The Cricket Thread.

[effCup]

Originally Posted by CalumH

is anyone else finding themselves in the 'mildly miffed to actually pissed off' bracket about the dreadful sound balance on the BBC's coverage?

Perhaps not BBC, I dunno, but I too get more than mildly miffed about various programmes where the sound is badly balanced. For example, some (but by no means all) EPL games, which come here (1/week, during season) via an offshoot of Al Jazeera called I forget which acronym, the commentators can be difficult to hear while the "crowd" mics. are a fair bit louder than they need be. I understand the desire for "atmosphere" but too loud is terribly frustrating, especially if one wants to hear the commentary but can't. Put the volume up to hear the commentary but instead just be deafened by the crowd & still not hear the commentary.

Unfortunately it's not just sport's coverage. Some programmes can be like that too--often the "narrator" sound is difficult to hear/soft while "background" music is over-loud, etc. It would be more understandable if the "interviews"--e.g. presenter meeting someone "in the field"/outdoors, as it were--were difficult to hear, because it's not in a controlled studio, the interviewee is "untrained" for speaking to camera, etc. But to have the narration track difficult to hear is... beyond belief.

[countjimmoriarty]

Originally Posted by CalumH

I'm glad to see that (a nod towards) cricket is back on the BBC, but I'm just wondering: I complained a couple of days ago to the BBC about the sound mix on their highlights broadcasts of the Champions Trophy (I've yet to hear back from them, I mean it's not like anything else is going on right now in Britain that should take precedence over cricket, right?)... is anyone else finding themselves in the 'mildly miffed to actually pissed off' bracket about the dreadful sound balance on the BBC's coverage? The out-of-game voiceovers are loud and clear but the in-game commentary is like listening to somebody mumbling in a sack in the next door room!

... By the way, for the record I've never listened to somebody mumbling in a sack in the next door room, that's just a metaphore, there's no need to call the emergency services!

Any sound problems are nothing to do with the BBC. Apart from the intro/outro by BBC correspondent, the package is supplied by Star/ICC and the BBC have no input.

[judy84]

An exciting but lucky win for Yorks today. Knocked off the top by Essex with a good win vs Surrey.

[victor meldrew]

Up to the bowlers now or its bye bye.

[victor meldrew]

According to Auntie, Pakistan are closing in on a shock semi-final win. It's not really that much of a shock after 42 years of ODI failures and they say you should never change a winning team, just saying.

[DB83]

The impression I get is that England were playing for the next game. More thoughts on the anticipated final against India than concentrating on beating - who they probably underestimated - Pakistan first.

As for changing a winning side, Roy hardly contributed to those victories (one rather good catch besides). Bairstow should have been brought in earlier. Might have been nervous opening and only a video review saved him very early on.

In fact, England had all the decisions in their favour. Add to that a couple of dropped catches.

But the bitter truth is that the long batting line did not fire. Get good starts and then silly shots.

No where near enough runs so Pakistan hardly needed to break in to a sweat. In fact the game was theirs to lose. But on this occasion they tore up the script.

If India, as expected, do reach the final then let's hope for a classic.

And for England their wait for a One-day trophy continues.

[victor meldrew]

Originally Posted by DB83

As for changing a winning side, Roy hardly contributed to those victories (one rather good catch besides). Bairstow should have been brought in earlier. Might have been nervous opening and only a video review saved him very early on.

I will word this as best I can. Firstly why are our county ODI quarter finals being played while this competition is taking place.

Replacing Roy with Bairstow could have two downsides for England. Surrey beat Yorks yesterday so its possible our England Yorkies might not be in the best state of mind, secondly Roy must have been upbeat with the result and might actually have put bat to ball, however the real issue for me is Hales is looking at Bairstow rather than Roy and might feel he can throw caution to the wind for if he gets out Mr dependable is at the other end, possibly the same for Root, so making one change has possibly changed the mind set and it snowballs down the order.

However that's all theory, I just think we will never win an ICC ODI tournament as we just fall apart when push comes to shove.

[judy84]

Do we not have English conditions anymore? The wicket at Cardiff looked like a dust bowl. Have curators or groundsmen been instructed to produce flat wickets that produce a run-fest?

Not everyone likes seeing slogging instead of good batting. I remember watching the late Gary Gilmour skittling England at Headingly in the WC in 1976 and was transfixed. Nowadays I bet there are more draws than wins in county cricket even after 4 days.

[bloke57]

Originally Posted by judy84

Do we not have English conditions anymore? The wicket at Cardiff looked like a dust bowl. Have curators or groundsmen been instructed to produce flat wickets that produce a run-fest?

I think I heard that the game was played on an old track - tournament rules mean that a new one could not be utilised. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[victor meldrew]

Maybe we should have played at Headingly as the ODI pitch looked rather green.