The Cricket thread

[Denn Forever]

Is this the first Test match Ireland will have ever played?  I hope we get the wewather.

Ireland v Australia A

4 day Friendly International
14th June -17th JuneFriday -Monday•

Stormont, NCU

[Billys Boots]

Is this the first Test match Ireland will have ever played?  I hope we get the wewather.

Ireland v Australia A

4 day Friendly International
14th June -17th JuneFriday -Monday•

Stormont, NCU

Are ye going?

[magpie seanie]

Is this the first Test match Ireland will have ever played?  I hope we get the wewather.

Ireland v Australia A

4 day Friendly International
14th June -17th JuneFriday -Monday•

Stormont, NCU

Test matches are 5 days.

Ireland were been playing in a 4 day game in the ICC Intercontinetal Cup today. It ended in a draw. We won 3 and drew 1 of the other matches.  Think it is a competition that goes on over a long period of time - next game in July it seems.

[deiseach]

A 4 day contest would presumably count as a first class game. Seems a bit gimmicky to me.

[Gabriel_Hurl]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23244143

Back in the World Cup

[Orior]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23244143

Back in the World Cup

Good job, even without the blackard who prefers to play for the motherland

[michaelg]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23244143

Back in the World Cup

Good job, even without the blackard who prefers to play for the motherland

Is that the same "blackard" who represented Ireland at every level over the last 15 years from the age of 13?  He is a professional sportsman, who as a fast bowler, has a limited playing career.  As such, after 15 years of service to Ireland, would you not not say he is entitled to try to earn a few kid by seeking to play for England?  In addition, as there is little prospect of Ireland playing Test cricket in the near futyre, I'd say he's also perfectly entitled to try to test himself at the highest level of the game.

[Aaron Boone]

Graham Onions got the squad call instead of our Boyd Rankin.

Boyd should still make one of the Tests this summer and maybe the return in the winter.

[RealSpiritof98]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23244143

Back in the World Cup

Good job, even without the blackard who prefers to play for the motherland

Is that the same "blackard" who represented Ireland at every level over the last 15 years from the age of 13?  He is a professional sportsman, who as a fast bowler, has a limited playing career.  As such, after 15 years of service to Ireland, would you not not say he is entitled to try to earn a few kid by seeking to play for England?  In addition, as there is little prospect of Ireland playing Test cricket in the near futyre, I'd say he's also perfectly entitled to try to test himself at the highest level of the game.

I don't blame any man for seeking to get to the top of his profession, the England situation is different to most international team sports, they are like a pro/franchise type club side that play internationals. But the Boyd Rankin situation just looks a bit silly in my eyes, their depth of fast bowlers seems to be the envy of most teams (today no Onions or Bresnan on the squad), plus he has just turned 30.  Although he must have been advised of an opportunity, and I dont know if he has a central contract, it just looks like a move of desperation.

[Orior]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23244143

Back in the World Cup

Good job, even without the blackard who prefers to play for the motherland

Is that the same "blackard" who represented Ireland at every level over the last 15 years from the age of 13?  He is a professional sportsman, who as a fast bowler, has a limited playing career.  As such, after 15 years of service to Ireland, would you not not say he is entitled to try to earn a few kid by seeking to play for England?  In addition, as there is little prospect of Ireland playing Test cricket in the near futyre, I'd say he's also perfectly entitled to try to test himself at the highest level of the game.

Did you see how I deliberately misspelt blaggard so as to avoid any libel?

Anyway, would you extend your arguement to urge Giggs and Bale to play for England? Afterall, Wales will never reach any championship finals.

[michaelg]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23244143

Back in the World Cup

Good job, even without the blackard who prefers to play for the motherland

Is that the same "blackard" who represented Ireland at every level over the last 15 years from the age of 13?  He is a professional sportsman, who as a fast bowler, has a limited playing career.  As such, after 15 years of service to Ireland, would you not not say he is entitled to try to earn a few kid by seeking to play for England?  In addition, as there is little prospect of Ireland playing Test cricket in the near futyre, I'd say he's also perfectly entitled to try to test himself at the highest level of the game.

Did you see how I deliberately misspelt blaggard so as to avoid any libel?

Anyway, would you extend your arguement to urge Giggs and Bale to play for England? Afterall, Wales will never reach any championship finals.

Not the same - Wales still have the opportunity to play at the highest level.  As things stand, the Ireland cricket team does not (i.e. Test cricket before you start talking about T20 and 50 over world competitions)

[AQMP]

Incredible stuff at Trent Bridge this morning!

[deiseach]

Incredible stuff at Trent Bridge this morning!

No kidding. It's like a corner-back on his Championship debut rattling in a hat-trick of goals.

[magpie seanie]

Been a crazy test match so far. Would love to be seeing this stuff live. Aussies must have picked Agar for his batting - who knew?!!!

[AQMP]

Agar now 86 not out.  12 fours and 2 sixes off 82 balls.  Amazing.  Highest ever Test score by a no. 11 is 95 by Tino Best of the West Indies.