Cricket Banter

Bangladesh v Ireland 3rd ODI Sylhet
Ireland elected to bat
IRE 101 (28.1 overs) Campher 36 Tucker 28 Mahmud 5-32 Taskin 3-26 Ebadot 2-29
BAN 102-0 (13.1 overs) Das 50 no Tamin 41 no
Bangladesh won by 10 wickets

New Zealand recorded a 198 run victory against Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI in Aukland. Si Lanka were bowled out for 76 in 19.5 overs in pursuit of a modest 275 target.

South Africa v West Indies 2nd T20I Centurion
South Africa elected to field
WI 258-5 Charles 118 Mayers 51 Shepherd 41 no Powell 28 Jansen 3-52 Parnell 2-43
SA 260-4 (18.5 overs) de Kock 100 Hendricks 68 Makam 37 no
South Africa won by 6 wickets

I watched the highlights of that T20 match and it was simply bonkers.
Johnson Charles with a 39 ball century and Quinton de Kock with a 44 ball ton.
Ridiculous hitting.

Ireland have had a much better time of it on day 1 of the 2nd Test at Galle. They suffered a heavy defeat in the 1st Test & struggled to compete in a loss to Bangladesh. It shouldn't cm as a surprise, as before this year, they last played a Test in 2019.

Ireland v SL 2nd Test Galle Day 1 Close
Ireland elected to bat
Ireland 319-4 (90 overs) Balbirnie 95 Tucker 78 no Stirling 74 retired hurt Prabath 2-95

(24-04-2023 13:12 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Ireland have had a much better time of it on day 1 of the 2nd Test at Galle. They suffered a heavy defeat in the 1st Test & struggled to compete in a loss to Bangladesh. It shouldn't cm as a surprise, as before this year, they last played a Test in 2019.

Ireland v SL 2nd Test Galle Day 1 Close
Ireland elected to bat
Ireland 319-4 (90 overs) Balbirnie 95 Tucker 78 no Stirling 74 retired hurt Prabath 2-95

Firstly, against every nation bar England, Ireland are respected at test level - not least in playing proper tests over five days (not in name only as against England)
Secondly, You are right Booms at the ludicrous paucity of opportunities at test level. Not withstanding covid, Ireland are only - it seems - given the platform to perform and progress at test level by sub continent nations - in particular at least!

Lastly, yes a much better approach - although not pedestrian - this time around! Stirling - yes playing his shots too at the right times, showed much more discipline ( fitness an issue?? - cramp - obviously nutrition management?? an issue for the medical/fitness backroom team) Balbernie played really well (although should have made his ton) and Tucker too showed what he can contribute.

Overall, impressive given the alien conditions which have seen Ireland fall over in the past - specifically against spin - sitting comfortably at the close!!

A decent total posted by the boys in green - couldn't really have asked for much more, and relieved to see that Stirling made it back out to complete his ton! Tough start in the field though, finding it hard to contain Sri Lanka! This is Ireland's shortcoming - particularly the bowling, which they need to solve to maintain a challenge in tests at this level! What happened to the 'speedster prospect' - name escapes me - that was widely touted to be the next big thing at upwards of 90mph? I have always said that speed/pace isn't everything, but when the rest are much the same as each other, a point of difference is welcome

^^ The one they are all talking about is Reuben Wilson who's played under-19's, but he's not high pace but swings it. Sorry bit out of touch, with all the players. Not sure about his ability to get through a Test Match, but Josh Little has good pace & a left-armer, sadly cashing in at the IPL. I believe there were 7 debuts in the Bangladesh Test.
Stirling only played this match after they replaced 2 ODI's with a 2nd Test.

Bairstow made a promising return to cricket with 97 for the 2nd XI against a Notts side that included Ollie Stone.
Rumour has it that he may well keep wicket for the 1st XI to give himself an extra option to get back in the England Test side. How do the selectors find a place for the batsman of the year in 2022, Foakes in the runs, & both Duckett & Crawley scoring heavily last week. A good problem to have, he might have to wait his turn, perhaps draft him in if we go 2-0 down.
It has managed to cause a keeper controversy at Yorkshire, where we could see up to 4 different faces this year. All a bit of a mess, which is something we excel at. Next up could be an impending insolvency before the season's out.

(26-04-2023 12:37 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ The one they are all talking about is Reuben Wilson who's played under-19's, but he's not high pace but swings it. Sorry bit out of touch, with all the players. Not sure about his ability to get through a Test Match, but Josh Little has good pace & a left-armer, sadly cashing in at the IPL. I believe there were 7 debuts in the Bangladesh Test.
Stirling only played this match after they replaced 2 ODI's with a 2nd Test.

That is exactly the man I was thinking of!! It is not sad Booms, it is unacceptable!! I find it hard to believe that Ireland would think him surplus to requirements - particularly in Sri Lanka. If a player who would be in the front line bowling attack in most circumstances is allowed to skip a test series to fill his pockets at the IPL, I do not know where we go from here with test cricket - I truly don't! At the moment, it seems most England players see tests as the pinnacle (albeit with space being found for them to fill their pockets at the IPL etc as a priority it seems)but for how much longer?? In addition, what does it say when tests are being fitted around such franchise tournaments instead of the other way around?? - also with the hundred domestically in England too 'god' help us! If the world test championship isn't seen as the honour to fight for, how much longer will test matches (5 days always) - not the sop Ireland will play V England - survive?? Many think it unimaginable that tests would fall by the wayside, but is it??