What a series this has been! As a footie fan, I think the timing of its denouement is just about perfect, but I wouldn't have complained if there were another match or two. That said, we might've ended up with 2nd County XI bowling attacks the way things were going, so just as well it ends today. I know we haven't been short of entertainment, but imagine if all the pitches had a bit more life like the one at the Oval... I hope you've enjoyed this summer's offerings (including the incredible World Test Championship Final) as much as I have.
I'm less into football than you, and the traditionalist in me doesn't really like the highly compressed nature of modern international summers. (Grumble mumble The Hundred mumble grump...) But it's been sensational entertainment through all 25 days. If the Ashes are half as good we'll be blessed.
Ha! That's totally fair. I haven't really gotten into The Hundred (how many formats do we need to follow?!) but it seems to have had some positive impact on women's cricket at the very least. Whether men's cricket needed the upheaval is somewhat less clear, however, I did hear something on the wireless yesterday in which they said the lack of footie in June and July gave cricket the opportunity to take centre-stage with compressed Tests during that period. I think there's an element of truth to that this year but I doubt that'd be true during a men's World Cup (or even Euros, especially if England did well again) AND Wimbledon in the same summer. That's not to take away from the England Women this year, but the focus on the men is just a tad more.
The things that really annoy me are the proposals to create two tiers of Test nations and the preponderance of 2-Test series. I know the BCCI is the worst culprit when it comes to the latter but the ECB and Cricket Australia could do more by organising at least one match against Afghanistan who are clearly the most talented of the minnows at the moment.
The parity given to the women's game is one thing I do think the Hundred adds. I'm hard put to add much else...
Afghanistan... now there's an issue in itself. Should they even be playing, given their blatant disregard for the ICC's own rules on women's teams? In talent terms I completely agree -- but then the 1970 South Africans, with Barry Richards et al, were talented...
I just learnt today that Hundred stats are included with T20s! Initially, it didn't sit right with me but then I suppose List A includes everything from 40, 50, 55 and 60 over matches, first-class games are everything from 2 days upwards, while Australia used 8 ball overs until at least the 70s, and England didn't even switch from 4 to 5 ball overs until 1889, before eventually settling on 6. I don't blame statisticians for deciding this. The format might even be gone within a year or two, although apparently, David Warner is a big fan and wants to spread the gospel Down Under. He must be stopped on all counts. :)
That's fair! I'm conflicted with Afghanistan. The South African precedent makes it perfectly justifiable to ban them altogether. However, I'm also influenced by how India's been able to use it as a tool of diplomacy vis-a-vis Pakistan, by giving their men's team a home and support. I wish I they would've done the same with the women's team (and they could still do a lot). Moreover, I'm not sure if treating the country as a pariah is desirable or will have the desired effect. It didn't seem to stop them in the 1990s from doing what they wanted and if it wasn't for the fact that they gave refuge to bin Laden/Al-Qaeda, they may well have remained in power until now.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2025-08-03 10:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 09:30 am (UTC)What a series this has been! As a footie fan, I think the timing of its denouement is just about perfect, but I wouldn't have complained if there were another match or two. That said, we might've ended up with 2nd County XI bowling attacks the way things were going, so just as well it ends today. I know we haven't been short of entertainment, but imagine if all the pitches had a bit more life like the one at the Oval... I hope you've enjoyed this summer's offerings (including the incredible World Test Championship Final) as much as I have.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 08:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-06 09:36 am (UTC)The things that really annoy me are the proposals to create two tiers of Test nations and the preponderance of 2-Test series. I know the BCCI is the worst culprit when it comes to the latter but the ECB and Cricket Australia could do more by organising at least one match against Afghanistan who are clearly the most talented of the minnows at the moment.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-06 11:44 pm (UTC)Afghanistan... now there's an issue in itself. Should they even be playing, given their blatant disregard for the ICC's own rules on women's teams? In talent terms I completely agree -- but then the 1970 South Africans, with Barry Richards et al, were talented...
no subject
Date: 2025-08-13 11:00 am (UTC)That's fair! I'm conflicted with Afghanistan. The South African precedent makes it perfectly justifiable to ban them altogether. However, I'm also influenced by how India's been able to use it as a tool of diplomacy vis-a-vis Pakistan, by giving their men's team a home and support. I wish I they would've done the same with the women's team (and they could still do a lot). Moreover, I'm not sure if treating the country as a pariah is desirable or will have the desired effect. It didn't seem to stop them in the 1990s from doing what they wanted and if it wasn't for the fact that they gave refuge to bin Laden/Al-Qaeda, they may well have remained in power until now.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-13 07:57 pm (UTC)As a patriotic England supporter, I think I can say that this suggstion will gain widespread support! ;)
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Date: 2025-08-05 06:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-08-06 09:43 am (UTC)