Cricket Part II

We definitely do. So we make shitloads when we play India.

1 Like

Spot on, @redbull. Instead of a Pakistan v India Super 8 match we had Ireland and Bangladesh. This effectively signalled the end of the minnows given more representation at the WC. A victim of their own success to some degree and also a victim of the ICC’s greed and lack of foresight.

1 Like

My understanding is that CA only makes money from internationals when India tours Australia. Even in an Ashes year they only break even. This is because gate revenues and sponsorships make up a such a tiny part of overall revenue in comparsion to tv rights. One of the issues with making money from the Ashes is the horrible timing for Australian matches in the UK.

But to your point, if we pull out of tests in India they will just refuse to come here. Then the only way CA will make money is from the Big Bash which would hardly compensate what they make from an Indian series.

Revenue from India tv is the same reason why ODIs will live on, they make good money for host nations even when hosting India in a nothing series. This is because cricket is perfect for advertising and the length of matches allows you to sell ads over a huge period time.

2 Likes

AUSTRALIAN coach Justin Langer has spoken of his devastation at Australia’s involvement in ball-tampering earlier this year, a scandal that led to his appointment as head coach following the resignation of Darren Lehmann.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports Cricket Langer and newly-appointed captain Tim Paine talk candidly about their roles in overseeing a culture change in the Australian team.

Speaking to Nasser Hussain, Langer said: “There were too many whispers in the last 12 months or so about the abuse on the field, or dare I say, the side playing like spoilt brats.

“When that moment [the ball-tampering] happened, as a past player and lover of Australia, I nearly died. And when I saw it was Cameron Bancroft, my heart nearly came out of my chest, I couldn’t believe it.”

Despite that, Langer has stated his Australia will continue to sledge opposition teams as they look to play hard, but fair, cricket, starting with their five-match ODI series against England.

Langer also shared a candid assessment of Steve Smith’s captaincy in the 12 months prior to his downfall as Australian skipper during the tour of South Africa.

Nasser Hussain: [To Langer] As a coach, at Western Australia, did you see anything from a distance about the culture of the Australian side that made you think ‘that’s not right’?

Justin Langer: The whispers were there, weren’t they Nass? Once upon a time, the opposition didn’t like us because we played really good, hard cricket — we were very skilful and we won a lot of games. It’s easy to dislike the opposition if they’re good, but there have been too many whispers in the last 12 months or so about the abuse on the field, or dare I say, the side playing like spoilt brats.

Justin Langer, left, and captain Tim Paine are starting from scratch.
Justin Langer, left, and captain Tim Paine are starting from scratch.Source:AP

When that moment [the ball-tampering] happened, as a past player and lover of Australia, I nearly died. And when I saw it was Cameron Bancroft, my heart nearly came out of my chest, I couldn’t believe it. So you’ve got to wonder why it gets to that point? But it has happened now and we’ve got to make sure we learn from it and get better from it because we can’t shy away either.

NH: They were some very dark days in South Africa: tell us how a cricket team gets into that situation?

Tim Paine: I don’t think it goes back to any one individual, but not living by our behaviours over a sustained period of time — not one year, two years, but probably even longer than that. It meant that something like Cape Town was probably going to happen, due to brushing over little things. But, the little things can turn into big things when you take your eye off the ball. It was a really difficult time.

NH: [To Langer] The side of your era played it hard — you had some mongrels; you weren’t the most liked side. What was the difference between your side and Steve Smith’s?

JL: I think Steve Smith maybe just wasn’t strong enough in his leadership. But, he loves the game of cricket — he practices harder than anyone I’ve ever met — and he is a very, very nice young lad. There’s no doubt about that.

Australia’s cultural problems ran unchallenged for two years.
Australia’s cultural problems ran unchallenged for two years.Source:AFP

David, he has got that — you used the word, mongrel — bit of bite in him. And if you look back at the team of my era, some of our guys had that too. Matty Hayden played really hard cricket, Andrew Symonds at times played really hard, Steve Waugh. He didn’t have to say much, he’d just have to look at you and you’d be nervous. The question I’d ask with David is how he got so angry? They are the things that interest me as a coach, how do you get to a point where you almost explode?

NH: Warner has been a serial offender: can a leopard like him ever change his spots? Would you welcome him back in this Australian team?

TP: Yes, absolutely. David is someone that personally when I’ve played with him, I’ve loved playing with him. He brings a real energy, a real passion, certainly some aggression at times but I think that’s when he’s at his best. But yes, if we can have David back, understanding the way we want to play our cricket going forward, then there is no reason that he won’t be back and be really successful.

Same with Steve. I’ve been in regular contact with Steve since this has happened. He’s been really supportive, I bounce things off him most days. Yes, I can’t wait to have him back playing, as a batsman in particular but he’s also got a fantastic cricket brain, he loves the game and sets a really high standard for everyone else to follow.

Justin Langer was shocked.
Justin Langer was shocked.Source:AP

NH: You’ve said that you’re going to carry on sledging, that there’s a difference between banter and abuse. But, in the laws of the game, there is no room for sledging — so why should an Australian cricket team take it upon themselves to say it’s fine?

JL: It depends how you define sledging. In Australia, it’s almost a term of endearment. If I play cards with my 12-year-old daughter Gracie, then we sledge each other, or call it banter or call it chat, whatever you want. I’ll play golf with my Mum and Dad and go, “nice sledge, nice sledge!” But we don’t abuse each other, there is no room for abuse anywhere. I don’t think it is a trait anyone would be proud of, abusing someone.

But, in the laws of the game does it say it has to be silent on the cricket field? As a person who has been in the game for a long time, like you, I would hate to see the game of cricket played in complete silence and no words were spoken — you’d lose a lot of the atmosphere and what it’s all about. You can do it with a smile on your face, you can do it by staring but there has got to be some talk on the cricket field surely?

1 Like

Super 6 or 8 rounds are just another rort designed to ensure the likes of India and Australia aren’t eliminated too early

1 Like

is the odi being televised on tv tonight?

9Gem 9.30pm

thanks for that. have tried checking channels. i can now sit back and enjoy he night until we collapse or something

1 Like

Should be over by 11:45

Or you can watch magic mike on go! At 9.30. Tough choice

Neser to debut.

He looks the second biggest pie-chucker (after Herath) in world cricket, but Moeen has 3/13 off 5. Aus 4/72 off 17…Stoinis and Maxwell batting.

Moeen is so ■■■■. Embarrassing that we have gifted him 3 poles not through good bowling in his behalf, but 3 very ordinary pieces of batting. Stoinis caught behind off Rashid, 4/5 wickets falling to spin. Australia 5/90.

Can just see what’s going to happen; Maxwell is going to go out playing a very Maxwell shot and then everyone is going to blame him for the loss. This despite the fact that he came in for 3 for bugger all

or he’ll score a fighting century and be hailed a hero

1 Like

In tests Ali is an awful bowler, in limited overs he is pretty decent- just keeps it basic and tight and also picks up the odd wicket.

1 Like

Langer begins his tenure with a loss. Morgan and Root partnership killed the contest.

Gee we picked a weak team, is that the vest we have available now?

We picked who was available and not injured.

Yes, especially given England auto qualify as hosts

“”GET YOUR SANDPAPER!" bellowed a handful of volunteers as they handed out small yellow sheets - one part viral marketing to two parts “stick it up 'em”. Each a meme come to life. Each recipient a retweet. They were waving them outside the Beehive pub, like referees cautioning the wind, fervently when an Australian jersey or anything else in canary yellow was spotted. Just before entering the ground by the Alec Stewart Gates, an A4 size card with Steve Smith’s agony-ridden face under which the caption read “We’re only here for the tears.” Most of them were.”