[GraemeA]

Under no circumstances say anything optimistic - it will be the kiss of death

[andy_e]

I avoided the optimistic outlook, don't want a curse of the mockers!

[rich d]

Not number one anymore then. However we were out played every time at mattered. Don't think the KP helped, but think we've got too many players off form to beat SA irrespective of that. Tough tour of India coming up - be interesting to see if we can bounce back after a fairly rubbish run of test results.

[Jaspersharpe]

As pointed out by Nas yesterday, dropped catches cost us about 500 runs. Never going to win a series being that sloppy. Impressed by Philander, we were watching yesterday and Raf said "Oh no not Philander!" as he was handed the new ball.......

[andy_e]

Pietersen left out of World T20 squad, quelle surprise. No Prior though in their ODI or T20 squad which is a little strange given his quick and dangerous run-scoring yesterday afternoon! And Bopara still in? Really?

[aLICErOBERTSfANkLUB]

Pietersen wasn't available for selection for the World Cup T20 Squad - he'd informed the ECB he no longer wished to be considered for one-day cricket for England.

[aLICErOBERTSfANkLUB]

Come on Leicester.

Don't you *WANT* to win this one?

[andy_e]

Fantastic day's cricket in Cardiff. a whole 5 overs!

[Dolly]

Bell was just starting to let rip as well.
Surely they could have left it longer before concluding that the match was abandoned ?

[aLICErOBERTSfANkLUB]

cHUKKIT/sLOGGIT - so close, yet so far away.

Well done Hampshire.

A masterclass from Mascarenhas!

[aLICErOBERTSfANkLUB]

Hurrah for Yorkshire!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/champions-league-twenty20-2012/engine/current/match/574246.html

[aLICErOBERTSfANkLUB]

and lest we forget, Congrats to Windies and Aussies for winning World T20.

[& Commiserations to England's women for losing in the final]

[aLICErOBERTSfANkLUB]

And "Hurrah" for Yorkshire once again!

[Grubes]

End of a reasonably good day for England.
Bad way for cook to miss out on a 200 but he should of put his bat in the crease I guess.

Every one (except) bell has scored double figures.
now put another 50 on tomorrow morning and try and bowl them out.

[aLICErOBERTSfANkLUB]

End of a reasonably good day for England.
Bad way for cook to miss out on a 200 but he should of put his bat in the crease I guess.

Every one (except) bell has scored double figures.
now put another 50 on tomorrow morning and try and bowl them out.

Ahem!

[GraemeA]

Whilst we should be applauding England's performance in the last 2 Tests in India we should not forget the purpose of this thread, namely to rip the piss out of the Convicts at every opportunity.

So let's remind ourselves that the 2nd highest run scorer in Tests has recently retired. Yes no more Punter, no more whinging Ricky. And in his last Test he scored a magnificent 4 and 8, no not 48 but a paltry 12 over both innings.

Let us remember him both for his brilliant batsmanship and his very poor sportmanship. I leave with with a classic

[Jaspersharpe]

Indeed. I profer this from the 2009 Ashes series:



Yes Ricky, you're out.

Must admit i went from disliking him with a passion to actually respecting him for being such a miserable, moaning cunt and never wavering.

[andy_e]

Another cricketing legend retired! Ponting was always entertaining to watch.


On another note, would Bell have been out if the ball had struck his bat?

[BB]

Punter celebrated his retirement with a "stomach bug" that meant he was unable to play his Hurricanes T20 match.

[Grubes]

Well that could of been a lot worse.

[Richie Crouch]

Glad to see Root make a solid debut in testing circumstances, bodes well! Also mightily relieved that Prior continues to carry the middle order and turn bad scores into defendable ones. It'll be interesting to see how our bowlers fare on this wicket... hopefully Anderson runs through them! 

[andy_e]

Could Root be the foundation of the England squad?

[Richie Crouch]

Bedding in well, so it seems.

[Grubes]

lets hope his skills grow and blossom

[Richie Crouch]

Under the careful guidance of Flower, this shouldn't be a problem.