Cricket Banter

(01-04-2024 09:37 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(31-03-2024 05:54 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(30-03-2024 07:12 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Bangladesh v Sri Lanka 2nd Test - Chattogram - Day 4 Close
Sri Lanka elected to bat
SL 531 (159 overs) Kamindu Mendis 92 no Kusal Mendis 93 Karunaratne 86 Madushka 57 Chandima 59 Dhanajaya 70 Shakib 3-110 Mahmud 2-92
BAN 178-8 (68.4 overs) Zakir Hasan 54 Mominul 33 Kumara 2-19 Asitha Fernando 4-34 Vishwa Fernando 2-38 Prabath 2-65
SL 156-7 dec (40 overs) Madushka 34 Mathews 56 Prabath 28 no Mahmud 4-65 Khaled Ahmed 2-34
BAN 268-7 (67 overs) Mominul 50 Mehidy 44 no Das 38 Shakib 36 Kamindu 2-22 Kumara 2-41 Prabath 2-79
Target 511

(02-04-2024 06:11 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(01-04-2024 09:37 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(31-03-2024 05:54 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(30-03-2024 07:12 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Bangladesh v Sri Lanka 2nd Test - Chattogram - Day 5 Close
Sri Lanka elected to bat
SL 531 (159 overs) Kamindu Mendis 92 no Kusal Mendis 93 Karunaratne 86 Madushka 57 Chandima 59 Dhanajaya 70 Shakib 3-110 Mahmud 2-92
BAN 178-8 (68.4 overs) Zakir Hasan 54 Mominul 33 Kumara 2-19 Asitha Fernando 4-34 Vishwa Fernando 2-38 Prabath 2-65
SL 156-7 dec (40 overs) Madushka 34 Mathews 56 Prabath 28 no Mahmud 4-65 Khaled Ahmed 2-34
BAN 318 (85 overs) Mominul 50 Mehidy 81 no Das 38 Shakib 36 Kamindu 3-32 Kumara 4-50 Prabath 2-99
Sri Lanka won by 192 runs

Interesting listen to the Youtube wisden cricket podcast! Aside from previewing the start of the domestic season, there was a discussion around the potential for private finance coming into the game at county level, with the membership only model being seen as a blueprint of a by gone era, despite some diehard members coming out against such change!

It seemed to me, that the consensus was that counties had to adopt the new approach, and members had to accept that the landscape has changed! I am not sure how much the contributors - two well known in Phil and Yas - really put the county game at the forefront of their priorities to be honest (ahead or equal to England), with Yas in particular claiming (not convinced myself) that the CC etc is not as popular as is claimed, and that - I am interpreting here - members and supporters should to all intents and purposes 'suck it up' for the 'greater good'. One member said though, and this is ludicrous, if understandable on a level, that he would rather see his county fail than accept a model where members were not in charge! That will not sustain the sport at all!

The one bright spot was the acceptance of one of the chief execs (I thought it was a journo) that he should not have used the term 'Luddites' to describe members who did not want to 'move with the times' as he put it! I do not have an allegiance to any of the counties, but where do you who do stand in terms of Members V Private finance/ownership??

^^ Much of what is said about Members clubs tends to be tied in with the history of the game. The landscape of the game has changed beyond recognition & the old model is no longer fit for purpose, adapt or die. Of course both models have pros & cons & it is still possible to retain some aspects of a members club under private ownership. We already have 3 out of the 18 counties operating a form of private ownership, it is inevitable that more will follow. I don't know how close Yorkshire came to being taken over by an IPL franchise, but I for one wasn't against it. I saw it as an opportunity to set the club apart from the reast after all the troubles.

(03-04-2024 22:56 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ Much of what is said about Members clubs tends to be tied in with the history of the game. The landscape of the game has changed beyond recognition & the old model is no longer fit for purpose, adapt or die. Of course both models have pros & cons & it is still possible to retain some aspects of a members club under private ownership. We already have 3 out of the 18 counties operating a form of private ownership, it is inevitable that more will follow. I don't know how close Yorkshire came to being taken over by an IPL franchise, but I for one wasn't against it. I saw it as an opportunity to set the club apart from the reast after all the troubles.

If private equity was to enter the market in terms of ownership (I too see - and respect - the historical ties some have to their clubs and why that sets them against private ownership etc), I would prefer it to be from an individual/organisation that didn't see it as a player pool convenience for a wider interest ie IPL recruitment. In a sense that would - the financial benefit aside - put the club back where they started! I think that a potential buyer that saw value added opportunities accruing from the CCC in its own right, as a win win! There will always be winners and losers, and as one - I think former Exec said, private ownership is not a panacea. Sir Rod Bransgrove sees it very differently, but he would, wouldn't he! Not so sure the Leicestershires, Glamorgans of this world have the same potential earning capacity Hampshire do??

^^ You mention Hampshire, which is one we know most about, but I don't know any details of the set-up at Durham & Northamptonshire which are the other Counties under private ownership.

A thought that crossed my mind is - in the event of private ownership (yes Durham already as a county that furnishes - and has for some time - England with player talent) - how likely is it for players from those counties to be made available for England (assuming not already on a central contract) as the club would 'own' that player presumably, and see him/them as important pieces in the jigsaw towards success in competing for honours (success which would contribute to the 'value' of the club - Membership/spectator numbers and income, and further investment from outside). Can we see a scenario where - should private run clubs become the norm across the board - England seek to extend the central contract system to 'hoover' up the best of the rest in anticipation (legal standing??)?? Be careful what you wish for, those who advocate the private ownership route, but are first and foremost, or exclusively, England fans! Interesting Dichotomy is it not??

As a Yorkshire supporter I have never fully come to terms with the impact that central contracts have had on the club success across all competitions, but especially the championship. Without sounding cocky, the club would not be in the 2nd division with the availability of our stars. Other than paying their wages, that is little compensation from starving the club of silverware. One argument is that Yorkshire is a large county, true but England still take the cream off the top. Despite all this, all county coaches say that they want their players to represent England & push for places. I am always county over country, the thought of even more centrally contracted players in the pool would undermine the championship further. An even greater threat comes from the franchise tournaments, with many players almost becoming freelance.

Son of former England allrounder Andrew Flintoff, Rocky scored his maiden century for Lancashire 2nd XI against Warwickshire today. He brought up his ton after sharing a 39 run partnership with his older brother Corey.

Monty Panesar will stand as a parliamentary candidate for George Galloway's Workers Party at the next general election.