I just watched Pakistan and England play a ODI that featured plenty of sixes and over six hundred runs.
Exciting? Not at all. Interesting? Hardly!
Hapless bowlers running in trying their best bowling on a road. Batsmen unafraid to swing hard and swing often swatting decent bowlers to all parts of the ground.
If this is the sort of cricket we will see at the World Cup, I won’t bother watching it.
T20 cricket is forced to produce flat wickets because newly won supporters with short attention spans expect big hits and plenty of them.
Test cricket is supposed to be an even contest between bat and ball. What then is the purpose of ODI cricket. Is it simply a longer form of T20 cricket?
Cricket is only interesting when there is a contest. A canny bowler, strategic planning and innovative fields against a skilled batsmen with great technique.
Instead, roads are produced and bowlers are forced to abandon their skillsets and rely on variations of pace to dupe batsmen.
I am tired of watching mediocre batsmen smashing bowlers out of the park and being lauded as a cricketing superstars.
Put them on a green English wicket and let them try the same against James Anderson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and the like.
Where is the contest? The ball may swing for a couple of overs. No reverse swing later unfortunately with two balls and the effect of Sandpapergate. If the pitch seams, the groundsman will probably face censure.
Is it possible that English conditions will create even contests between bat and ball despite the attempt to produce roads on small grounds? I hope so.
I hope the skies are overcast and the balls zip around and test the batsmen. I hope that we will be lauding only the most skilled batsmen and not flat track bullies.
I hope that bowlers take the limelight for once. I fear that it won’t.
Neel
Roar Guru
Mate just one correction. England played New Zealand at the Cake Tin, a.k.a., Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
Paul
Roar Guru
they had a pretty useful side in the Champions Trophy too, Ouch, only weather killed them that tournament
Ouch
Roar Rookie
When was the last time Australia played their strongest line up? Last World Cup final?
Paul
Roar Guru
neither side had their best attacks in any game though Chris. They can only beat who they play of course, but I suspect their current lineup is in for a few surprises if the top sides turn out their best attacks
Paul
Roar Guru
Bad choice of words on my part George. This England lineup has not played a full strength attack from Australia, India or South Africa in ODIs in the past 3 years.
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Blah blah blah. T20 has ruined cricket. Heard this story before.
George
Guest
Eh? Perhaps look up England's opponents and series victories in the past 3 years.
Chris spencer
Guest
England played India and Australia last summer...
Bobbo7
Guest
I remember England getting bowled out for next to nothing on a road in the last WC at Eden Park - a postage stamp ground. I also remember NZ struggle to chase 160 odd at the same ground and did it 9 down against an amazing spell by Starc. Small grounds do not guarantee run fests and good bowlers find a way. I will be watching as much of the WC as I can.
Paul
Roar Guru
You make a fair point James, but England are doing what they do really well; beating up on sides that are way down the pecking order for ODI cricket. There's no way the Pakistan bowling lineup could be classed as one of the worlds best, nor were England's previous opponents, Ireland, West Indies or Sri Lanka. Let's wait and see how they go against India, South Africa and others with way more rounded and better quality attacks, none of whom they've played against in the past 2 or 3 years.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I think Australia will actually want somewhat helpful conditions for swing and seam. They have a stronger bowling lineup than most and they aren't as adept at posting massive totals as England and India are. Be prepared for flat wickets, though. Hopefully the pressure of playing in a World Cup will even up the contest a little.