Gloucestershire v Sussex, Bristol, 21-24 April, LVCC

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Article in The Times today, Ivo Tennant says "John Bracewell, the Gloucestershire coach, reckons that the best means of achieving promotion is through his quicker bowlers, who are as well equipped to bowl out sides as any in the second division – with the probable exception of those of Sussex. That is the inherent risk in looking to cut pitches which favour the ball over the bat in seeking promotion."

Do you agree? I suspect we are quite a brittle attack and over-dependent on Rana or on another bowler having a good day and carrying the attack.

Full article - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article7104269.ece

 

[The Wookiee]

I never quite understand all this reporting for a bad pitch. Surely its the same for both teams and both should adapt accordingly. So what if loads of wickets are lost in the first day. the team that adapts to the conditions the best will win

 

[The Wizard]

Article in The Times today, Ivo Tennant says "John Bracewell, the Gloucestershire coach, reckons that the best means of achieving promotion is through his quicker bowlers, who are as well equipped to bowl out sides as any in the second division – with the probable exception of those of Sussex. That is the inherent risk in looking to cut pitches which favour the ball over the bat in seeking promotion."

Do you agree? I suspect we are quite a brittle attack and over-dependent on Rana or on another bowler having a good day and carrying the attack.

Full article - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article7104269.ece

Were shit, I know that for a fact.

 

[Pantani]

I never quite understand all this reporting for a bad pitch. Surely its the same for both teams and both should adapt accordingly. So what if loads of wickets are lost in the first day. the team that adapts to the conditions the best will win

You are right to a certain extent it is equal for both teams. However there is no balance between bat and ball in this match and it could well be over today. This is supposed to be a pitch for four days not two therefore it could be said it is not fit for purpose, although in this case it appears good bowling, swinging condtions and batflidery have caused the low scores.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I never quite understand all this reporting for a bad pitch. Surely its the same for both teams and both should adapt accordingly. So what if loads of wickets are lost in the first day. the team that adapts to the conditions the best will win

(from a batsman's perspective) a poor pitch is a leveller. It means that the better batsmen have less chance to show their skills. Bad pitches lead to unavoidable dismissals from balls behaving eratically. These dismissals have nothing to do with the skill of the bowler or the weaknesses of the batsman, they just reflect the poor pitch.

So ultimately you want a pitch that behaves consistently, even if the way it behaves changes during the match. That gives bowlers and batsmen a fair chance.

Reading the Times article, it looks like Gloucestershire have prepared a deliberately flaky wicket and assembled a team of fast bowlers to exploit it as a means of getting an unfair advantage. When the ball behaves erratically, fast bowlers get more help because batsmen have less time to change/correct their shot. Ivo Tennant is suggesting that perhaps the only team with a better fast bowling attack are Sussex - and so Gloucestershire's pitch prep policy might (just might) come and bite them on the arse.

 

[Pantani]

(from a batsman's perspective) a poor pitch is a leveller. It means that the better batsmen have less chance to show their skills. Bad pitches lead to unavoidable dismissals from balls behaving eratically. These dismissals have nothing to do with the skill of the bowler or the weaknesses of the batsman, they just reflect the poor pitch.

So ultimately you want a pitch that behaves consistently, even if the way it behaves changes during the match. That gives bowlers and batsmen a fair chance.

Reading the Times article, it looks like Gloucestershire have prepared a deliberately flaky wicket and assembled a team of fast bowlers to exploit it as a means of getting an unfair advantage. When the ball behaves erratically, fast bowlers get more help because batsmen have less time to change/correct their shot. Ivo Tennant is suggesting that perhaps the only team with a better fast bowling attack are Sussex - and so Gloucestershire's pitch prep policy might (just might) come and bite them on the arse.

Especially as they were skittled for 86 last week by Northamptonshire. Fool tactics from Gloucestershire

 

[Wozza]

I must have missed something.

Here's one for you. Check the comments.

Amazon.co.uk: Customer Reviews: Box Canvas Print of ADOLF HITLER/IN 1939 from Mary Evans

 

[simmo]

You are right to a certain extent it is equal for both teams. However there is no balance between bat and ball in this match and it could well be over today. This is supposed to be a pitch for four days not two therefore it could be said it is not fit for purpose, although in this case it appears good bowling, swinging condtions and batflidery have caused the low scores.

Agreed 100% but also sometimes you can get pitches that are too good for batsman, Taunton, the Oval (eventhough Surrey are so poor now this doesn't show!) some in the Caribeean. I think we are very lucky to have an excellent track at Hove which offers a pretty even contest between bat and ball....and helps the spinners a bit (bowling Mushy and hopefully Monty)

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Here's one for you. Check the comments.

Amazon.co.uk: Customer Reviews: Box Canvas Print of ADOLF HITLER/IN 1939 from Mary Evans

 

[Simster]

Here's one for you. Check the comments.

Amazon.co.uk: Customer Reviews: Box Canvas Print of ADOLF HITLER/IN 1939 from Mary Evans

This print certainly adds a certain feeling of gravitas to my child's bedroom.

I've knocked a star off as I initially thought that it was a picture of Barry Chuckle.

 

[Trigger]

Have we sealed defeat yet?

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Anyone got any sign of life on the commentary.

Come on Gnasher and Thornley, try and stay in till lunch.

 

[Mendoza]

Anyone got any sign of life on the commentary.

Come on Gnasher and Thornley, try and stay in till lunch.

so they hit 23 off the first 3 overs....

 

[The Wizard]

Expect Nasher to get out soon, look at the run rate.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Playing like a one day game, the young openers just do not get what CC is all about. Did they not watch Harinath last week. Come on you will make the spectators think its 20/20.

 

[Trigger]

Well, that's that then, all over... Rubbish!

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

f*** all this negative bullshit - hell, it's not done us much good over the last 7 years or so has it?

No, what we need here is some positivity.

We'll WIN.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Playing like a one day game, the young openers just do not get what CC is all about. Did they not watch Harinath last week. Come on you will make the spectators think its 20/20.

Completely agree, the openers are being positively reckless and this cavalier attitude will surely lead to our inevitable downfall.

 

[S'hampton Seagull]

f*** all this negative bullshit - hell, it's not done us much good over the last 7 years or so has it?

No, what we need here is some positivity.

We'll WIN.

You feeling alright this morning?

 

[Mendoza]

Completely agree, the openers are being positively reckless and this cavalier attitude will surely lead to our inevitable downfall.

indeed, they need to forget personal glory and think of the team. Get some practice in the nets of forward defensive, the leave and padding away.

Make sure we can stick it out to the end of 4 days and get draws to stop us getting the inevitable wooden spoon