tonight with a 150 run lead (possible at about 4.5 per over) then it could happen.

Optimistic of Reigate!

Cricket is one of those sports that I can watch happily for hours and not understand a thing they're doing. Always reminds me of Calvin & Hobbes and their self invented games. Very amusing.

You should try listening to Test Match Special on the radio.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid ... ue&bbcws=2

I presently have Henry Blofield on as I try to write 10,000 words on CSR!

Can we have another option:

• What's a Test Match?

Derek

Derek T. wrote:Can we have another option:

• What's a Test Match?

Derek

You could but I do not seem to be able to amend poll!

benread wrote:

Derek T. wrote:Can we have another option:

• What's a Test Match?

Derek

You could but I do not seem to be able to amend poll!

I can

Alternatively, you could take a lesson from the master of describing cricket - Brian Johnston (deceased).

I highly recommend any of the "Gaffes & Giggles" on this website:

http://www.johnners.com/

The last one is my favourite!

benread wrote:Alternatively, you could take a lesson from the master of describing cricket - Brian Johnston (deceased).

Do I have to listen to it for 5 days and stop every hour for a cup of tea just in case it gets too exciting?

There is another perspective: cricket is part of our heritage. Port is part of our heritage. The two are intrinsically linked!

In the spirit of English fair-play, we have let the openers and our best batsman get themselves out to make the game more interesting. We now have the elegant Vaughan and the dogged Bell in to give a middle-order rally.

benread wrote:(I will happily explain the difference between draw and tie for anyone who does not know!)

Can you also explain the difference between a draw, a tie and a draw with the scores level?

If the scores are equal and the side batting second has completed its innings, it is a tie.

If the scores are equal and the side batting second has not completed its innings, it is a draw.

Confirmation of this point is available from the lawmakes of the game - the MCC!

http://www.lords.org/laws-and-spirit/la ... 47,AR.html

I voted for a tie. Just because.

Another commentary 'funny' for your amusement!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/7405686.stm

So it was a draw then - ho hum, onwards and upwards.

But they were lucky! (Or maybe we were just not very good?!)

Either way, we all get another 5 days of amusement starting this Friday. I know many will be hardly able to contain their excitement!

Given how statistically unlikely a tie is in a game that takes 5 days (minus tea breaks) to complete and where the scores are in the hundreds, I find it slightly amusing that the good fellows on seem to thought that a home win was equally unlikely

What's a Leg-buy Yorkee?

Derek, you display a good degree of knowledge for someone who suggested indifference!

benread wrote:Derek, you display a good degree of knowledge for someone who suggested indifference!

Ben,

When you've known me for longer you will understand exactly how much drivel exists in my head. Sometimes it manifests itself in what others may percieve to be knowledge. The frightening thing is that not all of it finds its way here - yes, my drivel extends beyond the scope of this website

Serious question: What happens when the bowler chucks the ball too far away from the batter?

There are a number of possible responses to that question!

"chucks" - chucking or throwing is illegal. No ball. Penalty run to batting side. Very controversial. See Darrell Hair and Muttiah Muralitheran.
"too far" - could be wide of the batsman. In which case, depending on form of game, the relative distance from the batsman dictates if this is within the laws or not. Could be called "wide" and a penalty run.

"too far" - this could also be "short" pitched bowling. May or may not be within the laws of the game.

I could go on, but another time!

Perhaps I should aspire to become a Port geek in the way I can be geeky in my knowledge of cricket!

benread wrote:Perhaps I should aspire to become a Port geek in the way I can be geeky in my knowledge of cricket!

A fine ambition for a gentleman to have.

We will do all we can to assist.

Derek

PS: On the question, I meant what happens when it's declared "wide" - is it another ball or a penalty run - I think you've told me. Is there a circumstance where an additional ball is thrown?

[quote="Derek TPS: On the question, I meant what happens when it's declared "wide" - is it another ball or a penalty run - I think you've told me. Is there a circumstance where an additional ball is thrown?[/quote]

There should never be another ball "thrown"! If there is a no ball of any type (throw, wide, no ball (foot over crease at point of delivery) etc) then another ball is bowled.

benread wrote:[quote="Derek TPS: On the question, I meant what happens when it's declared "wide" - is it another ball or a penalty run - I think you've told me. Is there a circumstance where an additional ball is thrown?

There should never be another ball "thrown"! If there is a no ball of any type (throw, wide, no ball (foot over crease at point of delivery) etc) then another ball is bowled.[/quote]
OK - got you on the bowled thing (no chucking or throwing allowed unless fielding) - so when do you get a penalty run?

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

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!

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

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 .

See what happens if you don't mention it?

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!

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.

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?

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

Derek

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.

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?

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!

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