Both England and NZ use the same security consultants too so one would have thought that the concerns that caused them to advise NZ to pack their bags after less than a week in the country isn't going to dramatically disappear.
Michael Holding will be hanging up his mic at the end of the season .. he's had a right good run with Sky
That’s sad, it’s probably a bit of Stockholm syndrome given the damage he inflicted on England in his career, but I always really enjoyed his commentary. He was talking about finishing a couple of years ago so he could spend more time on horse racing his other obsession.
He strode past me at Oval a while back, he looked like he could still be opening the bowling, he was probably early 60’s then but still a very fit and powerful looking bloke. Later on he was affably signing books, as I said to someone, don’t be fooled, when I was a lad with a red ball in his hand he was the most frightening man in the world!
I don't like the wording in the statement, as it doesn't refer to an actual security issue, but seems concerned more about the mental wellbeing of the players
Yes it's tough for the players travelling aboard in bubbles etc, but what about the foreign teams who've come to the UK the last 2 summers, who prevented the ECB losing a fortune in TV money
Not convinced by this article .. Pakistan came here because they needed the money .. England are not going to Pakistan because of fears of being blown to bits by terrorists .. if anti-Muslim terrorists over the border in (say) Wales were perceived as a real threat to their safety, I doubt the Pakistan visit to England would have gone ahead
Not convinced by this article .. Pakistan came here because they needed the money .. England are not going to Pakistan because of fears of being blown to bits by terrorists .. if anti-Muslim terrorists over the border in (say) Wales were perceived as a real threat to their safety, I doubt the Pakistan visit to England would have gone ahead
There's no specific security issue though, it was down to player welfare
The tour was cleared by the ECB’s security consultants, ESI Risk, and players were not directly canvassed for their views. The governing body instead liaised with the Professional Cricketers’ Association, as well as Richard Bevan from the Team England Player Partnership and England Women’s Player Partnership, both of which represent centrally contracted cricketers.
That said, Ramiz revealed that his talks with Watmore focused solely on the men’s element of the tour – two Twenty20 internationals during a four-day visit – with the women’s two T20s and three ODIs not discussed “at all”. Heather Knight, the England women’s captain, said on Tuesday that she was not consulted by the ECB and it was “a board decision”
“Ian [Watmore] appeared as if the decision was out of his hands,” Ramiz said. “There were other influences who really made the call on his behalf. England’s take was not security. It was players being spooked and uncomfortable, and the players’ association being iffy.”
It has not been lost on Pakistan that the cancellation allows nine of England’s 18-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup – including the captain, Eoin Morgan – to remain with their Indian Premier League franchises until the end of the tournament in the United Arab Emirates, despite talk of bubble burnout.
“It’s a fantastic dichotomy isn’t it?” said Ramiz. “Quoting fatigue and mental tension, players being spooked. But Dubai is an hour and a half away and so before the T20 World Cup they’re happy to be caged in a bubble and carry on in that tournament. One feels slighted and humiliated.”
Greater opportunity outside of international cricket, through franchised T20 leagues, means the players hold the whip hand. Bizarrely, the ECB has allowed a situation where it, as the employer, has washed its hands of its contracted players for two months of the year during the Indian Premier League (which became longer than two months this year, with players unavailable for the New Zealand series because of it). It has conceded this because it fears the consequences if it takes on the players. Players have new options beyond international cricket.
In its decision-making this week, the ECB has been weak beyond measure. When the journalist Peter Oborne went on television on Tuesday to eviscerate its decision on Pakistan, he mocked the chairman, Watmore, with the moniker “Invisible Ian”. Watmore has been missing in action, nowhere to be seen, when the decision to abandon Pakistan needed to be explained. Hiding behind a poorly drafted press release is not good enough.
Player power and ECB board weakness were the driving forces behind England’s aborted tour to South Africa last winter, as they have been here. It was reported in The Guardian recently, that during the discussions around the South Africa issue, the chief-executive, Tom Harrison, who has more feel for the game than most in his organisation, sent Ashley Giles, the director of cricket, an email asking him who exactly was running the show. It is a pertinent question to be asking again this week.
Perhaps the time is ripe to take away central contracts as they have become "retainers" that aren't worth the paper they are written on. By definition the better players will be more in demand and consequently will request that they miss England tours because of fatigue. Look at, for example, Jason Roy. He hasn't played a single game for the Sunrisers and once again was sat on the bench yesterday despite the fact that Bairstow hasn't gone out for the second half of the comp.
Well take away their cushy central contract and pay them on a "pay per game" plus a lump sum for being available for each series. There again, the ECB have rather made a rod for their own back with The Hundred. How embarrassing for them when a player says that they knock England back because they might earn more playing for their franchise?
The paying public has to pay top whack to watch England. That's bad enough but to then have to watch a second string because players are fatigued is a joke and is short changing them. Who knows? They might actually pass on the saving to those that want to purchase tickets!
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
you can't say 'Chinaperson' .. any mention of China in a slightly derogatory context ist verboten as the old term 'Chinaman' when used to describe a left arm leg spinner implies an awkward and possibly slightly devious person to deal with .. you have been warned
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
you can't say 'Chinaperson' .. any mention of China in a slightly derogatory context ist verboten as the old term 'Chinaman' when used to describe a left arm leg spinner implies an awkward and possibly slightly devious person to deal with .. you have been warned
Unreserved apologies of course:
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson left handed leg break bowler at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
you can't say 'Chinaperson' .. any mention of China in a slightly derogatory context ist verboten as the old term 'Chinaman' when used to describe a left arm leg spinner implies an awkward and possibly slightly devious person to deal with .. you have been warned
Unreserved apologies of course:
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson left handed leg break bowler at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
What word would you use, instead of batsman, to describe, say, Tammy Beaumont, when she's batting for England?
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
What word would you use, instead of batsman, to describe, say, Tammy Beaumont, when she's batting for England?
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
What word would you use, instead of batsman, to describe, say, Tammy Beaumont, when she's batting for England?
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
What word would you use, instead of batsman, to describe, say, Tammy Beaumont, when she's batting for England?
Batsman. It is a generic name. As is third man and nightwatchman. But, in these gender fluid times, if Tammy would prefer to identity as batswoman or batter then I would be happy to refer her as such
Comments
Sad to hear that, have always enjoyed listening to him and he has always given good advice to young fast bowlers coming into test cricket
He strode past me at Oval a while back, he looked like he could still be opening the bowling, he was probably early 60’s then but still a very fit and powerful looking bloke. Later on he was affably signing books, as I said to someone, don’t be fooled, when I was a lad with a red ball in his hand he was the most frightening man in the world!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58623612
I don't like the wording in the statement, as it doesn't refer to an actual security issue, but seems concerned more about the mental wellbeing of the players
Yes it's tough for the players travelling aboard in bubbles etc, but what about the foreign teams who've come to the UK the last 2 summers, who prevented the ECB losing a fortune in TV money
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/george-dobell-ecb-hypocrisy-and-double-standards-in-pakistan-tour-cancellation-could-lose-them-friends-1278788
The bloke is a complete and absolute gentleman, has the best broadcasting voice in the World and has done so much for cricket in this Country.
Chapeau Mickey. You will be sorely missed.
N/Hants 2nd Inns .. one player only got into double figures and made over half the total
Greater opportunity outside of international cricket, through franchised T20 leagues, means the players hold the whip hand. Bizarrely, the ECB has allowed a situation where it, as the employer, has washed its hands of its contracted players for two months of the year during the Indian Premier League (which became longer than two months this year, with players unavailable for the New Zealand series because of it). It has conceded this because it fears the consequences if it takes on the players. Players have new options beyond international cricket.
In its decision-making this week, the ECB has been weak beyond measure. When the journalist Peter Oborne went on television on Tuesday to eviscerate its decision on Pakistan, he mocked the chairman, Watmore, with the moniker “Invisible Ian”. Watmore has been missing in action, nowhere to be seen, when the decision to abandon Pakistan needed to be explained. Hiding behind a poorly drafted press release is not good enough.
Player power and ECB board weakness were the driving forces behind England’s aborted tour to South Africa last winter, as they have been here. It was reported in The Guardian recently, that during the discussions around the South Africa issue, the chief-executive, Tom Harrison, who has more feel for the game than most in his organisation, sent Ashley Giles, the director of cricket, an email asking him who exactly was running the show. It is a pertinent question to be asking again this week.
Perhaps the time is ripe to take away central contracts as they have become "retainers" that aren't worth the paper they are written on. By definition the better players will be more in demand and consequently will request that they miss England tours because of fatigue. Look at, for example, Jason Roy. He hasn't played a single game for the Sunrisers and once again was sat on the bench yesterday despite the fact that Bairstow hasn't gone out for the second half of the comp.
Well take away their cushy central contract and pay them on a "pay per game" plus a lump sum for being available for each series. There again, the ECB have rather made a rod for their own back with The Hundred. How embarrassing for them when a player says that they knock England back because they might earn more playing for their franchise?
The paying public has to pay top whack to watch England. That's bad enough but to then have to watch a second string because players are fatigued is a joke and is short changing them. Who knows? They might actually pass on the saving to those that want to purchase tickets!
NB I have used the term "balls" even though it could be reasonably argued that this isn't gender neutral. Currently awaiting clarification on this point from the ECB.
The bowler bowls the ball and the batter edges it in the direction of the thirder who catches it but sustains an injury in doing so and leaves the field to be replaced by a 12th person. A nightwatcher is sent in who will, as the batters crossed, have to face the Chinaperson left handed leg break bowler at the other end. No runs are scored off the next set of six/five/ten (delete as applicable) balls.