Jan 14 2009
50 over cricket is dead
I have long found 50 over ODI’s (that’s one day internationals to the uninitiated) the most boring form of cricket. I will admit to a passing interest in watching them. I just don’t understand the crowds fascination with the ODI’s and their lack of interest in test matches. I would much prefer to watch the session to session struggle of a test match anytime than a typical ODI. Maybe this has more to do with my superior intellect than anything else.
The first few overs of an ODI have some excitement with the new ball seeming and swinging around as the batsmen try to get on top while the field is up. Unfortunately this has even tapered off of late with very little seeming or swinging to be found anywhere (no this is not some sort of sex party). Bring back Damien “the swing king” Fleming and I may watch some more.
After the first 5 or 10 overs the typical ODI game slides into a less than entertaining game of tap and run for the next 35 overs. Bowlers run in and bowl, batsmen chops the ball out to one of the fielders on the fence and they run a single or sometimes two. Over and over and over again.
Then at the end, assuming there are enough wickets left, the batting side tries to smash a nearly invisible ball (the ball gets dirty and is impossible to distinguish from the pitch) around the park again. This usually fails with fielders posted on the fence stopping all but the most sweetly hit of shots.
I have decided to give 20 Twenty the job of replacing all 50 over ODI’s by the year 2012, and with your support I think this is achievable. Write your local member, tell them that 20 Twenty cricket limits the drinking opportunity at the cricket (games are shorter) which in essence ends the Yobbo-ism associated with ODI’s. These Yobbos have been the bane of everyone’s existence for the last 30 odd summers and we have a real opportunity here to get them back to Rugby League where they belong.
So support me in the Ban Boring Cricket Club (BBCC) and make 20 Twenty the way of the future.
After sitting next to you last night during one of these 20/20 games and regularly calling out “did you see that” or “what a shot”, you never once turned your head towards the TV. Come to think of it you didnt turn your head at “gee, she needs to be punished” either.
All you could look at was Velcros “secret passenger”.
I dont mind the 20/20 but I am of the generation where we want results, and we want them now. Five days out of my life for one game of cricket seems like a massive waste of time. I read Steve Waughs autobiography a while back – he was the same as you, only cared about test matches. I never could understand it.
I am just happy I have found something half entertaining to get me through the sports gap that MotoGP and F1 leave from November to March each year.
Test cricket is crap. I can’t believe any bugger watches it at all. Goes for ever and ends in a draw half the time.
The 50 over games are great. you can come in and out at a bbq and get a feel for the game quick as.
2020s are not bad either.
I agree with you SJ, tests are the true test of a team….unfortunately for Australia at the moment. And 5 days of sitting on your but at home on the lounge is a golden opportunity to sink a few beers and have multiple BBQs, for those that have the luxury.
To be honest I thought the 20/20 game last night was over as soon as Warner didn’t fire, that was the only thing that game had…….then the rest of the innings was boring, no suspence and not that many 6′s……..
I would like to see the tactics SA employed to stifle Warner more in test cricket I thought that was one of the smartest things I have seen in Cricket all summer. We need that in our test side.
I’m with you on the test cricket issue SJ, there is no purer form of the game. Can’t go with you on the 2020 thing though. It’s too easily swung one way or the other based upon one or two overs of what can often be pure luck. I’m happy enough to keep it but not as a replacement of tests or 50 over games.
PS. Marteen, please refrain from mentioning your bogan motor racing during a sports-related discussion.
I wasn’t a fan of 20/20 initially, but it’s grown on me and the last couple of games have been pretty good to watch.
Am I the only one here who appreciates cricket in all three forms of the game?
And to think you all call yourselves Australian! Australian men are born with either a cricket bat or a remote control in their hand to play or watch cricket with.
Some individuals here (the same two Simon was referring to) i think were born with their c0ck in their hand, because they are clearly w@nkers!
Velcro, I like all 3 forms of cricket as well.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/floored
IASM, use this link for the definition of floored as you refer to it………case closed.