About Monty's speeches

[Roma]

Hello everybody !

We can read in the biographies of MJD some extracts of his speeches : does anyone know where the whole texts may be found ?

And could someone tell me why does a cricket MATCH can last from some hours to some days ? ! ! I'm french, you know, and I don't really understand the rules...

Thanks

Roma

[Sam Flynn]

Hi Roma,

And could someone tell me why does a cricket MATCH can last from some hours to some days ?

A standard cricket match consists of two teams of eleven players with two innings each, alternating between batting and bowling. In theory, the game comes to an end when both teams have had all of their batsmen dismissed, which can take a long time if the batsmen are having a good time and/or the bowling side are performing badly. The longest game of test (international) cricket was between England and South Africa, and it went on for more than 11 days, before ending in a "draw" anyway. The only reason the game stopped was because the England team would have missed their boat home if play had continued any longer!

Some time ago, the rules were changed to limit the length of county and test matches to a maximum of 5 days, during which either one team wins outright (i.e. scores more runs than, and bowls out, the opposition) or the match is declared a "draw". In practice a team may volunteer to close their innings all eleven team members having had a chance to bat, if they think they've scored so many points that their opponents won't be able to overtake them. This voluntary curtailing of one's own innings is called "declaring". A team may decide to declare in their first innings if they've given their own bowlers a good chance to skittle out the opposition for a low aggregate score, which can be easily overtaken in the second innings.

More recently, some county competitions allow only a 3-day maximum, and one-day competitions have become very popular. In one-day (or "limited-over") cricket the teams only get one innings each, and the length of an innings is fixed at, say, 30 or 50 overs per team - one "over" comprising six bowled deliveries.

[coral]

Hi Sam

I'm English and found all that very confusing - what do you think a French
person is going to make of it?

Coral

[Robert]

Hi Roma

The matches that last five days are the real cricket matches - a test of character. The one day matches are what I would call Junk Cricket.

Gareth - "points"?

[Sam Flynn]

Hi Sam

I'm English and found all that very confusing - what do you think a French
person is going to make of it?

Coral

Never underestimate the French.

[Robert]

Coral, to make it easier for Roma, here is the old definition : "casting a ball at three sticks while defending the same with a fourth."

[Sam Flynn]

Gareth - "points"?

I was trying to avoid jargon as much as possible, Rob. I avoided using the terms "wickets" and "fielding side" for the same reason. You'll note that "extras" didn't get a mention either, or chocolate cake

[DVV]

H Coral,
the question was : how long can last a cricket match.
Sam provided the answer and I can't see no problem, French or not.

Amitiés,
David

[aspallek]

Debate Speeches

While at Winchester College this summer, I was able to examine the actual minutes of the Winchester College debating society for the period in which Druitt was active. These include faily detailed summaries of his speeches. I'm in the process of writing an article which, in part, describes these speeches. I will also give much more detail on his athletic career at Winchester and, if possible (if I get permission), publish several new photos of Montague.

[m_w_r]

The matches that last five days are the real cricket matches - a test of character. The one day matches are what I would call Junk Cricket.

Quite. Test cricket (five-day cricket) is to the British what fine wines are to the French - made to last, intended to be enjoyed slowly, complex and sophisticated.

Mark

[Mike Covell]

Coral, to make it easier for Roma, here is the old definition : "casting a ball at three sticks while defending the same with a fourth."

As an Englishman/Yorkshireman, I should really know all this, but at school it was just a matter of hitting the hard cork filled ball away from you before it breaks or hurts you! Oh and then running like hell!

Andy, I look forward to reading your work on Druitt, sounds like you had a fruitful time on this side of the pond.

[Robert]

Mike - hit the ball yes, but running like hell? Nay lad, Boycs wouldn't run.

Shame on you, lad!

[Roma]

While at Winchester College this summer, I was able to examine the actual minutes of the Winchester College debating society for the period in which Druitt was active. These include faily detailed summaries of his speeches. I'm in the process of writing an article which, in part, describes these speeches. I will also give much more detail on his athletic career at Winchester and, if possible (if I get permission), publish several new photos of Montague.

Thanks ! You will keep us posted about it, will you ? Your article will be great, I have no doubt about it !

I also thank you all for the cricket rules ! I like your sentence, Sam : "Never underestimate the French" ! ! Well, I understand better now but it still seems pretty long to me ! What a weird game (dangerous too, Mike ?)

[Mike Covell]

I was too quick to get hit but my one of my friends nearly never had children! After seeing that I always wore a cup, and thankfully, was never hit! It's a fun game, but can be pretty slow.

[aspallek]

Just as an update, Winchester College has given me permission to publish the Druitt photographs.