Sometimes they don’t tell the whole tale:
Aussies wobble after Ponting ton
Sometimes you have to read on:
Ricky Ponting struck an assured 37th Test century but South Africa reduced Australia to 280-6 after the opening day of the Boxing Day match at the MCG.
He chose to bat first but out-of-form Matthew Hayden made just eight before skewing to point in the eighth over.
Ponting was dropped at slip on 24 but went on to hit 10 fours and a six, sharing 121 with Simon Katich (54) before falling at short-leg for 101.
Michael Clarke was 36 not out but Brad Haddin fell in the penultimate over.
Yeah, I know. We did this last year.
I still think it’s funny.
LOL! The “rest of the story” is as confusing to me as the headlines. I don’t feel a bit better informed. I must have eaten some bad food yesterday – or maybe you did…
You think an OD of eggnog could cause this?
I still think it’s funny.
Absolutely. Cricket remains one of the most inexplicable things in the known universe (or perhaps I’m just slow. But Lord knows I’ve tried to get it), but the language used to describe it makes me smile.
And yeah, I’ve been to (part of) a match, in the company of Brit friends who only confused me more than I already was with their attempts to explain…
I sat through a cricket match wayyy back when I was trying to impress a British young lady.
I watched. Persisted. Asked questions. Learned not one thing about the game.
That afternoon was the last time I ever saw her.
Apparently they do get excited about this sport: “There is nothing to compare with the spine tingling roar of the MCG crowd.”
Heaven knows why or what it’s all about; everyone to their own.
At least the perennial Aussie Winners have a match/test series to contest with the Seth Efricaans. The South Africans have won the first of the three tests so it is a nail-biter (over a long period of time albeit). Much like the ‘world’ series of baseball. Now ‘what is that’?
Do ya’ll have that silly “designated hitter” rule in cricket, Spaz?
Poor bastard. What’s going to happen to him when we decide we’ve had enough of Afghanistan and leave, and his wives expect the performance they’ve become accustomed to?
There’s a Kipling line about that, something about when the women come a-hunting, just put the barrel between your teeth…
Say what???
Being stationed in England for three yrs 68-71 I watched (partially) many a match on BBC 1–and this was in the days before cable or satellite when there were few, if any, sports alternatives. It was also before they “shortened” the matches. In those days an international “test” match could go on for a week or so.
The usual bottom line test to separate the American un-knowledgable goats from true aficionadios is if one knows what LBW stands for, (leg before wicket) and further what THAT phrase means for the playing of the game.
Unfortunately, even after mastering the concept of LBW and patient explanations about the rest of the more arcane rules, the play is so at-the- watching-paint-dry-pace, that it’s almost impossible to watch with sustained interest. Which is probably why most matches are really more social events for the fans if you ever get a good look at the crowds surrounding the grounds–especially with the “County” level matches–just one big social outing on the lawn–drinks, lawn-chairs, much conivivial conversation, etc. The game is only an excuse.
Probably why watching baseball on TV also puts me to sleep….literally–except for the World series–especially if the Yanks are playing.
Zane, I think you meant to comment on the “Hearts & Minds” post…
As for cricket, any game that has positions called “silly point” and “leg gully” can’t be played by sane persons.
MH: “‘Only Mad Dogs & Englishmen’ go out (play cricket) in the noon day sun” from Noel Coward. Howzat for a googlie.
BA: There are ‘recognised batsmen & bowlers’ as well as “all rounders”. Used to be that meant ‘bowlers’ did not get the worst of the fast bowling from opponents – not today however. ‘Bowlers’ now are reasonable batsmen mostly instead of being hopeless.
VX: Cricket Test Matches are usually played over 5 days (in the past perhaps there was a rest day in the middle). The shorter duration games are ‘1st class’ games over three days and then there are ‘one day games’ and other fast day/night cricket variations for TV when last half of match is played under lights with a white ball (rather than red).
Spaz/
TV is the driving force, isn’t it? Of course when I was watching in England the sort of day/nighters you describe were unthinkable–ruin the game and all that. And the Beeb controlled virtually everything in those days except for ITV.
Of course, even in the 70s the joke went that the English hadn’t yet totally come to terms with electricity, let alone innovative TV programming.
I will say this, though, the Int. Test matches seem to be growing in status, if anything–especially in India and Pakistan–at least watched by far more people. Or am I wrong in my take?–I really don’t pay THAT much attention any more.
I’ll let you know how todays play goes, I’m going…
PS: The MCG in full roar is pretty impressive (or in silence for that matter, see a video around April 25th over on the flight deck).
VX: Cricket is a BIG business today especially now in India. Aussie cricketers retire to play cricket for local Indian teams but this has been curtailed somewhat by terrorism – as well as ‘touring’ cricket teams to affected countries.
Oz cricket is in transition from a very successful side with older players retiring & young ’uns yet to prove they should be in the team.
Indian cricketers are ‘gods’ in their country but they have been tainted in recent years by ‘match fixing’ scandals due to heavy gambling on cricket by Indians & of course world wide with ‘pro’ betting & online interest.
Lee continued to struggle, Siddle had a fantastic second spell (and he’s a Victorian, which always goes down well). The Saffers were pretty dismal; their batting was very scrappy although they’ll avoid the follow on.
Crowd wise Bay 13 was in fine form with the Constabulary ejecting patrons at a furious pace. Offences varied from indulging in beer drinking contests to flashing breasts, indeed, in one case the two were combined with an attractive young lady sculling her drink and then showing her wares.
Her boyfriend could not be reached for comment.
Oh, and the Members, despite participating in the Mexican Wave, were resoundingly booed (as tradition dictates).
I’ve been invited to the members at the SCG a few times – a mate works behind the bar, and manages to stand me a few drinks. I forget how a test match ends.
Why can’t the English
Teach their children how to speak
Norwegians learn Norwegian
The Greeks are taught their Greek
In France every Frenchman
Knows his language from A to Zed
The French don’t care what they do actually
As long as they pronounce it properly
Arabians learn Arabian
With the speed of summer lightning
And the Hebrews learn it backwards
Which is absolutely frightening
But use proper English, you’re regarded as a freak
Oh why can’t the English
Why can’t the English
Learn to speak!
A pungent quote from a Mark Steyn article in NR this past year …
” Cricket is a game invented by the English who not being a spiritual people needed something to give themselves a concept of eternity”
…nothing more needs to be said. Best
SE: We have some good snakes to eat in Oz. I like the licorice sort.
Oz is being trounced by South Africa at moment – only two days to go. Perhaps the game will end in a draw?