A Summer of Cricket 2009, The Ashes and Windies
Posted by: JamieL on 06 May 2009
Well, surprised that no-one has started a cricket thread today, well yesterday, as 6th May was the earliest start to the Summer ever (well by my reckoning), the first day of this year's England home test matches.
So what what do you think?
No Harmison - good. Bresnan - good to see a Yorkshire bowler back in the team.
Pietersen - a duck, but that was an amazing delivery to get first up, and he covered his stumps, it just swung away and got the edge it deserved.
Bopara - what a lovely innings (from what I saw).
Fidel Edwards - should have had more wickets, he boweled brilliantly, some catching practice needed.
But more importantly, can this England team win 'The Ashes' back from Australia? I heard a prediction today of a draw. Both teams are rebuilding, and maybe home field can level England's chances, I would not be surprised at a draw.
Feeling more hopeful about English cricket than a couple of months ago, but I am not yet convinced by Strauss as captain.
Posted on: 06 May 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
We started our club season weeks ago, 4th match this weekend! Brrr.
Pleased for Bopara, a committed and determined chap by all accounts. Not sure he has the real quality to bat No. 3 against better teams, but he'll develop.
I'm not sure this pitch has the look of a draw, we shall see when we get a chance to bowl. Anderson is the only one of the attack who looks world class to me though.
Bruce
Posted on: 07 May 2009 by JamieL
Well that was a nice surprise, Windies following on.
Bruce, what club are you a member of? I should really come and watch some cricket somewhere other than Headinley.
Posted on: 07 May 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
You'd be pretty desperate to come and watch us! I play Craven League for Skipton CI, first team but it is not rarefied stuff. We are about three or four divisions from the first class 'feeder' level.
We have a great time though, and it is competitive enough, but then we all go to the pub and get over our performance in suitable fashion.
Bruce
Posted on: 08 May 2009 by Paper Plane
And now we've gone and won the first Test by 10 wickets!
steve
Posted on: 08 May 2009 by JamieWednesday
On the one hand great!!!!
On the other, shan't be going tomorrow now...
Posted on: 09 May 2009 by markah
quote:
Originally posted by JamieL:
I should really come and watch some cricket somewhere other than Headinley.
I agree. Try Old Trafford, and watch the mighty (?) Lancashire march on to their first outright County Championship since 1934! Well, perhaps not, just a bit of early season optimism. I was at Headingley a couple of seasons ago, and stayed over at the Lodge at the ground - had a very enjoyable few days there. Been a member at Lancashire for many years now, love my cricket!
Mark
Posted on: 10 May 2009 by JamieL
quote:
Originally posted by markah:
quote:
Originally posted by JamieL:
I should really come and watch some cricket somewhere other than Headinley.
I agree. Try Old Trafford, and watch the mighty (?) Lancashire march on to their first outright County Championship since 1934! Well, perhaps not, just a bit of early season optimism. I was at Headingley a couple of seasons ago, and stayed over at the Lodge at the ground - had a very enjoyable few days there. Been a member at Lancashire for many years now, love my cricket!
Mark
The only time I have been to Old Trafford was to see David Bowie a few years ago. I suspect that I might see some games there at some point, but as a Yorskshireman it is a bit alien.
Still if you are ever over at Headingley you are welcome to stay in the spare room afterwards, I only live a mile away. I keep thinking of becoming a member, and this would be a good year, as I am probably free much of the summer.
Must catch at least one Roses match this year.
Posted on: 10 May 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
Without wishing to restart the 'War Of The Roses' I think Old Trafford has lately been looking very shabby. Headingley has really improved in the last 2-3 years but OT seems stuck. Needs new investment soon.
Trent Bridge remains my favourite Test venue (I've never been to Lords though). Attractive, compact and great for watching the game. Traffic access is always tiresome though but Chester le Street is even worse when you consider it takes about an hour to get from the A1 to the ground, a distance of about a mile!
Who knows, perhaps Cardiff will be a great venue for the opening Ashes Test? Not placing a big bet on it myself.
Bruce
Posted on: 11 May 2009 by markah
quote:
Originally posted by JamieL:
quote:
Originally posted by markah:
quote:
Originally posted by JamieL:
I should really come and watch some cricket somewhere other than Headinley.
I agree. Try Old Trafford, and watch the mighty (?) Lancashire march on to their first outright County Championship since 1934! Well, perhaps not, just a bit of early season optimism. I was at Headingley a couple of seasons ago, and stayed over at the Lodge at the ground - had a very enjoyable few days there. Been a member at Lancashire for many years now, love my cricket!
Mark
The only time I have been to Old Trafford was to see David Bowie a few years ago. I suspect that I might see some games there at some point, but as a Yorskshireman it is a bit alien.
Still if you are ever over at Headingley you are welcome to stay in the spare room afterwards, I only live a mile away. I keep thinking of becoming a member, and this would be a good year, as I am probably free much of the summer.
Must catch at least one Roses match this year.
Jamie, I will deffo take you up on your offer. I'll come and watch some cricket even if it's not Lancs, it is just such a chillin day out. I love it! PM me, speak soon.
Posted on: 11 May 2009 by markah
Jamie/Bruce,
OMG! I have just spent 20 mins outlining the plans for the new ground/stadium at Old Trafford and then it just all disappeared. Bloody internet, grrrrrrr!!!!! PM me if you get the chance, speak soon.
Posted on: 14 May 2009 by JamieWednesday
Hmmm benign (and bloody cold by the look of it) pitch today or was Windies attack just lame..?
On a tangent, funny update in The Eye this week on an article about the Telegraph and 'its' cricket coverage
Posted on: 15 May 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
Hmm. I might have scored runs on that wicket.
Poor forecast for the rest of the game, certainly today and Sunday. W. Indies will be ecstatic, sat in the changing room with the heaters on full blast!
I've dug out yet another jumper for our game tomorrow. I was frozen enough last week-and as the 'keeper at least I'm kept busy! The joys of summer sport....
Bruce
Posted on: 15 May 2009 by JamieWednesday
Never mind, there's always the twentytwentyworldcupchampionshipthingummywhatsit to look forward to next month...
Posted on: 17 May 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
A great weekend of cricket as chippy league newcomers Skipton CI tumbled top-of-the table bottlers Pendle Forest in a tense rain-affected affair on Saturday.
Oh, England did nicely too.
Bruce
Posted on: 17 May 2009 by markah
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
A great weekend of cricket as chippy league newcomers Skipton CI tumbled top-of-the table bottlers Pendle Forest in a tense rain-affected affair on Saturday.
Bruce
I was looking for the "live text" on the BBC sport website but couldn't find it. Thanks for the update!
Posted on: 18 May 2009 by JamieWednesday
Like someone said - warming up for the Ashes by playing the Windies is a bit like preparing for the marathon by walking the dog!
Posted on: 23 May 2009 by akseland
Posted on: 27 May 2009 by JamieL
I am going to see if I can get tickets for this Friday's Yorhshire vs. Lancashire 20/20 match at Headingley.
I just wondered if anyone else was planning to go?
Posted on: 28 May 2009 by markah
Jamie,
I'm off to a concert otherwise I would have joined you. It would be fun to see Lancs destroy Yorkshire again, just like Tuesday.
(Watch that comment come back to bite me, lol.)
Mark
Posted on: 29 May 2009 by JamieL
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Not Yorkshire's finest day batting. Nothing to bite you at all Mark, in fact no bite in Yorkshire's 20/20 performance at all.
Very good bowling from Lancashire set up the day for them.
