Random Cricket Thread (Domestic Cricket)

[sussexpob]

The main idea was to get pitches that assisted spinners, as hardly any spinners are doing well in county cricket at the moment. So in their infinite wisdom, apparently offering to bowl first to the away team helps create turning wickets.

Quite why it would be that way is anyones guess. Surely if a team would be inclined to bowl first, there would have to be evidence of something in the wicket first up to give the away team the advantage. But why a home team would do that is anyones guess, because the last thing they want is to guarantee themselves opening the batting on a green wicket. After all, for the rule difference to make an effect, a team has to be confident that early conditions will be sufficiently helpful to be willing to bat last on a pitch.

And why would they be more inclined to produce a wearing pitch if the coin toss can still be lost? No one is going to ask to bowl on a dust bowl, and be happy to bat last on a pitch with canyons running down it. Any hint of variable bounce and grainy surface, and you go to a coin toss anyway unless you are Nasser Hussain on a trip to Brisbane and decide there is a lot of spice in the biggest road ever produced (ie braindead).

As is probably most obvious to anyone, apart from the ECB committee being lead by Strauss and Flower, that teams would be far more inclined to produce wickets that are flat so the toss doesnt lose them a match.

Ridiculous thinking really

[westoelad]

We're talking about mid-April here so I'm not sure groundsmen could prepare specific pitches to order -they'd just be happy to get their ground playable. It's too early to make judgements on the new rule imo- the large number of draws in the 1st week was mainly down to time lost through weather-a natural consequence of starting in early April .

[captaincolly]

I must admit it wasn't until partway through the first game that I finally understood the rule - at first I thought it was the opposing captain could either bat bowl or have the toss...I thought that didn't make sense...and of course it didn't!
As far as Durham are concerned - especially at home - the new rule might be ok because the temptation is always to bowl but batting first is often the way to go. If I was the opposing captain I'd have the toss and hope to lose it!

[Alviro Patterson]

We're talking about mid-April here so I'm not sure groundsmen could prepare specific pitches to order -they'd just be happy to get their ground playable. It's too early to make judgements on the new rule imo- the large number of draws in the 1st week was mainly down to time lost through weather-a natural consequence of starting in early April .

Especially with the wet winter we've experienced, along with a cool spring producing ground frosts on most nights. There hasn't been any significant drying out weather until this week, so pitches are naturally going to be slow in nature due to the excess moisture and high water tables.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Shame to hear KP is out until November. So presumably, the Big Bash, after sustaining injury in the IPL.

[The Professor]

Monty Panesar playing for Bedfordshire today against Suffolk

[Aidan11]

Too many draws so far in the CC this season.

The weather has played its part but ECB doing away with the toss seems to be making groundsmen prepare flat pitches.

Maybe next season ask if the away side want to bat.

[Dr Cricket]

Too many draws so far in the CC this season.

The weather has played its part but ECB doing away with the toss seems to be making groundsmen prepare flat pitches.

Maybe next season ask if the away side want to bat.

Like I said on an another forum, ECB/Strauss doesn't care about draws or results they just want flat pitches so selectors have an easier time picking future players and they also learn how to bowl in Test matches.
http://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/1 ... it-england
cook pretty much gives the ECB/Strauss taught here.

[Dr Cricket]

on paper think Notts will win the championship got a better attack on flat decks than yorkshire.

[Alviro Patterson]

Worcestershire coach Steve Rhodes seems to think the toss decision is working

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/36213054

As i've said on the CC D1 thread, I don't think there is enough quality bowlers coming through the County Cricket system, which probably explains the high draws better than flat tracks. Bowlers need overs under their belt to begin with before they can be properly judged. Jake Ball picking up 20 wickets already is one thing, but can he do it on a blistering hot afternoon in July?

[Slipstream]

Richard Gibson @richardgibo74 17 mins ago
STAT OF THE WEEK : Yorkshire are on their longest winless run in the @CountyChamp for 4 years - currently 3 matches (3draws)

[Durhamfootman]

Worcestershire coach Steve Rhodes seems to think the toss decision is working

As if he would know.... he hasn't managed to get his wellies off yet

[Making_Splinters]

Westley is not a name many have thrown round for selection this summer, but he's had a very good start to the summer and a ton against the tourists can't hurt.

[westoelad]

Westley is not a name many have thrown round for selection this summer, but he's had a very good start to the summer and a ton against the tourists can't hurt.

Aye but a certain Mr Cook touting your name can’t do any harm. Whether that's totally ethical is another issue.

[sussexpob]

We should definately pick players who's only season in Division 1, they couldnt even hold a place in their county side (average of 24 that year btw).

Middling Division 2 player who bangs two hundreds, and all of a sudden is International contention because he is mates with the captain....

*sigh*