“Blame is the comfort of the weak. Change is the name of a warrior, so we must be willing to make that change that would make a difference and not keep blaming each other” – This, from Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar telling West Indian cricketers to end their feud with the sport’s administrators, is the best cricketing quote we’ve heard in a very long time.
“Not one ball. I don’t watch Twenty20. It is dumbing-down cricket. They should find another name for it” – West Indian great Michael Holding has not drunk the World Cup Kool-Aid any more than Geoff Boycott has.
“There’s a major problem with [Duckworth Lewis] in Twenty20″ – Paul Collingwood after England set a total of 191-5 against the West Indies only to see rain intervene and the hosts required to get 30 runs off 22 balls.
The Nurdler is feeling philosophical this morning about England’s curious (to put it nicely) defeat at the hands of the West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20 last night. And here’s why.
“The ICC can do nothing about Stanford, the IPL or the continuing state of West Indies cricket, on the field or in the board room. But it has clearly paid attention to its 2007 shortcomings” – Tony Cozier previews the ICC World Twenty20′s visit to the Caribbean.
“It’s a great honour to reach the milestone of 100 caps, and I’m proud to be in the company of some true Irish cricket legends. It’s hard to believe that I only made my debut four years ago, but I suppose that’s a testament to just how much cricket we now play” – Will Porterfield will attain his 100th international cap when he captains Ireland against the West Indies at Sabina Park in Jamaica today.
“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.
“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.
“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 I had withdrawn after the first day’s play as I felt that due to my general health, I was not up to the task and felt it was in the best interests of the game, the ICC and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.