• About Quite Cross

Quite Cross

~ about quite a lot.

Quite Cross

Tag Archives: Sri Lanka

Ceefax Report – England vs Sri Lanka – Test 1 – 2016

21 Saturday May 2016

Posted by grunthosbird in Cricket, Moaning

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Headingley, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Kusal Mendis, Rabada, Sri Lanka, Test Cricket

ceefax-report-01-01

ceefax-report-01-02

In this test match Sri Lanka were confronted by a perfect storm.

Their legends have retired, some of their new guys haven’t quite
cemented their places, the clouds were looming, it was May, England were still cross about 2014, Anderson was well rested, and Bairstow was bristling.

10 for 45.

25.1 overs – eleven maidens – forty-five runs – ten wickets.

ceefax-report-01-03

Jonathan Marc Bairstow was astonishing too. In bowling conditions only two players scored a number of runs are a good rate – Jonny B and Kusal Mendis. Jonny rode is luck, surviving three reviewed decisions, and went on to be the test’s only century-maker. You may not know that is first class average is almost 48 – you might be less surprised after this match.

I like looking at form of current players, they waver more than career averages and rankings, and as a result often surprised you. This year’s test averages are odd, as we’re only in May, and are easily inflated by one good performance. But do not forget the name Rabada!

ceefax-report-01-04

 

England County Form XI

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by grunthosbird in Cricket, Moaning

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

County Cricket, England, Sri Lanka, Test Match

So, what if the England XI for this upcoming test series vs Sri Lanka was chosen purely on county form? Sure there’d be some changes, right? But how many? Let’s have a look at the top of the batting & bowling tables. Of course, I will remain unable to pick incredible imports like Saeed Ajmal. Below are my picks, along with a pure guess at their chance of playing for England in the next 12 months.

County cricket stats from early 2014

County cricket stats from early 2014

THE OPENERS – an easy choice here. They own the top two spots, and open for their counties.

Adam Lyth – Peanut.
Yorkshire – left hand bat..

Age 26 – with 5561 runs at 40.29, with 10 hundreds, 37 fifties.

A solid player who has really excelled in a few seasons, struggled last year (if memory serves) but I’m glad to see him back in form.

England chances – 10%

 

Daryl Mitchell – Mitch.
Worcestershire – right hand bat.

Age 30 – with 7748 runs at 40.14, with 17 hundreds, 34 fifties.

He always appears to score runs without screaming his name. The kinda guy that Worcestershire fans will love, but others might not know so well.

England chances – 0%

 

THE ENGINE ROOM – the middle order. Simply the next most highly scoring batsmen, which happily includes an all-rounder for that perfect balance that we all crave.

Ed Joyce – Spud.
Sussex – left hand bat.

Age 35 – with 14,688 runs at 47.38, with 36 hundreds, 79 fifties.

A quality player who has played at the top level, for England and Ireland, but never quite hit the same heights as he did domestically. A mini Hick/Ramprakash?

England chances – 5%

 

James Vince.
Hampshire – right hand bat.

Age 23 – with 4411 runs at 40.10, with 12 hundreds, 18 fifties.

A young lad who already has a solid record and a very impressive 50s to 100s ratio. He has already played for the Lions so an eye must be upon him already. Not yet having a nickname may go against him.

England chances – 15%
(His chances depend on the success of the current new boys.)

 

Samit Patel.
Nottinghamshire – right hand bat (slow left arm).

Age 29 – with 12,849 runs at 40.36, with 20 hundreds, 40 fifties.

Like Ed Joyce Samit has already played for England and many people wanted him in the squad. When he was younger, I hope he could be England very own Potato – you know – like the mighty Inzamam-Ul-Haq. I didn’t make that comparison lightly, Samit averaged over 50 earlier in his 20s. His offspin is also handy and adds great balance to any team as a 5th bowler.

England chances – 10%
(Only so low because Moeen Ali has been picking ahead of him in the current squad.)

William Bragg.
Glamorgan – left hand bat.

Age 27 – with 3513 runs at 31.08, with 2 hundreds, 23 fifties.

Listed as a wicket keeper but currently batting at number 3. Clearly a great year for the lad, but one season doesn’t get you picked for your national team. Hopefully good form will continue and we’ll know his name better in the future.

England chances – 0%

THE WICKET KEEPER – the highest scoring ‘keeper is Riki Wessels but he currently does have the gloves for Notts, so his colleague makes my list.

Chris Read – Reados.
Nottinghamshire – right hand bat.

Age 35 – with 13,716 runs at 36.67, with 21 hundreds and 76 fifties.

He has been my favourite ‘keeper in the country for over a dozen years. Genuinely pugnacious, and appears to live nothing more than getting his team out of a tight spot. Arguably the best “gloveman” in the country. I still think England should pick him.

England changes – 0%

THE BOWLERS – without these guys you cannot win a test match. Fact.

Will Gidman – Gidders.
Gloucestershire – right arm medium (left hand bat).

Age 29 – with 186 wickets at 20.30 (also 2140 runs at 36.27).

More of an all-rounder than I’d previously realised and not to be confused on scorecards with his older brother who is also an all-rounder, but more of a batsman. Suffers from a terrible nickname, but it is a mystery to me, with bowling figures like this, why he hasn’t even featured for the Lions.

England chances – 15%
(I hope I’m wrong!)

Jack Brooks.
Yorkshire(!) – right arm medium fast (right hand bat).

Age 30 – with 190 wickets at 27.15 (also 509 runs at 13.05).

A sweat-band touting and excitable bowler who powers the ball down as much by force of will as anything else. Draws the faces of the oppositions 3 most dangerous batsmen on eggs and eats them before matches. OK, not true, but it would be fun. He has played for the Lions … there are those that wanted him in this squad too. You get the feeling he’d never willingly let his captain down.

England chances – 25%

Mark Footitt.
Derbyshire – left arm fast medium (right hand bat).

Age 28 – with 137 wickets at 30.03 (also 354 runs at 7.69).

Possibly not reached the heights he hoped for having played for England’s U19 team. Derbyshire have produced a good few quicks over the years. Being a left armer suits this team down to the ground. not sure he’s on the selection radar right now, but there’s no reason he couldn’t get there. Obviously having a great season thus far.

England chances – 0%

Adam Riley.
Kent – right arm offbreak (right hand bat).

Age 22 – with 70 wickets at 31.30 (also 186 runs at 7.75).

The second of two batting rabbits, but they’re here for wickets! Not well known before this season where he has excelled. With English spinners thin on the ground, he could well get a chance . but probably not in the next 12 months.

England chances – 0%

 

SUMMARY

Even though this unorthodox selection method features no current England players, I hope it has introduced you to a few new players on the county season. This selection method would never work though, as current England players play fewer games for their counties. Still, when picking a replacement player, I deeply wish they’d pay more attention to current county form.

SCOTTY BORTHWICK for 12th man. Because I like him.

Bad T20 Finals Day

07 Sunday Oct 2012

Posted by grunthosbird in Cricket, Moaning

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

2012 Champions, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, West Indies, WT20

The first final was ACE.
Everything went to plan.
The bowling was OK, and the batting was sublime.
The English were less than perfect in the field and the Aussies carried on batting.
England tied them down a bit, but the Aussies kept on batting.
It was terrific.
England batted too slowly, never quite able to catch up with the rate.
Each time they threatened, they’d lose another wicket.
The Aussie bowling was OK, but the pressure cooked the English.
It was brilliant.

OK, I lied. 
I hated it. I cried. 
Then chips, I fried.

The Second T20 Was Perfect
The lovely Sri Lankans strangled the West Indian bully boys.
After 10 overs, those hapless Caribbean folk had scored on 32/2.
I was laughing it was the perfect anti-dote to the first final.
My 2nd (sometimes 3rd) favourite team were being lovely.
Then Marlon friggin’ Samuels hit a six.
And another and another and a-bloody-nother.
No-one else could bat worth crapm, but Samuels – he bloody did.
The git.
Still, with only 137, those fabulous Lankans would be fine.
Jayawardene and Kumar Sangy will laugh as they knock the runs off.
The pitch is a belter. Almost unfair really.
48-1 .. all is good.
69-7 .. I hate cricket.
21-6 .. that was the collapse.
No way back. I don’t really know what made the difference in the end.
SL bowled beautifully, Mendis taking 4-12, the best.
Gayle failed, so SL had all the aces.
Somehow, Darren Sammy’s brain made SL crumble.
I can’t be sad, but I wanted SL to win.
To commiserate I’ll make some extra sweet tea 😦

The West Indies were so good,
Played better that they should.
Gayle ran out of tricks,

And the Lankans won it early,
But Marlon hit his six,
Then the Lankans all went girly.
They failed with the bat,
And that was friggin’ that.

Recent Posts

  • World Fat XI from 2010
  • Commodore Vic 20 Top 10 – Sort Of
  • DRAB – Difference from a Run-A-Ball
  • Ceefax Report – England vs Sri Lanka – Test 1 – 2016
  • Pathetic Points System

Archives

  • June 2019
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • July 2015
  • April 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012

Categories

  • Code
  • Cricket
  • Games
  • Moaning
  • Movies
  • Retro
  • Snooker and Pool
  • Tennis

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy