Winter Draws Off - International Cricket 2023-24

[Satchmo Distel]

Late November so we are finally getting some Test cricket before the white ball comes back for the T20 World Cup frolics.

I expect "draws to be off" in the sense that most Tests are now concluded with a victory (and defeat).

[E10 Rifle]

Najmul Hossain Shanto batting in the manner he failed to in the World Cup to put Bangladesh in a decent position against New Zealand

[Etienne]

Bangladesh are tough enough to beat at home under any circumstances, but especially when you lose the toss and your spinners are the weakest part of your team.

[Etienne]

New Zealand are going to lose this, but what a player Daryl Mitchell is. Astonishing he was 28 before getting an international debut - especially in NZ where they normally spot top players much younger.

[ursus arctos]

Australia with a real chance to even the T20 series at two each having restricted India to 174

[ursus arctos]

Oz B/C can't deal with Axar Patel and India win the series

[ursus arctos]

England batting in an ODI when the vast majority of Antiguans are either at church or asleep

[Satchmo Distel]

Sunset is 5.32 PM and there's no twilight. Darkness descends pretty much immediately.

Any sense from the coverage of the size of the crowd? I sense that the stadium capacity massively exceeds customer demand for anything except maybe T20s.which can be played at decent ours.

There are lights but somewhat unreliable:

https://antiguanewsroom.com/letter-please-fix-the-lighting-at-sir-vivian-richards-cricket-stadium/

https://antiguaobserver.com/we-need-to-do-major-repairs-black-suggests-stadium-closure-to-undertake-upgrades/

One of the links suggests that many people use the lighting for evening exercise but the authorities only start thinking about maintenance when there's a tour imminent.

Further on timing, they're scheduled to get the second session going by 1.45 pm. If West Indies somehow bat 50 overs (which I doubt), England need to bowl 14 an hour to get the overs in.

At least I don't expect rain to be a threat, or bad light before the 5.15 point.

Richie Richardson is match referee. No statue AFAIK.

EDIT: 191-5. Buttler really ought to be having a rest from this.

[ursus arctos]

It is on ESPN+

A quarter to a third full and at least 95 percent white English

[ursus arctos]

People are continuing to arrive after having gone to church or woken up.

Buttler out for 3

[Etienne]

Pakistan women beat NZ women as Asian women's cricket continues to make giant strides forward. NZ really seem to be struggling to replace Bates/Devine/Priest/Kasparek/Satterthwaite legends. Since the Kerr sisters came into the team they haven't produced any internationally significant players.

[Etienne]

I should perhaps have mentioned Bangladesh winning the opening T20 in South Africa for evidence of the Asian improvement, but South Africa were severely denuded by the recent retirements of Lee, du Preez, Niekerk and Ismail, and Kapp, Wolvaardt, Tryon and de Klerk were all either rested or injured. But to win in SA is still a fine result for Bangladesh (probably more impressive than the men winning a Test series at home against NZ - as seems likely -by preparing two bunsens).

England are playing India now, and NSB and Wyatt repairing the damage from a very poor start against Renuka Singh.

[ursus arctos]

Strong recovery from Wyatt and Sciver-Brunt after England were 2 for 2

[Etienne]

Poor Patil on debut drops a caught and bowled off NSB , then is hit for 6 by Wyatt, then sees Wyatt dropped by Vastrakar, all in the space of one over.

[ursus arctos]

Getting Knight as your first international wicket is récompense

Heck of a take by Ghosh to dismiss Sciver-Brunt

[ursus arctos]

This should be an attractive series

I wonder if they could have sold more tickets. The sections of the Wankhede that are open are packed. Mumbai is clearly very fond of the women's game.

[Satchmo Distel]

Looks like normal service resumed by the home side in Antigua.

[tee rex]

After "timed out" at the World Cup, we've now had "obstructing the field" (previously "handled ball").

Bangladesh v New Zealand: Mushfiqur becomes just second Test batter to be dismissed for obstructing field - BBC Sport

I was going to say now we're just waiting for "hit ball twice", but thought I'd check first ... and yes, that happened this year as well. End of times.

ROM vs MLT, Continental Cup 2023, Qualifier at Ilfov County, August 20, 2023 - Full Scorecard (espncricinfo.com)

[Satchmo Distel]

I recall the Gooch one here. Hilditch was retaliation for the run out of a non-striker.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/unusual-dismissals-275285

https://wisden.com/stories/historical/watch-andrew-hilditch-sarfraz-nawaz-handled-ball-australia-pakistan-1979

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handled_the_ball

[Etienne]

NZ 90-6 chasing 137. Phillips still there, if he's still in at the end, then NZ probably win, but this is not a batters pitch.

[Satchmo Distel]

Now just 11 needed. The went on the attack (51 off the last 10 overs).

[Etienne]

Well done, Kiwis.

[Satchmo Distel]

They lost the toss twice so this is a huge effort by them.

[ursus arctos]

Ms. Dean is having a day in Mumbai

[ursus arctos]

Brilliant catch by Ecclestone

India 34 for 5 (five)