Normal Service is Resumed

After a shocking few days when England helped to eliminate South Africa, they now appear to be eliminating Sri Lanka by way of allowing New Zealand to give them a good stuffing in the final group game. As I write, England are 109-8. A much more likely score than the 300 plus they managed against the hosts over the weekend.
The cricket's been so exciting, I've not managed to haul myself off my backside in order to blog. I shall rectify that over the course of the week.

ICC Champions Trophy Armchair Update

A tournament can only be as good as the cricket it provides. So if this year's ICC Champions Trophy were to conjure up last ball finishes from every single game, then it probably wouldn't be called the poor man's world cup ever again. Similarly if it produces too many games like Wednesday's Pakistan v West Indies then it will continue to be slated.
Contrary to the image I portray, I do occasionally have other things in my life such as work which prevent me from watching all the cricket that TV provides. So it is always frustrating to get home in good time for the end of a game, only to find it's all over. A second string West Indies capitulated and the final score flattered them. The least said about it the better. Thursday's New Zealand v South Africa wasn't much better either.
Never mind today is... oh dear, England v Sri Lanka. I think I shall settle instead for the gentle tedium of Derbyshire v Essex. A second division promotion match that seems to have slipped under my radar. In true form, it also seems to be petering out into a tame draw. Yes, that's much more like it. I shall report back tomorrow.

I sit on my backside watching cricket so you don't have to

Many cricket lovers mourn the passing of the English season and sigh wistfully as we descend into the dark evenings and frost encrusted mornings of inter. Whereas it is undoubtedly sad to see another English summer drift by, for those cricket lovers who prefer to watch their sport whilst slumped hopelessly on the sofa, it is merely a gateway to much better viewing.

This autumn, the much maligned ICC champions trophy ensured that we moved seemlessly from the turgid prodding of England in their near-whitewash efforts in the ODI's against Australia into much more fluent affairs.

I really mean no disrespect here but after an endless round of English PRO40 cricket, it is nice to swap journeymen county trundlers for the likes of Steyn, Gul and Bond. to exchange painful 60% batting strike rates for the fluency of Dilshan, Afridi and Sehwag.

And so, Tuesday the 22nd of September saw the first game between hosts South Africa and my own favourites Sri Lanka at Centurion.

With the game being billed around a core of players including Dilshan, Mendis, Murali, Smith, Parnell and De Villiers, Sri Lanka dominated. Batting first they notched 319-6 in their 50 overs and in reply South Africa stuttered to 206-7 in 37.4 before rain put an end to theirs and everyone else's misery.

But this isn't an attempt to report on cricket; I wouldn't begin to pretend I can do that. This is all about the simple joys that TV cricket provides: Inane commentators, spectators who invoke pity and ridicule and that satisfaction at the end of the day when you lever yourself off the sofa and view a perfect indentation where you had lain. A sort of 3d Turin Shroud.

And so on to Wednesday, Pakistan v West Indies. Afridi, Gul and Akmal up against Gayle, Sarwan and... what sorry... no Gayle or Sarwan? Dale Richards.. Floyd who? Well it will be fascinating nevertheless.