Cricket World Cup 2019

[Incandenza]

Yes, that's correct. I don't do any sports wagering, really, but I remember being in Vegas the summer before the college football season where Texas ended up beating USC in the championship game. I remember one casino had USC as the favorites to win the championship, and they had a USC/the field line, with anyone but USC being something like 3/1 underdogs to win. Still kick myself for not putting down some money on that, it's pretty crazy odds when you think about it.

For basketball, over/under is more frequently used for wagering than point spread.

Back to cricket, I've actually been watching some streams of the matches in the background at work when it looks like it will be a close contest, like today's. I still don't understand half of what's happening, but I get the scoring now. One thing that I've noticed is the slow-motion replays also have sound slowed down, so the bat hitting the ball with have a slowed "thunk" sound going along with it, which I've never seen in any sports coverage on TV before. Is that common in cricket, or is that just some Sky invention? I was wondering if it's used to tell if the ball struck the bat for official reviews, and if so, are there mics hidden around the batsman?

[Southport Zeb]

The snickometer is used in reviews to see if the ball has hit the bat. During a review the video of the ball going past the batsmen is played along with the audio recording (the TV will often show a visual representation of the sound wave). This can be used to determine whether the sound heard came when the ball was passing the bat or the pad.

[Incandenza]

Interesting, thanks.

[gjt]

The synchronised pictures are shown along with the sound and the wave so it's easier to determine exactly what the ball hit, and in what order. This is very useful when it comes to lbw, as you can't be out if you hit the ball before it hits your pad, so a fine edge would show on 'snicko' before the dull sound of the ball hitting pad.

[Hot Pepsi]

I was thinking they could put blue chalk, or something like that, on the edges of the bat and then if the ball hits the edge, it might mark the ball and also fly up a bit which could be seen on replay.

[tee rex]

There was an unusual review sequence in this NZ-Pakistan game: first it was "umpire review", and the decision was not out. Then the Pakistan captain (fielding) called for a review of the same decision, which is like tennis - the players can have one but lose it if unsuccessful. The difference is that the second review was like buying the de luxe package, including ultra-edge. So they were hoping for something that had been missed first time around.

I can't recall ever seeing a second review overturning the first, but I expect it's happened somewhere, and await enlightenment.

Anyway, well done Pakistan, although NZ won't be too unhappy that a couple of key players have finally got their eye in. It's a hell of a long tournament to be sitting around watching instead of getting bat on ball.

[Levin]

India 98/2 after 21 overs. Both Rahul and Sharma gone.

[Ray de Galles]

140-4 in the 29th over. Dhoni in now. Roach 3 for 28 in 7 overs, gets Jadhav out after an edge that was completely imperceptible apart from on Ultraedge. A second great review from Holder.

[longeared]

Impressive missed stumping (twice) from Shai Hope on Dhoni.

[diggedy derek]

Kholi's gone now, pulling it lazily to the fielder on the on side. Another intriguing match.

Rohit Sharma was given out on review via ultra-edge, the third umpire judging it hit the bat. It was a a perplexing decision, it seemed more likely it hit the pad.

[Ray de Galles]

Frustrating that, their opening apart, the Windies have only really started producing when they are all but out of the tournament.

[George C.]

India struggling here, a slight whiff of something...

[Etienne]

Twat?

[E10 Rifle]

India struggling here, a slight whiff of something...

Kemar Roach and Jason Holder bowling really well?

[Ray de Galles]

...the Windies have only really started producing when they are all but out of the tournament.

Er, scratch that.

[E10 Rifle]

They're totally becalmed here. India are going to win this comfortably.

[diggedy derek]

All done bar the shouting, as Bumrah takes two in two. If they'd have stumped Dhoni, perhaps they would have been chasing under 250 – the only realistic scores to chase in this world cup, it seems.

[George C.]

Kemar Roach and Jason Holder bowling really well?

But India better?

Perhaps W.Indies chucked it instead?

[Hot Pepsi]

India can't be stopped, can they?

[diggedy derek]

India have a long tail, Pandya is their last decent batter really. The upside of that is they have formidable quick bowlers, which is crucial in English conditions, and not something India have often been blessed with.

[George C.]

India can't be stopped, can they?

I dunno. Can see them losing to Australia in the Final?

[E10 Rifle]

West Indies didn't chuck it, they crumbled in the face of a strong, multi-faceted bowling attack that gave them nothing. Can't see England getting much out of them either, especially as an unmistakeable tetchiness is creeping into the camp. This is closer to 2015 than any of us could have imagined.

[George C.]

Some of the W.Indies batsmen were abject beyond belief though. They certainly assisted the bowlers.

Plus England et al will be a totally different proposition with Roy back on Sunday, at least it maintains a Saffa interest.

SL should beat SA today though, given they have something to play for.

[Duncan Gardner]

So all games are potentially likely to be thrown by teams trying to lose, unless they're trying to win?

[George C.]

No.

See posts passim.