The cricket thread (incorporating the Ashes)

[firehazard]

Poor sod, lack of experience perhaps???

Yeah, I hope he'll learn from the experience! He was totally gutted afterwards. Hard to be critical, because without his innings they wouldn't even have got close.

I guess the only way is up from here, Aled!

T20 QF away to Somerset today. Essex don't really deserve to be in it, but can't see them going any further.

[firehazard]

From Cricinfo today, after yesterday's shortened day's play at Chelmsford: "With another 39 overs lost to the weather, Essex have now lost 1,576 overs in the County Championship so far this season. Twelve days have been completely washed out."

Bloody British summer.

[Welshie]

Yes know what you mean! Remember watch the last game of the season in late Sept 2003, and there were warnings coming over the tannoy every hour or "don't forget to put on suncream and drinklots of water in this heat" it was a cracking day!
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Yes know what you mean! Remember watch the last game of the season in late Sept 2003, and there were warnings coming over the tannoy every hour or "don't forget to put on suncream and drinklots of water in this heat" it was a cracking day!

Those were the days!
I've just been sent the menu for the Members' Lunches for the Glamorgan match next week, which includes "Beer and Beer Pie". Sounds like it could be fun...

[Welshie]

Good man, drink one for me!
Cheers
Aled

[Welshie]

Hope you had fa good day, and got a bit of sun FH, turned out to be a draw.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Hope you had fa good day, and got a bit of sun FH, turned out to be a draw.

Cheers, Aled, yes enjoyed the match at Colchester. A bit of sunshine and a reasonably entertaining match. Think it was always fated to be a draw, would've needed five days to get a result. The wicket was unusually tame for Castle Park Colchester. Some good batting performances, but both teams look a bit short in the bowling department (daughters were a tad disappointed not to catch a sight of S. Jones!). Fair result in the end. Good luck to Glam for the rest of the season.

[Welshie]

Now i can sympathise with your daughters i would of liked to have seen S.Jones in the bowling attack as well. It would appear his five day career is over as his injury gets aggrevated by the standing around fielding! Glad you enjoyed anyway. Was thinking FH one fine day we are going to have to meet in person, drink beer and talk about rugby, cricket and The Pogues! (after family and friends my other passion is fly fishing)
All the best
Aled

[firehazard]

Now i can sympathise with your daughters i would of liked to have seen S.Jones in the bowling attack as well. It would appear his five day career is over as his injury gets aggrevated by the standing around fielding! Glad you enjoyed anyway. Was thinking FH one fine day we are going to have to meet in person, drink beer and talk about rugby, cricket and The Pogues! (after family and friends my other passion is fly fishing)

Aye, Aled, that would be fun sometime. Though I've never done any fishing since netting sticklebacks in the river by the local park when very young.

The cricket season draws to its end (over already for Essex and Glam, to all intents, apart from sorting out the contracts for next season)... and so it must be time for the rugby!

[Welshie]

No probs regarding fishing FH.
Yep rugby season starts here proper on the 31st a few pre-season friendlies going on at the moment.
Must say i am personally not sad to see the back of the cricket season, i'm sorry to say i lost a lot of my passion for the game after the death of Tom Maynard.
Aled

[firehazard]

Must say i am personally not sad to see the back of the cricket season, i'm sorry to say i lost a lot of my passion for the game after the death of Tom Maynard.

I know what you mean. Still love the game, but it's been a sad season, one way and another.

The weather's been as bad as I can remember. Essex have had a terrible year, with very few redeeming features. The England set-up are in disarray. But poor young Tom Maynard's death put it all into perspective.

[Welshie]

Well worded response there FH, thats my sentiments exactly. (Except swap Glamorgan for Essex)
Aled

[Niall]

so strauss retires. Ultimately, how will you guys remember him then?

[firehazard]

so strauss retires. Ultimately, how will you guys remember him then?

I'd guess he'll be remembered for the Ashes wins rather than for leading the England team to being No. 1 in the world, which is still an unfamiliar concept to many.

All the more impressive for having taken over the leadership of a team that was in disarray, and together with Andy Flower turning them into a force to be reckoned with. At his peak he was one of the best batsmen in the world. Let's hope he's remembered more for that than for all the nonsense with Pietersen. Of course, Strauss took over the captaincy from him, and you have to think there's perhaps always been a bit of residual jealousy.

At least Strauss left in his own time, rather than being pushed out as have been so many before. I hope Flower stays. But I have the feeling the Ashes won't be won by England next time around.

[Welshie]

The only (as far as i know) Welsh speaking professional cricketer Robert Croft to retire, we'll miss you on the pitch my friend, but i'll probably see you on the river more often!
Cheers and all the best.
Aled