2006-01-08 Cricket

Ted Ernst is mystified by cricket.

Ted, you are not alone. But we can work this out - it'll be worth it. At least you're not French or German - they _really_ don't get it.

I found this explanation of cricket, it's quite good. You need proper illustrations not ASCII art though.

I have a fantastic book on cricket with really good pictures and very clear explanation; I wish I could scan it in and put it on the web for you.

But I'd be happy to chat cricket through with you any time.

Are you on IM? Email me!

: I'm maybe 20% through that page you linked and it's awesome! I'll report back again when I've read more. Thanks much! --Ted Ernst

: Okay, I've read the whole thing. Excellent. Is there anywhere I can see some video? I still just can't get my mind around what bowling or striking look like. Thanks! --Ted Ernst

I'll look for some video for you!

http://www.channeldosti.com/cricket-videos.php is all right, lots of short-ish videos. I haven't checked them all out.

Look for Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Frank Tyson and Dennis Lillee among the bowlers on page 4. David Gower and Viv Richards among the batsmen. Jonty Rhodes is a great fielder - look at his video for examples of great catches. Shoaib Akhtar is among the fastest bowlers in the world at the moment. Anil Kumble for a fine example of the art of "slow" (spin) bowling. Look for Ian Botham and Shahid Afridi for some big hits. The guys in white jackets waving their arms about are the umpires.

Also the BBC have some tutorials in their cricket section: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/default.stm

Skills videos and animations are here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/skills/default.stm

HTH --FrancisBarton

Tags: cricket tedernst

2005-09-13 Cricket

We may never see its like again.

Exhaustion. 25 days of stomach-wrenching nerves, unbearable excitement, and some of the greatest sport you will ever see. When Steve Harmison (this seems like years ago) unleashed the first over of the series at Justin Langer, this was everything we hoped for, and some.

Thank you Vaughny.

Thank you Freddie.

Thank you KP.

Thank you Straussy for your 2 hundreds and *that* catch.

Thank you Geraint, for your performances, especially that 85 at Nottingham.

Thank you Harmy, Hoggy and Gilo for your sheer English persistence and for being so much better than everyone thought you would be.

Thank you Jonesy for taking 18 at 21 and for bowling your heart out.

Thank you Shane and Glenn for being the greatest of your time.

Thank you Ricky and Adam for the quality of your team, your performances, your guts and your sportsmanship.

Just, thank you.

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