The Cricket Thread

[Boyne]

Great tribute from Wes Hall.

nationnews.com

Sir Wes Hall mourns loss of 'my very best friend' Sir Gar...Cricket legend Sir Wes Hall has paid an emotional tribute to The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, describing the late Barbadian icon as one of his
Cricket legend Sir Wes Hall has paid an emotional tribute to The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, describing the late Barbadian icon as one of his “very best friends” and the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen.

In a statement following Sir Garry’s passing, Sir Wes reflected on a friendship spanning more than 80 years, recalling Sobers’ generosity, humility and lasting impact both on and off the cricket field.​

Below is the full statement from Sir Wes Hall:​

I am devastated to learn of the passing of my dear friend, Sir Garry Sobers. For more than 80 years, we shared a friendship that I will always treasure. ​

Today, I have lost one of my very best friends, and the cricketing world has lost the greatest cricketer it has ever seen.​

Garry was not only a phenomenal sportsman; he was one of the most generous people I have ever known. He would give you the shirt off his back – and he often did. Whenever he returned home from touring, he made sure to bring gifts for people in his community, often giving away shirts and other items simply because it brought him joy to make others happy. That was the kind of man he was.​

It was a privilege and a joy to tour and play alongside him. I learnt so much from Garry, not only about cricket but about life, friendship, and humility. His talent was unmatched, but his kindness was just as remarkable.​

I am deeply saddened because I was hoping he would make it to 90 – not out. Sadly, that was not to be.​

July is turning out to be a very difficult month for me. Five years ago, during this same month, I lost my other best friend, Rawle Brancker. Now, with Garry’s passing, July will forever be a month of mourning in my life.​

My heartfelt condolences go to his family, and to the countless people around the world whose lives he touched. Sir Garry’s legacy will live on forever, and I will always cherish the memories of the wonderful friend I was blessed to have for more than eight decades.​

 

[dermott]

As a mere child I saw the Windies at the MCG. Don’t remember Sir Garry but I’ll never forget the sight of Wes Hall in full flight. Seemed to push off from the sight screen.

 

[Boyne]

[No message]

 

[dermott]

The 100 is back. Already a dumbed down product, the BBC, as last season, dumb it down to greater depths. Fielders miked up, have to answer viewers' questions during play. Jason Roy asked his favourite childhood hobby. Spare me. Sky at least operate with professionalism.

 

[Boyne]

BBC Sport

Saltburn Cricket Club: Saltburn concede match in wake of...The Saltburn player at the centre of an alleged cheating scandal is suspended by the club for the "foreseeable future".
Saltburn suspend Devine after 'finger-clicking' claim

Image source,bclcricket on X

Image caption,

Devine had previously played for Pudsey St Lawrence in the Bradford Cricket League

ByJonty Colman

BBC Sport journalist

• Published
  
  5 hours ago
  

The Saltburn player at the centre of an alleged cheating scandal has been suspended by the club for the "foreseeable future".

The club were placed under investigation on Monday by the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League following a complaint made in the aftermath of their 159-run win over Norton in a second XI Division 2 match.

Brian Devine, the Saltburn player at the centre of the allegations, is alleged to have clicked his fingers as the ball passed the bat of Norton's Noman Shabir during the match and was taken by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Following an appeal, the wicket was given.

Video footage of the incident went viral online and has been reported on around the world.

A club statement read: "This is issued in response to the widely publicised complaint made against a Saltburn Cricket Club member and, as a consequence, against the club more generally.

"We are treating this allegation with the utmost seriousness and, as a family-centric club, we are fully investigating with the NYSD's [North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League] investigation.

"We believe that the club acted decisively as soon as the complaint and investigation were made known to us. The player at the centre of the complaint has been suspended and will not play again for the club this season or in the forseeable future, pending the outcome of this investigation.

"Initial discussions have already taken place between club officials and the league.

"This has been a very distressing and stressful experience for all those concerned, and we would ask that this reality is borne in mind and that personal boundaries are respected, as we are an amateur club entirely run by volunteers."

Saltburn concede cup match in wake of allegationsSaltburn's second team had been due to play on Wednesday night in a cup game against Marton's second team.

However, Saltburn conceded the match at around lunchtime. BBC Sport were told that Saltburn were unable to get a team together because of the "holiday season".

Since the original video was posted on Monday evening, other videos involving Saltburn and Devine from previous matches have also been posted alleging similar incidents.

The original video has received over seven and a half million views on X and Devine has been dubbed as 'Clicky Ponting' on social media. The BBC has approached Devine for comment.

A meeting on Tuesday night was held between Saltburn, the league and legal representatives though any outcomes from that meeting are yet to be made public.

The league, Norton and the England and Wales Cricket Board have all declined to comment on the incident.

Saltburn's second team were due to play against Marton in a first-round match in the Division Two Hundred competition, a 100-ball-per-side format akin to The Hundred.

Reports from elsewhere earlier this week claimed that Spices, a local Indian restaurant to Saltburn, was to drop its sponsorship of Devine.

Spices owner Akmol Hussain has told BBC Sport that the restaurant has only ever sponsored the club rather than any individual players and is happy to continue doing so, pending the investigation.

"We'd like to continue sponsoring the club, but we want the issue to be dealt with," said Hussain.

"We see [Brian] as a representative of the club, not the owner of the club. Cricket is a gentleman's game.

"We want to continue supporting the club. It should be truly investigated and dealt with by the league."

 

[Boyne]

BBC Sport

Sir Clive Lloyd pays tribute to 'greatest all-round crick...Sir Garfield Sobers is called the "greatest all-round cricketer the world has ever known" by former team-mate Sir Clive Lloyd at the legendary West Indies player's state funeral in Barbados.
Lloyd pays tribute to 'greatest' Sobers at funeral

Image source,Getty Images

Image caption,

Sir Garfield Sobers died on 17 July, 11 days short of his 90th birthday

ByMike Peter

BBC Sport journalist

• Published
  
  23 minutes ago
  
• 7 Comments
  

Sir Garfield Sobers was called the "greatest all-round cricketer the world has ever known" by former team-mate Sir Clive Lloyd at the legendary West Indies player's state funeral in Barbados.

Lloyd described all-rounder Sobers, who died aged 89 on 17 July, as "a man who lived in the hearts and minds of Caribbean people and who became a source of inspiration to millions throughout the world".

An entertaining left-handed batter and bowler of seam and spin, Sobers played 93 Tests between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs and taking 235 wickets.

The funeral was staged at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, the principle ground in Barbados and home to a pavilion named after Sobers.

Lloyd and fellow West Indies legends Brian Lara and Desmond Haynes were among those who spoke at the state service of thanksgiving, which was also attended by Barbados president Jeffrey Bostic, prime minister Mia Mottley and Barbadian music superstar Rihanna.

West Indies Test captain Roston Chase, who comes from Barbados, vice-captain Jomel Warrican and the current side's Barbadian players were also in attendance, having completed a Test victory over Pakistan on Monday, winning by 90 runs inside four days in Trinidad.

"Sir Garfield Sobers was not merely the outstanding cricketer of his generation," Lloyd added. "He brought to the beautiful game a rare combination of brilliance, imagination, courage and joy."

Sobers' coffin was draped in the flag of Barbados and set off from the Parliament Buildings in Bridgetown on a gun carriage for a formal procession through the nation's capital.

On arrival at the stadium, the carriage passed through a guard of honour of raised cricket bats.

"This is not a sad moment," Lara said of his mentor. "This is a moment for us to celebrate and I hope you feel the same. Today we celebrate the remarkable life of the greatest all-round cricketer.

"We celebrate a man who gave so much to his family, to Barbados, to the West Indies and all of us who had the privilege of knowing him."

Sobers scored 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958 - an effort which stood as the record Test score for 36 years.

He was also named one of Wisden's five cricketers of the 20th century.

During his stint at Nottinghamshire in 1968, Sobers became the first player to hit a six off all six balls in an over in a first-class match.

Mottley described Sobers as "a man who if he had not achieved any of those great feats on the cricket field would have been immortalised by his community as a good man and a great man".

Reverend Canon Guy Hewitt read out a message from King Charles during the service.

"History is distinguished with sporting champions whose records have rightly commanded respect across generations," the message read. "There have been far fewer however whose name along brings a smile to people's faces across Barbados, the Caribbean and the Commonwealth.

"Sir Garfield Sobers belongs very firmly in the latter category. I send my deepest sympathies to Sir Garry's family as they come to terms with this great loss."

Sobers' body lay in state at the Barbados parliament on Monday and at the Kensington Oval on Tuesday, with national dignitaries and members of the public able to pay their respects.

He will be laid to rest at Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens in the south of Barbados.

 

[Boyne]

BBC Sport

Stephen Fleming: England appoint former New Zealand capta...Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is appointed as England Test coach, with Joe Root as captain.

 

[dermott]

BBC Sport

Stephen Fleming: England appoint former New Zealand capta...Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is appointed as England Test coach, with Joe Root as captain.

Decent appointment. Helps that he's best mates with McCullum and in business with him. Overcomes potential issues between Test and white ball coaches. Until it all falls apart.

 

[Boyne]

 

[dermott]

Rob Key says he "wouldn't be surprised" if Ben Stokes returns to red ball cricket. What a surprise. Exit McCullum, re-enter Stokes.

 

[Boyne]

BBC Sport

Andrew Flintoff: Former all-rounder leaves England Lions...Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff steps down as head coach of England Lions.

 

[dermott]

BBC Sport

Andrew Flintoff: Former all-rounder leaves England Lions...Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff steps down as head coach of England Lions.

Yes, well, his results coaching the Lions were a lot less than spectacular. Folk heroes don't necessarily make good coaches.

 

[SydneyChelsea]

Rob Key says he "wouldn't be surprised" if Ben Stokes returns to red ball cricket. What a surprise. Exit McCullum, re-enter Stokes.

So where did it all go wrong between Stokes and McCullum? I thought they were two peas in a pod

 

[dermott]

So where did it all go wrong between Stokes and McCullum? I thought they were two peas in a pod

It's a tangled, tangled web. For starters, two alpha males. What could possibly go wrong?

But rewind. The Ashes debacle was the first crack. Stokes felt let down by the piss poor preparation, lack of off-field discipline, et al. Stokes found McCullum wanting. Come the ECB review, which changed nothing, Stokes' dissatisfaction spread to the ECB and Rob Key in particular.

Fast forward to the nightclub incident post the first Test win over NZ. The so called "curfew" was (and still is) a vague, murky concept never apparently actually put on paper. An ECB minder was with Stokes and Atkinson on their outing so someone at the ECB knew the outing was on.

The ECB investigates the incident and suspends Stokes and Atkinson based on the murky "curfew" concept which Atkinson said he knew nothing about. Crucially, McCullum put Stokes' mental health into the public domain by voicing a concern which Stokes took as a betrayal. Stokes' response? Turn out for Durham and have a worldie.

The resignation and retirement were inevitable from that point. He had lost all faith in McCullum and the ECB.

 

[dermott]

Joe Root scraps the curfew. The curfew that might or might not have officially existed codified on paper. Joe says the players should be "adults". We'll see.

 

[Gordon Bennett]

The 100 is back. Already a dumbed down product, the BBC, as last season, dumb it down to greater depths. Fielders miked up, have to answer viewers' questions during play. Jason Roy asked his favourite childhood hobby. Spare me. Sky at least operate with professionalism.

I had tried to give The Hundred a chance in previous years but can't stand it now. The miking up of players was dreadful, it adds absolutely nothing to the viewing experience and is just highly cringeworthy, along with the name changes... "Sunrisers Leeds" for gods sake.

The worst thing of course is we had no test cricket during the height of summer, all because of this over hyped nonsense.

Get rid.

 

[dermott]

I had tried to give The Hundred a chance in previous years but can't stand it now. The miking up of players was dreadful, it adds absolutely nothing to the viewing experience and is just highly cringeworthy, along with the name changes... "Sunrisers Leeds" for gods sake.

The worst thing of course is we had no test cricket during the height of summer, all because of this over hyped nonsense.

Get rid.

More importantly no Championship cricket. Pushed aside not only for the 100 but various pointless domestic white ball comps. The 100 crowds were down this year despite the fortune earned selling off percentages of the franchises. Formerly, there was some connection between the locals and their franchise. Now, with new names and new outfits, there is a lot less connection. Lots of replica shirts in the crowds. Given away free by the owners.