Comments on: Ashes open thread: 5th test http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Sun, 27 May 2012 11:57:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: chris y http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286760 chris y Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:41:50 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286760 <i>They think it’s all Oval…</i> It is now. They think it’s all Oval…

It is now.

]]> By: mart http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286758 mart Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:24:05 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286758 Well, at least we weren't captained by a South African for a couple of matches last year. Oh.... Well, at least we weren’t captained by a South African for a couple of matches last year. Oh….

]]> By: JoB http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286755 JoB Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:11:52 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286755 Nich, are you implying that Australia is opposed by a team of people with roots outside of the host nation? If so, that's really funny. Nich, are you implying that Australia is opposed by a team of people with roots outside of the host nation? If so, that’s really funny.

]]> By: Leinad http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286747 Leinad Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:47:44 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286747 wd Huss, getting yer capn run out. Clarke too. They think it's all Oval... wd Huss, getting yer capn run out.

Clarke too.

They think it’s all Oval…

]]> By: astrongmaybe http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286724 astrongmaybe Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:16:41 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286724 Looking forward to seeing Caster Semenya making an appearance in the one-dayers. Looking forward to seeing Caster Semenya making an appearance in the one-dayers.

]]> By: Nich Hills http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286721 Nich Hills Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:02:35 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286721 Following on from Chris Y, I'm an Australian supporter but I have to concede the Rest of the World are a better side. I've been particularly impressed by the South African Players. Broad, from England, has also been good. But the Indian players have disappointed. Following on from Chris Y, I’m an Australian supporter but I have to concede the Rest of the World are a better side.

I’ve been particularly impressed by the South African Players. Broad, from England, has also been good. But the Indian players have disappointed.

]]> By: JoB http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286686 JoB Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:17:13 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286686 Huh?, my quote on the young Aussies taking England for a laugh next time was utterly sniped! Huh?, my quote on the young Aussies taking England for a laugh next time was utterly sniped!

]]> By: JoB http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286685 JoB Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:16:12 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286685 <i<They’ll whitewash us next time we go down under though. Some very impressive young Aussies there. Yup - keep heads firmly down during this most unfortunate missing of the opportunity to whine about those "wank***". All credit to the robotics of Aussie sportsmanship.

Yup – keep heads firmly down during this most unfortunate missing of the opportunity to whine about those “wank***”. All credit to the robotics of Aussie sportsmanship.

]]> By: Sy http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286679 Sy Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:34:23 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286679 <i>The Oval has a bit of a track record for this, doesn’t it? A bit before my time, but I think it was a wicket of this sort where Jim Laker took his 19-90 fifty odd years ago.</i> That was Old Trafford. Madness from Prior and enjoyable, though hugely indulgent, stuff from Lord Frederick. A 450 lead is attainable and would be very nice indeed, but I'm a bit concerned about how comfortable the England batsmen look. If the pitch isn't as unplayable as the Aussies and Broad 's incredible bowling made it seem yesterday, what can Katich, Punter or Clark achieve with the Ashes at stake? The Oval has a bit of a track record for this, doesn’t it? A bit before my time, but I think it was a wicket of this sort where Jim Laker took his 19-90 fifty odd years ago.

That was Old Trafford.

Madness from Prior and enjoyable, though hugely indulgent, stuff from Lord Frederick. A 450 lead is attainable and would be very nice indeed, but I’m a bit concerned about how comfortable the England batsmen look. If the pitch isn’t as unplayable as the Aussies and Broad ’s incredible bowling made it seem yesterday, what can Katich, Punter or Clark achieve with the Ashes at stake?

]]> By: chris y http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286676 chris y Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:05:18 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286676 Hmm... Looking good so far. When was the last time South Africa won the ashes? <i>The average fourth innings total for all Tests at the Oval is about 180, according to TMS, and though there have been a few high scoring chases that ended in draws</i> Yes but, no but. <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/nottinghamshire/engine/match/62933.html" rel="nofollow">Here's a match</a> at the Oval where nobody made 300 in the first three innings, but the side batting 4th chased down 250 for the loss of only two wickets. (I was there. Heee!). Let's see what happens. Hmm… Looking good so far. When was the last time South Africa won the ashes?

The average fourth innings total for all Tests at the Oval is about 180, according to TMS, and though there have been a few high scoring chases that ended in draws

Yes but, no but. Here’s a match at the Oval where nobody made 300 in the first three innings, but the side batting 4th chased down 250 for the loss of only two wickets. (I was there. Heee!). Let’s see what happens.

]]> By: Chris Bertram http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286668 Chris Bertram Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:34:03 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286668 ... and if they start using the predicted path in Hawkeye for lbw decisions, as is promised, tests will get even shorter. … and if they start using the predicted path in Hawkeye for lbw decisions, as is promised, tests will get even shorter.

]]> By: astrongmaybe http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286667 astrongmaybe Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:03:13 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286667 Doesn't quite answer your question, Nick, but there are some fascinating (er, for some...) stats on test history <a HREF="http://blogs.cricinfo.com/itfigures/archives/2008/11/why_the_1960s_were_the_most_bo.php" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Average balls per test in the 1960s: 2409. Average balls per test in the 2000s: 1967. Doesn’t quite answer your question, Nick, but there are some fascinating (er, for some…) stats on test history here.

Average balls per test in the 1960s: 2409.
Average balls per test in the 2000s: 1967.

]]> By: nick s http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286664 nick s Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:11:06 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286664 The average fourth innings total for all Tests at the Oval is about 180, according to TMS, and though there have been a few high scoring chases that ended in draws (including England v. India in 2007, where the pitch was atypically flat) I don't see a winning total over 300 on <a href="http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/222199.html" rel="nofollow">Cricinfo</a>. (Can someone put their finger on when Tests regularly began finishing in three or four days?) The average fourth innings total for all Tests at the Oval is about 180, according to TMS, and though there have been a few high scoring chases that ended in draws (including England v. India in 2007, where the pitch was atypically flat) I don’t see a winning total over 300 on Cricinfo.

(Can someone put their finger on when Tests regularly began finishing in three or four days?)

]]> By: ejh http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286659 ejh Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:13:21 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286659 Up to a point, but it's also true that chasing 300 when you were 170 behind on first innings isn't the same thing as chasing 300 when you were, say, 50 ahead on first innings. People's heads, on both sides, will be in a very different place if England are bowled for for only another 70 or so in the morning. Up to a point, but it’s also true that chasing 300 when you were 170 behind on first innings isn’t the same thing as chasing 300 when you were, say, 50 ahead on first innings. People’s heads, on both sides, will be in a very different place if England are bowled for for only another 70 or so in the morning.

]]> By: chris y http://crookedtimber.org/2009/08/21/ashes-open-thread-5th-test/comment-page-1/#comment-286656 chris y Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:13:50 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/?p=12631#comment-286656 astrongmaybe, I'd prefer 170 by tea, but I'm old and cynical. 70 I would believe, and a target of 300, unless the wicket improves beyond measure, will be a serious ask. 170 would be fantastic, but would involve one of the top 7, other than Strauss, kicking in 60-70. I wish. astrongmaybe, I’d prefer 170 by tea, but I’m old and cynical. 70 I would believe, and a target of 300, unless the wicket improves beyond measure, will be a serious ask. 170 would be fantastic, but would involve one of the top 7, other than Strauss, kicking in 60-70. I wish.

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