The Cricket Thread

**Spudulika** · 15/03/2015, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by swinfordfc

Well they did ok at the world cup - but they will be booking flights tonight - they battling not good enough today - and the bowling is just not fast enough!

I heard this all the time from Aussie colleagues, the difference between our tier and the 1st class bunch is fast bowling. Bangladesh sorted theirs out a bit, but we don't have a consistent paceman who can really do the business. Issue I guess is that anyone who is anyone will go to England first.

**mypost** · 16/03/2015, 2:07 AM

Originally Posted by swinfordfc

Well they did ok at the world cup - but they will be booking flights tonight - they battling not good enough today - and the bowling is just not fast enough!

The batting has always been sub standard, as long as I can remember. Including the shorter version, we've gone out of the 4 of the last 5 WC's on NRR. Put simply, we don't score enough and concede too many. Setting targets is a persistent issue. We get behind the going rate, then panic trying to make it up and therefore lose cheap wickets. If we're lucky, someone might scrape a 100, the top teams often get two hundreds per innings. There's the difference.

There's also been a fair amount of dropped catches at crucial points, that have cost up to 100 runs per drop. That's completely unacceptable at this level.

So it's the long trek home. As the ICC would rather us not play in the world cup, there will be plenty of time to reflect and rebuild. The next time around, our game has to be much better to show them that we should be there ahead of those who take their place in it for granted.

**Wolfman** · 16/03/2015, 6:49 PM

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cric...ry/851003.html

**Real ale Madrid** · 28/03/2015, 7:33 PM

Well, who is getting up for this?

**Real ale Madrid** · 30/03/2015, 10:50 AM

So much for all the cricket lovers. Pity NZ couldn't make more of a game of it.

**nigel-harps1954** · 30/03/2015, 1:06 PM

It was all set up for Australia to win it really. Fitting tribute to Phil Hughes too.

**swinfordfc** · 30/03/2015, 2:57 PM

Ireland got a mention on the BBC page as twm of the tournament as we beat 2 test nation sides so fair play to all involved in the set up - its a pity that the ICC are most interested in just keeping cricket just for the 10 test nations side and not trying to expand the sport! Dont think we see us at a world cup again!

**Real ale Madrid** · 30/03/2015, 3:21 PM

Originally Posted by swinfordfc

Ireland got a mention on the BBC page as twm of the tournament as we beat 2 test nation sides so fair play to all involved in the set up - its a pity that the ICC are most interested in just keeping cricket just for the 10 test nations side and not trying to expand the sport! Dont think we see us at a world cup again!

Whats stopping us from qualifying for the next tournament?

The Qualifying tournament is in 2018 and will comprise of countries ranked 9-12 in the world - currently Zimbabwe / Bangladesh / Ireland / Afghanistan and 2 probably from Scotland / Netherlands / UAE / Kenya.

A six team tournament where we should be well capable of getting into the top 2. Need to stop crying over this and just qualify.

**swinfordfc** · 31/03/2015, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Whats stopping us from qualifying for the next tournament?

The Qualifying tournament is in 2018 and will comprise of countries ranked 9-12 in the world - currently Zimbabwe / Bangladesh / Ireland / Afghanistan and 2 probably from Scotland / Netherlands / UAE / Kenya.

A six team tournament where we should be well capable of getting into the top 2. Need to stop crying over this and just qualify.

It's going to be held in Bangladesh in the heat so thats a big plus for them - they probably qualified because of this so that leaves one place to fight 5 teams ..... chances not great in fairest ....... I dont like the chances! I not crying about it .... just telling it as i see it!

**Stuttgart88** · 03/05/2015, 10:03 PM

Great three day Test in Barbados.

**geysir** · 08/05/2015, 10:23 AM

I see there's a one day "friendly" Irl v Eng @ Malahide.

Looks cold out there, England on top, Irl are under pressure 27-2, 8 overs played, the good news is that rain is forecast in 21 minutes.

**nigel-harps1954** · 08/05/2015, 11:23 AM

Rain stopped play already. Expected it, difficult to see if much more of the match will be played at all.

Probably a good thing for Ireland after a poor start. 56-4 after 18 overs.

**TheBoss** · 08/05/2015, 6:14 PM

I have posted about this before, why do the Irish Cricket Union always want to play games in May, we always get rain in May, it is too risky to schedule games at this time of year, they should be looking at end of June, July, August, that's when we get a "summer" even if it is cloudy.

**BonnieShels** · 12/05/2015, 11:09 AM

There probably wasn't a window to play England at any other time. We kinda have to grin and bear it.

ICU handled it well and have offered tickets to other games in lieu of the English game.

**OwlsFan** · 02/06/2015, 1:06 PM

Such a shame that cricket is so vulnerable to the weather. Bank holiday Monday. Couch at the ready. Great series between England and NZ. Excelllent morning as NZ hit England to all parts of the ground and Eng openers hold firm. Riveting viewing in the afternoon? Alas the rain comes down and Sky have to go in to their vaults to produce substitute entertainment.

I suppose I better do the vacuuming for a few brownie points but not the preferred option.

**swinfordfc** · 04/06/2015, 12:49 PM

Ireland have to try to bowl out UAE today as bad weather is promise tomorrow - have got 2 - need another 8 today!

**Real ale Madrid** · 18/06/2015, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Great series between England and NZ.

Delighted to see an Eoin Morgan led England turn things around so dramatically in the series - he hit 113 yesterday while England chased down 350 with ease. Series decider on Saturday.

**OwlsFan** · 27/07/2015, 1:15 PM

Strange to have a cricket tournament in Ireland, with the weather and all that, but so it was with Ireland finishing 3rd, being well beaten by the Dutch in the semi-final. But at least the main aim was achieved with us qualifying for the 20/20 World Cup in India in 2016.