Test Cricket England v New Zealand 2013

[amateur51]

......ah yes. Clicky ba and the Wolf of Kabul. Great stuff, but hardly cricket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yQAcDMTlgk

[salymap]

The only cricket I've watched live was at Knole park, near the big house, and at Meopham Green in Kent,where we watched the local teams whilst picnicking on the green, with cream teas bought from the village Post Office. Many years ago.

Good memories.

[Mr Pee]

Irrespective of his intelligence, decency, integrity and of any other excellent qualities he may have in whatever measure, there is, for me, something lacking in any man brought up within our culture who "does not like" cricket.

On the other hand, irrespective of his stupidity, unpleasantness, lack of manners and of any other bad qualities he may have in whatever measure, there is, for me, some saving grace in any man who does.

Oh well. I'm clearly beyond help then.

[MrGongGong]

Oh well. I'm clearly beyond help then.

1:We admitted we were powerless over cricket - that our lives had become unmanageable

that's step 1 for you (insert inappropriate smiley)

[burning dog]

Oh yes, Pabs. One of my favourite Test match memories was Eng v NZ at Lord's some time in the mid 1970s when I took my adopted father (one I'd adopted as my father, I mean) and while we chatted and generally carried on as people do at a Test match, Bev Congden notched up a fine but rather slow century The applause came as quite a surprise

I remember Congdon starting on 100 not out on a Lords Saturday, so maybe you were there on the Friday? I think it was the game when John Snow was recalled to the England team after being "naughty" in some way.

PS. Seems Snow withdrew himself from the previous winter tour rather than been left out.

[amateur51]

Well, well, well

Second test at Headingly, first day lost to wet weather, on the second day England started carefully, losttoo many wickets too early, but the innings was steadied and then made wonderful by Joe Root's first Test hundred (on his home ground too ) and Jonny Bairstow both of whom fell before the close, leaving Pryor and Swann at the wicket, with a score of 400 being the minimum target for today. Unfortunately it was not to be and England were all out in the 100th over for 354 - was that a good enough score?

On a glorious day, NZ started well, Anderson not getting the swing that the pundits had hoped for, but suddenly it was Steve Finn using his height and bounce who took three quick wickets for 34 runs. Then it was Swann who took a wicket with his first ball and currently has 3-8 with NZ on 97-6.

What a wonderful game test cricket can be

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

ain't it so Ams!! TMS on all day, perfect innit!

[johncorrigan]

ain't it so Ams!! TMS on all day, perfect innit!

Hard to whack a spot of 'Ask the Umpire' in my opinion - great accompaniment to a spot of sunny gardening.

[amateur51]

ain't it so Ams!! TMS on all day, perfect innit!

Love it Calum, on a day such as this, perfick

[amateur51]

Hard to whack a spot of 'Ask the Umpire' in my opinion - great accompaniment to a spot of sunny gardening.

I think John Holder needs elevating to 'National Treasure' status, the way he handles those questions with such calm authority, even when Aggers isn't sure what to do when he hears that Holder was approached re some match fixing: "You reported it of course?" "Well I didn't give it a second thought to be honest - you got down that road and you're finished"

Does anyone else find that Simon Mann is just not in the CMJ league - for some reason I find him very irritating and after ten years he still hasn't mastered the art of balancing the discussion with his summariser and commentating on the game.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

... some people are just irreplaceable Ams .... i have a very soft spot for Blofers myself, CMJ always crisp!

[aeolium]

Rameez Raja is my favourite, I think (though sadly only here when Pakistan are)...

...and a soft spot for Glamorgan's veteran commentator and survivor of aerial assault, Edward Bevan

[anotherbob]

Does anyone else find that Simon Mann is just not in the CMJ league - for some reason I find him very irritating and after ten years he still hasn't mastered the art of balancing the discussion with his summariser and commentating on the game.

I believe that CMJ was in a league of his own. For me Simon Mann does a good job as a commentator in a group of people too many of whom think the show is about them not the game. The partnership I dread is Blofeld commentating with Michael Vaughan (AKA Dave Podmore) summarising. They are both convinced of the hilarity of their humour and allow their anecdotes to replace what they should actually be doing. Agnew does a good job especially in keeping Boycott on the straight and narrow. My summariser of choice is Vic Marks who is disinclined to waffle on about the colour of his colleagues trousers, passing birdlife and public transport, or the social life in the country they happen to be visiting.
It's my view that the reputation TMS built in the 60s, 70s and 80s has resulted in some contributors believing that the show is more important than the cricket.

[amateur51]

I believe that CMJ was in a league of his own. For me Simon Mann does a good job as a commentator in a group of people too many of whom think the show is about them not the game. The partnership I dread is Blofeld commentating with Michael Vaughan (AKA Dave Podmore) summarising. They are both convinced of the hilarity of their humour and allow their anecdotes to replace what they should actually be doing. Agnew does a good job especially in keeping Boycott on the straight and narrow. My summariser of choice is Vic Marks who is disinclined to waffle on about the colour of his colleagues trousers, passing birdlife and public transport, or the social life in the country they happen to be visiting.
It's my view that the reputation TMS built in the 60s, 70s and 80s has resulted in some contributors believing that the show is more important than the cricket.

Oh dear, I'm clearly so flippant, I enjoy all that thoroughly

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

imv the show very nearly is more important than the cricket, but they are symbiotic no? ... predictably wet today; the not losing approach to not declaring early is very boring!

oops they are playing! apologies for not checking!