Vash the Stampede

Indeed. My point was simply that Australia has a lot more going on in the domestic cricket scene than some people realise. Competition is extremely fierce, and amateur level is at a very high standard.

I don't follow A grade, so I can't comment. But it seems to me that the quality of England's county cricket is not particularly high, and that's where I believe England is failing. There's just not enough talent at the upper amateur levels.

Agreed.

Pearl&Wal

What I would concede is that A Grade Cricket is harder, tougher cricket (mentally) that it's English equivalent. This is largely due to the competitiveness to get into these sides (more kids seem to play Cricket in Oz) and due to the fact that the games are structured over 2 weekends (1 side bats 1 week, the other the next).

What this means is that, as a batsman, you prize your wicket more as you might get another opportunity to bat for 3 weeks if things pan out against you.

In England they play 50 over one day games so the batsmen know they'll bat every week - hence they seem to prize their wickets less. In my experience, Aussies I played with were always far more 'hardened' players in comparison to their English counterparts and this was why they (the overseas Aussies) thought this was.

Broad Shoulders

there are a few factors in my opinion why this is. One is that cricket is still very much a class sport. Very few schools these days really push cricket in a competitive manner. Whereas is in Aus, it is more the working class that play.
The other one is that the climate doesn't allow for cricket playing for long periods of time. It is difficult enough as it is just getting a full test series uninterrupted by rain in the summer let alone getting a full national league running fluently.

stuckinblighty

looking good

Alfresco

Yep. 70 for 5 now.

stuckinblighty

you have to laugh.....how the hell can one team get nearly 700-6 and the other struggle to score 100 on the same wicket ?

ohh cos its England thats how !

tosspots

Amazulu

Even a drawn series will give SA top spot.

Alfresco

It really is hard to believe. Two sessions to go now.

adamlt1972

Have to agree entirely with this. Cricket (like Tennis) in the UK is a middle/upper class sport. The fact of the matter is that inner city schools neither have the money to pay for the equipment, or land for pitches (especially as half of the school pitches have been sold off to build houses on), so cricket is hardly played. My mother is a school teacher in a run down town in the north of England and even in summer they never play cricket, only football.

This is borne out in the England team, where in recent years (with the exception of maybe Flintoff, Harmison and Tuffers) the English team have been made up of nice middle class lads, whereas they've been facing ultra -competitive bogans like Warney and don't have the mongrel fighting spirit.

The other factor is the weather, which doesn't lend itself to cricket full stop, but even at a professional level doesn't create results, and ends up with county teams losing 2 days of a four day game to rain and grinding out draws. That makes lazy cricketers.

Vash the Stampede

Congratulations England, on your... er... draw.

INDOAUS

I thought congratulations were given for a team that won.

Vash the Stampede

They are, but Poms celebrate a draw as if it's a win, so congratulations are in order.

Janna and Nick

It's only going to get worse as kids in school in the UK are taught that there are no winners or losers... what's important is taking part......

Alfresco

So true!!!

PPPHHHEEEWWW!

Pearl&Wal

Yes indeed, but don't kid us Vash. In Cricketing terms, you must be devastated not to have won that one (I know I would be if it were England).