***Official*** South Africa in Australia

[_Ed_]

and Punter once again proves why he is the best fielder in the world.

Big call! I'd actually rate Symonds higher...and maybe Dilshan from SL, he was stunning here in NZ.

 

[Top_Cat]

I had a thought tonight that in light of India's insistence that the ICC scrap the ICC Champions Trophy, maybe they could replace it with a 20/20 comp instead? Think about it; last time we had teams like the US and their match lasted just over 20 overs anyway. What an ideal opportunity to promote the game to the associate countries, I reckon. Accentuate the positives, so to speak. Thoughts?

 

[Pratters]

Fardin could be man of the match in one of the matches!

 

[Pratters]

Actually a twenty20 competition instead of a one day tournament similar to the world cup is the sensible way to go.

 

[andyc]

I had a thought tonight that in light of India's insistence that the ICC scrap the ICC Champions Trophy, maybe they could replace it with a 20/20 comp instead? Think about it; last time we had teams like the US and their match lasted just over 20 overs anyway. What an ideal opportunity to promote the game to the associate countries, I reckon. Accentuate the positives, so to speak. Thoughts?

Yeah that would be a good idea. That said, I don't think we should get too carried away with Twenty20. I certainly don't want to see it replacing ODI's or Tests, and by associate countries only seeing Twenty20's, there's a big chance that's all a large majority of fans would care about, as it would be harder for them to appreciate the duels between bat and ball. I went to yesterday's Twenty20 with a Canadian friend who got hooked on cricket during the Ashes, and even he said it was just wasn't the same. I fear it would be harder for someone going the other way (that is, from the shorter version to the longer version) to understand it.

But despite that rant, yes, it would be a great idea to have a tournament like that.

 

[Xuhaib]

WOW. Kool kits OZ

 

[Burpey]

I like the idea of playing one Twenty20 on a tour as a build-up to whatever one-day series/tournament is taking place. That way it retains its appeal as a novelty and thus popular among crowds.

 

[Burpey]

WOW. Kool kits OZ

Really? I didn't see the point. Furthermore, it was ugly and not even our national colours.

 

[Crazy Sam]

Credit must be given because it drew the largest crowd at the Gabba ever. Bigger than any rugby or AFL game.

actually my understanding is that the highest gabba crowd was around 45,000 for an Australia v GB rugby league test back in 1954.

but this would be up there as the highest since grandstands and pre-sold/allocated seats became the norm.

 

[andyc]

Really? I didn't see the point. Furthermore, it was ugly and not even our national colours.

Agreed

 

[Scaly piscine]

i love andrew symonds.


there is no doubt in my mind that 20/20 cricket has a place in this world. It should never be taken so seriously that there are world cups of it or things like that but it is an amazing promotional tool that cricket has at its disposal. It also seems to me to be more like sports entertainment, similar to the old 'Gladiators' show.....very entertaining.

It's not going to be taken particularly seriously now because there's no history behind it. But in a few years after most of the Test countries have an established Twenty20 domestic competition the importance attached to it will increase, just as it did with ODIs all those years ago. It might take a decade or longer but there'll be calls for a World Cup type competition eventually and we know the ICC won't miss a chance at making money.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I thought Graeme Smith was great on the mic tonight, interesting to listen to and better than Ricky Ponting. Much more natural.

 

[andyc]

I thought Graeme Smith was great on the mic tonight, interesting to listen to and better than Ricky Ponting. Much more natural.

Yeah good point. It was a great idea too, I thought. Pity they couldn't do it while they were batting!

 

[Prince EWS]

actually my understanding is that the highest gabba crowd was around 45,000 for an Australia v GB rugby league test back in 1954.

but this would be up there as the highest since grandstands and pre-sold/allocated seats became the norm.

Indeed.

Official Gabba Attendance Records
47,096 Second Rugby League Test
Australia v Great Britain
3 July 1954

(research stolen from MattO at Rleague Forums..)

 

[Linda]

Well then.. Martyn you legend.

Ok hes going back in the avatar... that was too good. Im speechless.

 

[andyc]

Well then.. Martyn you legend.

Ok hes going back in the avatar... that was too good. Im speechless.

Dropped a catch though.

 

[Linda]

Dropped a catch though.

Thanks for that Ando.

 

[Burpey]

Dropped a catch though.

He got under it all right. Watched it into his hands well. Then forgot to catch the bloody thing.

 

[andyc]

He got under it all right. Watched it into his hands well. Then forgot to catch the bloody thing.

He hardly watched it into the hands

 

[Burpey]

Well there you go. I take it back. He just totally ****ed up.