Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2017 21:08:36 GMT
For some utterly bizarre reason, some of my friends find F1 a bit boring. Oh OK, it's getting harder to defend, I admit even as a fan. I was offered the chance tonight to go along with a friend when she visited Trent Bridge to see a 'real sport' - Cricket. This did not compute. Cricket seems to be something you turn to when watching drying paint seems a bit too racey for the ol' ticker. The discussion spilled over to the 'net to a forum we frequent, and an American mentioned she doesn't understand Cricket. I attempted to explain without prejudice - am I getting it wrong? What's the appeal? .. Cricket is a game played by two teams of people, the type of people who were always picked last at games at school.
They dress in white trousers and jumpers and troop out from the bar to a field, where some sticks are placed a distance apart (they are called stumps as a comment on the failed ambitions of the onlookers and participants) and an old bewildered scrote stands by one stump. He is a referee, or possibly just wondered in in a daze and no-one has the heart to remove him.
The game starts when the players take off the jumpers and pile them on the old fella, in a woolly version ofKerplunk!.
One team then stands in the field, like particularly docile cows. One of the team is trusted with a ball and is called a "bowler".
Two of the opposition team stand by a stump each, with a bat in hand.
Then everyone stands around for a bit.
The bowler then decides to burst into soporific action and rub the ball against his balls to create a shiny side and 'spin'.
This takes some time. Grown men pay to watch this.
He then takes a run up with the grace of a pissed Bambi and launches the ball at the stumps, where, if he's been paying attention, the batsman will attempt to hit it.
If he does hit it into the field he gets points, or 'runs' (in a nod to Indian cuisine where the game is quite big). He can also earn runs by running between the stumps.
No-one laughs at the mockery of these finely honed athletes in their white sport slacks sauntering with intent 10 feet and calling it a run.
If one of the cud chewers in the field notices a ball heading their way and catches it, the batsman is 'out' and gets to go back to the bar.
If the bowler hits the stumps, the batsman is out and gets to go back to the bar.
When all the batsmen are out the teams swap sides and it starts again.
This eventually and inevitably results in a draw and everyone goes to the bar.
Cricket then: Explained.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ben on Mar 25, 2017 21:20:39 GMT
When I was in Australia I watched the Twenty20 version and I sort of got it (a little). But it's not for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Big Blue on Mar 25, 2017 23:40:22 GMT
Cricket is unmitigated shite. Snooker is more of a sport. Or darts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roadsterstu on Mar 26, 2017 0:31:42 GMT
I've never been a huge fan but I can enjoy cricket more than football. Twenty20 cricket is pretty good as the pace has to be much faster. My dad loves cricket and it was a staple of our childhood - always on the TV or radio. On LW, with crackly interference from summer thunderstorms. Ah, the memories.
|
|
|
|
Post by Andy C on Mar 26, 2017 0:37:53 GMT
Twenty20 is a great laugh in the summer at Warwickshire
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 7:55:47 GMT
...
|
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Mar 26, 2017 9:20:41 GMT
I thought this was going be about this:
I don't mind cricket. There is something nice about a warm summer day in a beer garden watching a village cricket match. It's always nice to give the Aussies a pasting too.
I used to love snooker. I haven't seen much in the last few years and don't recognise many names on the circuit these days.
I havent bothered with F1 for a few years. I may watch the highlights if I find a minute or two.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 13:16:10 GMT
My maternal grandfather had whatever sport was available on the box. Some I learned to tolerate and a little, to enjoy. The nags I never understood, and a sport that has gambling so woven into its fabric isn't saying a lot about how interesting it is otherwise. But cricket? The only good thing I've heard is that you can sit in the sun and drink, but I can do that without this mind-numbing demonstration of futility, and remove the miniscule chance of being hit by a very hard, dense ball to boot.
I would rather do DIY than watch cricket...
|
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 26, 2017 13:35:51 GMT
I don't know, some people on here should be ashamed to call themselves Englishmen (I'll make an exception here for my Scottish friends, who regard cricket as a form of martial art for homosexuals).
There's a breathless hush in the Close tonight –
Ten to make and the match to win –
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of the ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote –
'Play up ! play up ! and play the game !'
The sand of the Desert is sodden red –
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; –
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel's dead,
And the regiment's blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed its banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks:
'Play up ! play up ! and play the game !'
This is the world that year by year,
While in her place the school is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind –
'Play up ! play up ! and play the game !'
Vitai Lampada by Sir Henry Newbolt.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 15:59:40 GMT
Cricket is the only game I know where one team can be so bad they have to have two innings to the other teams one and still get a draw. What is that about?
|
|
|
|
Post by Andy C on Mar 26, 2017 18:25:09 GMT
My maternal grandfather had whatever sport was available on the box. Some I learned to tolerate and a little, to enjoy. The nags I never understood, and a sport that has gambling so woven into its fabric isn't saying a lot about how interesting it is otherwise. But cricket? The only good thing I've heard is that you can sit in the sun and drink, but I can do that without this mind-numbing demonstration of futility, and remove the miniscule chance of being hit by a very hard, dense ball to boot. I would rather do DIY than watch cricket... Twenty20 is fun though! It's not on too long , lots of slogging , great atmosphere in the ground etc . We go every summer to edgbaston, about 15 of us . Probably 13 of them hate cricket , but they go year after year now County championship cricket/ some test matches , I get why people find it boring . |
|
|
|
Post by rodge on Mar 27, 2017 5:48:32 GMT
I sat for hours and watched a cricket match when I was in Australia.
It was a long, painful number of hours that was only made bearable by the sweltering heat, the BBQ and the beer.
I have never watched it since and have no plans to either.
Mind you, I hear that the Irish team is now reasonably good and that the best player on the English team is an Irishman, which I find kind of funny, because for years, the Irish football team was full of Englishmen...
|
|
|
|
Post by grampa on Mar 27, 2017 9:49:26 GMT
I went to some large cricket match once as a business thing - an invitation I couldn't really turn down - the only saving grace was that we were in a 'box' which turned out to be a room with a bar, a bar tender/waiter and a balcony from which to watch the match - I have never wished a day away so fast before or since (which of course made it go really slowly) - the amazing thing was there appeared to be people actually enjoying it, cheering every 30 mins or so when someone hit the ball with a bat.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Mar 27, 2017 10:22:42 GMT
Day night 20-20 cricket is brilliant - you can go after work and watch players coming out and just having a slog so you see boundaries, wickets, catches, all to music. It's an ideal introduction to cricket and has overshadowed the one day game somewhat, but in both when you're getting down to the last dozen or so balls and your team needs 18 or so to win it can be nail-bitingly tense.
Test cricket is probably the nearest you'll get to a war in sport, with tactical battles won and lost, collapses, recoveries and Rourke's Drift last stands. It probably suffers from the short attention span of the average armchair viewer who can't watch anything longer than a few seconds, so accustomed have they become to the way TV is presented these days. A day at the Test Match, in the sun, with a few beers and England on top is one of life's affirming experiences.
I have to say, compared to F1, cricket has a lot more to offer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blarno on Mar 27, 2017 11:55:59 GMT
Nope, cricket is not for me. I played it briefly in junior school, but that was only because I couldn't/wouldn't play football. I don't mind watching rugby occasionally, but can happily admit to knowing shag-all about it as a sport.
Other that that, I don't 'do' or observe any sport, including F1. Most motorsport for me has got a bit boring or over-regulated. Back in the mid to late 90s, I was balls-deep in BTCC and worked as a marshal most weekends at Oulton Park. That may have had something to do with all areas access and free beer....
|
|
|
|
Post by franki68 on Mar 27, 2017 13:51:07 GMT
I like neither cricket or f1, no sport should take 5 days ,and no sport should be so reliant on the machinery.
I can appreciate the skill and bravery of f1 drivers but it's just dull to me.
|
|
|
|
Post by PG on Mar 27, 2017 14:06:40 GMT
Day night 20-20 cricket is brilliant - you can go after work and watch players coming out and just having a slog so you see boundaries, wickets, catches, all to music. It's an ideal introduction to cricket and has overshadowed the one day game somewhat, but in both when you're getting down to the last dozen or so balls and your team needs 18 or so to win it can be nail-bitingly tense. Test cricket is probably the nearest you'll get to a war in sport, with tactical battles won and lost, collapses, recoveries and Rourke's Drift last stands. It probably suffers from the short attention span of the average armchair viewer who can't watch anything longer than a few seconds, so accustomed have they become to the way TV is presented these days. A day at the Test Match, in the sun, with a few beers and England on top is one of life's affirming experiences. +1 All you heathens who don't like cricket. No wonder the country has gone to hell in a handcart.  I played at school and my dad used to take us to watch England play at either Lords or the Oval. The social interaction of the crowd is as important as the game itself. And like rugby, the crowd don't have to be separated in case they fight. People can drink all day and not come to blows. Funny that..... |
|
|
|
Post by Stuntman on Mar 27, 2017 19:39:32 GMT
Bob and PG are dead right, most of the rest of you are clearly wrong! I enjoy watching just about any competitive sport and (as ever in life) the more you know about something, the more interesting and absorbing it becomes. Edited to select the emoticon. How do you turn on smilies when you're posting a quick reply? |
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Mar 27, 2017 19:54:56 GMT
Bob and PG are dead right, most of the rest of you are clearly wrong! I enjoy watching just about any competitive sport and (as ever in life) the more you know about something, the more interesting and absorbing it becomes. Edited to select the emoticon. How do you turn on smilies when you're posting a quick reply? I've installed a plugin which adds formatting to quick replies, including emoticons.  |
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Mar 27, 2017 19:58:43 GMT
That is a lot better, you're getting really good at this forum stuff!  |
|
|
|
Post by LandieMark on Mar 27, 2017 20:05:00 GMT
That is a lot better, you're getting really good at this forum stuff! I'm terrified of breaking something - especially when there isn't a plugin and I have to insert code.  |
|
|
|
Post by Stuntman on Mar 27, 2017 20:06:46 GMT
Impressive stuff. Well done Mark! |
|
|
|
Post by ChrisM on Mar 27, 2017 20:12:45 GMT
Impressive stuff. Well done Mark! +1 |
|
