Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[Arthur Crabtree]

Apart from memories of the legendary Old Trafford Test, he was just slightly before my time. When you see the footage now, it feels remarkable that the bowlers were allowed to bowl so many bouncers, yet we feel the power of the pace attack's unfettered aggression. It seems a bit confusing that the England selectors would send in batters so ill equipped to counter the West Indies awful threat, yet there is something touching about Closey's unwillingness to give way. There is a guilty fascination to be had watching their attack's shock and awe, but I'm sure glad the game isn't like that now.

I suppose he must have been playing in those Sunday league games I saw when he mentored Viv, Big Bird and Both, but I can't quite remember him. I can recall mentions from Fred Trueman's autobiography: the brilliant (and of course brave/foolhardy) fielding at short leg. The footballer. The county and national caps as a teenager. The pot of tea during the drinks breaks... As a cricket commentator, he seemed a gentler, more modest fellow than you'd expect of an ex Yorkshire cricketer of that era. Not a Fred or Fiery. By repute, an inspirational captain at two counties and much respected by his former comrades.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just heard Brian Close has died. :(

Very sad news. Astute, brave and blunt. Brave as a lion against the quicks, no helmet or protection - they kept their eyes on the ball in those days - a skill seemingly lacking in the current era.

Fondly remembered from a distance. RIP

Good to hear from those who saw him play. RIP.

[sussexpob]

By repute, an inspirational captain at two counties and much respected by his former comrades.

I dont know the encyclopedia of Brian Close, only that Botham talks of him highly in his autobiography by memory (which isnt a mark of quality). As far as general awareness goes, I was under the impression that he was generally disliked by many former colleagues, apart from people in Somerset who spoke highly of him, because of his rather stubborn and one minded approach..... Ive seen him described before as a less likable boycott, which is some insult!!

[Arthur Crabtree]

That's not the impression I got on tv, where he contrasted with Illingworth's blunter Yorkshireman. Both were worth listening to, but Closey seemed more generous and more rounded in his views. Of course, he was older then. I think Close rubbed people up bit because he didn't kowtow to the amateurs who were still referred to as 'mister' when he started out. No doubt, given Yorkshire cricket at the time, he was involved in a lot of internecine intrigue. I know he and Boycott were not allies.

Apparently a very gifted golfer, left and right handed, played at youth level for England at football. An extra ordinarily long career, and still coaching well into old age. As a very reserved person myself, I have a lot of admiration for those who live such a full life as Brian Close did.

[hopeforthebest]

A big interest now is which England players will get central contracts in a couple of weeks time. Not so straight forward as it has been in the past?

[Aidan11]

BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya has died aged 75.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think he was a bad guy.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Any thoughts about favourite moments of the English international summer? Finn's comeback? Stokes or Maxwell's catch? Morgan's return to form? BJ's batting?

For something non-wishy washy, I'd pick out Broad's 8-fer at Trent Bridge.

But actually the best thing about the summer was the spirit of NZ's cricket and the leadership in that respect that they have brought to cricket. For a country with little cultural clout in the game, I think this has made an impact. For me, they were the winners of the goodwill WC, and Braddin's shenanigans only gave value to that, when he intended to humiliate with his real-world aggro. I think they brought something of their integrity to the uk. And that's something the world of sport is starving for.

And to make a three, Joe Root's classy and skilful counter-attack at Sofia Gardens.

[sussexpob]

Anyone who says anything other than Broad is, well, lying

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe not so much a must pick for Aussie posters.

[KipperJohn]

Anyone who says anything other than Broad is, well, lying

No they are not. I think the nature and content of Arthur's post indicates more than just a 'moment'. These things are usually very personal and my favourite (by a long way) was a day out at the Ageas to watch England play NZ in a one-dayer. A grand day out and the cricket and atmosphere was great. Broad's spell will go down in the annuls of cricket history as it should, but for me, my day out was far more memorable.

In many ways it was like 2008 when I was lucky enough to go to the MCG.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Often the most memorable part of an incident is how we interact with it. I remember (I've mentioned this before) a documentary about fans' memories of the 1990 England v Germany SF, and most of the programme was about what people went through to get to see the game (usually in foreign places where no one has any interest in football, like France). And actually being there does enhance the experience.

An incident or an aspect, is what I mean.

The Stokes dismissal, obstructing the field will be remembered.

[KipperJohn]

That rather reminds me of the 1966 WC final and its relationship (for me ) to cricket. We were due to play a club cricket game at West Farleigh in Kent and some of us dutifully turned up, only to find that the opposition, and a few of ours, hadn't.

We drove back to Gillingham in a mate's Vauxhall Cresta to his house just in time to see England concede the first goal.

Black and white TV as well of course!

[alfie]

Broad's spectacular effort will of course be a highlight for most people - deservedly so !

But my personal special moment (or passage of play) is the partnership between Root and Stokes at Lord's , after they came together at 30/4 against NZ.
Forget about a long period of grim defence : off they went at six per over.

Whatever was to happen thereafter , I knew then that something had changed...

[Alviro Patterson]

A sublime individual performance can happen now and again, but England scoring 400 in an ODI against New Zealand is just something else. This was on the back of a dismal World Cup campaign, so much unrest within the ECB amongst other things. For me this was a point where England started to move forward and have created a new identity.