German Women's Cricket with Monika Loveday; Peru with Chris Hodgson; Associate and Affiliate Cricket Podcast
Russell Degnan

Less cricket being played but lots of news. Russell Degnan (@idlesummers) and Andrew Nixon (@andrewnixon79) discuss the recent ICC TV deal, its likely effect on associate funding, and why the problems of the West Indies are also a problem at lower levels. Russell discusses women's cricket, with Monika Loveday, women's development officer of the Deutscher Cricket Bund; and recent tournaments in South America for both senior and junior teams with Chris Hodgson, secretary of Cricket Peru. There is news from Nepal, Kenya and the USA (not all of it bad), and a big preview of World Cricket League Division Three.

Direct Download Running Time 78min. Music from Martin Solveig, "Big in Japan"

The associate and affiliate cricket podcast is an attempt to expand coverage of associate tournaments by obtaining local knowledge of the relevant nations. If you have or intend to go to a tournament at associate level - men's women's, ICC, unaffiliated - then please get in touch in the comments or by email.

Cricket - Associate - Podcast 24th October, 2014 12:34:08   [#] [0 comments] 

Finally, some cricket; Ratings 22nd October
Russell Degnan

2 TestsPakistanvAustralia
Pre-rating1078.21273.7
Form-21.9+61.0
Expected MarginAustralia by 98 runs

Nominally a neutral venue, and nominally a drifting Pakistan against an Australian side in superlative form. Except, Harris, the key cog that lets Johnson be Johnson, has been replaced by Siddle, and the UAE has been home-sweet-home for Pakistan for long enough to be very comfortable.

Very few things about this match are clear. Spin would seem to be important, but the DSC offers a little on day one then plays low and slow, so it can help to bowl. The absence of Saaed Ajmal means Australia will not be as tested as they might be, which is good for a line-up with a history of abject failure on turning tracks. If it does turn, Smith and Clarke need to score big runs. The latter is also coming back from injury; the former is a wild-card with bat and ball. As too are O'Keefe and Marsh. And for that matter, Johnson, if he can get something out of the pitch - remembering he was stymied in South Africa.

For Pakistan, Misbah and Younis remain the only certainties in a machine that seems to change parts every time it takes the field. That is a worry, but both continue to play good cricket, smart cricket. The ratings favour the Australians, but it ought to be close, and if Pakistan can turn the match into a tussle and wear down the opposing attack, they will be in it.


3 TestsBangladeshvZimbabwe
Pre-rating587.3570.7
Form-20.2+27.2
Expected MarginBangladesh by 58 runs

A three test series against two closely matched rivals. Both sides have plenty to prove, if not much to play for in a series that will be ignored moreso than forgotten. Zimbabwe's form at home has been decent, including a victory over both Pakistan and Bangladesh in tests in recent memory. Losing Utseya will hurt though, as their pace bowling has little to offer in Bangladesh. Similarly, the reinstatement of Shakib will improve Bangladesh immensely. The ratings have this much closer than I would think. Assuming we see a result, it should be a comfortable victory for Bangladesh. If not, questions should be asked.

0 TestsIndiavWest Indies
Pre-rating1082.6874.9
Form-74.8-6.7
Expected MarginIndia by 154 runs

LOL.


Rankings at 22nd October 2014
1.South Africa1289.1
2.Australia1273.7
3.England1084.7
4.India1082.6
5.Pakistan1078.2
6.Sri Lanka1050.1
7.New Zealand937.8
8.West Indies870.2
11.Bangladesh587.3
12.Zimbabwe570.7

9.Ireland594.8
10.Afghanistan587.6
13.Scotland430.3
14.Namibia383.4
15.Kenya276.4
16.U.A.E.257.3
17.Netherlands182.4
18.Canada147.9

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Cricket - Ratings - Test 22nd October, 2014 16:29:47   [#] [0 comments] 

Asian Games with Owen Wibberley and James Atkinson; Associate and Affiliate Cricket Podcast
Russell Degnan

We begin this episode with a comprehensive review of the Asian Games. Russell Degnan (@idlesummers) has an interview with Korean Cricket League secretary Oweb Wibberley and Incheon ground announcer James Atkinson; and Andrew Nixon (@andrewnixon79) joins Russell for a game-by-game break-down of the event. Ghana's win in the African T20 Division 2 tournament is discussed, along with the unexpected failure of the Nigerian team. We look across the ongoing World Cup preparation tours. And there is news regarding WCL3 and development initiatives in Oman and Afghanistan.

Direct Download Running Time 80min. Music from Martin Solveig, "Big in Japan"

The associate and affiliate cricket podcast is an attempt to expand coverage of associate tournaments by obtaining local knowledge of the relevant nations. If you have or intend to go to a tournament at associate level - men's women's, ICC, unaffiliated - then please get in touch in the comments or by email.

Cricket - Associate - Podcast 12th October, 2014 12:07:13   [#] [0 comments]