Bush tries to play cricket, sucks.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
Britain's revenge against the American colonists was not giving them cricket.

But we got stuck with ..you know her half-sister

She keeps reminding us of what we are trying to overlook, ya know, eh?

[Alexander's Horse]

I don't know why Americans are so against cricket. They love baseball and cricket is a very similar game - the batter against the pitcher and the field - statistics galore, the atmosphere, the way it builds up, its all very similar.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
I don't know why Americans are so against cricket. They love baseball and cricket is a very similar game - the batter against the pitcher and the field - statistics galore, the atmosphere, the way it builds up, its all very similar.

The problem is the length of time of the game (even one day matches). It's pretty interesting sport, but the full day nature of it turns people off.

Hell, a LOT of Americans think baseball is boring because it moves too slow and is too long!

[Frozzy]

Yeah, but even I won't watch an entire game of cricket start to finish.

When I go to a stadium to watch it, it's a social thing. Main reason I go is to get in with the crowd and spend some time with my mates. And I'll watch the cricket for an hour or so if I've got nothing to do.

I'm surprised 20-over cricket hasn't gotten more underway in the US. That's very fast and exciting.

I suppose we'll see what happens after the World Cup which goes to the US for a few games IIRC.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'm surprised 20-over cricket hasn't gotten more underway in the US. That's very fast and exciting.

Not enough Indian immigrants yet . I mean we are slowly increasing the popularity of soccer in the US. Cricket has to wait its turn .

[Alexander's Horse]

Cricket can be like watching the tide go out but suddenly it can be electrifying and full of suspense.

The bigger problem is probably you have to grow up with it to understand what is going on. On the surface everything is calm but just below that level its a bloodsport, a boiling cauldron of nerves and minds.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
Cricket can be like watching the tide go out but suddenly it can be electrifying and full of suspense.

The bigger problem is probably you have to grow up with it to understand what is going on. On the surface everything is calm but just below that level its a bloodsport, a boiling cauldron of nerves and minds.

Is it as intense as ..say..Croquet?

[Grandpa Troll]

she looks beside herself

[Pekka]

I think that's good press rather than bad press. And the pics are pretty good too, you know he's really trying and not being like most world leaders and being all elite and not even appearing to try.

So that I like, that's how you show respect and appreciation for the other, if you're offered to do something, even if you don't feel comfortable and definitely are not good at it, just give it a shot. The pics show he gave it a good shot. Nothing wrong with that. THat's only positive. I don't think he made a fool out of himself at all.

A man of his age doing it with a suit on? Trust me, 99% of the world population would look more uncomfortable doing that, judging from the pictures.

[Pekka]

"President Bush met Pakistani cricket captain Inzaman-ul-Haq and opening batsman Salman Butt amid tight security at the US embassy in Islamabad."

Now that's funny.

'Our opening coc... I mean batsman, Mr Butt! He is NOT the pitcher, he is recieving!'

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Pekka
I think that's good press rather than bad press. And the pics are pretty good too, you know he's really trying and not being like most world leaders and being all elite and not even appearing to try.

So that I like, that's how you show respect and appreciation for the other, if you're offered to do something, even if you don't feel comfortable and definitely are not good at it, just give it a shot. The pics show he gave it a good shot. Nothing wrong with that. THat's only positive. I don't think he made a fool out of himself at all.

A man of his age doing it with a suit on? Trust me, 99% of the world population would look more uncomfortable doing that, judging from the pictures.

No he didnt make a fool out of himself here in the criquet pics, but in other photo ops..welll.....

[Alexander's Horse]

Pakistanis adore their cricket so it was a very smart thing to do - it even makes me warm to Dubya - Indians would love it too

[Pekka]

Grandpa, umm. I'm not sure, it's daylight so they can be one of them goggles with those .. things on, and have just a tiny hole you know... Some goggles are like that.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
Pakistanis adore their cricket so it was a very smart thing to do - it even makes me warm to Dubya - Indians would love it too

Ah, I agree, and I am not sure how many of us in the world could go to a foreign-2-us country and try something, knowing it would be critiqued to the 9's

Afterallo, it werent a segway

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by Grandpa Troll


Is it as intense as ..say..Croquet?

Consider this. Unlike baseball where hitting the batter causes a fight, in cricket hitting the batter is a legitimate tactic - a fast bowler will bowl to intimidate - the batsman must not flinch, show any fear or anger even if hit.

So the fast bowler might bowl one at the head, one at the heart and one at the toes. He might hit but the game goes on as if nothing happened. Its not uncommon for batsmen to keep playing with broken bones or concussion.

Here is Rick McCosker batting with a broken jaw, his face heavily swollen, to save a famous game. He made 25.