Cricket, lovely cricket

[Steven Russell]

I thought it was an excellent competition with the best teams progressing to the later stages. With the exception of NZ who once again lived up to their reputation of punching above their weight when it matters.

Once it became obvious that England couldn't win (and didn't deserve to) and once South Africa and (sorry, Adam) the old enemy were knocked out, I was in the position of watching the games as a disinterested but far from uninterested cricket nut which was an unusual feeling. Great stuff and a much-needed shot in the arm for the 50 over game. IPL next so will probably get into that. I hope ITV4 don't have it this year though as last year's coverage was rubbish.

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Adam Went]

Steven:

On the sub-continent it was probably always going to be sub-continental teams that were going to dominate the business end of the tournament. You're right that it is nice once in a while to have the ability to watch a game without really caring who wins.

Do you have a preferred team in the IPL?
Not really into it but I support Deccan Chargers, only of course because that's Gilly's team...

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

Hello, Adam.
No I don't have a favourite team in the IPL yet. I'll do what I did last year and pick the one with my favourite players in but as I haven't been paying attention, I've no idea who's going to be playing for whom at the moment. Can't even remember whoI supported last year. I think they played in yellow and didn't do too well.

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Adam Went]

Hi Steven,

I'm guessing then that you must get to see IPL games on TV over there? I don't think we get them here, even on subscription channels - at least not all of them.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

We did last year but I don't know if it's the same story this year. Must check that out.

[Monty]

ITV4 are showing em Steve.

Monty

[Adam Went]

Heh, I completely missed the fact that we had even started our tour of Bangladesh.

Sign of the times?

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

Thanks, Monty.

[Adam Went]

Last night, Shane Watson played the innings of a lifetime and broke a world record along the way - he scored 185 not out off 96 balls against Bangladesh, smashing 15 fours and, the record 15 sixes along the way.

I was fortunate enough to catch some of this innings and it was just pure brilliance.....if only we had performed like that in the World Cup.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

Well done, Shane Watson. When he first started, I thought he was a bits-and-pieces merchant like our own Luke Wright. He has proved me wrong big time and must be one of the biggest (and only) reasons for Aussies to be optimistic about the future.

I'm happy to report that ITV4's coverage of the IPL is much better this year as the annoying Mandira Bedi has been replaced by an absolute goddess. I'm ashamed to say that I don't know what this lady is called but she must be one of the most beautiful women of all time! Plus, she seems knowledgeable about cricket (especially the IPL) and is a far better presenter than Matt Smith whose services I notice were not required today. And today is a double-header! Long may that continue; Smith is lousy. I've decided to support Mumbai Indians for now but I'm a fair weather supporter as far as IPL is concerned and may switch allegiance later.

On an unrelated topic, has anyone else noticed that trendy young teenage males have begun adopting a sort of Richie Benaud hairstyle?

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Adam Went]

Steven:

Agree with you about Watson, never really rated him up until a couple of years ago - the beauty of it is that he opens the batting in all forms of cricket now, can bowl swingers at 140 km/h and is a good slips fieldsman as well. The ideal cricketer, and now our vice-captain as well. Let's hope he carries on with it - he made another quickfire 70 odd yesterday as we made a clean sweep of the series against Bangladesh 3-0. Thankfully.

As for the hair, Richie is eternally cool, so it could well be the case! Fashion these days seems to be a bit of a mish-mash of everything from the last few decades though.....like the newest gaming console, it's ridiculous to even try and keep up with it.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

Three Captains for England.

So now England have nearly as many captains as Star Trek. I wish Strauss hadn't given up the 50 over game as he is still one of our best players. I also feel that the appointment of Cook is tantamount to an admission by the selectors that he should not have been omitted from the World Cup.

And Broad as T20 skipper? Hmm...

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Adam Went]

Hi Steven and all,

Strauss retired from ODI cricket I presume? Hadn't heard anything about it. Fine batsman no doubt, but in all honesty, if you compare him to some of the other opening ODI batsman around the world, he's not that great - especially in terms of strike rate.

Saw a bit of English county cricket the other day on TV, see Marcus Stresscothick is still playing - any chance of a recall?

Cheers,
Adam.

[Adam Went]

R.I.P. Terry Jenner, former Australian cricketer and mentor to Shane Warne, who passed away yesterday from heart failure at the age of 66.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Steven Russell]

England continue to progress

Sri Lanka, bedevilled by retirements and injuries, have proved no match for England and we should have won the series by this time tomorrow. Suddenly, England's stated aim to be the number one test team doesn't sound so much like pie in the sky. The current team are continuing to improve and look pretty strong at the moment.

Just for Adam, here are a few words from a great England skipper of the past.

Best wishes,
Steve.