Quotehanger

  • "There used to be a bloke who gave himself out by walking when he'd hit the ball. The popularity of that within his team-mates may be shown by the fact that since his retirement, they no longer reply to any emails, phone calls or text messages."
    Adam Gilchrist gives a tongue-in-cheek response to his own philosophy of 'walking'

    Oct 12, 2008

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    Articles tagged as: 2020

    Twenty-2o game at Brisbane

    By Scott 2 years ago, mid-January, Comments

    There was a Twenty-20 game tonight between Australia and South Africa at Brisbane tonight, and our intrepid Will covered it for Cricinfo.

    Australia walked all over South Africa, and Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds had a bit of a hit and a giggle.

    I talked to Will after the game, and he confessed to loving it. I must admit I loathe Twenty-20. I don’t like the thinking behind the game. Cricket needs to be popularised, but that is REAL cricket. You do not see the Royal Opera Company hosting Madonna at Covent Gardens, so I’m not entirely sure why cricket needs this sort of comic caper.

    Comments



    It’s 20/20 time

    By Will 3 years ago, at the end of June, Comments

    20/20 Twenty Twenty

    Being a sad old purist, it came as a shock to enjoy England’s victory over Australia in the 20/20 match a week ago. I’d seen glimpses of the 20/20 final last year, so I can’t wait for tonight’s batch of krazy-kricket. Charles Colville, Sky commentator, seems to “up” a level in the 20/20 games - much shouting and shrieking and squawking of “It’s BOUNDARY TIME,” which is more embarassing & funny than anything else! Full list of matches:

    Let the mayhem begin

    Comments

    England crush Australia in 20/20

    By Will 3 years ago, mid-June, Comments

    OK - firstly, let me apologise. It’s not often a fervent cricket fan can celebrate a victory against Australia. Furthermore, it’s not often any such victory against them is ever described as “crushing.” So you’ll forgive my tabloid-style headline, for it is actually true.

    After Michael Clarke lost his kit, and Michael Kasprowicz had some cash stolen - both in Leicester, reportedly - this loss against their oldest enemy will hurt (and surprise) them the most. As “Boof” Lehmann said on commentary, “Man, they’ll be hurting big style right now.”

    As is 20/20’s very nature, everything happened very quickly. England eventually compiled a reasonable score, but were clearly edgy - several players indicating in post-innings interviews that the pitch was a belter (and it looked as such). Trescothick’s pedestrian 40 (from 37 balls!) was a vital cornerstone, and he looked in very good nick. Kevin Pietersen, man of the match, made a brutal, vital and telling 34 - from just 18 balls. As I’ve said before, it will only take a few innings of brutality/brilliance by Pietersen to oust Thorpe for the first Test at Lord’s and, today, he made another mark in the selector’s heads. 3 comfortable catches and a good innings, in his first game against possibly the best side in history. Nicely done.

    Then carnage insued. Pensioner Darren Gough and debutant Jon Lewis (”never knowingly undersold” as David Lloyd said!) ripped out Australia’s top order. By the time Martin had edged Lewis to Trescothick, standing alone in the slips, Australia had crumbled to 31-7. Some key points:

  • Gough is fit, pumped and raring to go - looks in very good shape.
  • England held all their catches (read that again if you’ve just fallen off your chair)
  • They were far, far more energised and pumped for this game than Australia.
  • Flintoff to Lee: hit him 3 times in one over, once on the chin. Short, brutal fast bowling. It may not seem much, but that’s a huge statement to make and one Australia (and Lee) will not forget.

    • Yes it’s a 20/20. Yes it’s not a 50 over game, or a Test match. But, had Australia won, you can bet most of the Australian media asking: “What’s all the fuss about this so-called New England? Same old, same old.” They’ve lost their first game against England on tour; Australia don’t do things like that, and will be licking their wounds.

    I’m not making any more comment about how brilliant England were, or whether Australia were jet-lagged: England had a great day, and Australia had a shocker. But although many will say “Mate, it’s just a warm-up - you wait ’til the Tests”, England have just issued the strongest signal yet that they are well up for this series.

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    “A nice little taster”

    By Will 3 years ago, mid-June, Comments

    General consensus of this debut International 20/20 in England, between England and Australia, is it’s a taster of things to come. Both sides seem to be taking it more seriously than the New Zealand / Australia encounter earlier in the year. I’m sure there’ll be some personal battles going on, and I’m sure both sides will be keen as mustard to win it. Looks like a great atmosphere.

    (Note to self: must see some 20/20 this year “live”)

    Comments

    England win first Ashes Toss of the summer

    By Will 3 years ago, mid-June, Comments

    Oh stop laughing - I was bound to say it. Yes, England has won the first Ashes toss of the summer. And what a huge psychological advantage it is!

    Tongue firmly in t’cheek…

    Comments

    England v Australia - 20/20 wicket updates

    By Will 3 years ago, mid-June, Comments

    OK so the first mickey-mouse game of the summer, and the first game of this absurdly-exciting series, gets underway tomorrow, in 23 and a half hours time. 20/20 all but passed me by last season - but I did catch a glimpse of Surrey’s win (I think it was Surrey?), and I’m sure I’ll enjoy them this year. I’m still a purist (”Test Cricket is the only true test of a player’s ability” et al), but ODIs have brought great entertainment - and it’s been fascinating to see 20/20 take off.

    Although, Australian coach John Buchanan has just stated his concerns over the 20/20 format: I wonder whether his opinion of it will change come September?

    I’ll be providing wicket-alerts (and score updates) of this game by email - if you want to receive updates, just leave a comment below. Incidentally, I intend to offer DVD-recorded highlights of Ashes games this year, as I spoke about in February, starting from tomorrow.

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    Harmison’s ankle hurting…out of 20/20

    By Will 3 years ago, mid-June, Comments

    Is this the start of the traditional Ashes-meltdown by England? We tend to fall apart, physically, before a ball has been bowled. Steve Harmison’s left ankle is giving him trouble, and he’s out of tomorrow’s England v Hampshire game. Gulp. Giles’ hip is dodgy, and he’s been replaced by Batty. And Batty’s now injured too…

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    “Dramatic announcement” about 20/20

    By Will 3 years ago, mid-June, Comments

    Charles Colville has “dramatic 20/20 news” to tell us in a few minutes…he’s at the Middlesex v Surrey derby where, incidentally, Alistair Brown is going beserk…

    UPDATE: not that dramatic. Adam Hollioake is coming out of retirement for the Asia v Rest Of World XI 20/20 on June 20 at The Oval

    Comments