Story The Rebel Tour Thread - links to all reports and videos in OP
- Thread starter blockerdave
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blockerdave
ICC Chairman
It was the AI. Initially I miscalculated and thought they'd left me less than 20 overs which is why I started so aggressively. i was very impressed when i realised it was actually a 7 an over declaration.
karolkarol
International Cricketer
Loved the vids @blockerdave, nice dismissals and very nice AI declaration. The only disappointing thing for me was that the AI didn't put in a Mid On or Long On in during the run chase when you were picking up so many runs in that area.
blockerdave
ICC Chairman
Yes I thought similar... though as I couldn't hit through the covers I was glad that area didn't get shut off
Generally the AI is heaps better than 14 but field settings/changes could be better.
Very good first ODI currently in progress I'll update later today or tomorrow.
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blockerdave
ICC Chairman
A few more observations I have seen re the AI: I think attributes and mentality definitely matter, but there is also a scale in terms of match type and situation: even a conservative player will hit out in a t20!! This is as it should be.
The biggest AI negative for me is bowling changes - ignoring 5th or 6th bowlers (even good ones) despite one of first 4 getting serious tap.
Get us the missing shots and there is a tremendous game here.
The biggest AI negative for me is bowling changes - ignoring 5th or 6th bowlers (even good ones) despite one of first 4 getting serious tap.
Get us the missing shots and there is a tremendous game here.
Glad I'm not the only one to notice the bowling issue - it's been a particular issue seemingly when a team is full of bowlers rather than all-rounders. For example, if I played against an England side with Ball/Broad/Anderson/Finn in, Stokes/Ali/Rashid wouldn't get a look in. Hopefully something that could be adjusted in a future update.
blockerdave
ICC Chairman
Yeah. For me gameplay wise it's the main issue after the batting shots, and the general AI bowling accuracy - too many byes/wides.
blockerdave
ICC Chairman
Match 2 - 1st Unofficial ODI at St George's Park. (Thanks to BRMj_58 from the academy for the awesome stadium. Is he a Planet Cricketer?)
South Africa XI Bat first: Great start by Richards & Kirsten. Regular wickets lost as SA need an unbeaten 50 from Jennings and a strong last wicket partnership to set a competitive toal. ODI's weren't invented the last time South Africa played international cricket, and perhaps that inexperience tells as they squander a great start, before a calm innings by Ray Jennings and lusty hitting by last man Vince van der Bijl helps them reach 260/9 in 50 overs. Underwood takes 3 wickets, and Old recovers from an expensive first spell to pick up vital wickets late in the innings.
SAB English XI chase: A slow start from England sees them fall behind the rate early, before getting back up to pace. Jefferies is particularly economical so when he is taken out of the attack they get after Le Roux. A mini collapse sees South Africa as favourites, but Larkins stays firms and reaches 50. As wickets fall at the other end, South Africa sense vulnerability and attack, but Chris Old uses the attacking fields as an opportunity to find the gaps and hit out, taking pressure off Larkins at the other end. Larkins guieds England home with an unbeaten 114* and Old's 42* is also cruical in helping England to a 3-wicket win with 7 overs and 2 balls to spare.
Blockerdave says: "yes there are issues with this game but my my god you can have fun with it. to almost quote @wealey88 I defy anyone to watch this and not see the qualities of the game shine through."
South Africa XI Bat first: Great start by Richards & Kirsten. Regular wickets lost as SA need an unbeaten 50 from Jennings and a strong last wicket partnership to set a competitive toal. ODI's weren't invented the last time South Africa played international cricket, and perhaps that inexperience tells as they squander a great start, before a calm innings by Ray Jennings and lusty hitting by last man Vince van der Bijl helps them reach 260/9 in 50 overs. Underwood takes 3 wickets, and Old recovers from an expensive first spell to pick up vital wickets late in the innings.
SAB English XI chase: A slow start from England sees them fall behind the rate early, before getting back up to pace. Jefferies is particularly economical so when he is taken out of the attack they get after Le Roux. A mini collapse sees South Africa as favourites, but Larkins stays firms and reaches 50. As wickets fall at the other end, South Africa sense vulnerability and attack, but Chris Old uses the attacking fields as an opportunity to find the gaps and hit out, taking pressure off Larkins at the other end. Larkins guieds England home with an unbeaten 114* and Old's 42* is also cruical in helping England to a 3-wicket win with 7 overs and 2 balls to spare.
Blockerdave says: "yes there are issues with this game but my my god you can have fun with it. to almost quote @wealey88 I defy anyone to watch this and not see the qualities of the game shine through."
Gamer Pradosh
Survival Games Champion
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- India
Brilliant gameplay @blockerdave ..Loved every bit...Amazing chase for sure..
Were the fielder going over rope while fielding looks natural or could they be made to stand inside the rope, even when sliding [though sliding and touching the rope happens in real life too]..
Were the fielder going over rope while fielding looks natural or could they be made to stand inside the rope, even when sliding [though sliding and touching the rope happens in real life too]..
Lovely videos Dave! Great fun to watch... I'm tempted to make a highlights package of only replays and see how good can make it
blockerdave
ICC Chairman
Match 3 - 3 day Tour Match v Western Province at Newlands. (Thanks to pabh93 from the academy for the awesome stadium.)
Day 1 - Ball dominates bat as England finish in control.
On a pitch with dust and cracks, England lost the toss and were put in. However they started well, Boycott - captain for the match despite Gooch being in the side - sharing an opening stand of over 50 with Larkins. When Boycott was out for 18, with the score on 56 he was setting a pattern for the innings of getting in and getting out, nobody able to go on. Larkins was second man out for 33, and that would prove to be the top score of the innings. Though Amiss and Knott looked comfortable in overcoming the further loss of Woolmer to get to lunch at 114/3, the afternoon session saw England collapse to 183 all out in just over half the session, Hobson picking up a 5-fer.
But the old adage of never judging a score until both sides have batted proved true as England ripped through the top order to reduce Western Province to 27/3 with Seef, Pienaar and Kirsten all back in the hutch. MacEwan and Kuiper stabilised somewhat, taking them into tea at 50/3.
As with England earlier, the break proved Western Province's undoing, as after tea they crumbled, falling to 91/8. They had a let-off when During was dropped on 5, and he managed in concert with Jefferies to push them past the 100 mark, and closer to England's score with their 9th wicket stand of 32. A further 14 runs for the 10th wicket saw them reach 137, a deficit of 46. The wickets were shared out: 3 each for Hendrick and Lever, 2 each for Old and Emburey.
England batted out the last two overs of the day with no scares, the only runs coming as extras from wayward bowling by Jefferies.
England Rebels in command then at the end of Day 1.
Day 1 - Ball dominates bat as England finish in control.
On a pitch with dust and cracks, England lost the toss and were put in. However they started well, Boycott - captain for the match despite Gooch being in the side - sharing an opening stand of over 50 with Larkins. When Boycott was out for 18, with the score on 56 he was setting a pattern for the innings of getting in and getting out, nobody able to go on. Larkins was second man out for 33, and that would prove to be the top score of the innings. Though Amiss and Knott looked comfortable in overcoming the further loss of Woolmer to get to lunch at 114/3, the afternoon session saw England collapse to 183 all out in just over half the session, Hobson picking up a 5-fer.
But the old adage of never judging a score until both sides have batted proved true as England ripped through the top order to reduce Western Province to 27/3 with Seef, Pienaar and Kirsten all back in the hutch. MacEwan and Kuiper stabilised somewhat, taking them into tea at 50/3.
As with England earlier, the break proved Western Province's undoing, as after tea they crumbled, falling to 91/8. They had a let-off when During was dropped on 5, and he managed in concert with Jefferies to push them past the 100 mark, and closer to England's score with their 9th wicket stand of 32. A further 14 runs for the 10th wicket saw them reach 137, a deficit of 46. The wickets were shared out: 3 each for Hendrick and Lever, 2 each for Old and Emburey.
England batted out the last two overs of the day with no scares, the only runs coming as extras from wayward bowling by Jefferies.
England Rebels in command then at the end of Day 1.
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karolkarol
International Cricketer
Loved the last Emburey dismissal. Flying through the air in slo-mo to take the c&b like a hippopotamus being fired from a cannon.
blockerdave
ICC Chairman
Match 3 - 3 day Tour Match v Western Province at Newlands. (Thanks to pabh93 from the academy for the awesome stadium.)
Day 2 - England build large lead thanks to wasteful bowling, but a good partnership at the end of the day keeps Province in touch.
England start Day 2 watchfully with Boycott and Larkins prioritising time in the middle. Thanks to wasteful bowling particularly from Jefferies, the actual scoring rate is high even if Extras contributes most to a second opening 50 partnership of the match for the Rebels. Hobson gets both Larkins and Boycott in quick succession, and Henry gets Amiss before Woolmer and Knott see England through to lunch well in command.
As in the day before, England lose several wickets in the afternoon session, but not until Woolmer passes a fine half century. Woolmer was a late addition to the Rebel tour, brought in specifically to bolster the middle order batting, and he did a fine job to justify his kruger rands. As England lose four quick wickets, they need a good stand between Humpage and Old to see them through to tea.
After tea Humpage passes 50 himself, but is out shortly after. England immediately declare, setting Western Province a target of 325.
Province start well enough but lose Seef to a fine slip catch from Emburey. Kirsten and Pienaar put on a strong partnership, with few scares, as Western Province reach the close on 95/1, in with a chance of a victory that seemed unlikely this time yesterday.
Day 2 - England build large lead thanks to wasteful bowling, but a good partnership at the end of the day keeps Province in touch.
England start Day 2 watchfully with Boycott and Larkins prioritising time in the middle. Thanks to wasteful bowling particularly from Jefferies, the actual scoring rate is high even if Extras contributes most to a second opening 50 partnership of the match for the Rebels. Hobson gets both Larkins and Boycott in quick succession, and Henry gets Amiss before Woolmer and Knott see England through to lunch well in command.
As in the day before, England lose several wickets in the afternoon session, but not until Woolmer passes a fine half century. Woolmer was a late addition to the Rebel tour, brought in specifically to bolster the middle order batting, and he did a fine job to justify his kruger rands. As England lose four quick wickets, they need a good stand between Humpage and Old to see them through to tea.
After tea Humpage passes 50 himself, but is out shortly after. England immediately declare, setting Western Province a target of 325.
Province start well enough but lose Seef to a fine slip catch from Emburey. Kirsten and Pienaar put on a strong partnership, with few scares, as Western Province reach the close on 95/1, in with a chance of a victory that seemed unlikely this time yesterday.
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blockerdave
ICC Chairman
Match 3 - 3 day Tour Match v Western Province at Newlands. (Thanks to pabh93 from the academy for the awesome stadium.)
Day 3 - Province start well but wickets throughout the day keep the result in the balance.
Early on the final day both overnight batsmen, Kirsten and Pienaar, pass individual 50s and bring up the 100 partnership. As they each move into the 60s the partnership looks like being a match-winning one. With part-time bowler Gooch in the attack a sign of England's tiredness and desperation, he becomes an unlikely partnership breaker, snaffling Pienaar. An over later Gooch the fielder takes a great catch off Old's bowling to send back Kirsten and put England back in the match. Kuiper and MacEwan keep the victory charge on track with another 50 partnership, broken by a great leg gully catch from Old after Emburey finds Kuiper's inside edge. Bruce survives an LBW shout to ensure Western Province lunch at 205/4, slght favourites but the match still anyone's. Much rests on MacEwan's shoulders, unbeaten on 34*.
MacEwan passes his 50 after lunch, before England Rebels storm back into the match with a quick double strike to remove Bruce and Clarke. But MacEwan is still there and he looks like being the key wicket... England are therefore ecstatic when the double strike becomes a triple strike, Lever finding MacEwan's inside edge and the ball carrying through to Knott who takes a fine catch. Western Province losing 3 wickets for 12 runs to slump to 254/7 and the rebels are favourites again.
Jefferies then hits the very next ball to gully, where he's... dropped!
And that was the turning point, as the two left-handed bowling all rounders Henry and Jefferies see Province closer and closer to the finishing line... until Hendrick is convinced he has Henry caught behind with the score on 294. The appeal was turned down, and rightly so - just missing the outside edge. Henry and Jefferies got Western Province home with minimal fuss... it would have been no fuss at all but the umpires insisted on holding the tea break even though the scores were already level. After a 20 minute cuppa, the teams returned for one ball which was dispatched for 4 to seal Province's 3 wicket win.
This being apartheid-era multi racial cricket, the likelihood is Omar Henry's reward for his match-winng partnership with Jefferies was to be not allowed in the bar after.
Day 3 - Province start well but wickets throughout the day keep the result in the balance.
Early on the final day both overnight batsmen, Kirsten and Pienaar, pass individual 50s and bring up the 100 partnership. As they each move into the 60s the partnership looks like being a match-winning one. With part-time bowler Gooch in the attack a sign of England's tiredness and desperation, he becomes an unlikely partnership breaker, snaffling Pienaar. An over later Gooch the fielder takes a great catch off Old's bowling to send back Kirsten and put England back in the match. Kuiper and MacEwan keep the victory charge on track with another 50 partnership, broken by a great leg gully catch from Old after Emburey finds Kuiper's inside edge. Bruce survives an LBW shout to ensure Western Province lunch at 205/4, slght favourites but the match still anyone's. Much rests on MacEwan's shoulders, unbeaten on 34*.
MacEwan passes his 50 after lunch, before England Rebels storm back into the match with a quick double strike to remove Bruce and Clarke. But MacEwan is still there and he looks like being the key wicket... England are therefore ecstatic when the double strike becomes a triple strike, Lever finding MacEwan's inside edge and the ball carrying through to Knott who takes a fine catch. Western Province losing 3 wickets for 12 runs to slump to 254/7 and the rebels are favourites again.
Jefferies then hits the very next ball to gully, where he's... dropped!
And that was the turning point, as the two left-handed bowling all rounders Henry and Jefferies see Province closer and closer to the finishing line... until Hendrick is convinced he has Henry caught behind with the score on 294. The appeal was turned down, and rightly so - just missing the outside edge. Henry and Jefferies got Western Province home with minimal fuss... it would have been no fuss at all but the umpires insisted on holding the tea break even though the scores were already level. After a 20 minute cuppa, the teams returned for one ball which was dispatched for 4 to seal Province's 3 wicket win.
This being apartheid-era multi racial cricket, the likelihood is Omar Henry's reward for his match-winng partnership with Jefferies was to be not allowed in the bar after.
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