“Fans cast further doubt over one-day cricket’s long-term future by voting with their feet, as only 25,463 spectators attended Sunday’s game between Australia and West Indies at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground)” – The glass is half-full for Australia’s The Age newspaper. Not.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
“This has been a particularly good Test match. We were a little bit disappointed we couldn’t finish things off last night, being my birthday it would have been nice to get one more wicket, but I’m pretty proud and happy with what the boys have achieved over the last few weeks” – Ponting is gracious in victory after his team took three and a half overs to finish off the West Indies.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
“I have not resigned as an elite panel umpire. I had withdrawn after the first day’s play as I felt that due to my general health, I was not up to the task and felt it was in the best interests of the game, the ICC and myself that I step down and hand over to my colleague on the elite panel, Asad Rauf. I have been in discussions with the ICC since my return from Australia and we have agreed that I will undergo a series of medical assessments. We will then discuss my future and my position as an ICC elite umpire” – a statement from Mark Benson following his withdrawal from officiating at the Adelaide Test between Australia and West Indies. His decision was widely blamed on controversy over the referral system.
“I told Chris to watch out I was going to give him one but he didn’t really believe it” – Usain Bolt clean bowls Chris Gayle in a charity match in Jamaica.
“The reason for England’s recent desire to link up closely with West Indies cricket is twofold. There is a genuine wish to regenerate cricket in the West Indies. In reply the ECB would like to have the West Indies Cricket Board’s vote at ICC meetings, a ticket that could potentially reduce India’s control over the world game” – analysis in The Independent of why a West Indian side is more likely to be touring England in May 2009 than a Sri Lankan one.
“The actual cricket is quite unimportant, apart from financially. Of course, money does talk and a lot of the players are excited about playing it but in terms of cricket, we know it’s not that important” – Essex and England opener Alastair Cook on the upcoming Stanford match.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
“I’m sure there’s 22 players jumping about right now at the news the game is going ahead, 11 here and 11 in the West Indies. I’ll be cheering them on, probably from a beach bar in Barbados. I’ll be glued to the game, there’s so much hype and it should be a great spectacle. The whole world of cricket and many, many others will have their eyes on this game… I’m just hoping Ravi [Bopara] might buy me a beer” – Michael Vaughan on the news that the Stanford Twenty20 match is due to go ahead after its recent legal entanglements.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
“It’s a matter between the two of them and I’m sure that everybody is seeking to find a sensible solution to enable this very dramatic and extremely exciting game of cricket to go ahead” – ECB chairman Giles Clarke on the chances of a rights row being resolved in time for the Stanford Twenty20 match to go ahead on November 1.
“A million dollars apiece is not to be sniffed at so you won’t find me crossing the road with my eyes shut” – Kevin Pietersen’s not-so-secret views on the upcoming Stanford All-Stars contest.
“I’d buy Luton Town Football Club” – Monty knows exactly what he’d do with five hundred grand.
Cricket Blips: England feed