Australia v West Indies, Sydney Cricket Test
The man they call G.O.A.T. (Australian off-spinner 'greatest of all time'), Nathan Lyon, prepares to deliver another turner to West Indies batsman, Darren Bravo, who has been the West Indies' best batsman this series. The other batsman, Kregg Brathwaite, scored 85 on Day 1 of the Sydney cricket test between the two nations.
Lyon took his 100th wicket in Australia, and now has 184 career wickets at 33.84, more wickets than previous Australian off spinners. The test also marked the debut of off-spinner Steve O'Keefe. In Australia leg-spinners do better - Clarrie Grimmett, Richie Benaud, and Shane Warne to name a few (and Warne took 708 test wickets at an average of 25.41).
The West Indies, crippled by a dysfunctional board, low player payments and dis-motivation have struggled to perform competitively this series. While comparisons with yesteryear may be unfair, Bravo's 247 runs for the series so far at an average of 49.40 contrast with Brian Lara's innings of 277 at the SCG in 1993. It was Lara's first century in his fifth test and Lara later named his first daughter 'Sydney'.
The popularity of T-20 cricket has outshined Tests this year, with the Big Bash, which has more 'stars', drawing 80,000 to a Melbourne game recently. But the SCG had a healthy crowd of 32,000 on a wet day, about three-quarters full. Ticket pricing is an issue. A sheltered seat at a test costs $165, but the same seat is $60 at Big Bash. The West Indies didn't bridge the gap this year, and their best known players are in the Big Bash and not the test side. However, the West Indies is a collection of some 16 countries and lack a cohesive national identity, making it easier for players to opt out.
Separately India's IPL, now in its ninth year, has become that country's main cricket event. Bollywood stars, broadcast coverage and players' fees which can reward moderate talent more highly than those representing their country attract players and marketing spend. Its international impact may be reined in slightly if the Lodha report's recommendations are supported, preventing the intrusion of the IPL season into the traditional cricket calendar (and the leaching of players from domestic competitions). However, international competition will not be helped by the money deal the International Cricket Council looks likely to endorse providing 62% of broadcast revenues to Australia, England and India with other Test-playing nations receiving 5% each. Unless there is a more equitable division of funds there will soon be fewer marketable teams to play against.
Funny to see Microsoft ads at the cricket, although the Surface 4 is rather good. One Surface ad took music from South Korean band, 2NE1 (I am the best): www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7_lSP8Vc3o
Australia v West Indies, Sydney Cricket Test
The man they call G.O.A.T. (Australian off-spinner 'greatest of all time'), Nathan Lyon, prepares to deliver another turner to West Indies batsman, Darren Bravo, who has been the West Indies' best batsman this series. The other batsman, Kregg Brathwaite, scored 85 on Day 1 of the Sydney cricket test between the two nations.
Lyon took his 100th wicket in Australia, and now has 184 career wickets at 33.84, more wickets than previous Australian off spinners. The test also marked the debut of off-spinner Steve O'Keefe. In Australia leg-spinners do better - Clarrie Grimmett, Richie Benaud, and Shane Warne to name a few (and Warne took 708 test wickets at an average of 25.41).
The West Indies, crippled by a dysfunctional board, low player payments and dis-motivation have struggled to perform competitively this series. While comparisons with yesteryear may be unfair, Bravo's 247 runs for the series so far at an average of 49.40 contrast with Brian Lara's innings of 277 at the SCG in 1993. It was Lara's first century in his fifth test and Lara later named his first daughter 'Sydney'.
The popularity of T-20 cricket has outshined Tests this year, with the Big Bash, which has more 'stars', drawing 80,000 to a Melbourne game recently. But the SCG had a healthy crowd of 32,000 on a wet day, about three-quarters full. Ticket pricing is an issue. A sheltered seat at a test costs $165, but the same seat is $60 at Big Bash. The West Indies didn't bridge the gap this year, and their best known players are in the Big Bash and not the test side. However, the West Indies is a collection of some 16 countries and lack a cohesive national identity, making it easier for players to opt out.
Separately India's IPL, now in its ninth year, has become that country's main cricket event. Bollywood stars, broadcast coverage and players' fees which can reward moderate talent more highly than those representing their country attract players and marketing spend. Its international impact may be reined in slightly if the Lodha report's recommendations are supported, preventing the intrusion of the IPL season into the traditional cricket calendar (and the leaching of players from domestic competitions). However, international competition will not be helped by the money deal the International Cricket Council looks likely to endorse providing 62% of broadcast revenues to Australia, England and India with other Test-playing nations receiving 5% each. Unless there is a more equitable division of funds there will soon be fewer marketable teams to play against.
Funny to see Microsoft ads at the cricket, although the Surface 4 is rather good. One Surface ad took music from South Korean band, 2NE1 (I am the best): www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7_lSP8Vc3o