Cricket

I’m all for extending cricket’s reach into new countries and new markets, but extremely one-sided matches make a mockery of this.

Two particular matches are cases in point – firstly a qualifying match for the ICC Women's World Cup played last year between Bermuda (who beat Canada to pre-qualify) and South Africa. Bermuda were put in and scored 13 allout. Eight ducks, and three batsmen scored 1 each. Extras top scored with 10, Loubser took 6 for 3. Bermuda then bowled and Paynter took none for 15 in 4 legitimate balls – she bowled 9 wides and one no ball in her over. Interestingly, in the 7th/8th play-off of the same tournament, Paynter was Bermuda’s best bowler with 4 for 16 in 9 overs in far better, more evenly matched encounter.

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/women/engine/current/match/312284.html

In the ICC International Division 5 tournament held last week in Jersey, Nepal played Mozambique in the group stages. Nepal batted first and scored a commendable 238 for 7, with several good contributions from the lower middle order. Nothing too special, but then their left arm seamer Mahaboob Alam opened the bowling and proceeded to take all ten Mozambique wickets for 12 runs in 7.5 overs (5 bowled, 4 lbw, 1 caught behind). 4 of the runs conceded were wides. Mozambique were bowled out for 19, with 9 players failing to score, Kaleem Shah scoring 9, Younis 2 and extras 8.

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wcl/engine/current/match/352381.html

Having said that, the tournament itself was a success, with Afghanistan beating Jersey in the final. The USA and Nepal reached the semi-finals, with Mozambique finishing 8th of the 12 countries.

In a far better match, Denmark played Holland at Brondby, (http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/other/engine/current/match/354029.html), and Denmark won by 8 runs in a very close encounter.

Smoking and fascism

Very interesting that the first people to ban smoking were the Nazis.

Cricketers' Underwear

From Cricinfo:

New Zealand are set to try out high-tech bowlers' trousers, specially designed to put shine on the ball, for the third Test against England at Trent Bridge.

The trousers - manufactured by New Zealand-based outfitters Canterbury - were set to be used only from October, but they have been tried in practice. Also included is the micro-slide version for fielders, and the IonX BaseLayer performance underwear which is claimed to improve performance by 2.7%.

Please tell me what measure of performance is improved by your underwear…

Barrack Obama

According to the BBC, one recent opinion poll suggested 15% of Americans believe that Barrack Obama is a Muslim, despite the problems caused by his former (Christian) pastor. In the current climate, does this make him unelectable in some parts of the US?

Phil Tufnell

Conversation between Henry Blofield and Phil Tufnell on TMS:

Blowers: "What was your highest first class score Tuffers?"
Tuffers: "67. All with fours."
Blowers: "I think you're suffering from a spot of mathematical incontinence old thing"

From the Test match Special blog

On the BBC:

I saw Rory McGrath eating a sandwich on the Tube the other day. If it helps, a load of football fans were singing 'there's only one Rory Bremner' at him."

Keeping up with the Joneses

The Wales side to play SA on 7th June includes 6 Jones in the starting XV and 7 in the 22. 40% of the team…. Must be a record.