Hampshire Cricket History

Every 31 December, the WordPress people send me a statistical review of the year’s Blogging which, if it’s of interest, you can find at

https://hampshirecrickethistory.wordpress.com/2014/annual-report/

Among the ‘stats’ we learn that the main ‘Commenters’ are (in order) James, Bob, Ian and Paul

Many thanks to them and to all of you who have been involved as readers or contributors – Have a Happy New Year and here’s hoping for a successful 2015 for Hampshire

Dave Allen (aka Pompey Pop)

Interesting to read the report on today’s BBC Cricket site that India’s Kohli is complaining about the sledging by the Australians, notably Mitchell Johnson who also threw a ball that hit Kohli. At this distance and with play through the night, I’ve no idea of the precise truth of it, although I guess Kohli is unlikely to have made the comment if nothing was said.

It’s about three weeks now since Michael Clarke said these words about Phil Hughes

“Is this what we call the spirit of cricket? …. the spirit of cricket binds us all together … Phillip’s spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as a custodian of the sport we all love. We must listen to it. We must cherish it. We must learn from it. We must dig in and get through to tea. And we must play on.”

Well they’ve certainly played on …

The Blog is taking a few days break over the holiday – there may not be much to report and I’m just finishing the final details of the new Hampshire Handbook. I’ll be back around the weekend – in the meantime, thanks for all your interest, comments and contributions this year and enjoy the festivities, however you choose them

James Vince has been included in both of England’s Lions’ squads – four day and one day

Meanwhile the Aussies beat India again and with a reconstructed attack. In the first Test Johnson was joined by Harris and Siddle, and in this one Hazlewood and Starc. Still no sign of Bird

Alan Edwards has passed me info from the Tasmanian Newsletter about Nathan Rimmington. It doesn’t sound from that as though Rimmington is about to become ‘English’ – in which case I can’t see him playing (much?) for Hampshire.

In the other Test, South Africa walloped the West Indies – Kyle Abbott bowling just 17 overs in the match, taking one wicket.

Mike Selvey (Guardian yesterday) reported some fascinating recent research by Academic Statisticians on lbw decisions in Test Matches

They surveyed 1,000 Tests from 1986-2012:

In the days when the home side provided both umpires, visiting players were out lbw 16% more than home players

In the days of one neutral and one home umpire, the figure slipped to 10%

Since the employment of two neutral umpires, the difference has simply disappeared – and they took account of factors like quality of two sides, ground conditions etc.

Of the leading batsmen of their time who seemed to benefit most from home umpires, Javed Miandad was given out lbw 8 times in home Tests and 25 in away matches.

This Press Release has just come through from the Club (Weds evening)

Following receipt of recommendations from the Major Match Group (MMG), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed the award of major matches from 2017-2019. The matches awarded to the Ageas Bowl are as follows:

2017

England v West Indies – One Day International

England v South Africa – International T20

2018

England v India – Test Match

2019

England v Pakistan – One Day International

ICC Cricket World Cup – 5 Match, Group Game Package (subject to ICC ratification)

Hampshire Cricket Chairman Rod Bransgrove said: “I would firstly like to congratulate the winners in this process and wish them the very best with their allocation of matches. Although we are disappointed that we remain the only Category A ground never to have hosted an Ashes Test, the Ageas Bowl has nevertheless secured a substantial package of fixtures containing 13 days of International cricket over the 3 year period, with the highlight being an India Test Match in 2018.

We will continue to invest in the Ageas Bowl and strive to make it one of the very best grounds in world cricket, and we look forward to hosting these exciting fixtures and providing an outstanding experience for all our customers.

Finally, I would like to thank all of our partners and stakeholders, especially Eastleigh Borough Council and Hampshire County Council for their support in our bidding process.”

James has commented below, but in case you missed it there will be NO Ashes Test in Hampshire in 2019. If there ever is one, I guess Rod Bransgrove may be no longer be around and as I’m a year or two older, the same goes for me.

I could say a lot but maybe better if I don’t. Here is the BBC information

“Edgbaston and Old Trafford have been allocated Ashes Tests for 2019 by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

The other three venues – Headingley, Lord’s and The Oval – had already been awarded the England v Australia games.

The ECB will recommend Lord’s to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to host the World Cup final in 2019 and the Women’s World Cup final in 2017.

The Oval, Edgbaston and Cardiff are set to be the three host venues for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.”

and two ‘Hampshire’ players:

Shane Watson in the Aussie side struggling v India and Kyle Abbott in for South Africa v West Indies (just starting).

Still no Indian Test player has ever played for Hampshire.

I took this photograph this morning. I’ve had a few days hiding in the West Country in a cottage without TV, radio, computers or mobile. It was remarkably relaxing and I’ve only just learned about England’s demise in the last two games of the Sri Lanka series. With just a couple of exceptions they don’t look very good do they? This looked better:

… that the Test Match featured India away.

I hadn’t really, but I’d forgotten how poor they can be on their travels. So the probable draw became an Aussie victory with Lyon going at almost five runs an over but taking seven Indian wickets. They lost their last eight for 70-odd and with it the match.

Meanwhile the Aussie captain (and former Hampshire batsman) is out of the series with that hamstring injury and told a press conference

“There is a chance I will never play again. I hope that is not the case, but you have to be realistic as well.”