Cricket: International Discussion Thread

McT said:
Our troubles in cricket are not going to get better any time soon. The strength of the team is put is in mid-table fighting for 4th best (at best). If our team is an easy push over, stronger team have no real incentives to regularly visit or tour for much longer than 6 - 7 weeks. It is pretty much a death spiral. Like our economy, it is going to take a miracle or small age to recover.

Immensely sad.

For me, there is no joy in watching our lads get pummelled by the Indians (as an example) or losing to the Sri Lankans (nothing against them). There is no hype or excitement when we have any international matches.

To compensate, I have started focusing on international teams, enjoying their battles and making peace with the (possible) fact that I may not see our lads reach one or two in ratings for a very long time. It is what it is. Politics (to a small extent) and downright crap management has ruined the game.

I feel most for the youngsters coming through the ranks. For many, if they truly want to reach the top, they may need to consider leaving SA and naturalising elsewhere.
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If only our cricket could follow their rugby counterparts and be permitted to pick overseas based players, I'd feel a bit more at ease.
 
David Warner seems to have his sights set on a quadruple ton. 323* at the moment.
 
Just came back for the shops to see Pakistan batting, slightly disappointing Warner didn't get the chance to try getting pass Lara score.
 
I prefer Lara holding the record than Warner for various reasons. But remains an excellent effort no matter the quality of the Pakistan “attack”. Wonder if Paine is rethinking his declaration?
 
Yasir Shah rescued the Pakistanis with a good knock; 113 (213).

Pakistan are all out on 302 and trail by 287.

Australia have enforced the follow on.
 
These Pakistan supporters are about as optimistic about their bunch as we are of ours :p

Saad : "Good move by Pakistan to send two nightwatchman. It's important to protect yasir and babar's wicket."
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Javed Malik : "any updates on Pakistan's 12th man? Weather. " The forecast rain hasn't arrived and the radar looks reasonably clear
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...and rightly so, Pakistan are 2/1 with Imam-ul-Haq back in the hut.
 
Pakistan 20/3 with Babar Azam gone :(

Pakistan trail by 267 runs with 7 wickets remaining
 
Great result for the Windies. Love seeing those sullen sulky looks on the faces of the Indian players.
 
The second test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is evenly poised. Sort of. Sri Lanka got a tidy 80 run lead, but let most of that slip with Pakistan 57/0 at stumps.

Tomorrow looks like the moving day.
 
Meanwhile, the longest format might get shorter with the ICC considering mandatory four-day Tests. Thoughts?
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Abhijato: "I think Test cricket needs the fifth day as reserve. Weather and pitches plays too important a role ... We simply need more time in certain matches for a result. My counter-proposal: four sessions of 24 overs each per day, played with a pink ball. Gives players time to re-energize eg. Australian summer and evening session will encourage more viewership."
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Alex: "It's a ridiculous idea. When that's no longer working they'll consider 3 day tests. Far better to work on reducing ticket prices and other ways of ensuring bums on seats than assuming most people don't have the attention span required to watch a 5 day game. "
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Basanta : "4 day-test is bad idea. Look like everyone is in rush nowdays. They might change name of ODI to test cricket in near future"
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rovin: "I don't necessarily think 4 day tests will result in more draws because the scores needed to win games will also become smaller and teams will have to be more aggressive. Saying that, I don't see why we need to make any changes to test cricket as it is. We've so many shortened version, why not keep the purest form pure "
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Meanwhile, Steyn is playing for Melbourne Stars in their tussle with Hobart Hurricanes.

www.espncricinfo.com

Stars beat Hurricanes, Stars won by 4 runs (D/L method)

MS 69/5 vs HH 55/3 - Stars won by 4 runs (D/L method) in Launceston, BBL 2019, December 30, 2019
www.espncricinfo.com www.espncricinfo.com
 
...who spends most of the final over being a spectator.

AS need 169 to win.
 
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