England tour of the West Indies

[Grayson]

God knows why that wasn't given out in first place.

 

[Grayson]

All out.

Looks like they'll have to change the referral system, maybe by making the decisions over the entire game or both team's innings, otherwise no.s 10 and 11 will always refer their decisions as they have nothing to lose.

I don't like the reversal of the benefit of doubt. Both Monty and Harmy would have been given not out as the ball was only clipping leg stump, but the evidence wasn't sufficient for the decisions to be overturned. If England appeal against an identical delivery given not out, it isn't going to be given. This is encouraging inconsistency as the same delivery is producing different results. Otherwise I think the system is a good one, is working well and is a positive move.

Looks like that rule has been completely disregarded already. There was never any certainty Sarwan was not out, but it was overruled. Hawkeye says it should have been out.

Rubbish.

 

[Bluesmanager]

They were saying on SSN that it would probably be better if the refferral was given out only if the 3rd umpire could prove beyond doubt that the batsman was out. That sounds feasable.

Although, to be honest, I've not been keeping too up to date with this (only heard of the new system yesterday when I happened upon coverage).

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

God knows why that wasn't given out in first place.

Bit harsh there, whilst it was out it was only clearly out on replay.

The ball pitched right on leg stump, given the way Devon Smith was on the move and finished well outside leg stump, I can see why the umpire was unsure whether it had pitched outside leg.

Compare that to the ridiculously stupid referral against Sarwan when Strauss got caught up in the excitement of getting one right and referred an appeal that pitched outside leg and was going even further wide. That then meant he didn't refer the appeal when Broad trapped Sarwan lbw the last ball before tea.

As for Harmison's non-wicket, I have to agree with Bob Willis, who went off an amusing studio rant about how Darryl Harper isn't a test class umpire. You have to apply consistent rules for both teams. Poor old Harmy was given out because Harper couldn't give the benefit of the doubt to the batsman and could only overturn the decision if there was irrefutable proof that the decision was wrong, yet had a wicket reversed because Harper had doubt rather than irrefutable proof.

The answer is to empower the men in the middle with the technology. Give them handheld monitors on which to review decisions before making them. That way the mean in the middle are still making the decisions and have every chance to get the decision right.

 

[Grayson]

I thought it looked out straight away, obviously the replay only confirmed that.

As for your point on Strauss' decisions and Harper's inconsistency, I agree.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I thought it looked out straight away, obviously the replay only confirmed that.

As for your point on Strauss' decisions and Harper's inconsistency, I agree.

My immediate thought was did that pitch outside leg.

More importantly: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/06/2483827.htm?section=justin

:D

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

West Indies 352-7 at the close, leading by 34. I thought England stuck at their task well today, especially when Gayle reached his century and things looked precarious at 220-1.

Stuart Broad bowled as well as I've ever seen in a Test match, firstly removing Gayle and Marshall within three deliveries, and then with an excellent spell at the end of the day that ended up wicketless, but in which Nash, who proved obstinate throughout the rest of the day, was tempted to swish wildly at three balls just outside off stump in an over.

Freddie was predictably threatening throughout in short, sharp spells, whilst Sidebottom and Harmison battled hard without much reward, but at least stiffled any runaway scoring which would've put England in massive trouble overnight.

No side has won after conceding a first-innings lead of more than thirty in the past 10 Tests at Sabina Park, so we'll have to work extremely hard in the morning session tomorrow to stay in this match.

 

[EastStandBlue]

Well, this'll be over quickly...

 

[ESG]

Odd's on England getting to 50 ?

 

[ESG]

Bloody hell, 26 -7 now !

 

[ESG]

Hilarious with Collingwood running like a nutter to complete a two only for Flintoff to stop him and point out his dislodged leg bail.

 

[undercovershrimper]

51 all out ****ing disgraceful

 

[MrB]

Well there goes my evening watching the cricket. What a joke!

 

[Bluesmanager]

The words "bloody" and "shambles" come to mind.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Embarassing.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Well there goes my evening watching the cricket. What a joke!

There goes my Saturday night of not drinking much.

****ing awful. Taylor bowled well, but this is test cricket and bowlers sometimes bowl well. Its touch and go whether this was worse than Galle.


Sacking Capey doesn't seem such a smart idea now.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Panesar
Bell
Harmison

Surely it's adios for these guys,and is it possible to unload Pietersens ego,it's getting in the way i suspect.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Panesar
Bell
Harmison

Surely it's adios for these guys,and is it possible to unload Pietersens ego,it's getting in the way i suspect.

Capey's ego is getting in the way, getting in the way of us losing in three days instead of 4.

Frankly only Capey and Flintoff are looking remotely test class at the moment, and by that I mean the last couple of years. Broad might be worth sticking with as he's improving and bowled quite well yesterday. Otherwise I'm struggling for reasons to retain any of them.

Cook would be in my long term plans, but he needs runs. Prior has a little about him and maybe could be retained longer and given a decent run in the side. As for the rest?

Before the players are all fired, we should get rid of the administrators and selectors. Clarke, Morris, Collier and Miller have all presided over a shambles and should all do the honourable thing and fall on their sword, yet Clarke is about to elected unopposed. It's madness.

 

[number11]

Have to agree with YB here. The running of the England team, and ECB matters generally has been shambolic since early 2007. We now seem to be reverting back to the 90's spinlessness.

Makes you appreciate what Fletcher achieved with the team for so many years now. Those in charge (and the press) seemed to think we could get rid of him and build on what he did but that looks dubious now.

I still think we will win this series, but the progress, or lack of, certain players is the most concerning element. Fletcher got the best out of players, now we have players not playing to their potential or developing.

For me, Id axe Collingwood ahead of Bell as I have never thought he had the class. He certainly has the fight and grit, and has carved a good career, but whenever we are 3 down I feel we are in to the allrounders. Obviously Bell is first neck on the line but I wouldnt cry if he was shifted down to 5 to relieve some pressure and Shah came in at 3.

I still think Anderson was unlucky to be dropped as he was seeming to develop quite well and Sidebottom has done notihng in 6 months out of the team to jusify inclusion.

I still think we will win this series, but at a time when the Aussies are down, we are not looking like a team with the neccessary heart, desire and application to win an ashes series...

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Is it going to be the worst quality Ashes from both sides in a long time?