the young player got suspended for 9 months, capt and vice captain suspended for a year (vice captain instigated it). Unlike baseball, the condition of the ball is a major thing. The ball only gets replaced every 480 pitches (legal ones… add in any extras). It’s also shiny leather with a single major seam. The players legally polish (rub on their shirts / trousers) one side of the ball to help it swing in the air. Fast bowlers bowl with the seam upright to generate swing in the air, and deviation off the pitch when it bounces. This particular ball was getting old – and by using a small piece of sandpaper to scuff one side, the player was apparently trying to generate “Reverse Swing”. The team the Aussies were playing have been guilty of similar things in the past (although it doesn’t forgive the Aussies for doing it) by using a mint in the mouth to polish the ball and rubbing it on the zip of the trousers to abrade it. “It’s just not cricket, you know”
Having watched baseball when working in the US, the new 20/20 format would be well suited to watching for US viewers. match lasts 120 balls (pitches) for each team. Each batsman only gets one out though. And bowlers (pitchers) can have a max of 24 pitches (4 overs). So it’s format that lasts in the 2-3 hour range, similar to a baseball match. The big plus (in my opinion) is that a batsman isn’t restricted to a limited number of opportunities. They can get as many runs as they’re able to – watching consecutive sixes (home runs) does have a good feel to it. It’s a much more batsmen friendly contest. And there are some big hits that can go to any part of the ground (no such thing as a foul ball because the batters are in the middle of the oval) . Watching a batsman drive straight back over the bowlers head for six with one ball, then the next is hooked somewhere over the batsman’s left side. Very hard to get fielding placements right. Yes, there are two more fielders available – but they have the whole 360 degrees to cover. Having said all that, I don’t mind watching baseball either.
Aussie65 about 6 years ago
the young player got suspended for 9 months, capt and vice captain suspended for a year (vice captain instigated it). Unlike baseball, the condition of the ball is a major thing. The ball only gets replaced every 480 pitches (legal ones… add in any extras). It’s also shiny leather with a single major seam. The players legally polish (rub on their shirts / trousers) one side of the ball to help it swing in the air. Fast bowlers bowl with the seam upright to generate swing in the air, and deviation off the pitch when it bounces. This particular ball was getting old – and by using a small piece of sandpaper to scuff one side, the player was apparently trying to generate “Reverse Swing”. The team the Aussies were playing have been guilty of similar things in the past (although it doesn’t forgive the Aussies for doing it) by using a mint in the mouth to polish the ball and rubbing it on the zip of the trousers to abrade it. “It’s just not cricket, you know”
rugeirn about 6 years ago
See https://www.sbnation.com/2018/3/25/17161980/australia-cricket-ball-tampering-sandpapergate-scandal
Leslie B. about 6 years ago
I think he resigned in disgrace when he realized he was a cricket coach. crickets
CeeJay about 6 years ago
Cricket looks like fun. I tried to get a cricket video game, but they are only available in Europe.
Aussie65 about 6 years ago
Having watched baseball when working in the US, the new 20/20 format would be well suited to watching for US viewers. match lasts 120 balls (pitches) for each team. Each batsman only gets one out though. And bowlers (pitchers) can have a max of 24 pitches (4 overs). So it’s format that lasts in the 2-3 hour range, similar to a baseball match. The big plus (in my opinion) is that a batsman isn’t restricted to a limited number of opportunities. They can get as many runs as they’re able to – watching consecutive sixes (home runs) does have a good feel to it. It’s a much more batsmen friendly contest. And there are some big hits that can go to any part of the ground (no such thing as a foul ball because the batters are in the middle of the oval) . Watching a batsman drive straight back over the bowlers head for six with one ball, then the next is hooked somewhere over the batsman’s left side. Very hard to get fielding placements right. Yes, there are two more fielders available – but they have the whole 360 degrees to cover. Having said all that, I don’t mind watching baseball either.