Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[GarlicJam]

Papua New Guinea have become the first country to win their first 2 ODI's, after two wins against Hong Kong.

Coached by Dipak Patel, and having PNG-born Geraint Jones (playing his 50th and 51st ODI) in their line-up, PNG were playing the two match series in Townsville, Queensland.

I wasn't aware that they played cricket as we know it - the last time I saw anything about cricket PNG style, it had footage of games between whole villages (scores, if not hundreds of players, on each side). They used hand-made bats, etc, a wicker ball (I think) and the matches had a tendancy to get violent and were even know to include the odd spearing or macheteing. Looks like the MCC have had some positive influence lately.

[Gingerfinch]

Not a bad catch!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30018424

[andy]

just seen it on SSN, absolutely amazing!!

[Aidan11]

Stephen Brenkley on the Big Cheese

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cric ... 69201.html

[Making_Splinters]

Stephen Brenkley on the Big Cheese

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cric ... 69201.html

"A wicketkeeper-batsman to be spoken of in the same breath as Les Ames, Alan Knott and Stewart"

Sycophantic drivel.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Probably true. But from him, it is sycophantic drivel of little value.

[Making_Splinters]

Probably true.

I hope that's sarcasm, Arthur.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wicket keeper/batter? Why not? I don't know about Ames (better average after Matt's poor year, but I don't know how good his keeping was), but he stands up with the others. Alec is in my life team, but Prior isn't a crazy choice.

[Making_Splinters]

Prior isn't remotely close to the three others named. His keeping is significantly worse than the lot, and his batting average can't be compared due to the decided lack of top quality bowling around during his time.

Just seeing the names Prior and Knott in a sentence together with out the phrase, "was not in the same league as" between them is an afront in and of itself.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, Prior was obviously the least of those keepers. His record as a batter is far superior though (if we just look at Stewart's runs when keeping). Matt was capable as a keeper, and in my opinion, the best since Alec. He dropped nothing off pace for years.

[Aidan11]

Prior was what the England selectors wanted - a batsman-keeper not a keeper-batsman.

He won't play for England again though.

[Making_Splinters]

Stewart's record with the bat when he was keeping wasn't great. It must be noted that he didn't open the batting often when he was keeping and that's where he made his mark as a test batsman.

[Aidan11]

Stewart kept out a very good keeper in Jack Russell.

It's all Adam Gilchrist's fault.

[Arthur Crabtree]

No, the big cheese is toast.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Stewart kept out a very good keeper in Jack Russell.

It's all Adam Gilchrist's fault.

Stewart was the better keeper and batter, Russell the better painter.