The Cricket Thread

[niko_cee]

:D

Really need the 'batter' to lay his mate out [with the bat] to make it perfect.

And seriously, what level is that? Is that what village cricket is like?

[Dquincy]

:D it's brilliant isn't it.

Apparently it was a stag doo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The bowler and batsman both have 'never played before' written all over them. You wouldn't get in any sort of team shaping up like that. Non striker probably played a bit and reckons he's a bit special, hence the comedy bat throw when he's run out.

[Ian]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/sep/23/mcc-foundation-expands-cricket-realise-dreams-lords-national-hubs-finals

This seems like a good thing, though are there actually loads of young people with no "pathway" or is the bigger issue still more about the yoof not being into cricket in this country?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yep, that is a good thing, as evidenced by the fact that MCC or indeed any body other than ECB has been the one doing it. The latter are currently in a massive crisis after withdrawing from the tour of Pakistan apparently unilaterally (the players say it wasn't them), while Surrey have snapped up one of their top guys to be CEO. Proper sinking ship.

[Danny]

Mo has packed in test cricket.

[Ian]

I saw that.

I don't blame him, and it's hard to honestly say I really want him in the team given how patchy he is but on the flipside... Mo. :(

As Jimmy put it in the second Jimrage:

Moeen Ali
This morning I saw a picture of him playing chess with Ravi Bopara, which appeared to have been taken by an ECB sniper. I like to imagine that it was a piece of performance art, a cry for help. He's a fucking legend. We don't deserve him.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B4atgkfCYAEvdqB.jpg:large

[Ian]

I don't follow much county cricket but I'm impressed by Lancashire being 12-6 in the Bob Willis Trophy final.

Bit of work for their bowlers to do.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Re Mo, there are some great stats around his all round contribution. One of not many people to make 5 hundreds and 5 five-fors in Tests, and the others are all legendary names.

[Ian]

1442450193677389830

Mo. :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

The others are:

Jacques Kallis
Sir Garfield Sobers
Lord Sir Ian 'Beefy' Botham
Tony Greig
Kapil Dev
Prime Minister and Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Imran Khan
Keith Miller MBE
Daniel Vettori
Ashwin
Chris Cairns*
Vinoo Mankad
Shakib Al Hasan*

Based on that I should hope that knighthood is a bare minimum, although I reckon he would already have an MBE by now so he's probably turned it down.

*bet365 platinum members

[Max Power]

Top guy, under rated and poorly treated cricketer. Glad we still get to see some flowing cover drives in white ball cricket for some years yet.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tasmania refused to play against Queensland because there had been 4 Covid cases in Queensland (4 cases in the 1.8 million km region, not the cricket team).

The Ashes is clearly not going to happen either as England will refuse to tour based on Australian quarantine demands for wives and families. This after England and New Zealand withdrew from Pakistan, India withdrew from England, and Australia haven't played an away Test for two years.

The sport is completely borked.

[Jimmy Floyd]

ECB chairman Ian Watmore yesterday on the decision to pull out of the Pakistan tour:


“I’m very sorry to anyone who feels hurt or let down by our decision, particularly in Pakistan,” he said. “The decision the board made was an extremely difficult one and the board made it with the primary consideration being the welfare and mental health of our players and staff.

“The board took the decision based on its own judgments and it didn’t go out to wider consultation. Had we decided to go forward with the tour, we’d have had to put the proposals to TEPP (the body that represents England players) and the PCA, but it didn’t reach that point,” adding that America’s decision to pull its troops out of Afghanistan had come as a surprise. “I don’t know if you read President Biden’s mind, but I didn’t know he was going to evacuate Afghanistan,” Watmore said.

:cab:

[Ian]

Do they all look the same to him, or...?

[Max Power]

ECB are utter poison even in the world of sport administration.

This Pakistan thing is an utter disgrace. As the late Bob once said; “HEADS MUST ROLL (Charles)”

[Jimmy Floyd]

If all parties involved are telling the truth, I have absolutely zero idea what is going on or why they would pull out of a 4 day trip to Pakistan. The only conclusions are a) that not all parties involved are telling the truth, or b) the ECB is so absurd as an organisation that major decisions are somehow taken without consultation, rhyme or reason. Both options very possible tbh.

[Queenslander]

The Kiwis also pulled out at the last minute.

Stuff going to that part of the world.

[hfswjyr]

We evacuated minutes before the match was about to begin. So in fairness, we gave it a good go all the way up to match day, until our government told them to get out of there.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58759083

Does Paine say anything that doesn't sound enormously arsey?


"The Ashes are going ahead. The first Test is on 8 December - whether Joe is here or not," said Paine.

Speaking to radio station SEN Hobart, he added: "It'll be worked out above us and then they'll have a choice whether to get on that plane or not.

"No-one is forcing any England player to come. That's the beauty of the world we live in - you have a choice. If you don't want to come, don't come."

[Jimmy Floyd]

Like all Australian cricketers he has the self awareness of a custard cream. AWW LOOK MATE YOU'D BETTER FACKIN COME MATE EVEN THOUGH THOUSANDS OF OUR OWN CITIZENS ARE STILL LOCKED OUT

They haven't played an away Test for two years.

[Queenslander]

Say nothing Paine you dumb cunt.

[Ian]

:D

[Queenslander]

If England have to quarantine once they should be given an Island on the Whitsundays or one of those massive golfing resorts on the Gold Coast.I think Lane Cove hosted the Melbourne Clubs, AFL officials, Melbourne media etc.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58805312

:drool:

[Queenslander]

Stuff going to Pakistan to play Cricket.

[Jimmy Floyd]

ECB chairman resigns after 10 months. Hounded out of the game by Ramiz Raja, now that's what I call being a smooth operator.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The barmy army put this graphic up for a lol the other day:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FBB07RBUYAM_ayF?format=png&name=900x900

Tim Paine:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FBKlCXTXIAAlWoc?format=jpg&name=medium

:D / :cab:

[Ian]

:D

Do you think he just wakes up already seething and just stays that way until bedtime?

[Queenslander]

He doesn't need to respond to everything that comes his way. FFS

Such a moron and the thing is it wont get better with a new generation either.

[Queenslander]

Im 100% going to day 1 of the Brisbane Test.


https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the-ashes/cricket-australia-the-ashes-england-squad-named-first-test-when-does-it-start-dates-latest-news/news-story/37d6ce1619b903684d938b63de36f392?fbclid=IwAR3oyAeR xXDVtHxG5MEeFefXHoGAaviqO-k-B5L3hmVf6fIhZ4JoRNRnd2E

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wise decision, it might be over by day two.

[Queenslander]

Ive never been to a day 1 of an Ashes Test.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've only ever been to one day of an Ashes Test, which was day 3 at the Oval in 2005, which I somehow managed to spend watching Langer and Hayden peel off easy hundreds. All rather lost to history.

Also seen Dravid and Amla get double tons against us, and Samuels/Sammy get hundreds on the same day. If you want to see England get laced around then just give me a ticket. Think I've even seen Tamim Iqbal ton up at Lord's, though it might have been a fever dream.

[Queenslander]

:D


Get you a fancy Airbnb over looking The Gabba.

[Ian]

You're not going to need Jimmy's curse to see England get fucked in Oz.

Keep that in your back pocket for a rainy day.

[Queenslander]

Im sure they will lift for the occasion.

I wonder if I can get away with booing David Warner when he walks out to bat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've just seen a cricket tipster I respect tip England to win the Ashes at 7/1. Heads have gone.

[Ian]

We are, surely, staring down the barrel of a 4/5-0?

Our batting is too frail and won't withstand consistent, quick, accurate (or perhaps indeed any) bowling and the bowlers aren't going to match it to pick up the slack.

I look forward to the smug Tim Paine century. :moop:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Without more Root double tons I couldn't see us making 250 vs Cummins, Hazlewood et al. Add in a shite bowling attack and you have a big defeat, as far as I can see.

The only positive for us is that a lot of it will be happening at night.

[niko_cee]

Always love the wake up in the morning and try to work out if we are batting in our first or second innings conundrum.

[Ian]

Yeah the old "Am I exasperated or rather pleased?" moment when you first check in after waking up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Last tour I woke up on day 1 of the first Test to hear James Vince batting on 80 not out, and thought I'd passed over to the other side. Fortunately minutes later he was run out, the sun came up, and everything was normal again.

[Ian]

He scored 80 down under, you say?

Get him on the plane. He'll 24 (edged to slip) us to victory.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There is probably a legitimate argument for him over Lawrence, but I'm glad they haven't followed it.

[Ian]

I will hear no arguments for Vince, legitimate or otherwise.

[hfswjyr]

The BBC article headline was "ECB name strong Ashes squad" or something like that. I mean, at what point do we switch the adjective to mediocre, or weak?

[Ian]

If James Vince is there it should read "ECB concede Ashes."

[Jimmy Floyd]

The BBC article headline was "ECB name strong Ashes squad" or something like that. I mean, at what point do we switch the adjective to mediocre, or weak?

Presumably it just meant that nobody had refused to tour, because otherwise a squad featuring one person with a batting average about 36 is probably not 'strong'.

[niko_cee]

Today's offering from the IPL looks interesting on the scorecards.

KKR cruising at 123-1 after 15.3 overs, in pursuit of 136 to win, fast forward 4.1 overs and they're 130-7 with 2 balls to go, and then hit a six to win it. :cab:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Spot fixing galore.

[Queenslander]

:lol:



‘I don’t think I will ever get answers’: Frustrated Warner vents over brutal IPL axing


https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/i-dont-think-i-will-ever-get-answers-frustrated-warner-vents-over-brutal-ipl-axing/news-story/825471f4f88908ff61bfcd6138a6d3df?fbclid=IwAR3EiSaZ JFGlPuncgGw67WkK3AuLXHBl3MYiZiRX4Ld1rsfbX8IUh0kPrn A

[Jimmy Floyd]

Because you're shite, mate.

Overseas batsmen get very little rope as there are so many good Indian replacements at a tenth of the price.

[Jimmy Floyd]

RIP Bangladesh (again), troosers doon.

[igor_balis]

Watching underdogs shit the bed in the field is always very frustrating. If Oman could hold onto a couple of pretty easy chances they'd have Bangladesh v much on the ropes.

[Ian]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/20/england-cricket-team-selector-chris-silverwood

I'm not saying having a selection committee doesn't or can't work because obviously it can and has in the past, however the arguments against it here are ones which have already been solved decades ago by other sports (by scouting, for the most part) and the way that's written smacks a bit of "Well this is how we've always done it. :("

Whether the change will greatly change England's fortunes one way or the other or with any consistency I couldn't say.

[niko_cee]

It's alright. James Pattinson has just retired. Just need to work on nobbling Hazelwood, Cummings and Starc, Smith, 'Marnus' and a few others and we'll be dead set for the ashes.

[Ian]

Fucking Labuschagne.

"Hooray they're having to call somebody up to replace Smith!"

:moop:

[Ian]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2021/oct/18/will-t20-cricket-mutate-or-stagnate-either-way-it-should-be-fun-finding-out

I like the idea of players having a huge role in tournaments who not only have their opponents never heard of before now but even most of their own team mates.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Namibia boshing Ireland is a bit of a shocker, although I guess it helps that David Wiese seems to have found a Namibian passport down the back of the sofa.

The groups are now very unbalanced and England are in the hard one, can't wait to be thrashed by Sri Lanka for the 400th consecutive tournament. Even when we won the World Cup, and they spent the whole thing crying about swimming pools, they somehow beat us.

[Max Power]

Zampa’s hair :D

[Gray Fox]

Bowling a team out for 55 in T20? What?

[igor_balis]

Bangladesh being bottling twats, putting down simple catches?? Who'd have thought it. Sake.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This Bang/SL game has been fun. Liton Das was giving it out earlier and now dropped two major dollies which will mean automatic defeat when otherwise they would have won.

India and Pakistan on next.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scenes ongoing. Shaheen Afridi is so good.

[thommo]

The ball he bowled to Rahul was brilliant. Cut him in half and it was too quick for him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Pepe's ads are back as well, I'm in heaven.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just noticed Big Vernon Philander sitting in the Pakistan think tank, what glorious madness is this? Nailed on WC winners.

[Queenslander]

Warner you dumb cunt he will get booed off the park every game.


David Warner speaks out as rich lifeline emerges for ‘scapegoat’ cricketer


“So it’s quite likely that he becomes a T20 mercenary playing around the world collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars and never plays for South Africa again.”

Already there are suggestions de Kock could be approached by Australia’s Big Bash clubs if he opted out of South Africa’s summer.

That move was backed by Warner, who believed he could be a drawcard for Australia’s Twenty20 tournament.

“He’d be great for the Big Bash,” Warner said.

“There’s a lot of other leagues around the world that other South African players are participating in.

“That’s obviously a decision for each individual but it would be good for any international player to come down to Australia and participate.”

David Warner (left) has backed Quinton de Kock (right) for the Big Bash.
David Warner (left) has backed Quinton de Kock (right) for the Big Bash. Credit: Getty
Australia’s approach to taking a knee remains that they discuss the issue with opposing teams before each match, before deciding whether to kneel together.

An edict has never been given to players from above, but a decision is made as one group.

It comes after initial criticism from Michael Holding when Australia did not take a knee in England last year, before a barefoot circle was implemented at home last summer.

“From my perspective I can’t talk about what’s happening in the (South African) camp,” David Warner said.

“At home we take part in the barefoot circle and we recognise our Indigenous peoples and condemn racism globally.

“We respect the decision of the opponents and the captains will talk about it before we go out to play, and we’ll take the knee as well and we will reciprocate.”

https://7news.com.au/sport/cricket/david-warner-speaks-out-as-rich-lifeline-emerges-for-scapegoat-cricketer-c-4352634?fbclid=IwAR3dxiplwQR8T9l4Go_bBacJi-uyHcsSMKT4NuaehtCBlFA9bpwcP0G-kCg

[Jimmy Floyd]

The de Kock thing is madness. What must his black team mates think?

[niko_cee]

That he's a white South African man?

His default setting is likely massive racist.

[Ian]

I totally get when people say they think it's a bit played out and is losing / has lost any impact but there's no way around the fact that if you're refusing to do it you just look like a big ol' racist.

Which as Niko says (and even the SA cricket statement alluded to) is even more not-great when you're from where he is.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I know but until recently (and certainly in the Graeme Smith era) they made a big effort on this sort of thing. Probably chalk another body up to the American culture war.

[niko_cee]

It's obviously performative nonsense, which it has been from the outset [away from its origin] in it's completely without context application, but life is all about performative nonsense these days. Something something face masks, something something culture war. It's easier just to go with it for the most part, particularly if your job likely depends on it.

[niko_cee]

:D

Something something, doing my research.

[igor_balis]

The de Kock thing is madness. What must his black team mates think?

That it's not very surprising, man.

[Queenslander]

How fast is that bloody hell.


‘I am not a racist’: Apologetic de Kock breaks silence, prepared to take the knee


https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/t20-world-cup-2021/south-africa/cricket-news-2021-quinton-de-kock-to-take-the-knee-with-south-african-proteas-teammates/news-story/4920af1fe4f8d96c10a739fd3b0ff9fa?fbclid=IwAR14zA7n uw0Pgpd3yQnv69akkHNrFYn8rFf6iXpH7Kk5-WDx02cHfqYff2g

[Ian]

"Coloured" :uhoh:

A pity he didn't do a full "I'm not racist, but-"

[Jimmy Floyd]

Coloured is a legit thing down there. Think Herschelle Gibbs.

[Ian]

Okay, fair enough. Wasn't sure if it was just a word the white folk were still using.

[Ian]

Yorkshire to take no action against any employees after racism claims by former player (https://news.sky.com/story/cricketer-azeem-rafiq-yorkshire-to-take-no-action-against-any-employees-after-racism-claims-by-former-player-12453345)

:face:

[Jimmy Floyd]

The way they put 'The Yorkshire County Cricket Club' in all their statements is a dead giveaway. I'm imagining some Edwardian textile mill owner bristling in a top hat at the factory gates.

'Racism? At my mill? I'll 'ear no word of it. The dirty browns got what they deserved.'

[Jimmy Floyd]

RIP Australia.

[Ian]

What's happened?

[Ian]

Oh I see what's happened. :drool:

[thommo]

Fuck me, what a dismantling that was. Glorious.

[Jimmy Floyd]

More scenes unfolding here.

[Max Power]

We love it.

However India fortunate they have Namibia and Scotland as their last two so will know what they need from a NRR point of view if they lose this. Although can’t rule out Afghanistan turning over either of these I suppose.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If they lose this they're toast barring an NZ loss somewhere. Afghan have a strong run rate as well.

[Max Power]

India getting absolutely hosed here.

Absolutely peak Mark Nicholas commentary on space travel/the moon. What a Sunday afternoon entertainment.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Christ yes that was amazing. He's always right on the edge of Madeley/Partridge without quite crossing.

The crowd shots of Indian funereal faces are driving me on into the new week.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/yorkshire-racism-report-ruled-azeem-rafiq-being-called-p-i-was-banter-1286449


At least one Yorkshire player admitted to regularly using the term 'P**i' when talking to Azeem Rafiq, according to the report into racism at the club. But he was cleared of wrongdoing on the basis that it was perceived as, what the report says was, friendly, good-natured "banter" between the two players.

The player also admitted to telling other people "don't talk to him [Rafiq], he's a P**i", asking "is that your uncle?" when they saw bearded Asian men and saying "does your dad own those?" in reference to corner shops.

Despite admitting recalling that Rafiq broke down in tears at one point, the player insisted he had no idea he was causing offence and would have stopped if Rafiq had asked.

The individual concerned, who ESPNcricinfo have chosen not to name, is a current senior player at the club.

While the investigating team (the lawyers who were charged with gathering evidence for the report) found such comments to be "capable of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment…" and accepted Rafiq's "evidence that he was offended, degraded or humiliated and that this amounted to harassment under the Equality Act and the Club's Equal Opportunities policy", the panel (who were charged with making conclusions and recommendations and which included a non-executive member of the Yorkshire board) disagreed.

Their conclusions state "The Panel does not accept that Azeem was offended by [the other player's] comments, either at the time they were made or subsequently."

They go on to say that, in the context of "banter between friends" Rafiq might be "expected to take such comments in the spirit in which they were intended (i.e. good natured banter between friends)… [so] it was not reasonable for Azeem to have been offended by [the other player] directing equally offensive or derogatory comments back at him in the same spirit of friendly banter."

Indeed, the panel accuses Rafiq of using "offensive, racially derogatory comments" when referring to a player of Zimbabwean heritage as "Zimbo from Zimbabwe". The panel viewed this as "a racist, derogatory term" and recommends that, were Rafiq still a Yorkshire player, he should face disciplinary action for using it.

Yorkshire should be abolished and its constituent parts given to surrounding counties.

[Ian]

Jesus fucking Christ.

Wall it up and turn it into a reservoir.

[Ian]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2021/nov/01/yorkshire-cricket-are-institutionally-racist-for-me-there-is-no-other-conclusion
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/cricket/why-yorkshire-ccc-is-facing-gravest-crisis-in-its-158-year-history-over-azeem-rafiq-affair-chris-waters-3439832


The sadness is that there are plenty of decent, principled, appalled people still working at Yorkshire today, but very few of them are in positions of real power. According to the Yorkshire Post some senior figures at the club are disgruntled it has not taken a more hostile line against Rafiq.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They must be a proper 1970s throwback in pretty much every sense. I'm imagining the Leeds boardroom as portrayed in 'The Damned United', with brown flared suits, fags on the go, mutton chops etc.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-59130556

:cab:

Also I see Big Bazza Gallance is (one of) the people doing the racisms at Yarhshuh.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There is some serious menace in the Yorkshire board. Dobell was very very astute in not naming the player in his original report (to much Twitter 'name and shame him!!!' seethe) because it meant that the opinion guns were turned firmly on the Yorkshire board for several days. This was a brilliant strategy as it meant the story was that the club are awful shithouses, rather than the lesser but more OUTRAGE-friendly issue of Gary Ballance calling someone a Paki a few years ago. Now all the sponsors are deserting them at a rate of knots (including their stadium title sponsor, and Yorkshire Tea) so the board's response, rather than to change tack in any way whatsoever, has been to hang Ballance out to dry and make it about him, in a presumably doomed attempt to save their own skins. Weirdly his statement included the continued assertion that Rafiq was just as bad, something that seems to be driving the brandy-stained seething on the Yorkshire board.

The sub-plot to all this is the ECB silence, which is almost as shameful as the 19th century mill-owner skulduggery being performed by the Yorkshire board, and makes me wonder what Tom Harrison's £700,000 salary and famously generous bonus package (I always have to retch after typing that) is for if not to actually try and govern the sport.

[Ian]

Have the ECB said or done anything so far as we can tell?

[thommo]

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/cricket/12459497/atherton-and-hussain-discuss-rafiq-racism-case

An interesting discussion.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They released four sentences the other day saying they had a lawyer, which I suppose is better than not having a lawyer.

[niko_cee]

I particularly like how new racist Barry Gallance is very prominently BORN IN ZIMBABWE in all the reporting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's key to the story because the whole Yorkshire spiel is that by calling him a 'Zimbo', Azeem was just as bad.

[Ian]

It really is beyond a parody of how racist, bacony types deal with this sort of thing that their main line here is "You know who the real racist is? The brown fella."

[Dave.]

What amuses me is that people are surprised by this? If you didn't know that Yorkshire County Cricket Club is institutionally racist then you've been living under a rock all your life. All this stuff about Azeem Rafiq is disgusting but definitely not surprising.

[Ian]

ECB ban Yorkshire from hosting England matches. How much does that actually hurt them?

And what else is within the ECB's power to punish them with? Just fines, etc.?

[thommo]

I must say, I didn't expect that. Seems like quite a step to take - I'd imagine takings from a 5 day England Test dwarf anything else they do all season long.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not to worry lads, Michael Vaughan has finally weighed in.


I never heard racist abuse, but Yorkshire was a hard dressing room. As a second team player we had to knock on the dressing room door before entering. If you had a big nose, bald or carried a bit of weight they would be commented on.

I was the first non-Yorkshire born player to play for the county and that was commented on a lot. I am not comparing those examples with racism, but...

What is going on? Why is this happening? Is this even happening? Am I in a fever dream of some kind?

[Danny]

Sachin played for us ( :uhoh: ) before Vaughan, so I would continue to ignore anything he says.

Hopefully everyone involved in this nonsense cover us is gone. Absolute shambles.

[Ian]

Can't remember if it was Liew's article or another I read but somebody wrote that when Tendulkar played he was Yorkshire's first ethnic minority player and that was some time after everybody else had managed that particular first. And even then ex players such as Ttueman didn't see the point in it.

Very progressive.

Vaughan remains, of course, a twat.

[Danny]

I think Sachin was the first overseas player. This is in the 90's. Shows the backwards mentality at the club even then. I think thats 60+ years behind some teams.

[Luke Emia]

Vaughan being a racist is in a lot of ways hilarious. How long till the BBC throw him under the bus? I'm surprised The Telegraph have allowed him to use his column to refute the accusations. Especially with what he has said in it.

[Dave.]

Sachin played for us ( :uhoh: ) before Vaughan, so I would continue to ignore anything he says.

Hopefully everyone involved in this nonsense cover us is gone. Absolute shambles.

Even if he means first non-overseas, non-Yorkshire born cricketer to play for Yorkshire, I'm reasonably sure Richard Stemp debuted before him and he's from Birmingham.

[Ian]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/05/yorkshire-ccc-chairman-resigns-as-azeem-rafiq-racism-case-fallout-deepens-cricket


“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to Azeem,” Hutton said. “I am sorry that we could not persuade executive members of the board to recognise the gravity of the situation and show care and contrition.

“There has been a constant unwillingness from the executive members of the board and senior management at the club to apologise and to accept [there was] racism and to look forward.

“During my time as chairman, I take responsibility for failing to persuade them to take appropriate and timely action. This frustration has been shared by all of the non-executive members of the board, some of whom have also now resigned.”

The finger-pointing going on is superb.

The atmosphere in Yarkshuh HQ must be phenomenal right now.

[Danny]

Even if he means first non-overseas, non-Yorkshire born cricketer to play for Yorkshire, I'm reasonably sure Richard Stemp debuted before him and he's from Birmingham.

So either way he is full of shit. I am sure we are all stunned by that revelation.

[Danny]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/05/yorkshire-ccc-chairman-resigns-as-azeem-rafiq-racism-case-fallout-deepens-cricket



The finger-pointing going on is superb.

The atmosphere in Yarkshuh HQ must be phenomenal right now.

On cricinfo

Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton resigns in racism probe fallout, bemoans ECB 'reluctance to act' earlier
Lord Kamlesh Patel is the likely interim replacement, though former Yorkshire and ECB chairman Colin Graves is keen on another stint


I see that going down well :uhoh:

[Danny]

https://news.sky.com/story/michael-vaughan-to-miss-radio-show-amid-racism-allegations-bbc-says-12461033

"Michael Vaughan to miss radio show amid racism allegations, BBC says"
Luke Emia, about 9 hours.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Aus don't chase down this West Indian target, we should 100% throw our game later.

[niko_cee]

Going to need some serious boffinry to work out the exact way to lose and not be eliminated, if that is indeed possible.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Apparently they need to win by 61-90 runs or something like that (a bigger defeat would put us under threat). Perfectly doable if Captain Morgan knows what he's doing.

[Max Power]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FDfv8tiWYAE_6aF?format=jpg&name=900x900

:D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Well the bowlers have done their bit, now it's over to the batsmen. Jason Roy showing good intent by trying to break his neck against the hoardings in a pointless dive towards the end there.

[niko_cee]

Could be on for something here, although we're probably as likely to somehow get ourselves eliminated as we are to conspire Australia out of things. If we just go run a ball for 120-0 does that put us through top and Australia out? Would be seriously funny.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think we'd need to be 70 odd all out to get knocked out. Around there somewhere.

86, there you go. 87-130 is the target number.

[Dquincy]

Jason Roy. :(

[Jimmy Floyd]

'...and Bairstow reviews immediately!' exclaims Michael Atherton, shortly before the triple rouge salute.

[niko_cee]

In fairness to Bairstow, it looked like it was going down leg all day long.

Looks like we might actually be doing this. Do they need to bowl us out of just keep us under 132?

[Jimmy Floyd]

They need to keep us to 131, wickets don't matter in NRR. Can't see it unless we really self-immolate. Mo doesn't do intrepid conspiracies.

[Max Power]

Livingstone really is one of the cleanest hitters I’ve ever seen. Brutal.

[niko_cee]

That six that went 112m is one of the biggest hits I've ever seen.

[Ian]

Did Bairsy do a Bairsy? Be my eyes, lads.

[thommo]

Shame about Roy getting injured. Think we'd have walked that chase if he'd remained fit. And yes, Livingstone is mental. I still go back and watch that six he put over the Headingley roof now and again.

[Queenslander]

'Sorry mate just a bit of banter'



James Pattinson BANNED as Cricket Australia hands out huge fine for ‘dangerous’ act


https://7news.com.au/sport/cricket/pattinson-sanctioned-for-shield-incident-c-4500525?fbclid=IwAR2f9Dt23JaP8NJjRYeFyHNfqu3lX-8s4bRfy45ztcB80ev7N1hqjffUR1E
https://7news.com.au/sport/cricket/pattinson-sanctioned-for-shield-incident-c-4500525?fbclid=IwAR2f9Dt23JaP8NJjRYeFyHNfqu3lX-8s4bRfy45ztcB80ev7N1hqjffUR1E

[Ian]

He should get another couple of games for the hair.

[Queenslander]

He should get another couple of games for the hair.

You'd be a big fan of Melbourne then.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jeez, if I used the banhammer every time that happened in a league game I was standing in, I'd have to quit my job and become a full time writer of disciplinary reports.

It is ugly though.

[Queenslander]

Men's cricket has a wee bit of an image problem down here to be fair.

Cant be doing that for the media to see.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59231560

First point: Causing a pile-on is, generally speaking, not really cool.

However: have Yorkshire briefed any of their staff about how to behave while all this is going on? Commis policies, all that wank? It feels like they're shooting themselves in the foot at every possible opportunity at the moment.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The whole place is obviously in defence mode. I don't really know how most counties operate as I only know Surrey who are light years ahead of the others in most respects (except cricket), but I can't imagine there is a massive amount of resource or knowledge dedicated to that sort of thing.

We've been sent in here and Billings in for Roy (Bairstow to open). Hmm.

[Ian]

What sort of target do we reckon we need here?


The whole place is obviously in defence mode. I don't really know how most counties operate as I only know Surrey who are light years ahead of the others in most respects (except cricket), but I can't imagine there is a massive amount of resource or knowledge dedicated to that sort of thing.

Even still, it surprises me that in 2021 an organisation like this can get it so wrong. But I suppose that probably just shows how deep it runs.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Think this should suffice.

Livingstone hits a hard old ball, doesn't he?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Woakesy storming past Raducaunu for sports personality of the year.

[niko_cee]

He could take 18 more wickets in the tournament and hit a hundred in the final and he'd still have no chance.

Azeem Rafiq would be more likely.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think I was being tangen cheek, as they say in Willington.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is a massive choke. Jordan's 17th was an absolute mess.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was 60 off 27 and now 6 off 9, so that's, what, 54 off 18? Top bombing chaps.

[Danny]

Massive choke.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was the Jordan over that did it, served up ball after ball of slot dreck mixed in with some comedy wides. Easy sixes for Neesham. Really frustrating to watch.

[niko_cee]

I see our ability to chuck away a seemingly unassailable position in this format continues.

Watch New Zealand fold like a pack of cards against Australia in the final now.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59250609

I know he'll average 78 against England but those stats look bang average.

[thommo]

https://thenamal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot_20211030-034213.png

:cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Australia will smash these easily. Not even a contest.

[thommo]

Especially now Smith is out. I don't know he makes the T20 team, to be honest.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Modern T20 is not a difficult game to read, if you let any kind of specialist batsmen get to the last 3 overs with 40 or fewer required, you're cooked, as these two games have demonstrated. It's just easy sixes no matter who bowls or where they bowl it.

To win batting first you have to have an insane total, or take wickets constantly so that you have one or more bowlers in and can tie them down. You cannot allow any partnerships at all. Pakistan lost that when they had them 5 down and allowed Stoinis and Wade to pat it around for 5+ overs and still be there.

Dropping Wade didn't help but think they'd still have won easily tbh.

[thommo]

https://thenamal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot_20211030-034213.png

:cool:

:(

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59251263

:D

[niko_cee]

And thus begins the inevitable journey to meek capitulation.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/cricket/59252060

:D

[Dquincy]

Vaughan is in trouble now. Be interesting to see what he does. Either accept the L and apologise, or double down on the denial.

'Rashid backs Rafiq racism allegations against Vaughan'

http://www.skysports.com/share/12469123

[Jimmy Floyd]

Again, with Vaughan, it's just his stupidity now that makes it worse. He should have just come out immediately and said yes I said it, I was very stupid to do so, I'll go round apologising to all concerned and be better in future. Instead he did that absurd Telegraph piece denying it which has probably torched him now that Rash has weighed in.

A nation mourns.

[Dquincy]

Which is a shame as I liked him as a pundit. The daft racist.

[Luke Emia]

Again, with Vaughan, it's just his stupidity now that makes it worse. He should have just come out immediately and said yes I said it, I was very stupid to do so, I'll go round apologising to all concerned and be better in future. Instead he did that absurd Telegraph piece denying it which has probably torched him now that Rash has weighed in.

A nation mourns.

Yep, you would think that he turns round apologises initially and says he felt it was banter at the time but accepts that it isn't banter. He's sorry that it happened and that he mortified that he has made this mistake and it will never happen again. He might lose his Beeb stuff but he's not unemployable in this country though. Now he will struggle to ever get another gig here moving forwards.

[Jimmy Floyd]

From the Mail:


- Michael Vaughan's sponsors have distanced themselves amid his racism storm
- The England captain is accused of racially abusing players of Asian heritage
- Men's outfitters Charles Tyrwhitt said they are 'monitoring the situation closely'
- The BBC are facing calls to drop Vaughan from their Ashes coverage this winter

God I love the absurdity of this sort of thing. It's like the other week when a key part of the Yorkshire house of cards collapsing was the public condemnation from Harrogate Spring Water.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Meanwhile Azeem Rafiq is testifying today, it's all in this thread and there is some incredible detail: https://twitter.com/NakulMPande/status/1460535682909282309


‘Kevin’ as a name for any player of colour began with Gary Ballance and spread to the England dressing room, including Alex Hales naming his black dog Kevin.

Blimey.

[Ian]

Jesus Christ.

Feels like there could be a few more mainstream careers coming to an end too, I'd missed the stuff about Bumble. What happened there?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not sure, though I guess he was involved with the PCA at one point who are also getting steamrollered here, so could have been that.

Harrison will have to go in the end I think, ECB are going to get obliterated later.

[Ian]

That red wine story is fucking mental as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's fucking rife. The bigger club down the road from me had an infamous incident of 'jokingly' throwing bananas at one of their own black players a few years ago, and the guy didn't complain or anything - we were always astonished at how that could be a widely known incident and nothing happened. I played against the guy, asked him about it and he said it was 'well meant' - does he really think that, or is he just so isolated he doesn't feel able to do anything about it?

I'm going to put out a revision of the inclusivity policy in the next few weeks and if any club in the country isn't doing that, they're not listening.

[Yevrah]

Fuck inclusivity policies. They need to be ripped up and replaced with 'not being a cunt' charters.

[Ian]

I can imagine there being a lot of people involved in things like that banana stuff, say, who'd be genuinely flabbergasted if you told them they were being racist because "He was laughing about it!" (or just not actively complaining, but then we all know in any environment if you rise to a joke or barb then you're just going to make it worse for yourself) without once stopping to ponder whether, as you say, the guy just felt he had to laugh/go with it or be excluded altogether.

I think there are situations where one to one or in very small groups people genuinely have the sort of friendship / relationship where they can make jokes around some of this stuff and it genuinely be "banter" (ugh) but if you're at the point where a dressing room is sitting watching that happen it just feels ghastly and I can't imagine just 'going along with that' even if the guy seemed to be part of the 'joke' and not just the butt of it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fuck inclusivity policies. They need to be ripped up and replaced with 'not being a cunt' charters.

Not being a cunt isn't enough. You also have to, as an organisation, actively stop others from being cunts. Which is what inclusivity is.

[Yevrah]

Not being a cunt isn't enough. You also have to, as an organisation, actively stop others from being cunts. Which is what inclusivity is.

And yet we have bananas being thrown around in changing rooms.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Then clearly they weren't doing anything about it, and then some.

In order to change or improve a culture you must first lay down ground rules.

[Yevrah]

I guess what I'm getting at is policies are a box ticking exercise (I don't doubt Yorkshire Cricket Club had one) and sending a revised one is going to do next to nothing.

Ironically, what will do more than anything else could is the tidal wave of justified media exposure this hate filled shit show has generated.

[Ian]

1460574448218779650

:facepalm:

I assume he's going down the route of "But there are so many non-white players!" In which case I dunno how he believes that racism exists at all.

[Spikey M]

I've been enjoying the fallout of all this. How could cricket clubs - chaired exclusively by white male pensioners(?) - possibly be racist? Shocking stuff.

[Spikey M]

I'm looking forward to the Rugby edition where someone called Geoff has sniffed indignantly at someone doing the Haka.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Race relations in cricket are a bloody nightmare. In the leagues where I operate there are plenty of white players and plenty of Asian players. There is always a massive culture clash between the two (particularly Pakistanis). To summarise it as tactfully as possible, white players tend to be interested in the sport as a social activity - i.e. it's not just about playing the game but also about socialising afterwards (often involving alcohol), being proud of your club and your role in maintaining its reputation and facilities, being organised, presenting the ground well, wearing the correct kit, and all the other facets of team sport that are familiar. With many Asian players - and this is a slight generalisation, but certainly a valid one - they are basically only interested in playing the game itself. That means they tend towards turning up 5 minutes before start time, don't want to warm up, don't want to help set the ground up, don't want to put away afterwards or socialise, and are happy just slinging on the cheapest generic kit from Sports Direct rather than 'representing the club' as the white man would see it. For them the joy is in bowling and batting, rather than in the surrounding stuff.

This can end up with really bitter enmity between the two, who are playing the same sport and love the sport equally but have completely different visions for how to enjoy it. I've seen clubs where either the whites or the Pakistanis will attempt hostile board/AGM takeovers in order to keep the club to themselves and exclude the other group. I can very well imagine that scenario where 15 year old Azeem Rafiq would get press-ganged into having wine poured down his throat. I have also seen the opposite scenarios where clubs fall apart because the Asian guys don't want to involve the wider community, women, or anyone outside their immediate social circles, and don't give back to the institution.

There's no easy solution except for the one where each group is happy to accommodate the other's preferences, something I have yet to see happen in many places.

[Dquincy]

"Steve"

1460812259769212929

[Ian]

Now I dunno where I stand on ones like that (calling one person Steve because you're thick as mince and can't pronounce his name is a bit different to deciding all non-whites should share a name and sit by the toilets) however a) names aren't that fucking hard and b) if somebody would rather you call them by their actual name then.... y'know, call them that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Whether it's racist bullying or just bullying, it all comes from the same toxic dressing room culture.

Whilst this thing isn't about individuals, as Rafiq kept saying, I genuinely find it incredible that Moxon and Gale haven't resigned yet.

[Ian]

It's just a reflection of how the whole organisation have handled this though, isn't it. The attitude they have that they either seem to genuinely believe they've done nothing wrong or are just not prepared under any circumstances to admit it.

Even weeks in my mind still boggles at how they've gone about dealing with this. You know there are plenty of backwards people knocking about but to have such a concentration of them is a bit of an eye opener.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The fact that things were said to have improved under Jason Gillespie and then immediately descended into this as soon as Gale and Ballance took over demonstrates how big an impact leadership has.

[Ian]

His description of Joe Root as a good man who never did any of this but that if he didn't remember this going on it's because he didn't care and/or because it doesn't affect him was very damning-with-faint-praise.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Joe Root put out a properly rubbish statement the other day that was clearly written by his lawyers. The establishment clearly don't have a clue what to do in this kind of situtation. I saw a great tweet when Tom Harrison (salary: £700,000, I have to mention it every time his name appears) came out to give evidence after Rafiq: 'Here comes Harrison to exude oil onto troubled waters'.

[Ian]

'Here comes Harrison to exude oil onto troubled waters'.

That is excellent.

Didn't the ECB's top brass also decide to award themselves so nice big bonuses to celebrate how much they'd 'grown' the game?

[Lofty]

Odds on Root being a mega wrong un down the line?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Root's not a mega wrong un, or any kind of wrong un. I think it's possible that he's a bit thick, at least in the way that many footballers are 'thick', i.e. they are so focused on their sport that there is not a lot of other thought that goes on.

[Ian]

I mean if Rafiq is right that Root has been there when people are throwing the word 'paki' about then that's already a very, very bad look. "I didn't hear it" isn't really much of an excuse if you're the captain and it's been happening regularly, you're meant to be making sure you know what's going on.

I'd be a bit surprised in Root's case if it got worse than that but who knows.

[Ian]

Root's not a mega wrong un, or any kind of wrong un. I think it's possible that he's a bit thick, at least in the way that many footballers are 'thick', i.e. they are so focused on their sport that there is not a lot of other thought that goes on.

I suspect Root dreams of the days when all he had to do was smack the ball about and give a cheeky grin to anybody seething at him.

Not that I blame him.

EDIT: His response to the homophobic sledging (which is in the field and picked up by stump mics and therefore not some kind of premeditated response) against whoever it was reflects well on him too.

[Ian]

1461058046650691584

The state of that.

[Danny]

Check it for Vaughans fingerprints

[Smjffy]

Plot twist.

1461363690876256269

[Jimmy Floyd]

That isn't a plot twist.

[Smjffy]

It is now. :)

[Ian]

Oh, shit, so Yorkshire isn't racist and the brown guy IS the baddie.

What a relief.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Well you once said something racist too! Aha! Gotcha!'

*toxic power structures which aid and abet casual racism and other bullying persist*

There are a lot of people with powerful voices who aren't intelligent enough or informed enough to be part of this debate. Some are MPs, many are in the media, others in cricket itself.

[Smjffy]

Neither is right but people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

[Kikó]

What?

[Bam]

What?


Neither is right but people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

[Kikó]

Ah. Got you.

[Manc]

1461058046650691584

The state of that.

The use of felt tip at the bottom really elevates it.

[Dquincy]

The racee becomes the racerrr. :drool:

[Queenslander]

Tim Paine is such a moron what a way to be fired.

:lol:

https://7news.com.au/sport/cricket/tim-paine-resigns-as-test-captain-as-sexting-scandal-engulfs-australian-cricket-c-4618188


Time to kick out Langer and his mates so we can hire Gillespie and appoint Marnus as captain.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lol, what an era we live in.

Aus hiring Gillespie is nightmare fuel, you'd win everything.

[hfswjyr]

Seems like a fairly low threshold to have to resign over that. Do you really have to be holier than thou to be Australian cricket captain?

I mean, Chris Gayle captained the West Indies for years didn't he? I guess he didn't try for any privacy in the first place.

[Ian]

Paine really is a quite sizeable cretin.

[Queenslander]

Paine is a proper bullshit artist he would have been torn apart on social media if he stayed on and knowing how much of a dumb cunt he is he would have attempted to battle his detractors on Twitter.

Cricket Australia has done a good job with the women's game down here we can't have sex pest in charge of the men's team.

Edit: Paine also goes on the pile of gutless blokes who hide behind their wife and kids when they get in trouble eg Warner.

[Luke Emia]

Wasn't he only in the team because he was captain? As stupid as that sounds.

It's a shame about the Rafiq stuff in terms of someone has obviously sat on it for a fair while and has dug it up now and it will be used by some people to defend Yorkshire in this whole debacle because he has also made racist comments when in reality they should just have the fucking book thrown at them.

[Queenslander]

Wasn't he only in the team because he was captain? As stupid as that sounds.

Yep pretty much.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wasn't he only in the team because he was captain? As stupid as that sounds.

It's a shame about the Rafiq stuff in terms of someone has obviously sat on it for a fair while and has dug it up now and it will be used by some people to defend Yorkshire in this whole debacle because he has also made racist comments when in reality they should just have the fucking book thrown at them.

I doubt they sat on it, or they'd have brought it up ages ago. I would say it reeks of some pretty desperate people having rifled like mangy foxes through all his socials after he singed their powerful tails in parliament (more is to come, apparently).

[Ian]

I couldn't have been doing with the look on his face after the upcoming 5-0 defeat so it's all for the best really.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Right, so now Alex Hales has blacked up and defended himself saying it was a tribute to Tupac.

I think I'm done.

[Ian]

I saw that. So what was he at the time, 19 or 20 or something?

Maybe I was an especially forward-thinking teen but I'm pretty sure I knew well before my twenties that blacking up wasn't really a thing you ought to be doing.

I haven't followed all the discourse around this so I just hope this stuff around all the individuals (including Hales and Rafiq, though I'm not sure much can be done about whatever antisemitic stuff it was that he did now he doesn't play for anybody anyway) doesn't distract from the Yorkshire / ECB side of all this. I fear it will because what the media wants is the new story even if it's not the bigger story.

[niko_cee]

I went on a stag do around 10 years ago. We went to the darts at the O2. The stag dressed as a Somali pirate replete with darkened face and inflatable Ak47. We went on the tube. He wasn't even that young (around 30). Seems mad now, probably was at the time as well.

Another one I've recently dug up was in my school yearbook, which was edited by someone who holds a pretty senior role in a major UK public body, and it doesn't half contain some 'inflammatory' material [heavy racism/sexism etc]. That would have been from 20 years ago. These sorts of skeletons are everywhere and I'm not sure digging them up is particularly helpful.

[niko_cee]

That said, it is quite funny seeing the world burn. Aussie captain gone, apologies rolling in from all and sundry over historic misfeasance, there was a third part to this thought but it has gone from my mind.

[Disco]

Claim it was a cosplay, job done.

[Lofty]

Once I had a hen party from Workington on my train dressed up as 'Rastamouse' in full black make up and talking in cod Jamaican accents.

[Ian]

Those Tim Paine texts are pretty cringeworthy but I suppose that's to be expected of reading somebody else's messages of that sort.

Still, coming from such a fucking dweeb as him it's pretty lol.

[Lewis]

Once I had a hen party from Workington on my train dressed up as 'Rastamouse' in full black make up and talking in cod Jamaican accents.

:lol:

[Manc]

Always knew Niko was a wrong'un.

[Dquincy]

The incessant trial by public/twitter gets so tiresome.

These days no one is ever allowed to make a mistake.

[Ian]

Yeah accountability is bad. :(

[Dquincy]

Ian, put your pitchforks down and live and let live.

[Ian]

I don't have a "pitchfork." Metaphorical or otherwise. I don't post on social media because I don't hate myself enough for that.

While I'm not really convinced what the merit is in trying to punish people for being a dickhead a decade ago and I definitely don't see the point in hounding people for it online (see above), a) 20 is definitely old enough to not be blacking up, if you're "not a racist" and b) if you just don't be a bigot on social media then people won't harangue you for being a bigot on social media. It's not complicated.

[igor_balis]

I think there's some truth to what old quince is saying, but not always. Jon Ronsons stuff on it (so you've been publicly shamed) is interesting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

See also: Ollie Robinson v Craig Overton (is the latter in the Ashes squad? Lol if so)

[igor_balis]

A dickhead from my school went to a halloween party blacked up as Kanye West while his mate went in drag as Taylor swift as a combined "imma let you finish but..." costume, which places it during a very specific time period, and even though we was only in year 12 or 13 and I was a massive edgelord, I was very aware of how dodgy it was and keen to let everyone know, but that's probably just because I didn't like the guy and it was an excuse to give out.

[Dquincy]

Can someone remind me again what the general concensus is regarding blacked up characters in films, such as Tropic Thunder or White Chicks? Should we be upset or ok to watch?

Appreciate the latter is not blacked up before one of you pendant cunts call me thick.

[Ian]

I'm sure there was a bit of a divide even among non-Caucasian people about Tropic Thunder wasn't there? Because he's clearly... like, playing a white person playing a black fella and that was, in itself, the joke.


I think there's some truth to what old quince is saying

There is, my response was a touch flippant, BUT there is definitely a solid contingent of people who say they're arguing for free speech when what they mean is "but why should MY actions have consequences? :("

[igor_balis]

I'm sure there was a bit of a divide even among non-Caucasian people about Tropic Thunder wasn't there? Because he's clearly... like, playing a white person playing a black fella and that was, in itself, the joke.



There is, my response was a touch flippant, BUT there is definitely a solid contingent of people who say they're arguing for free speech when what they mean is "but why should MY actions have consequences? :("

Yes I agree.

[Queenslander]

Justin Trudeau walking away unscathed from his own black face episode still makes me laugh.

[Queenslander]

lol not even satire.


After coming in from the relative cricketing wilderness, Paine was the face of the new ‘good bloke, elite mateship’ rebrand the side underwent, eventually turning things around on and off the field.

That rapid u-turn came after the nation’s cricketers spent the last century trying to be the most aggressive and competitive versions of themselves on and off the paddock.

https://www.betootaadvocate.com/breaking-news/man-who-led-australian-cricket-out-of-ball-tampering-scandal-finds-himself-caught-up-in-one/?fbclid=IwAR0miJCY_i0mEpGhimaT-wRBhScoob7I2CGV0qMTjXTJSw_cl6XtL6oLci8

[Ian]

"Elite mateship."

Fucking hell. :D

[niko_cee]

First warm up game [against ourselves] canned due to rain, with just one more to go [also against ourselves] before the first test . . .

Seems a perfect lead into the series.

[Ian]

Is it possible to lose 6-0, somehow?

[Jimmy Floyd]

This whole series sounds like an absolute nightmare, particularly the Perth test which blatantly shouldn't be happening, but will do because Perth are so desperate for cash.

[niko_cee]

As if to compound the misery Tim Paine now taking a break from cricket and is set to miss the series.

[Jimmy Floyd]

BT Sport's Ashes coverage in turmoil just 12 days before first Test as partners Fox Sports stand by Michael Vaughan. Broadcaster struggling to secure alternative audio feed from Channel Seven or recruit their own commentary team to work from London studio.

:cab:

Does he really need cancelling to that extent?

[Queenslander]

He should just move here for our summer season.

[niko_cee]

Fast bowler captain.

:cool:

Now, some patriotic bint start sexting him.

[Queenslander]

I didn't see it coming at all but he clearly is the best choice.

[Queenslander]

Smith to be the on field Captain for the rest of his career.


https://i.ibb.co/cbs4G8X/255474262-5002024996475933-9059284275316619987-n.jpg (https://ibb.co/M8JFY15)

[Ian]

"There'll be times when I throw to Steve. Those times will be from when we step onto the field until when we step off it."

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59389486

Fuck's sake man, you don't say it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pre-Ashes build up must be one of the biggest loads of shite in any sport.

India v NZ Test has been good. NZ now beginning their chase of 284 to win, which India gave them via declaration with over a day to go in what can only be described as an attacking move.

[Jimmy Floyd]

NZ first wicket down due to taking too long chatting about whether to review another atrocious home decision for Ashwin going a foot down leg. Batsmen are so stupid sometimes.

[hfswjyr]

There's no way we chase this down on an Indian 4th innings wicket right?

[thommo]

You can't beat Test cricket. This is so tense.

[hfswjyr]

BAD LIGHT SAVES THE DAY

caps

[Jimmy Floyd]

lol, fuck you India. Although with Dravid in charge their likeability factor has gone up again, which is annoying.