Post of the week # 6

[Zap_Brannigan]

Since the last time we did POTW, there was just 1 nomination. This time, there is no constraint on the time. Nominations will be accepted even if it the post is made next week or the week after till atleast 3 to 5 nominations are made. Then there will be a poll to decide POTW. So, nominate away !!

[Zap_Brannigan]

That's just stupid. Everyone involved with the game - the players, spectators, administrators - know that the system is to eliminate blatantly wrong calls. If the players choose to use it for some other purpose how is it the system's fault? That's like someone using his microwave oven to dry his cat and blame the oven manufacturers. The rest of it is quite a load of tosh as well like human nature influencing decision blah blah. So umpires become humans only when UDRS is used? Not being used in all series. Well arrange for enough hot spot cameras, duh? Could have written a longer rebuttal, but frankly have made these points so many times that am tired, and the cricketing community keeps regurgitating the same inanities day after day.

in reply to

One can't blame captains for using the system, as it currently stands, as a strategic entitlement. It's no longer something you only use to overturn a blatantly wrong decision, but it has now become a calculated 'Powerplay' that should be used with great caution, perhaps to break up a valuable partnership or to stem the rot of a collapse or to try and get rid of the gun batsman if there's a s50/50 chance that the decision might just go your way. Clearly, umpires are getting a few of them wrong, mainly the tight calls, so unless it's going to be used for all decisions, we still risk having a system that is fundamentally flawed just because a team has already used up it's quota on those marginal calls.

[Zap_Brannigan]

On Yousuf Pathan,

We have our boom-boom! Bowling tibbly-tobbly spin and cowlashing poor attacks to glory. Make him captain' date=' I would say.[/quote']

[Zap_Brannigan]

Hypocrisy regarding Pitches

Why is it that only greentops are regarded as sporting tracks by the so called experts? Playing on a typical vintage subcontinental dustbowl is equally challenging and result producing.But the moment we produce one such dustbowl (recall Kanpur 2008) complaints start flying that the pitch is not fit for international standards.But the moment subcontinental teams get folded up within 3 days on a greentop the entire media starts howling how woefully pathetic the batsman are,etc as though playing on a green top is the sole criterion for how good a batsman is.Facing a Murali/Kumble on a dustbowl is as challenging as facing Steyn/Donald on a greentop.It is a well known fact that South African batsmen could never figure out how to play Warne on bouncy South African wickets,forget dustbowls.So,why these double standards? In the last few years even Asian teams have started laying out flat decks.Where is the diversity?Once upon a time England was the place for swing bowling,SA/NZ were perfect for seamers,Australian pitches had bounce,Lanka/Ind pitches favoured spinners,etc.But today thanks to the so called experts of the game,the diversity is shrinking. Your thoughts?????

[littlemaster1982]

Tdigi's post about tosses and advantages,

On topic, I have to agree that toss can be a deciding factor in many games and it can substantially influence the outcome of a otherwise competitive series. The Aussies got rolled out under 100 on Boxing Day. Overcast conditions helped the swing and seam for the English bowlers. That is one way of looking at it but NO way an excuse for such a low score. The bowlers still had to take full advantage of the situation and put the balls in the right areas, which they did. The quality and experience of a batsman comes into play in such situations and that is real test of your skills. You know the ball is going to behave in various ways and shot selection takes a high priority. The best of batsmen will also fall into this trap due to lapse of concentration or just one magical delivery which is unplayable. I believe that all this evens out. There will be other series where India will get the toss advantage to pile up a huge score or has had this advantage already in the past. I personally love to watch the skill of a batsman when the ball is swinging. Sometimes it is in your favor and at times the opposition has the upper hand. All these factors are part of the game. Is it fair..no..but then neither is the concept of home advantage. You take all these variables away, and the game will no longer remain TEST cricket as we know it.

[CSK Fan]

For the situation, the sportiness, the sense of humour and the ability to laugh at oneself, I nominate this post http://www.indiancricketfans.com/showthread.php?t=255043&page=2

Look a Pakistani! Turn your attention to him!

[Zap_Brannigan]

Ashoka's Hypocrisy regarding Pitches post wins POTW # 6. Ashoka will receive 10 million ICF $ and maybe one of those badges that My two cents has. Mods please "unsticky" this thread.

Why is it that only greentops are regarded as sporting tracks by the so called experts? Playing on a typical vintage subcontinental dustbowl is equally challenging and result producing.But the moment we produce one such dustbowl (recall Kanpur 2008) complaints start flying that the pitch is not fit for international standards.But the moment subcontinental teams get folded up within 3 days on a greentop the entire media starts howling how woefully pathetic the batsman are,etc as though playing on a green top is the sole criterion for how good a batsman is.Facing a Murali/Kumble on a dustbowl is as challenging as facing Steyn/Donald on a greentop.It is a well known fact that South African batsmen could never figure out how to play Warne on bouncy South African wickets,forget dustbowls.So,why these double standards? In the last few years even Asian teams have started laying out flat decks.Where is the diversity?Once upon a time England was the place for swing bowling,SA/NZ were perfect for seamers,Australian pitches had bounce,Lanka/Ind pitches favoured spinners,etc.But today thanks to the so called experts of the game,the diversity is shrinking. Your thoughts?????

[CSK Fan]

Ashoka's Hypocrisy regarding Pitches post wins POTW # 6. Ashoka will receive 10 million ICF $ and maybe one of those badges that My two cents has. Mods please "unsticky" this thread.

My badge? Has ICF run out of ICF$s for new virtual badges? :((

[flamy]

My badge? Has ICF run out of ICF for new virtual badges? :((

:haha:

[Roshanrocks]

winner selected without poll? :hmmm:

[sangrock]

poll from next week please!