2015 Diary

A Ramble on Women's Cricket
 - with diversions -

This diary will be updated erratically throughout the year.

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Anyone Spot the Problem?

Now you might immediately think this is a mis-print but I can assure you it's not. The above is an extract from an ECB publication with a small section redacted (you see I do know the latest word for censored, which was a perfectly good word already and didn't need to be replaced). The section was simply a reference to another match unrelated to the women's game.

Of course you might assume that EWA players don't come from Counties, but actually they do...  

Ah well - we all make mistakes.

For a full breakdown of the effect on the County Championship - if indeed it still warrants that name - try Martin Davies' comment.

Completely Random (!) Notes on the Ashes ODI Series

1. I lost count during the latter two matches of the number of times I was muttering under my breath, and often out loud, "pitch it up". My instinct was vindicated when going through the 800+frames I photographed during those games. I don't think I have ever recorded so many batsmen playing pull shots.

2. Despite moments of total brilliance, England's ground fielding in particular was well below the standard we have come to expect.

3. You can't give players of the quality of Meg Lanning several lives. [One of my regular contacts emailed "I guess if you fluff 4 opportunities to dismiss Lanning you are going to pay."]

She is quite capable of taking a match completely away from you with the original life every batsman has as they walk to the crease. If anyone was in any doubt, however, that she's the world's leading batsman, these three matches should have dispelled it.

4. And if Lanning if the world's best batsman, then Perry is the top all-rounder. Although others will have written much about her batting and bowling, I was near the boundary where she was fielding for a while at Worcester. She showed the greatest skill and commitment in that department too. Is she the complete player? Probably... no definitely!

5. A remark by Clare Connor on commentary was perhaps unfortunate. Heather Knight pulled out a stump to, according to the commentary, show she knew how to run out someone when the bails were already off. They were both wrong. Can you guess why? I'll post the answer later in case it has you puzzled.

(Posted 03.08.15 - the ball has to be in contact with the stump as it is withdrawn from the ground. If it's in the other hand it's 'not out'.  The England captain will be aware of this as she once benefited from an opponent's mistake in this regard, ironically at the same ground.)

We've also had the classic error which commentators will continue to make I suspect into eternity. What mistake is that? "They have appealed for lbw!" It may well be true that is what is in the players mind, but should the umpire consider the pad was outside the line of the stumps (and therefore can't be lbw) but the ball flicked the bat as well on the way through to the keeper the batsman will be given out caught. What does all this mean - it means you just appeal for out - how the player is, or isn't, out is a matter for the umpire. Essentially you appeal for every method that a batsman can be out every time you appeal. We all know what the commentary means but it isn't actually accurate.

6. The selectors didn't, in my opinion, come out of ODI3 with any credit. Three changes are a lot in a side. I am not sure that does the confidence of even those not dropped any good, let alone those dispensed with, if only temporarily. The occasional change for different conditions, injuries etc. are to be expected but three without, as far as I know, anyone unable to play (and I could be wrong here) seems well over the top.

7. And a note about the programme you can purchase on the ground. Firstly I must praise the cost of only £2.  There is always a temptation by sports' authorities to over-charge. There are, however, some omissions for which there is absolutely no excuse whatever! While every article has the author credited I can find no photographer's name here on any of the excellent  portrait and action shots in the publication. Why their skill and patience is not even acknowledged is a mystery to me. A picture is alleged to be worth a thousand words. in fact, of course, it is worth many more than that. You may think from this programme that a word is worth a thousand pictures. I should mention, in case anyone thinks I may be personally involved here, none of my pictures are in use this year!

As I re-watch these games again courtesy Sky TV, other thoughts may well cross my mind.

Addendum: Comments  during the men's Test (Edgbaston) coverage which might be applicable to the women's.

(a) Mess with the foundations and you are set to fail

(b) Too many changes speaks of panic.

Also... further thoughts

8. Selection for the remaining Ashes will be made based on the matches already played and on how players do playing against male teams. Will these be abandoned when the Super League starts, or will selection continue as now? If the latter, what's the point of the S/L?

9. Watching ODI 1 again, I have to applaud Meg Lanning, who, when she got a poor decision (ball took the edge of the bat but she was given out lbw) immediately turned away and, not at all obvious at the ground, the only reaction was a wry grin. That's the true 'Spirit of Cricket'; accepting the umpire's decision without question!

10. Can anyone tell me what the technology that gives all the players a Dowager's hump , do? I know if someone had stuck something down my back when I was expected to play I'd have been more than a little put out. There are enough distractions without that.

11. My England player of the ODI Series would be Katherine Brunt. Don't look at her figures - I haven't checked them - but I base my choice on the effort and emotion that she put in to the matches. Whether batting, bowling or fielding, does anyone put more effort and heart into it? I admire players with this much commitment.

Comment : I was amused by the "Eng Wom" on the scoreboard at Taunton.
I'll be looking out for "Eng Men" next time I watch them!
Let's just have "Eng", please!

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