Download the latest podcast through iTunes
England are flying out to Australia, and Tim Bresnan’s very excited for the flight over. Will’s more excited about the Ashes, almost to the point that he can’t make coherent sentences. South Africa beat Pakistan in two T20s, and Short Midwicket Fantasy Ashes is launched. Plus something very special (probably not that special) hidden away at the end…
Email in to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk (like Will’s dad) for email related fun, and to sign up for the Fantasy Ashes. Tweets at @shortmidwicket, and blogs at theshortmidwicket.blogspot.com. TTFN For Now!
Friday, 29 October 2010
The Short Midwicket Fantasy Ashes
I love the Ashes. It's all quite exciting. And like every other cricketing pundit, I like to make predictions about what's going to happen in each game.
So I got thinking. What if everyone who likes predicting things played against each other. In some sort of fantasy league? Brave new territory, I know, but this time I'm going to attempt to host it.
I need a few volunteers to play with me, so we can work out a league table; who's winning and losing, and who wins at the end.
The Short Midwicket Fantasy Ashes works as such. Before each test, each player picks three batsmen, and two bowlers. Each run their batsman score counts as one point; each wicket counts as twenty points. At the end of the game, I add it all together and work it out.
This will be a feature on the podcasts and I'll be plugging it on the one that's going to come later on.
So how do I get involved, I hear you cry. Simple. Email me at shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, and I'll add you to the league. And all you need to do is to pick your players before start of play in each test. (If you don't make your picks by the first ball you won't score any points that test).
Sound good?
Simple Rules:
3 designated batsmen and 2 designated bowlers will be picked. The players will only score points based on their designated roles (i.e. runs for batsmen and wickets for bowlers).
A star player (of the five picked) can be nominated - this player will score double points for the test match.
There must be at least one English player and one Australian player in the 5 picked players.
To be eligible for the Short Midwicket Fantasy Ashes, you must name the team before start of the first days play on any given test. You must send the team to either shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, or tweet Will at @shortmidwicket.
The winner may win a prize, but probably won't.
So I got thinking. What if everyone who likes predicting things played against each other. In some sort of fantasy league? Brave new territory, I know, but this time I'm going to attempt to host it.
I need a few volunteers to play with me, so we can work out a league table; who's winning and losing, and who wins at the end.
The Short Midwicket Fantasy Ashes works as such. Before each test, each player picks three batsmen, and two bowlers. Each run their batsman score counts as one point; each wicket counts as twenty points. At the end of the game, I add it all together and work it out.
This will be a feature on the podcasts and I'll be plugging it on the one that's going to come later on.
So how do I get involved, I hear you cry. Simple. Email me at shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, and I'll add you to the league. And all you need to do is to pick your players before start of play in each test. (If you don't make your picks by the first ball you won't score any points that test).
Sound good?
Simple Rules:
3 designated batsmen and 2 designated bowlers will be picked. The players will only score points based on their designated roles (i.e. runs for batsmen and wickets for bowlers).
A star player (of the five picked) can be nominated - this player will score double points for the test match.
There must be at least one English player and one Australian player in the 5 picked players.
To be eligible for the Short Midwicket Fantasy Ashes, you must name the team before start of the first days play on any given test. You must send the team to either shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, or tweet Will at @shortmidwicket.
The winner may win a prize, but probably won't.
Monday, 25 October 2010
THHoF - David Lloyd
Name: David Lloyd
Nicknames: Bumble, Lloydy, Lloydo
Born: 18 March 1947, Accrington, Lancashire, England
Teams played for: England, Lancashire
David Lloyd has become a part of English cricket institution. As a player, coach, umpire, and now commentator, David has bought a great deal of enthusiasm, and old-fashioned eccentricity to cricket, and his genuine passion for the game shines through everything he does.
David was born in Accrington, Lancashire, and has remained a fiercely proud Lancastrian. After impressing in the famous Lancashire League for Accrington, Lloyd made his Lancashire debut in 1965, at Old Trafford against Middlesex. Sadly he failed to score a run - bagging a king pair, as Lancashire lost by nine wickets. Playing as a left-arm spinning all-rounder, Lloyd had a tough baptism into county cricket; finishing his first season with a batting average of 14 (although he did take 21 wickets at 31).
The next few seasons saw him impress with the ball - averaging 24 in 1966 and 21 in 1967. Although he struggled somewhat with the bat, Lloyd made his maiden first class century against Cambridge University in June 1968, and topped 1,000 runs for the summer the next year. Becoming an established force in one day cricket; Lloyd was a major part of the Lancashire side who won three consecutive one day trophies from 1970-72. 1972 was Lloyd's most successful season - averaging 47 with the bat and 28 with the ball. This led to him being appointed Lancashire captain from 1973 onwards.
1973 also saw him make his international debut; in an ODI against the West Indies at the Oval. While England lost heavily (and Lloyd only scored 8), he was included in England's test side to face India the following summer. Opening the batting in place of Geoffrey Boycott, Lloyd scored 46 as England won by an innings, and retained his place for the next match, where he made 214 not out - winning the game for England and leaving his average at 260. England then faced Pakistan, and Lloyd had a mixed time - not scoring many in tests, but making an unbeaten ODI century.
Lloyd travelled to Australia for the 1974/5 Ashes, but his poor run of form in tests continued. With a highest score of 44, and after scoring 4 and 5 in Adelaide; Lloyd was dropped from the test side and never played again. John Arlott wrote in 1984 that, "in a side routed by the `heart-line' attack of Lillee and Thomson, [Lloyd] was effectively shocked and shattered out of Test cricket".
After returning from Australia, Lloyd led Lancashire to another Gillette Cup victory in 1975, before stepping down from the captaincy in 1977, and retiring from cricket in 1983.
Lloyd then trained to become an umpire, and umpired first-class cricket from 1985 to 87. Lloyd then moved into coaching, and led Lancashire from 1993, before becoming England coach in 1996. He saw England to Test series victories against India, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as ODI victories against India, Pakistan and the West Indies. Sadly, Lloyd led England to two Ashes defeats, and left his post after the 1999 World Cup.
Since leaving the cricket establishment, Lloyd has become a well reknowned and respected commentator. Celebrated for his excitement, charisma and catchphrases (Start the car!), Lloyd's excellent tactical nous and ability to evaluate players fairly is often ignored. Lloyd's work for Sky has seen him cover World Cups and Ashes series, and has become one of the most loved commentators Sky employ.
I've only known David as a commentator, and he could get into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame solely on the back of that. However, his rich and varied life in and around cricket has given him somewhat legendary status, and has become a well-loved figure by players and fans alike. David would certainly bring a lot of life and excitement to the THHoF, and he's welcomed in today!
Clips:
Bumble talking a good game about the World T20
Bumble's most famous moment - playing Jeff Thompson with his "appendage"
Nicknames: Bumble, Lloydy, Lloydo
Born: 18 March 1947, Accrington, Lancashire, England
Teams played for: England, Lancashire
David Lloyd has become a part of English cricket institution. As a player, coach, umpire, and now commentator, David has bought a great deal of enthusiasm, and old-fashioned eccentricity to cricket, and his genuine passion for the game shines through everything he does.
David was born in Accrington, Lancashire, and has remained a fiercely proud Lancastrian. After impressing in the famous Lancashire League for Accrington, Lloyd made his Lancashire debut in 1965, at Old Trafford against Middlesex. Sadly he failed to score a run - bagging a king pair, as Lancashire lost by nine wickets. Playing as a left-arm spinning all-rounder, Lloyd had a tough baptism into county cricket; finishing his first season with a batting average of 14 (although he did take 21 wickets at 31).
The next few seasons saw him impress with the ball - averaging 24 in 1966 and 21 in 1967. Although he struggled somewhat with the bat, Lloyd made his maiden first class century against Cambridge University in June 1968, and topped 1,000 runs for the summer the next year. Becoming an established force in one day cricket; Lloyd was a major part of the Lancashire side who won three consecutive one day trophies from 1970-72. 1972 was Lloyd's most successful season - averaging 47 with the bat and 28 with the ball. This led to him being appointed Lancashire captain from 1973 onwards.
1973 also saw him make his international debut; in an ODI against the West Indies at the Oval. While England lost heavily (and Lloyd only scored 8), he was included in England's test side to face India the following summer. Opening the batting in place of Geoffrey Boycott, Lloyd scored 46 as England won by an innings, and retained his place for the next match, where he made 214 not out - winning the game for England and leaving his average at 260. England then faced Pakistan, and Lloyd had a mixed time - not scoring many in tests, but making an unbeaten ODI century.
Lloyd travelled to Australia for the 1974/5 Ashes, but his poor run of form in tests continued. With a highest score of 44, and after scoring 4 and 5 in Adelaide; Lloyd was dropped from the test side and never played again. John Arlott wrote in 1984 that, "in a side routed by the `heart-line' attack of Lillee and Thomson, [Lloyd] was effectively shocked and shattered out of Test cricket".
After returning from Australia, Lloyd led Lancashire to another Gillette Cup victory in 1975, before stepping down from the captaincy in 1977, and retiring from cricket in 1983.
Lloyd then trained to become an umpire, and umpired first-class cricket from 1985 to 87. Lloyd then moved into coaching, and led Lancashire from 1993, before becoming England coach in 1996. He saw England to Test series victories against India, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as ODI victories against India, Pakistan and the West Indies. Sadly, Lloyd led England to two Ashes defeats, and left his post after the 1999 World Cup.
Since leaving the cricket establishment, Lloyd has become a well reknowned and respected commentator. Celebrated for his excitement, charisma and catchphrases (Start the car!), Lloyd's excellent tactical nous and ability to evaluate players fairly is often ignored. Lloyd's work for Sky has seen him cover World Cups and Ashes series, and has become one of the most loved commentators Sky employ.
I've only known David as a commentator, and he could get into the Tyron Henderson Hall of Fame solely on the back of that. However, his rich and varied life in and around cricket has given him somewhat legendary status, and has become a well-loved figure by players and fans alike. David would certainly bring a lot of life and excitement to the THHoF, and he's welcomed in today!
Clips:
Bumble talking a good game about the World T20
Bumble's most famous moment - playing Jeff Thompson with his "appendage"
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Zulqarnain Haider's Message to the Match Fixers
From Zulqarnain on Twitter:
"icc doing good things fr stop the match fixxing go icc go we are with u fr stop the bad things in sports nice"
Word.
"icc doing good things fr stop the match fixxing go icc go we are with u fr stop the bad things in sports nice"
Word.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Podcast - Two Overs of Underarm Lobs
Download the latest podcast here
Darren Sammy is West Indian captain, and Will is pleased. The ECB aren’t changing the fixtures (much), or letting Iain O’Brien play, and Will isn’t pleased. Also an email from America, a tweet from a man with a large chin, and some news on England’s number one.
Keep the emails flooding in to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, as well as visiting the site theshortmidwicket.blogspot.com. TTFN for now!
The Short Midwicket Podcast is available on iTunes! Click here to view the podcasts
Darren Sammy is West Indian captain, and Will is pleased. The ECB aren’t changing the fixtures (much), or letting Iain O’Brien play, and Will isn’t pleased. Also an email from America, a tweet from a man with a large chin, and some news on England’s number one.
Keep the emails flooding in to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk, as well as visiting the site theshortmidwicket.blogspot.com. TTFN for now!
The Short Midwicket Podcast is available on iTunes! Click here to view the podcasts
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Dere's More To Oireland Dan Dis
Kevin Kilbane. Mick McCarthy. Tony Cascarino. Andy Townsend. All players who have represented the great nation of Ireland, despite not really being from the Emerald Isle. And we can add to that list Hamish Marshall, who has been named in Ireland's squad to tour India later this year. The same Hamish Marshall who has played 79 times for New Zealand.
I suppose it's a bit harsh for anyone to have a go at Ireland for using other nation's players. It must be difficult to compete on a world stage when truly world class players produced by Ireland are pinched by big brother England. So I'm not having a go at Ireland for attempting to utilise the best players at their disposal. Even if those players are from New Zealand.
Marshall represented the Blackcaps at the 2007 World Cup, and another player named in Ireland's touring squad who played in the Caribbean three and a half years ago is Ed Joyce. Joyce's situation is an odd one - abandoning his country of birth to chase international honours with England, but once he was dropped and had no chance of ever playing again, he wants to come back. The phrase "having your cake and eating it" springs to mind. But the whole situation should never have happened.
Joyce should never have played for England originally, just as Morgan should never have played for England. While I am eternally greatful that Moggy does produce world-class performances in an England shirt, he should be trying to help Ireland break into cricket's elite, rather than trying to win the Ashes. I am not having a go at Morgan for trying to play test cricket and win further honours, and I'm not knocking Joyce's choice to try and do the same. What I'm not in favour of is players being able to switch allegiances midway through their international careers.
The Pietersens, Trotts, and Kieswetters of this world are something very different to players who play a few times for one country, before jumping ship when the grass appears greener elsewhere. I am sympathetic to Joyce and Morgan, knowing that test cricket with Ireland is unlikely, and I'm sympathetic to Marshall, who's international career was effectively ended with an ICL contract. But they shouldn't be able to play for two nations, as they have done.
If Ireland (and countries in similiar situations) are to ever grow and progress, they need the 100% support of their best players. There are rumours that Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling and others are waiting for an England call-up before they renounce their Irish nationality, and in my opinion, that is not on. The ICC should be much more stringent on players flip-flopping on their international careers, otherwise the already weak nations will be weakened ever further.
I suppose it's a bit harsh for anyone to have a go at Ireland for using other nation's players. It must be difficult to compete on a world stage when truly world class players produced by Ireland are pinched by big brother England. So I'm not having a go at Ireland for attempting to utilise the best players at their disposal. Even if those players are from New Zealand.
Marshall represented the Blackcaps at the 2007 World Cup, and another player named in Ireland's touring squad who played in the Caribbean three and a half years ago is Ed Joyce. Joyce's situation is an odd one - abandoning his country of birth to chase international honours with England, but once he was dropped and had no chance of ever playing again, he wants to come back. The phrase "having your cake and eating it" springs to mind. But the whole situation should never have happened.
Joyce should never have played for England originally, just as Morgan should never have played for England. While I am eternally greatful that Moggy does produce world-class performances in an England shirt, he should be trying to help Ireland break into cricket's elite, rather than trying to win the Ashes. I am not having a go at Morgan for trying to play test cricket and win further honours, and I'm not knocking Joyce's choice to try and do the same. What I'm not in favour of is players being able to switch allegiances midway through their international careers.
The Pietersens, Trotts, and Kieswetters of this world are something very different to players who play a few times for one country, before jumping ship when the grass appears greener elsewhere. I am sympathetic to Joyce and Morgan, knowing that test cricket with Ireland is unlikely, and I'm sympathetic to Marshall, who's international career was effectively ended with an ICL contract. But they shouldn't be able to play for two nations, as they have done.
If Ireland (and countries in similiar situations) are to ever grow and progress, they need the 100% support of their best players. There are rumours that Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling and others are waiting for an England call-up before they renounce their Irish nationality, and in my opinion, that is not on. The ICC should be much more stringent on players flip-flopping on their international careers, otherwise the already weak nations will be weakened ever further.
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Stick Cricket
Probably the highlight of both mine and Craig Kieswetter's careers. Sadly, after 30 runs off the first 5 Shaun Tait balls, Kieswetter holed out, and Michael Lumb fell apart needing 11 off Mitchell Johnson's final over, and I lost.
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