***Official*** Stanford Super Series

[Richard]

I suppose. Me, though, I think the Test Championship should be based on series results. Nothing more. 2 points for a series victory, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss, count only the most recent series home and away for each match-up. Scorelines to come into the equation only when two teams are tied on points.

Too many people turned against that original concept for, frankly, idiotic reasons. Reasons akin to turning against the Premiership because Coventry City topped it after 3 rounds of games.

 

[GIMH]

I agree with a simple points system definitely. But for that to work then all factors need to be equal.

 

[Richard]

Nah, I don't think it does. A 3-0 (3) victory is the same as a 2-1 (5) victory.

 

[GIMH]

A 3-0 victory is worth as much as a 1-0 victory if the series are the same length, but IMO if one series is longer than another then it isn't fair. Gives the away team longer to acclimatise, allows for greater use of the squad and getting your side settled etc.

It's almost like if Liverpool-Chelsea played two hours while Hull-Stoke just get half an hour each way, but both games are worth the same points.

 

[Richard]

Hmm, I sort of see what you mean, but IMO a football match and a Test cricket series are two totally incomparable things.

 

[GIMH]

They are, I am sure I could come up with a better analogy if I tried a little harder.

 

[andruid]

A 3-0 victory is worth as much as a 1-0 victory if the series are the same length, but IMO if one series is longer than another then it isn't fair. Gives the away team longer to acclimatise, allows for greater use of the squad and getting your side settled etc.

It's almost like if Liverpool-Chelsea played two hours while Hull-Stoke just get half an hour each way, but both games are worth the same points.

Hmm, I sort of see what you mean, but IMO a football match and a Test cricket series are two totally incomparable things.

He has a point Richard. Standardisation of Test and ODI series is the way forward.

 

[Richard]

I certainly don't think ODI series being standardised is good, as five is mostly the right number but of times it's required to go down to three.

Would be happy for Twenty20 Internationals to be standardised though - at 0.

 

[stumpski]

T & T have put the Superstars, minus Gayle and Chanderpaul, in to bat in the opening match. Looking forward to seeing Dave Mohammed bowl later.

 

[stumpski]

Not very 'super' - 34-1 in the 8th - but the wicket is a bit on the slow side.


Make that 34-2, Sarwan gone first ball. A Trinidad win would certainly encourage England.

 

[Manee]

...and the Superstars wrap up the game pretty easily. The story as far as I am concerned was the sheer rapidness of Jerome Taylor - got up to 153kph in his first spell...PACE!

 

[stumpski]

Many more catches dropped than held, it seemed.

England vs Middlesex tonight.

 

[Richard]

Haha, 4 posts on the game, that's waaaaaaaay fewer than a normal tour match (admittedly they last longer than 3 hours) - think that says it all about the apathy to this thing in the UK.

Just hope it's more popular in Antigua.

 

[Manee]

Many more catches dropped than held, it seemed.

Indeed, the fielding on both sides was pathetic, absolutely pathetic.

I am looking forward to watching Middlesex take on England today. It is a shame that Nannes is not playing as he was one of my favourites to watch. Surely Middlesex could have come up with a better replacement than Neil Carter! Did they even try contacting Napier, who is pretty much the Neil Carter 5000 (or V2).

 

[Manee]

Haha, 4 posts on the game, that's waaaaaaaay fewer than a normal tour match (admittedly they last longer than 3 hours) - think that says it all about the apathy to this thing in the UK.

It was on pretty late, tbh and only involved West Indian teams. IIRC, there aren't many West Indian posters here on CW.

 

[stumpski]

Indeed, the fielding on both sides was pathetic, absolutely pathetic.

I am looking forward to watching Middlesex take on England today. It is a shame that Nannes is not playing as he was one of my favourites to watch. Surely Middlesex could have come up with a better replacement than Neil Carter! Did they even try contacting Napier, who is pretty much the Neil Carter 5000 (or V2).

Napier is in India having talks with IPL people I believe. In his place I wouldn't leave that to go and play for Middlesex.

 

[Manee]

Meh, the auction is in February, he has time to earn 400k.

 

[four_or_six]

Haha, 4 posts on the game, that's waaaaaaaay fewer than a normal tour match (admittedly they last longer than 3 hours) - think that says it all about the apathy to this thing in the UK.

Just hope it's more popular in Antigua.

I'm not going to watch these matches as I think the whole idea is horrible.

Also, it'll just wind me up sitting looking at KP's smug face. Would rather look at Ponting's, and that's saying something.

 

[Woodster]

As much as I am not really looking forward to these things and even knowing they mean absolutely nothing in cricketing terms, can't help but watch them!

As an added interest, got money on Colly to top score for England and Morgan for Middlesex in a double.

 

[four_or_six]

"Half an hour to go, and the England WAGs have just sauntered into the ground. They've got themselves a very nice open-air enclosure to the left of the pavilion, where they will, for the time being, carry on sunning themselves in much the same manner that they have been doing all day long at the team hotel. They'd better watch out when play gets underway, however. They are perfectly placed for a barrage at cow corner ..."

Sounds pretty much like club cricket.