India in England Jun-Sept 2014

[abhi_jacko]

In all of this I think NZ are being forgotten

Black Caps will never be forgotten during World Cups. They always punch above their waist in ICC tournaments, and have a solid team now. Hoping that they reach the finals this time, and don't get knocked out in the semis. Plus they are always awesome to watch. Eagerly awaiting all the NZ cricketing action starting October

 

[PokerAce]

I am not at all optimistic of India winning it. Something gives me great confidence in saying "India WILL NOT win it". Even in the last WC, we struggled through the early stages with our bowling. And due to the subcontinent conditions, our batsmen (esp. Yuvraj Singh) rode us through to the semis and that's where they turned their performance to a different level. It was not the most convincing WC win because at the beginning of it and 2-3 games into it, serious questions were asked of India's bowling. And nothing much has changed from then and now. Our bowling continues to be as bad. And this time, we are in alien conditions with spinners expected to get far less help from the surfaces and conditions. Kumar is not expected to succeed in Aussie conditions with the kind of pace and bounce he has. Shami is the only guy who is expected to make an impact. The third seamer is a lottery

I think its going to be either Australia or South Africa (at some point, they will move past that chokers tag) who will win it. Btw them, I vote for SA!

Yes as I said somewhere above, its hard not to pick SA vs SL final right now.

I think that most WCs in any sport, are a marathan not a sprint and usually sides build up steam as they go along. Barring the ones, where a single team is so dominant that there is no competition for them, like the Cricket WC won by Aus in '03 and 07, or FIFA wc won by Brazil in '02 where they were so good that there was no competition, all other World Cups are won by teams that start building steam as the tournament progresses. Even if someone is just too good they too have to make sure that they last the full state. There is no point in destroying everyone all through and then coming to say the SF and suddnely finding out that you have already spent all in the tank and lose and go out.

Building up steam slwoly kind of was the case for Ind in '11, as indeed for Aus in '99, SL '96 and Pak '92. They may not have had the best group stages, but as the tournament went ahead they got stronger and stronger.

Also very rarely in a big competition there is one clear fav. There is usually a favs pool one from which will win. It happens in Football and it equally happens in Cricket WCs. Right I would put Ind in that favs pool for the world cup. I would not say they are the absolute favs but I would put them in the pool for sure. SA, Aus, SL, Ind would be that pool for me for the WC right now. Or better still I will keep the pool limited to SA, Aus, SL and keep Ind, Pak, Eng and NZ in the challenger pool. Lets say teams in the challenger pool as of now are competing to be the 4th SFist. Once they get there, depending on how teams have paced themselves and who has built how much steam - the finalists will emerge

 

[richowebbo]

You speaking of catching the series, took me to a point I have never discussed before. How do the timings for matches around the world fit you local time. For someone in India NZ and Aus tests have terrible timing. NZ tests start at 3 in the night India time and its a torture catching a full days play. The NZ tests end by 10 in the day. So one has to wake up early to catch the test, or alternatively not sleep till after the match. Its was fine till I was in college, but now that I am working, its just impossible catching NZ test matches for more than a session or two.

Aus tests too start 530 in the morning, and end by 1230 so they are more manageble if one gets up really early. With work though, one is in office by 8:30 so again one can't watch more than a session or two. Even local tests in India are hard to catch now that I am working, with one at work the whole day of the test. Fortunately I can stream matches in office so that helps, but to those who cannot, I don't know how they watch the tests in India, or SL.

Eng tests are fine, they start at 3:30 in the after noon Ind time and one usually misses a session but can then watch the rest with ease. SA tests are identical starting around 2 local time.

WI tests are the best start around 7 pm India time, and finish around 2 which is managable if there is potentially a really interesting finish to the day.

How do the viewers from the rest of the world find the timings of the tests from around the world. Which are more suitable which are just impossible to keep up with.

Oh mate, Tests in Aus are a nightmare here! They normally start at 11/12pm, and then go through to the morning. I've had some pretty awful months at work over the years! I used to come home from work, grab some tea, go to bed, wake up at midnight, watch the ashes, then do 8 hours at work, and so on. The worst part is that in between tests, its not sensible to go back to a normal routine. So on weekends, I just wouldn't sleep! I did get really good at fifa on the days in between tests when there was nothing on the telly between MIdninght and 7 am!

 

[PokerAce]

Oh mate, Tests in Aus are a nightmare here! They normally start at 11/12pm, and then go through to the morning. I've had some pretty awful months at work over the years! I used to come home from work, grab some tea, go to bed, wake up at midnight, watch the ashes, then do 8 hours at work, and so on. The worst part is that in between tests, its not sensible to go back to a normal routine. So on weekends, I just wouldn't sleep! I did get really good at fifa on the days in between tests when there was nothing on the telly between MIdninght and 7 am!

Haha time well spent. I am partial to PES.

Also given you are from the UK you have a whole galaxy of Brit Comedy to spend time with, so once the gaming gets boring you could always watch some of the brilliant comedy. TV in India is so Sh*t that you cannot imagine. Nothing for anyone sensible to watch. So when I have to pass time and gaming is not an option, I just get on youtube and watch Brit Comedy shows. They are such fun. Qi is brilliant. For a while I was so hooked to a Bit of Fry and Laurie that I cannot even begin to tell you.

 

[richowebbo]

Black Caps will never be forgotten during World Cups. They always punch above their waist in ICC tournaments, and have a solid team now. Hoping that they reach the finals this time, and don't get knocked out in the semis. Plus they are always awesome to watch. Eagerly awaiting all the NZ cricketing action starting October

I think NZ will be the dark horses this WC

 

[PokerAce]

I was just going through the WC groups its odd how both Aus and NZ, both hosts are in the same group. Trying to predict that group is impossible, especially with Sl and Eng also in there. I expect those four to qualify, but in which order is very hard.

I mean Aus would top, ideally, but then the issue starts. I would have SL be second under any other circumstances, but with the second hosts also in there, I think NZ could be second. Also Eng are not such a bad side despite what everone is saying that I definitely pin them down as definitely 4th. They have the makings of a fine side. Which means SL are then 4th, and I say SL can't be 4th ! They are among the favs!

That group is impossible to get the hang of.

The second group so much simpler. SA to top, Ind/Pak 2nd/3rd WI 4th. Which means in all likelihood Ind vs NZ/SL QF. That would be really tough for Ind to be honest. eother way

 

[Umair7]

ATTENTION This is to let everyone know @Untouchables666 has been spamming me for a while sending me PMs even though I have explicitly told him that if has something to discuss then make a thread, and stop sending me PMs. He sent me another PM, the language of which I have taken exception to, and put him on ignore. Naturally not before letting him hear some choice words of my own. But he is now on ignore.

THX

Piece of Advice : go and report him instead of telling us[DOUBLEPOST=1409255180][/DOUBLEPOST]

Well said, sir. Having moved to (French) Canada recently, it is hard to find people who are keen on discussing the one sport that rules all, Cricket. So PC is the perfect outlet for me to have never-ending discussions on cricket. Gets on my nerves at times, especially when I think I that my viewpoint is the only one that should be acceptable , but 99 times out of 100, it is absolutely delightful. Or as Mr. Shastri would say, "just what the doctor ordered"

hahahahahahahahaha

 

[PokerAce]

Piece of Advice : go and report him instead of telling us

Didn;t want to report him, whats the point, he still posts other cricket related stuff that others want to read, so let him do that. Just let everyone know that I am done with him and will not be able ot take part in any post by him, cos of the aforementioned reason.

Also I don't remember whose post you quoted, but he is right about Cricket being the sport that rules all else.

Cricket is a refined sport, not one of mass consumption. Its a sport for the connoisseurs, the finest of the finest.

 

[richowebbo]

Haha time well spent. I am partial to PES.

Also given you are from the UK you have a whole galaxy of Brit Comedy to spend time with, so once the gaming gets boring you could always watch some of the brilliant comedy. TV in India is so Sh*t that you cannot imagine. Nothing for anyone sensible to watch. So when I have to pass time and gaming is not an option, I just get on youtube and watch Brit Comedy shows. They are such fun. Qi is brilliant. For a while I was so hooked to a Bit of Fry and Laurie that I cannot even begin to tell you.

Good choice of comedians fella. Are you a fan of Black Adder? YOu should give that a watch!

You have to remember that back in the day, when I was in my teens, internet was all dial up, and my parents used to be able to her the dial up connection! There was nothing on the TV between the hours of 12:00 and 07:00! FIfa was an option, but mainly music and Footy Manager, maybe some cricket coach. I am convinced to this day that the Ashes has turned me into an FM expert!

 

[abhi_jacko]

hahaha

I am glad you find the truth amusing

 

[PokerAce]

Good choice of comedians fella. Are you a fan of Black Adder? YOu should give that a watch!

You have to remember that back in the day, when I was in my teens, internet was all dial up, and my parents used to be able to her the dial up connection! There was nothing on the TV between the hours of 12:00 and 07:00! FIfa was an option, but mainly music and Footy Manager, maybe some cricket coach. I am convinced to this day that the Ashes has turned me into an FM expert!

I have seen Blackadder, not all of it, but still plenty of it. Actually for me, Blackadder is not a timeless comedy. What i mean is, I still laugh at the jokes, but at the same time, I see how the joke would have worked much better in the 80s. Even so this is one of the funniest scenes from Blackadder I feel (just the first half of the vid) -

All Skits of A Bit of Fry and Laurie works just as well today as it would have done when they were made, and hence I would call that a timeless classic. I see all the ppl now going mad over Hugh Laurie in House and say what a great actor he is, and I say to myself, you have not even seen the tip of it. What Hugh Laurie do comedy, then you will know how great an actor he is.

I am also a big fan of Not Going Out and Would I lie To You. Would I lie to you is the funniest panel show of all times. Its just so much fun to watch.

I didn't know you were into FM. I have been playing FM for ages. Never gave Cricket Coach a go though. Although I would like to hear how the Ashes helped you become a better FM tactician.

 

[richowebbo]

I have seen Blackadder, not all of it, but still plenty of it. Actually for me, Blackadder is not a timeless comedy. What i mean is, I still laugh at the jokes, but at the same time, I see how the joke would have worked much better in the 80s. Even so this is one of the funniest scenes from Blackadder I feel (just the first half of the vid) -

All Skits of A Bit of Fry and Laurie works just as well today as it would have done when they were made, and hence I would call that a timeless classic. I see all the ppl now going mad over Hugh Laurie in House and say what a great actor he is, and I say to myself, you have not even seen the tip of it. What Hugh Laurie do comedy, then you will know how great an actor he is.

I am also a big fan of Not Going Out and Would I lie To You. Would I lie to you is the funniest panel show of all times. Its just so much fun to watch.

I didn't know you were into FM. I have been playing FM for ages. Never gave Cricket Coach a go though. Although I would like to hear how the Ashes helped you become a better FM tactician.

Funnily enough, that is my favourite part of Blackadder ever! Good choice! My favourite episode also.

Well when you have 7 hours a night of cricket, or no cricket due to body clock, it clocks up many many games of FM! I am still an FM player, though I play FM11 because I didn't like the new ones as much. I am a HUGE FM fan!

I did mean Cricket Captian. The Cricket Coach games are actually pretty good, considering the budget and the tiny team that make it. I have the latest Cricket Coach. I think it cost a tenner. It's given me hours and hours of fun. Especially when I can't sleep and I fancy smashing the Aussies!

 

[PokerAce]

Funnily enough, that is my favourite part of Blackadder ever! Good choice! My favourite episode also.

Well when you have 7 hours a night of cricket, or no cricket due to body clock, it clocks up many many games of FM! I am still an FM player, though I play FM11 because I didn't like the new ones as much. I am a HUGE FM fan!

I did mean Cricket Captian. The Cricket Coach games are actually pretty good, considering the budget and the tiny team that make it. I have the latest Cricket Coach. I think it cost a tenner. It's given me hours and hours of fun. Especially when I can't sleep and I fancy smashing the Aussies!

Yeah I think FM08 was the best. I have gotten bored of the latest one, looking forward to the release of the next one. I have never actually given any Cricket Management games a go. I think I will sometime though. What teams do you usually manage and how deep in a save do you go. As in how many seasons before you get bored.

 

[richowebbo]

Yeah I think FM08 was the best. I have gotten bored of the latest one, looking forward to the release of the next one. I have never actually given any Cricket Management games a go. I think I will sometime though. What teams do you usually manage and how deep in a save do you go. As in how many seasons before you get bored.

The best for me was Championship Manager 05, but that;s nostalgia more than anything! I loved FM 08, but FM10 was my favourite. Unfortunately I can;t get it to work on my Windows 8 Laptop.

Mate, you have to get Cricket Coach. It took me a while to learn how too do stuff. But I can dominate with England. However, the Regen's work really well, so you can go on playing for ages. I've had a career where I started unemployed, and I managed in Zimbabwe, Aus, NZ, IPL, back to Lancs (where I won everything in 5 years, including Champions League), I then was the Afghan coach. It was awesome. There are so many leagues. The field editor, I struggle with and is a part of the game that needs improving, but for £10, its given hundreds of hours of fun. It's not perfect, but if you like cricket, you'll like this game.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Suresh Raina tells us what inspired his match-winning century in the second ODI
... full interview here ...
When it Raina-ed in Cardiff - News - BCCI.tv

How did the team get over the Test defeats?
We didn’t do well in the Test series but that doesn’t mean we are a bad team. We are ranked No. 2 in ODIs and are the reigning World Cup and Champions Trophy winners. MS did a very good job of leading the team after the Tests and maintain the confidence of the young boys. We had decided that we would run for each other and share each other’s success. That showed in our fielding performance.

Was it easy to instill that self-belief again?
Ravi Shastri gave us a lot of confidence. He came in the team meeting and said a few words to the team which were very inspiring. He was also sitting with me in the bus when we were on our way to the stadium and he told me, “khadoos khelna hai (play a stubborn game)”. There is a different comfort level when you talk to a former Indian player; you can be free and honest. All the other coaches have been very supportive as well but Ravi Shastri set the tone for us and instilled confidence in the team.

Such open praise for Ravi Shastri. But the source is bcci.tv .. so ..