Rugby - The Lull After The Storm

[Caligastia]

Strangely enough I understood that.

[Tamerlin]

Cricket is so widely known and practiced in France that many people must confuse it with Croquet.

[finbar]

You got that from your Petit Ophrys de Plaisanteries, did you?



Presumably Havak's absence from the thread can be put down to his trip to Uzbekistan talent-spotting for Leicester.

[finbar]

Stupid DP!

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Cricket is so widely known and practiced in France that many people must confuse it with Croquet.

That would be why the French national first XI doesn't exactly have the most feared bowling attack in the world then?

And I won't even mention their slip fielding.

[finbar]

The only French slip is 'twixt tasse et lèvre and it's frequent.

[ravagon]

Speaking of cricket the third test (Eng-Sri) has just started in Colombo.
Trescothick must've missed the pre-game talk as he seems to think its a one-dayer. His half-tun coming up in 39 balls.

Maybe the E in his middle initial stands for VVS Laxman.

[Havak]

It's brought them undone before and will, no doubt, again.

Even a third rate cricket side like England can adapt their batting tactics – sometimes the head collapses, sometimes the tail.

They don't have to roll us. They just have to bat well enough not to lose.

I think you will win all three remaining tests myself – India away are not a ‘form horse’ despite one freak result.

It could be a cruel farewell to Steve Waugh.

There is little sentimentality in sport though. World cup winning captain one moment – losing to a minor team the next.

Still, at least he didn't follow England's ex-skipper's example and call James Kirtley a cheat and a chucker.

If Kirtley has a suspect action then lets take appropriate remedial steps. Pas de Probleme.

No the great Aussie coach of Sri Lanka was not even talking about that. His claim was that England were negative in batting for a draw instead of going for a final innings record for the win. Staggering hypocrisy from a man whose nation are the most tactically astute in cricket and would have done exactly the same. So as I say – another exported gob-s****, any chance you could keep these cultutral ambassadors at home more?

On which note Campese handed the BBC team of the year trophy to Jonno last Sunday – the faces of the squad were priceless, he was as welcome as if he had stepped in dog do. Clive made a formal complaint and the head of BBC sport has apologised – he apparently didn’t realise that asking the greatest spouter of inaccurate criticisim of England during the RWC wasn’t the best choice to make the award.

Presumably Havak's absence from the thread can be put down to his trip to Uzbekistan talent-spotting for Leicester.

Business trip into enemy territory actually. Northamptonshire that is.
Cricket is a funny one – I’m not the biggest fan but I can appreciate the game. I love test matches more than the one day stuff.

So what are the problems with England? Ravagon has pointed out that Trecothick can play just the one way. And predicatably then got out to the man whose action needs closer attention than Kirtleys just as he was threatening a big score!

The captaincy has ruined Vaughan’s batting so he won’t keep it much longer?

Butcher and Hussein are now as much use as Hick. Both great players at county level but lacking at the step up in class.

Thorpe is not the player he once was – and the hopes of the team rest on a slogger (as entertaining as that can be) called ‘Freddie’.
Frankly I am surprised we are not number one in the world at the game.
Is there a Pinochio smiley?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I think you will win all three remaining tests myself – India away are not a ‘form horse’ despite one freak result.

Double or nothing on that 50 Civ Gold I owe you? (That I'm not sure I have in my account anyway! ) I'll bet that we don't win the series, it will be either a draw or an Indian win. Remember they're not playing on the bouncy Perth track. The final two Tests are in Melbourne and Sydney. Melbourne is a batting paradise and Sydney's an unknown quantity. Gillespie is out of the Melbourne Test. We won't bowl them out twice unless they really blow it. Part of our problem is of our own making - Greg Chappell has been working with Ganguly on his batting, and our former good left-armer, Bruce Reid, is working with their left-armers!

There is little sentimentality in sport though.

As he well knows. Oh, as does John Mitchell, from his own lips.

If Kirtley has a suspect action then lets take appropriate remedial steps. Pas de Probleme.

He's already had remedial work. A couple of years ago. Either it didn't work, or he has slipped back into old habits.

No the great Aussie coach of Sri Lanka was not even talking about that. His claim was that England were negative in batting for a draw instead of going for a final innings record for the win. Staggering hypocrisy from a man whose nation are the most tactically astute in cricket and would have done exactly the same.

No, Australia would have gone for the win. Exactly the attitude that sank them against the Indians on Monday.

So as I say – another exported gob-s****, any chance you could keep these cultutral ambassadors at home more?

Just a battle of words. Mr Fletcher has had a fair bit to say, too, I recall, particularly prior to the series.

On which note Campese handed the BBC team of the year trophy to Jonno last Sunday – the faces of the squad were priceless, he was as welcome as if he had stepped in dog do. Clive made a formal complaint and the head of BBC sport has apologised – he apparently didn’t realise that asking the greatest spouter of inaccurate criticisim of England during the RWC wasn’t the best choice to make the award.

Personally, I thought it a hoot. A formal complaint? Good grief.

Business trip into enemy territory actually. Northamptonshire that is.

He says, hiding the Uzbekistan immigration stamp in his passport.

So what are the problems with England? Ravagon has pointed out that Trecothick can play just the one way.

Trescothick is always going to be found by a top class quick who can pitch consistently on off stump and slide it away. His footwork is non-existent. Unfortunately, he will murder bowlers who aren't up to exploiting his obvious weakness, thus giving English supporters more false hope.

And predicatably then got out to the man whose action needs closer attention than Kirtleys just as he was threatening a big score!

Sadly, the two Australian umps who had the courage to call Muralitharan were punished by the ACB. One never umpired at first class level again. Apparently 90% of the world's cricketers are convinced that he throws, as are most umpires, but nothing is done about it at an official level. It's partly political, with a fear of a schism down racial lines.

The captaincy has ruined Vaughan’s batting so he won’t keep it much longer?

I think it's affected his batting too. But who else is there?

Butcher and Hussein are now as much use as Hick. Both great players at county level but lacking at the step up in class.

Yes. Dogged at best. Same old story, IMHO. Too many county teams, too many players not up to it, therefore the standards - and demands made on players - aren't high enough. And county self-interest precludes change. Pity. A high quality Ashes Test series is my idea of cricket bliss.

Thorpe - when his head is right - and Vaughan - minus the pressure of captaincy - are the only two quality batsmen in the team, I suspect. Trescothick could be if he attended to his technique problems. Flintoff shows great potential but doesn't seem to apply himself as much as he should. He could be anything. But Collingwood in the Test team? Good grief.

Is there a Pinochio smiley?

Tamerlin's off perfecting it now in readiness for his claims about Les Grenouilles in the 6 Nations.

Why, when one edits a post, does it sometimes appear that part of the post has been duplicated within the post? And when one re-edits to remove it, it's not really there?

[Havak]

Double or nothing on that 50 Civ Gold I owe you? (That I'm not sure I have in my account anyway! )

Why not.

Despite the logic in all you say I still have faith that Aussie luck will shine through.

As he well knows. Oh, as does John Mitchell, from his own lips.

How do you read the delay in that decision incidentally?

He's already had remedial work. A couple of years ago. Either it didn't work, or he has slipped back into old habits.

In which case punish him then.

No one will argue against an English player being punished surely?

No, Australia would have gone for the win. Exactly the attitude that sank them against the Indians on Monday.

On a totally sodden wicket? I don’t believe it!

Just a battle of words. Mr Fletcher has had a fair bit to say, too, I recall, particularly prior to the series.

As is well documented only England now play to the original spirit of the game. All these foreign coaches shooting their mouths off is just not cricket old boy. The ZIMBABWEAN Fletcher a case in point.

Personally, I thought it a hoot. A formal complaint? Good grief.

You under estimate how much he is despised here. His achievements as a player are lost to this generation of English players – all they hear is the constant racist ranting.

He says, hiding the Uzbekistan immigration stamp in his passport.

I’m encouraging them to join the EC so we can sign them as domestic players for Tigers.

It's partly political, with a fear of a schism down racial lines.

So the sub-continent is allowed to cheat at will. And that will kill the world game eventually anyway. Gatting was so right all those years ago sadly.

But who else is there?

Freddie. It’s an English tradition – give your best performing player the job so that you guarantee his form dips and will never recover.

A high quality Ashes Test series is my idea of cricket bliss.

But 87 was the last truly contested one wasn’t it? All landslides since the debacle of 89.

But Collingwood in the Test team? Good grief.

Quite!

Good job we reign supreme in Union then eh?

Tamerlin's off perfecting it now in readiness for his claims about Les Grenouilles in the 6 Nations.

They host Ireland at home this time so that is a banker for once. The tournament hinges on the last game in March I would say. To win it they will have to beat us in it. And our chances all depend on Martin’s decision in the New Year. To play or not to play?

Why, when one edits a post, does it sometimes appear that part of the post has been duplicated within the post? And when one re-edits to remove it, it's not really there?

It sounds rather Steve Jobs or minority browser stuff to me.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Why not.

Despite the logic in all you say I still have faith that Aussie luck will shine through.

Okay, double or nothing. Brad Williams is also out of the next Test after doing his shoulder in Adelaide, meaning that if Bichel plays in Melbourne, he will be the only quick remaining from the Adelaide match.

How do you read the delay in that decision incidentally?

Is there a delay? I thought the annoucement was scheduled for today (Friday) or Monday.

In which case punish him then. No one will argue against an English player being punished surely?

Personally, I'd rather wait for an English player undeserving of punishment and punish him (or her).

As is well documented only England now play to the original spirit of the game. All these foreign coaches shooting their mouths off is just not cricket old boy. The ZIMBABWEAN Fletcher a case in point.

Mmmm. I'm waiting for the MCC to recruit the skipper of the Chinese cricket team.

You under estimate how much he is despised here. His achievements as a player are lost to this generation of English players – all they hear is the constant racist ranting.

I don't underestimate it at all. I know enough of English insecurity to realise that he's utterly despised.

So the sub-continent is allowed to cheat at will. And that will kill the world game eventually anyway. Gatting was so right all those years ago sadly.

I think the authorities just hope the problem will go away. The ICB is a pathetic organisation.

But 87 was the last truly contested one wasn’t it? All landslides since the debacle of 89.

Yep. And I fear, starting with the scaling down of cricket in English schools, that the English situation is terminal. I just can't see anyone engineering the complete shake up that's needed. England led the way with "professional" cricketers, but it's now a huge factor in their decline. Playing cricket for a comfortable living and hanging on for the benefit year, which was always the basis of county cricket, is not conducive to hard-edged competition.

Good job we reign supreme in Union then eh?

Make the most of it. As we did.

And our chances all depend on Martin’s decision in the New Year. To play or not to play?

My tip is that, like Gregan, he'll play one more season.

It sounds rather Steve Jobs or minority browser stuff to me.

Actually, I first saw it manifested in one of your posts a month or so ago. A couple of your paras - quotes and responses - were duplicated at the bottom of the post. You'd've had to copy and paste them to achieve the effect and I'm sure you didn't. This site has truly gone to the sh*thouse since MarkG went into the Army.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
This site has truly gone to the sh*thouse since MarkG went into the Army.

Buy a real computer and use compatible softwares...

And France will win the Six Nations Tournament...

[finbar]

*cups hand to ear*

Hark! Is this Pinocchio I hear approaching?

Buy a real computer and use compatible softwares...

And France will win the Six Nations Tournament...

Obviously it is!

[Tamerlin]

Shut up Gollum!

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak

– the faces of the squad were priceless, he was as welcome as if he had stepped in dog do. Clive made a formal complaint and the head of BBC sport has apologised – he apparently didn’t realise that asking the greatest spouter of inaccurate criticisim of England during the RWC wasn’t the best choice to make the award.

Or perhaps he knew full well exactly what he was doing?

Originally posted by finbar
Sadly, the two Australian umps who had the courage to call Muralitharan were punished by the ACB. One never umpired at first class level again.

One of the two being Daryl Hair IIRC? While I might sympathise I don't have to make a great effort to hide my disappointment simply because there isn't very much to hide. I don't think Mr Hair was widely regarded as one of the most 'unbiased' of officials.

The 'Murili incident', and its effect on the bowlers' confidence, disregarding for a moment that he was in fact throwing the ball, also led to several other ACB-induced allegations against several bowlers from other countries, none of whom had ever been called in-game.
Most of these were from teams due to play Australia in the near future.
The whole ugly mess only came to a stop when the NZ Cricket board threw an allegation back about Brett Lee - again unjustified, but it did the trick in stopping what I can only think of as a rather nasty psych warfare campaign.
Overall it wasn't one crickets most shining moments so I'm not surprised the ACB wanted some distance afterwards.

Originally posted by Tamerlin
And France will win the Six Nations Tournament...

Shouldn't you be getting ready for work (If those rumours circulating through the CTP2 fora are remotely accurate. )?