To all cricket lovers out there

[Johannes de Jong]

enjoy the World Cup

[David O'Meara]

Yep, I already have that tingley feeling.
38 matches televised locally. Most of it at 4-5am, but still available!

[Johannes de Jong]

None televised over here. I'm following it "life" via internet in text mode

[Anonymous]

Always loved the telecast from South Africa

[Mark Howard]

I only wish the format of the competition could be a bit different, where each team gets to play each and every other team at least once. (like the Super-12 rugby format for those of you who follow that code). That way the team who wins is pretty much the team who deserves to.
But then there is of course all those funny little rules (eg. rain delays) which will probably never be completely resolved
Regardless of the winner though, I just hope that a good standard of sportsmanship prevails during this 2003 WC, something which has done all but slip away completely over the past few years.
There is a wealth of cricketing skill out there in South Africa right now.
Enjoy

[David O'Meara]

Originally posted by mark howard:
Regardless of the winner though, I just hope that a good standard of sportsmanship prevails during this 2003 WC, something which has done all but slip away completely over the past few years.

Yup, agreed.
Even without gambling and match fixing, there has been a move away from cricket being the 'game of gentlemen'. When was the last time you saw a batsman at the international level walk without being given out?
Add to that the 'unwritten law' that you don't bowl aggressively at tailenders and then watch Brett Lee try to kill them.
Bad cricket.

[Ashik Uzzaman]

Ya, I am excited about the centuries already made by Lara and Jayasurya.

[Sridhar Srikanthan]

GO SACHIN GO !!!

[Mark Howard]

Originally posted by David O'Meara:

When was the last time you saw a batsman at the international level walk without being given out?

Too true. And inversely proportional to the amount of catch appeals that require the 3rd umpire to clearly show how the ball hit the ground first!
It is bad cricket, and it isn't helped by the likes of Shane Warne making statements such as: Gone are the days of sipping tea and playing cricket. It's more of: I'm in your face... what are you going to do about it?"
I like the attitude of Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuirya, always modest in success and humble in defeat. A lot of the new generation players would do well to take some notes here.

[Johannes de Jong]

When was the last time you saw a batsman at the international level walk without being given out?
I'm sure I saw one walk to other day, but you are right it has become the exception rather than the rule.
But it still stays a fantastic game. How did you guys like the close game between SA - W-Indies.
Man cricket won all the way

[Sridhar Srikanthan]

What do you guys think about warne being sent home because he failed a dope test? Is it good for the game?
Sri

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by Sri Sri:
Is it good for the game?
Sri

Sad to see Shane out of the world cup. But rules are rules! He will be missed in the Australia-India match next Saturday!
Meanwhile, Australian team did a clean job today!!

[Johannes de Jong]

Yep sad that he is out of the game. Must say I appreciate that neither he or the ACB tried to make any excuses.
And yes Australia sure showed today why they are favourites.

[Sridhar Srikanthan]

Shane will sure be missed....
I am disappointed that I cant see one more dual between Sachin and Warne in the near future.
Surprise for today is
Canada beat Bangladesh ....
Sri

[David O'Meara]

Plenty of discussion on the Warne issue.
He isn't officially out of the World Cup yet. They are rushing the process to get a quick answer as to whether he can keep playing or not.
The view at the moment is that there is a lot of doubt. Warne already played the 'I was stupid and didn't know' card during the match fixing investigations. It might be best to make an example of him.
Personally I'm glad he was caught. There isn't quite the advantage in using drugs in cricket as other sports, but it is still good to see that it is an issue they are taking seriously.
I only saw the first 25 overs of the Pakistan innings, but it's nice to see the Australians playing confidently and agressively.
They tailed off a bit in the last few months at home. They started the season mauling England and Sri Lanka, then fell back to just playing cricket like they didn't care. It was disappointing to watch.
Look out Africa!

[Sridhar Srikanthan]

Its good to see Aussies doing good even without Warne. That shows that theirs is a team (I mean really TEAM) instead of individuals. While I absolutely love the way Sachin and Lara play, finally the ones who get a hand on the coveted cup are the ones who play as a TEAM.
Pakistanis are a battered lot after their disastrous results with the Aussies in the recent past. I think they always show wordly aggression which more often than not does not convert into results.
Sri
[ February 11, 2003: Message edited by: Sri Sri ]

[Mark Howard]

Originally posted by Johannes de Jong:
And yes Australia sure showed today why they are favourites.

Although Symonds was reported as being "hopelessly out of form" in recent matches. Maybe he was just saving it up for when it really counted!
This is usually the case though, across most WC teams. There is always one or possibly two big-scorers whose batting prowess wins the day. And its not uncommon for these heroes to be amongst the lower-order batsmen.
Funny old game.

[David O'Meara]

This has been typical of Australias performance of late though. A single batsman accounts for almost the entire score but gets little support on the way.
Even worse, it tends to be a different batsman each time. Good news that we have so many to rely on, bad news in terms of consistency. Any time we don't have an individual step up for the big score, we tend to crumple badly.
If they want to be a serious contender, they need a few games where they post a big score using only the top order.
Question: I gather the World Cup isn't using the bonus point system?

[Johannes de Jong]

Question: I gather the World Cup isn't using the bonus point system?
It sure looks like it. In a way they can't use it with so many "weak" teams in the 1st round. Heck imagine the bonus points India could pick against Holland today.
Bonus points just won't be cricket

[Johannes de Jong]

Even worse, it tends to be a different batsman each time. Good news that we have so many to rely on, bad news in terms of consistency. Any time we don't have an individual step up for the big score, we tend to crumple badly
The same could be said about most teams. Personally I think that it's the way one-day cricket is played.

[Mani Ram]

Originally posted by Johannes de Jong:
Heck imagine the bonus points India could pick against Holland today.

India are 94/4 in 27 overs. Forget the bonus points. Can they save the match?

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by R Manivannan:

India are 94/4 in 27 overs. Forget the bonus points. Can they save the match?

As they call it India's *dangerous* batting line up! :roll:
But I think Holland is giving everything they have in this first match! After all, its their first world cup match, and I wouldn't be too surprised if they win it!

[Johannes de Jong]

Not to worry India is on its way to get 200+, which should be way too much for Holland to get.
must say I'm impressed with Holland for restricting India to such a "low" score

[Mani Ram]

Originally posted by Johannes de Jong:
Not to worry India is on its way to get 200+, which should be way too much for Holland to get.
must say I'm impressed with Holland for restricting India to such a "low" score

They have reached 204. It might be good enough. But my worry is, what will happen to the team's morale?
Scoring 330+ would have boasted their confidence after their miserable Newzealand tour. But now...?
[ February 12, 2003: Message edited by: R Manivannan ]

[Johannes de Jong]

Holland sure scored a moral victory by bowling India out for "only" 204 <- hey I'm Dutch remember

[Ashok Mash]

Saturday's match would be crucial for India, I guess.
If they managed to win against Australia this Saturday, they could just continue and breeze through to finals. If they lose out instead, probably this is going to another so-so worldcup for India.
Well, a silly 204 in a splendid batting pitch (according to BBC)! Fingers crossed!

[Barry Gaunt]

Since when has Holland a cricket team? I never would have guessed. Honest, I'm not meaning to be funny or sarcastic. I always thought that cricket was unique to England/Australia/S.A./India/Pakistan... (that is the British Commonwealth). I suppose I'll get more suprises when I check this out...
-Barry
PS. I did get hit on the dose wid a criddick ball once. Bled for a week. Could explain a lot of things, come to think of it
Sorry forgot West Indies...
[ February 12, 2003: Message edited by: Barry Gaunt ]

[Johannes de Jong]

win against Australia
I don't think India needs a win against them to go through. The 1'st 3 go through remember.
England has basically sunk their chances by refusing to play in Zimbabwe.
but if India loses today....

[Johannes de Jong]

Since when has Holland a cricket team? I never would have guessed.
Well about 95%+ of Holland's population doesn't know we have a cricket team either
But if they win today it finally might make the news.

[Mani Ram]

Originally posted by Johannes de Jong:
But if they win today it finally might make the news.

Then we Indians will have an excuse:
Our loss against Netherlands helped to popularise cricket among them

[Mani Ram]

Can Netherlands repeat what Kenya did in 1996 (beating West Indians) and Bangaladesh did in 1999 (beating Pakisthan)
Netherlands 27/1. Looks anything is possible. :roll:

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by R Manivannan:
Netherlands 27/1.

39/4!

&
44/6! :roll:
[ February 12, 2003: Message edited by: Ashok Krishnan ]

[Johannes de Jong]

Gee I step out for an hour, Holland was 22/2, and now 57/7
Pity I hoped they would make at least 150

[David O'Meara]

Originally posted by Johannes de Jong:
England has basically sunk their chances by refusing to play in Zimbabwe.

Has there been a decision on this yet?
Last I heard England had refused to play and they were trying to decide whether to reschedule, move the match or give the points away.
Personally if I was in the English team I'd pack and go home. It's only cricket.

[Mani Ram]

Originally posted by Johannes de Jong:
Gee I step out for an hour, Holland was 22/2, and now 57/7
Pity I hoped they would make at least 150

They *almost* made it. 136 runs. Just 14 short of your wish!
Aren't you glad now? Well...I'm glad atleast

[Johannes de Jong]

Aren't you glad now? Well...I'm glad atleast
I'm quite happy with Holland's performance thank you very much
ps congrats

[Mani Ram]

Originally posted by Johannes de Jong:
ps congrats

I wish to hear the same on Feb 15th, Feb 18th, Feb 23rd, Feb 26th, Mar 1st and also on Mar 23rd

[Johannes de Jong]

Same on Mar 23rd
I'll have to think about that one

[Anonymous]

Despite Pakistan's loss, you have to admit ..when it comes to raw talent, nobody can beat them.
I would rather watch India/Pakistan/WestIndies than the clinical precision with which Australia play.Mark Waugh is an exception.

[Don Kiddick]

Originally posted by David O'Meara:

Last I heard England had refused to play and they were trying to decide whether to reschedule, move the match or give the points away.

What are your views on this ? I think it's unfair to punish England for not playing in Zimbabwe and should just reschedule the match in SA. Then again I'm biased !
T.