Cricket is a sport in which most followers expect their heroes to adhere to a higher standard of fair play and sportsmanship.
The recent incident of ‘Mankading’ (who on earth coined that phrase?) – when Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake ran out England’s Jos Buttler who had strayed out of his crease at the non-striker’s end at a key point in the final and deciding ODI in the series was disappointing to see and thankfully remains very rare.
The last incident I can remember is when Kapil Dev ran out South Africa’s Peter Kirsten, apparently without warning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzbFy_elb8k
Differing accounts of Tuesday’s shambles say Senanayake warned Buttler twice or just the once. Either way, it wasn’t cricket. The bowler shouldn’t have done it and the captain should have over-ruled the appeal. He didn’t, it happened so we are left to count the cost of a strain on the game.
What I don’t like, however, is England using this unsavoury controversy to shield yet another highly mixed performance during a ODI series.
Sri Lanka are a decent side – but without the wicket taking machine that was Muttiah Muralitharan in the line-up and home advantage you would have expected England to win the series.… Read Full Article
Posts Tagged: Yorkshire
0Dickie Bird to officiate over native Yorkshire
There’s an old anecdote in the cricketing career of Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird in which he hit a century for Yorkshire in one match and found himself dropped for the next.
With an average just over 20 his first-class career was hardly spectacular but as an international umpire he went on to arguably be the best in the business.
He was well liked and entertaining, bringing his native Yorkshire straight talking no nonsense approach to the pitch. Dickie was also seen as completely neutral whoever was playing, despite a deep-rooted love of both county and country.… Read Full Article
1Aussies Tonked — Now to the Future
Firstly an apology for not updating the site much of late – along with the other author for this site I’ve been on a drive through Europe.
We are back now though, so fear not.
So, England wrapped up the Ashes with a barnstorming performance on the last day to well and truly send them packing. A lot has been written already about England’s performance and, in particular, Stuart Broad’s performance. It was excellent, end of.
So I’m going to concentrate on something a little different, a little off-centre if you will.
When Australia were at their peak a few years back (seems so long ago now!) the one mistake they made was not to blood up-and-coming youngsters so they had a chance to experience the highs and lows of test match cricket.… Read Full Article
0Second Ashes Test — Walking in a Yorkshire Wonderland
There’s not much to say on the last couple of days – basically England have ground Australia into dust. That’s my summary. England lead by 566 runs with wickets and time in hand. Pretty comfortable.…
Instead I’m going to concentrate on today’s hero, Joe Root.
“I were chuffed to bits”…so said Joe when asked to reflect on his stupendously good ‘mega ton’ he scored today. I was rather happy too.… Read Full Article
0England vs New Zealand: Second Test, Day 2
First off a great big cherry bun with extra icing congratulations to my fellow Yorkshire lad Joe Root for his maiden century. Joe – who even went to the same school as me and my fellow author of this website (King Ecgberts in Sheffield) – simply oozes class. Barring injury he’s going to be an England fixture for many years to come.
But Joe aside there has to be concern at the form, or lack thereof, of the England top order. And questions need to be raised for a team with designs on the World number one test ranking.… Read Full Article
1Yorkshire CC Venues — Or Lack Of!
When I were ‘nowt but a lad’ as they say round me I used to sneak out of the house to watch my beloved Yorkshire at nearby Abbeydale whenever they came to town.
Knowing the ground well I used to hide in a clearing in the hedge and would then base myself there for the rest of the morning and afternoon.
Home talents including David Byas, Richard Stemp, Richard Blakey and a young Michael Vaughan (who is a little older than me– I’m not that old!) would wow the crowds with their play.
“The pink ball appears grey/blue in red/green deficient vision, depending on its severity. I did a simulation with colour blindness…”