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CPL gets no love here ?

vic_orthdox

Global Moderator
Well I have just watched my first ever game of Nine/9 (rain delayed Red Steel vs Zouks) and it was the most exhilarating game of cricket I have watched live. Sport doesnt always have to be art with depth and meaning. Sometimes it can just be pure entertainment. A wall of sound from a passionate crowd, every ball meant something, a close finish and watching guys like KP and Kallis. My kids loved it and they hate sport!
In the end, this is the most important thing for any nation with the T20 leagues. Eventually you work out it's not for us, it's a way to get a connections with the next generation about cricket; whatever form, if they have an interest then you're giving yourself a chance.
 

Goughy

Hall of Fame Member
In the end, this is the most important thing for any nation with the T20 leagues. Eventually you work out it's not for us, it's a way to get a connections with the next generation about cricket; whatever form, if they have an interest then you're giving yourself a chance.
I agree 100% about the kids but if you are in a pumping stadium then the energy is infectious and maybe it is also for people like me who dont take it seriously but want to have a cracking evening out. I would say I am only interested in Test cricket but I also had a lot of fun.
 

Goughy

Hall of Fame Member
Well I just had my net with Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel at 12 noon today and I cannot thank the team and management enough. The Administrators knew I was coming and everything was organised but no one had told the team or coaches. Coach, Simon Helmot, and manager, Colin Borde, were incredibly hospitable and friendly and brought this old guy (me) dressed in a shirt and tie, having rushed from work, and carrying a 20 year old cricket coffin into the dressing room to get changed, introduced me to all the players as they were getting ready for a media met-and-greet. I tried to stay out of the way for that as they were doing their thing but then we went on to the square for a net in the middle of Queen's Park Oval.

Now I have played some pretty decent cricket but, for a variety of reasons (family, work, getting old, injuries, the places I have lived) I have not played at a highly competitive standard since South Africa - 8 years or so ago. I was nervous not to **** up and I felt like a 13 yr old chatting to Kallis who is a man the same age as me.

Anyway, Johan Botha was padded up and I was to bowl first (we were bowling groups of 4) and, I kid you not, I yorked him first ball middle stump! :) That settled the nerves. To be fair to him, you are never quite sure what a random guy will bowl, especially an old guy who rocked up from the office. It was probably on him a bit quicker than he expected. I beat him outside off 2 of the next three and then dropped a ball short and bowled a belly high long hop which he deposited into the second tier of the stand much to the delight of the watching schoolchildren. Now my response was unusual, I followed that up with another rank long hop which also got dispatched!

All told, I bowled for a solid hour before rotating out to squad members who were waiting to bowl. I dont feel bad about the 6s as everyone was getting slapped as they were practicing for T20, I got a lot of nice compliments from people on the sidelines and then, without a shower (no English comments please) I rushed back to work to finish off the day.

I had a good time, bowled decently at an OK lick, my kids were there to hang out with the players and I cannot compliment the players, managers, and administrators of Red Steel enough. Wonderful people and organisation.

I will post photos if some turn up.
 
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vic_orthdox

Global Moderator
Well I just had my net with Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel at 12 noon today and I cannot thank the team and management enough. The Administrators knew I was coming and everything was organised but no one had told the team or coaches. Coach, Simon Helmot, and manager, Colin Borde, were incredibly hospitable and friendly and brought this old guy (me) dressed in a shirt and tie, having rushed from work, and carrying a 20 year old cricket coffin into the dressing room to get changed, introduced me to all the players as they were getting ready for a media met-and-greet. I tried to stay out of the way for that as they were doing their thing but then we went on to the square for a net in the middle of Queen's Park Oval.

Now I have played some pretty decent cricket but, for a variety of reasons (family, work, getting old, injuries, the places I have lived) I have not played at a highly competitive standard since South Africa - 8 years or so ago. I was nervous not to **** up and I felt like a 13 yr old chatting to Kallis who is a man the same age as me.

Anyway, Johan Botha was padded up and I was to bowl first (we were bowling groups of 4) and, I kid you not, I yorked him first ball middle stump! :) That settled the nerves. To be fair to him, you are never quite sure what a random guy will bowl, especially an old guy who rocked up from the office. It was probably on him a bit quicker than he expected. I beat him outside off 2 of the next three and then dropped a ball short and bowled a belly high long hop which he deposited into the second tier of the stand much to the delight of the watching schoolchildren. Now my response was unusual, I followed that up with another rank long hop which also got dispatched!

All told, I bowled for a solid hour before rotating out to squad members who were waiting to bowl. I dont feel bad about the 6s as everyone was getting slapped as they were practicing for T20, I got a lot of nice compliments from people on the sidelines and then, without a shower (no English comments please) I rushed back to work to finish off the day.

I had a good time, bowled decently at an OK lick, my kids were there to hang out with the players and I cannot compliment the players, managers, and administrators of Red Steel enough. Wonderful people and organisation.

I will post photos if some turn up.
Helmo is a legend, ripping fella. No surprise to see that he made you feel such a way.
 

Cric123

School Boy/Girl Captain
The CPL has been brilliant fun. It's the second best T20 after the Big Bash for me. The IPL is too hyped up for my liking and gave up on it after watching the first season it was screened by ITV4. At CPL, there have been some exciting close finishes, quite a few big sixes (100 plus meters), excellent fielding and some good bowling on show. The only negative is the constant noise from the vuvuzela like horn people were blowing at the Kingston, Jamaica leg. It's okay to do them after a boundary, a good delivery or a wicket but to have them sounding non-stop can be annoying.

Red Steel vs. Zouks was an awesome match.
 
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Goughy

Hall of Fame Member
Cracking game to be at today. Again the rain threatened to spoil the fun but 5 sixes in the last over for T&T put them in a decent position which they defended with Bravo and Kallis bowling a fantastic final two overs. Had my kids at the game again and they again had a fantastic time and got to hang for a little bit with Jayawardene, Deonarine, Jermaine Blackwood and Chris Lynn of Jamaica Tallawahs as they practiced.
 

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