Cricket

[TigerMasochist]

Any game they lose, they claim the opposition cheated. They don’t handle losing well.

Reckon young Jaiswal needs a mega kick up the arse for umpire dissent. Won't happen of course, but there was a heap of replays that showed the ball deflecting slightly off both bat and glove during the review. Yet he still chose to dispute his dismissal with the on field umpires after they'd been over ruled on the call. Young bloke is already one hell of a player, gunna be scary to see what he could be achieving in a couple more years, but sometimes ya gotta pull the head in and accept the rules.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Konstantinople doing some sledging to put them off.

One innings does not make a career. That first opening knock was bloody amazing, but by the last session today I was kinda wishing he'd just STF up n go away. Excited exuberance is one thing, noisy pretentious prat is another matter entirely.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Kohli handed us the first innings lead by running out their class batsman in Jaiswal. Plus Kohli unsettled and put unnecessary pressure on the team with his poor behaviour on the first two days and then interfering with the captain on and off the field. I personally would send him home if I was running the Indian Cricket Board. Hopefully this loss will knock him down a few levels and send him into reality as he’s been nothing ,but a distraction to their team.

Never gunna happen. The Virus is second behind only Tendercuts as a cricketing God in India.

 

[Carter]

Any doubt on Starc and he should be replaced, especially as Pat will also be entering his fifth test and feeling tired.

At 2-1 and only needing a draw, I’d also be inclined to bring in an outright batsman for Marsh. Having said that, I don’t think they will. Reckon they’ll back him in.

To be fair, the Aussies have been rewarded for selection loyalty in recent years, particularly with Marsh. Could easily see him come out and bludgeon a ton.

As for today, utterly brilliant. Up there with the best wins for mine.

 

[TigerMasochist]

They and the Indian cricket team have become very unlikeable. A nasty entitlement to them.

Nah. They finally learned after many many years that to compete against and be among the best, ya need to have a bit of hard arsed *smile* about ya. Both teams have give a bit n copped a bit, and there's been some fantastic contests over the years, topped off superbly by this years boxing day test.
Not at the game, but from all the bits of crowd footage I've seen from the entire game it's been a fantastic atmosphere the whole time.

 

[Tiggy Train]

Never gunna happen. The Virus is second behind only Tendercuts as a cricketing God in India.

I agree, but He’s been a disruptive influence to the team. He thinks he’s bigger than the team and it looks like a *smile* show as it’s been a negative impact. I’m happy for him to be playing bc it works in our favour.

 

[TigerMasochist]

Good on him. Virat and Siraj have acted like flogs, players petulantly standing there disagreeing with the umpires and the Indian fans on social media are horrible, claiming Australia cheated.

Virus only learnt that behaviour from a few Ozzie teams of the past, gotta fight fire with fire sometimes. Maybe Siraj plans to be the next Virus, taking over when the original is gone, someone needs to try n play tuff for the side.
FMD. Everyone one who ever loses at something complains on anti social meedjia that the other mob cheated.

 

[TigerMasochist]

I find Langer very difficult to listen to. He seems to really struggle to get his words out. He has done lots of martial arts and kick boxing at a high level. May have copped a few blows to the head. It would be sad if his speech patterns were caused by head knocks.

Mighta worn a bouncer or three in his day as well. Got one of those whiny sorta hard to listen to voices n might be a bit to hard n blunt for today's type of pampered individuals. But he was a bloody premium tough nut opener in his day.

 

[Sintiger]

Any game they lose, they claim the opposition cheated. They don’t handle losing well.

Just had a sneaky look at social media land …pathetic. Like a country of 1 billion 6 year olds.

Both disputed decisions were clearly correct and in the end isn’t that what we actually want ?

 

[TigerMasochist]

Bloody fantastic game of cricket this week. Been bloody rare that there's so many twists n turns during a game with neither side buckling until the very last session.
Oz finally got control n won the game, now have both hands firmly wrapped around the trophy with just one more game to play in a cuppla days. Can we hang onto the prize n play out another win or at worst a draw n claim bragging rights or does India have one last hay maker to throw at the Ozzies to win the last game n keep the trophy. Bring it on.

On a side note, all the pomp n ceremony about breaking the record crowd for an MCG test this week simply makes me laugh. Not only are transport and accommodation capabilities vastly different now compared to back nearly a 100 years ago. The population of Melb would easily be double or more than it was back in the Don's day so we'd need to easily be looking at a match crowd of at least 500,000 or better to run a more realistic comparison. It was an amazing crowd for a boxing day test, but records from such different eras should never be compared.

 

[Nico]

There was a similar whine on cricinfo about the booing and suggesting Smith should ask the crowd to stop as Kohli did years ago for smith.
To me the difference is that Smith admitted what he did was wrong, served his time and came back. Kohli never admits he is wrong, ever.
That being said I don’t like the booing.

I don't like the booing either, but it's understandable and Kohli only has himself to blame.

Was thinking what would have happen if Smith shouldered Jaiswal on his test debut in India. He literally wouldn't have got out of the ground alive. A few boos is pretty tame in comparison.

 

[RoarEmotion]

Catches win matches.

 

[Tiggy Train]

Virus only learnt that behaviour from a few Ozzie teams of the past, gotta fight fire with fire sometimes. Maybe Siraj plans to be the next Virus, taking over when the original is gone, someone needs to try n play tuff for the side.
FMD. Everyone one who ever loses at something complains on anti social meedjia that the other mob cheated.

Sorry mate we’ve had no flog like Kohli in our side. Yes we played it hard and did do some banter, but it never led to hostility and angst from opposition players and supporters. Kohli and Siraj are just arrogant flogs and a blight on the game and are actually a negative force on their sides. If you’re going to be a flog you need to make sure you’re performing for starters and playing by the rules.
Walking into a kid playing his first game for a man of Kohli’s experience was ugly.

 

[Leysy Days]

Went again today.

What a fantastic day. Absolute kudos to Cricket Australia and the MCG for putting on an amazing event.

Little things that make a difference - especially with your daughter.

Handing out packets of lollies, easily accessible water refill stations (makes a huge difference in summer with the cost of new bottle of water) and not that we needed it but sunscreen as well. These little things make a difference - Take note AFL.

Then the $10 entry today (free under 15) with all proceeds to a great cause.

At next to no notice to be able to provide the security, staff, food, drinks etc for 70,000+ people. Amazing!!

Was talking to a CA staff member (who provided Leysy's daughter with free womens Ashes test tickets) and they were super proud of what they pulled off.

Superb strategy. Could have made much more by selling ticks at normal prices - but to essentially throw the gates open. Absolute marketing Genius!!

Example - Was keen to go. But Mrs Leysy said was out so had to take eldest daughter - 12 y.o.

Loves sport - mad tiger, plays footy, basketball, netball. Hated cricket - "boring dad"

Bribed her to come along with the promise of hot chips, jam donuts etc. Packed iPads.

Got there 11am and got great seats Lvl 2. Throughout the first two sessions a million questions on the rules of the sport. Which once you try and explain them are really quite bizarre -Try reasoning with an inquisitive tweener why LBW is not out if the ball is hitting the stumps - especially after ball tracking shows it is.

Then wickets, then a session of none. At tea a good pommie mate that came with us left to go home - "I'm staying dad".

She said we'll give it 40 mins after tea break (to show how far back we were Australia got out to $21 to win).

Then the 7 wicket carnage of the final session. Amazing atmosphere. The roar when there was no snicko on Jaiswal was amazing.

Our new-found Aussie friends in our area rejoicing. Indian fans near us actually very good sports. It was as good as any Richmond game (finals excepted).

And a now hooked 12 year old who kept asking questions while looking at the cricinfo scorecard on the train home.

To then join her old man watching some big bash while chewing the fat over dinner. and wanting to join our local club Mitcham.

Bravo CA and the MCG. That is how you market your sport - with a view to the greater longer term gain, rather than the immediate dollar.

 

[23.21.159]

Went again today.

What a fantastic day. Absolute kudos to Cricket Australia and the MCG for putting on an amazing event.

Little things that make a difference - especially with your daughter.

Handing out packets of lollies, easily accessible water refill stations (makes a huge difference in summer with the cost of new bottle of water) and not that we needed it but sunscreen as well. These little things make a difference - Take note AFL.

Then the $10 entry today (free under 15) with all proceeds to a great cause.

At next to no notice to be able to provide the security, staff, food, drinks etc for 70,000+ people. Amazing!!

Was talking to a CA staff member (who provided Leysy's daughter with free womens Ashes test tickets) and they were super proud of what they pulled off.

Superb strategy. Could have made much more by selling ticks at normal prices - but to essentially throw the gates open. Absolute marketing Genius!!

Example - Was keen to go. But Mrs Leysy said was out so had to take eldest daughter - 12 y.o.

Loves sport - mad tiger, plays footy, basketball, netball. Hated cricket - "boring dad"

Bribed her to come along with the promise of hot chips, jam donuts etc. Packed iPads.

Got there 11am and got great seats Lvl 2. Throughout the first two sessions a million questions on the rules of the sport. Which once you try and explain them are really quite bizarre -Try reasoning with an inquisitive tweener why LBW is not out if the ball is hitting the stumps - especially after ball tracking shows it is.

Then wickets, then a session of none. At tea a good pommie mate that came with us left to go home - "I'm staying dad".

She said we'll give it 40 mins after tea break (to show how far back we were Australia got out to $21 to win).

Then the 7 wicket carnage of the final session. Amazing atmosphere. The roar when there was no snicko on Jaiswal was amazing.

Our new-found Aussie friends in our area rejoicing. Indian fans near us actually very good sports. It was as good as any Richmond game (finals excepted).

And a now hooked 12 year old who kept asking questions while looking at the cricinfo scorecard on the train home.

To then join her old man watching some big bash while chewing the far over dinner. and wanting to join our local club Mitcham.

Bravo CA and the MCG. That is how you market your sport - with a view to the greater longer term gain, rather than the immediate dollar.

If only those of us who live overseas could watch it (and pay for the privilege).

 

[Leysy Days]

If only those of us who live overseas could watch it (and pay for the privilege).

Yeah in this technological age - that is quite staggering 159. Feel for you as know the ex-pat feeling from living and playing cricket in the UK, that it actually makes the love of your country/team stronger.

Was the best days cricket have experienced.

And not just cos if we win in Sydney and go 3-1 Leysy is in for quite a windfall.

 

[DavidSSS]

What can you say?

There is no comparison to Test Cricket. An amazing game which see-sawed for 5 days and resolved in the last hour. Just an amazing game of cricket.

Those 2 DRS dismissals were very close but clearly out. The one with Jaiswal took a long time because the third umpire could clearly see the deflection but needed absolute evidence it hit bat or glove before he could overrule the umpire. Eventually you could see it, I think it hit the glove (hence no snicko) and I suspect Jaiswal didn't feel it which was why he was upset.

A magnificent match and a great win. I said to my partner that although we got no wickets in the middle session a lot can happen in the last session of a test. And so it was.

The crowd was amazing. TM, yes, the population of Melbourne is a lot larger now, but it does come down to ground capacity at times. Also, you forgot one thing - the test in the 1930s was 6 days.

Looking forward to the Sydney test, should be a cracker. India are a very good team and will be trying to stop Australia winning the Trophy. They have Bumrah, he is just unplayable at times, an astounding bowler. Bumrah suffers from that ailment that some of the truly great fast bowlers have: the batters are simply not good enough to get an edge on a fair number of his balls.

Leysy Days, you are so right about how CA dealt with today, an example to other sports that money isn't everything and there are times where you forgo money for the game. I couldn't make it to the test but when I heard they were selling tickets for $10 for the last day I thought it was a fantastic idea.

DS

 

[Leysy Days]

On the game itself. Leysy's observations:

- Posted before the series that Bumrah is one of the greatest to grace our shores in Leysy time. It's becoming hard to think of any better - Hadlee? Holding? He's in that conversation.

When the opposition (us) are 6 or more out and stop taking runs purely to protect the lower ranking batsman from facing him - For fear of him steam rolling the innings. You know you are dealing with greatness.

53 overs - 16 maidens - 156 runs - 9 wickets.

When times get tough the amount Rohit asks him to dig deep again is incredible. A one man machine. Cherish being able to watch it. Will be spoken about for many decades.

- As spook said our catching won it today. This team might be ageing. But it aint showing in the field. Contrast this to Perth. We were rusty - extras, wides, no-balls, dropped catches, slopping fielding. We played a dangerous game but were (by design) underdone. Not one bowler had a first-class game leading in. Readers of Leysy's posts would have noted this.

Reason - We've struggled to finish off home series, especially with ball. We (dangerously) thought we could start underdone and get away with it in Perth. But it is starting to pay dividends now. Cummins in particular is still running on top of the ground.

Back to our catching - How good a slipper is Smudge. Very overlooked - but absolutely deserves to be ranked alongside Simpson, G.Chappell, Taylor, M.Waugh, Border, Ponting etc as our best ever slips fieldsman. Only 5 catches to take the most ever for our country - usurping the great Punter.

He's a freak in there. Those he pouched today were understatedly hard. As were some others. In a game you win with 30 mins to spare. It was the difference between winning and drawing.

- Kohli/Siraj and Indian antics. Plenty knocking them on here and they have a point. But you know what - It's great for the sport. This thread is more alive than any ashes. We love a villain and it has brought the Aus public behind our team more than any in recent years.

India will hit back, They won't fold like England do here - we know that.

We should prepare a road like they would, but we won't. It could be the most watched test ever.

No sport challenges the mental fortitude of the competitors like tough test cricket. Bring on Sydney.

 

[theglove3]

Brilliant observations, Leysy.

I went on Days 2 and 3.
Got thoroughly drenched (as did everyone walking back to Richmond station) at end of Day 3.

Just a great Test match.
Nothing beats Test cricket.
It can be brutal.

The King is cooked.
Can't understand why he continually plays at wide balls he should be leaving. (Mind you I'm glad he does)
He's been dismissed in the same fashion in every innings.

Starcy was brilliant today.
Unlucky not to get Jaiswal when on 30 odd. DRS is a joke.
Actually all the bowlers were awesome.
Bolo should just about be the first bowler to be picked in the side from now on.
Not sure what happens when The Hoff returns.

I thought Konstas overdid all the antics with Jaiswal but I guess that's youthful brashness.
Bumrah will be waiting for him in Sydney.

Just a great Test.

 

[tigerman]

Went again today.

What a fantastic day. Absolute kudos to Cricket Australia and the MCG for putting on an amazing event.

Little things that make a difference - especially with your daughter.

Handing out packets of lollies, easily accessible water refill stations (makes a huge difference in summer with the cost of new bottle of water) and not that we needed it but sunscreen as well. These little things make a difference - Take note AFL.

Then the $10 entry today (free under 15) with all proceeds to a great cause.

At next to no notice to be able to provide the security, staff, food, drinks etc for 70,000+ people. Amazing!!

Was talking to a CA staff member (who provided Leysy's daughter with free womens Ashes test tickets) and they were super proud of what they pulled off.

Superb strategy. Could have made much more by selling ticks at normal prices - but to essentially throw the gates open. Absolute marketing Genius!!

Example - Was keen to go. But Mrs Leysy said was out so had to take eldest daughter - 12 y.o.

Loves sport - mad tiger, plays footy, basketball, netball. Hated cricket - "boring dad"

Bribed her to come along with the promise of hot chips, jam donuts etc. Packed iPads.

Got there 11am and got great seats Lvl 2. Throughout the first two sessions a million questions on the rules of the sport. Which once you try and explain them are really quite bizarre -Try reasoning with an inquisitive tweener why LBW is not out if the ball is hitting the stumps - especially after ball tracking shows it is.

Then wickets, then a session of none. At tea a good pommie mate that came with us left to go home - "I'm staying dad".

She said we'll give it 40 mins after tea break (to show how far back we were Australia got out to $21 to win).

Then the 7 wicket carnage of the final session. Amazing atmosphere. The roar when there was no snicko on Jaiswal was amazing.

Our new-found Aussie friends in our area rejoicing. Indian fans near us actually very good sports. It was as good as any Richmond game (finals excepted).

And a now hooked 12 year old who kept asking questions while looking at the cricinfo scorecard on the train home.

To then join her old man watching some big bash while chewing the fat over dinner. and wanting to join our local club Mitcham.

Bravo CA and the MCG. That is how you market your sport - with a view to the greater longer term gain, rather than the immediate dollar.

A good read Leysy Days, I especially liked that your daughter loved it, and is now hooked.
You could not have picked a better day to take her, with the atmosphere of the crowd and the game itself.

She'll love the ladies cricket, and Georgia Voll, she's going to be a superstar.