English cricket

[BobHelm]

I did not quote the second part of your post because I was arguing against your claim that because of what he did he should not represent England. I had no comment to make on the remainder..
Nothing else..

I stand by what I say, personally I would prefer to have a person with honest opinions & good values represent my country (& therefore me). To ban people from sport because they hold strong views on a subject (even if they are controversial) is ridiculous & suggests that only 1 opinion is ever correct on a matter - which is even more stupid..

[wazza]

I always knew Cook would pull this off, LOL

But hey a good win and brings the series back to an even keel . Indians didn't have any wink wink, say no more and betting plunges to be look at eh ??

Good for test cricket

Politics , good or bad, is not allowed on the field, clearly stated in the code of conduct etc. Other wise we will see hijack marketing creeping in on all other matters as well.

He got his point over , now that it was allowed, we will now see more of this, as its been sanctioned by ECB.

[GT93]

Yes, wazza I think it would be nice if we had someone connected to the Indian book making industry keeping us as much up to speed with that side of events as Bob does for us with the cricket.

If I see Lou Vincent walking around Auckland I might ask him who might be able to do this for us. I'm too chicken to ask Chris Cairns as he might knock my block off.

[wazza]

Are you saying Maaka that Vindaloo Bob isnt neutral in his comments.

Reading the Oz news they are saying a good victory and well played to the Poms. A few comments on the follow on etc but well played England.

[Zidane]

James Anderson faces an ICC hearing today over an incident with Jadeja of India during the first test.
Jadeja is appealing against the fine imposed on him for the clash and Anderson faces charges that he pushed and abused the Indian player.
If found guilty Anderson could be banned for up to 4 test matches.He would be a big loss to England.

[GT93]

I trust there was no biting involved or we would have been discussing that for months. 4 tests is a lot of cricket to miss.

Is Geoff Boycott still involved in English cricket in any way such as writing or commentating ? He was a real character.

[wazza]

Sounds serious stuff .

Anderson is regarded by the Aussies as their biggest sledgerand no love lost on the pitch etc.

Now then Geoffery wife beater Boycott. Not a bad commentator to be honest. Prepared to slag off poor performers on any side. Would love to have heard his opinion of Cook no enforcing the follow on... as it happened not after they won.

[GT93]

Anderson won't be much of a sledger compared to Eric Hollingsworth. What a dork. I hope he isn't a Tasmanian wazzer. Behaving like a cockroach.

I remember Boycott being a bit firm with women. He's kind of Australian in many respects - except the speed with which he accumulated runs. He might be younger than a few of the posters here so they'll know a lot about this great English batsman.

[Zidane]

Geoffrey is 73 and I remember him playing for England from when I was a small boy onwards.
He was a very controversial character and not too popular in the dressing room,as I remember,putting himself before the team.
He's currently married to Margaret Rachel Swinglehurst.

But Bob can probably remember more as he's 20 years older than me !

[stattointhailand]

Young Geoff will always be remembered by me as a batsman who, after taking guard, had the face of the bat pointing at the bowler, which enabled him to play a forward defensive shot without having to make endless adjustments.

Todays so called batsmen seem to set up with the bat face pointing at mid wicket and their shoulder pointing at about mid on, which is OK for a wild heave-ho to leg, but hardly practical for a ball bowled outside off stump

[GT93]

An old theme from statts but a good one. I remember Boycott guarding his wicket as zealously as Tony Blair chases his next million.

[BobHelm]

Ha, I may well walk about Nong Sim while you run Zid, but that is merely to conserve energy for later events rather than because of an age difference...
I am. after all, single while you are of the 'pipe & slipper' hue...

As far as Geoffrey is concerned...
He is certainly still commentating on BBC 5 Live.
He is possibly a better commentator than he was ever an entertaining batsman.
His 'analysis' is all too often tainted, for me, by what his actions were when he was playing.
He was a self centered player who was happy to see the team fail as long as he did not.
As such, I have difficulty in accepting his pronouncements these days as little more than much of the same - self interest first.

The best broadcaster by far at the moment is Bumble - David Lloyd.
Not only is he witty & a great raconteur but he never attempts to suggest that anything is ever anything but his view, despite a huge knowledge at all levels of the game.
He is a master of the art of cricket commentating that rank along side John Arlott & Brian Johnson, true geniuses.
Geoffrey is a bumbling self seeking sham when compared to these... Like comparing him as a batsmen to Bradman, Clive Loyd or Garfield, to name but 3...

[BobHelm]

James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja not guilty of ICC breach

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/28612034

Undoubtedly a relief for England given they appear on the up & India a bit rough around the edges.

The next Test starts at Old Trafford next Thursday...

[wazza]

Arlott , Johnson and Alan McGillivray from Oz, my top 3 commentators

Benaud gets a special mention

what we then have is a large group of ex players, from the 70's onwards and many of them , may have been good cricketers, they certainly don't make good commentators.

My Club mate and successful Australian Cricketer David " Daniel " Boon was approached years ago, for a Channel 9 commentary position and declined it, as he said " he mumbles at the best of times "

My 3 nominations got the nod, as it could be raining and they would entertain their listening audiences, with Johnno one day talking about how to bake a Tea Cake,

Nowdays, they just use highlights from some old game , commercialism takes precedence.

[Zidane]

A good choice for the 3 commentators,wazza !
Anyone remember the summariser,Trevor Bailey ? He was so pompous.

But back to Sir Geoffrey,for a moment.
Didnt he refuse to play for England for a few years which coincided with Lillee and Thomson,for the Aussies and the West Indian fast bowlers at their peak ?
Just about sums him up for me....a gutless bore.
I remember he returned to the fold in his late 30's and scored his 100th test century at Headingley ??
A hero for some but not me.

[wazza]

Flat Jack Simmons from Lancs and Tasmanian Capt and Coach years ago, told us one night over the bar that He beat Boycotts benefit year total and said many people donated more , just to beat him, Well that might have been the James Boags beer talking a bit, but Jack did hold the record for the Benefit year after Boycott.

[BobHelm]

[GT93]

An extraordinary response from Boycott. He makes the Duke of Edinburgh seems like the politest Brit in the 20th century.

The Sri Lankoin will still be signing all them fricking bats. 555.

[wazza]

Cant read Bob's reply, its all blank.

Old Trafford next and fond memories of being smashed in the members in 1977, with Jack and Clive Lloyd and Plank,


Clive Lloyd , talking about changing the way he was going to play his last few years of cricket and then retire. I was 19 at the time and still a bit wet behind the ears. Little did I know at that time a guy called Packer was recruiting

[BobHelm]

It is the way that either your ISP or browser are set up wass,

It is two youtube videos of David Lloyd. Both worth a look for his humour,,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... IHdMOPwKzQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... TpB3bAGrI0