This cricket World Cup has seen some fine performances by teams that are low-ranked. In addition to Ireland beating West Indies, we saw Scotland making New Zealand work hard for their win. Scotland was dismissed for only 142 in 36.2 overs, setting NZ up for an easy win. But NZ, showing an uncharacteristically cavalier attitude perhaps because they faced such an low target, lost seven wickets before reaching the score in 24.5 overs.
The match between the UAE, making their first World Cup appearance in 19 years, and Zimbabwe proved to be unexpectedly close. UAE, whose players are described as middle-aged part-timers, batted first and scored a very creditable 285/7. In their chase Zimbabwe lost five wickets for 144, raising hopes for an upset that would give the UAE their first ever World Cup win but it was not to be, with Sean Williams and Craig Ervine steadying the Zimbabwean side and bringing them close to the total they needed.
This game also saw one of the unusual ways that a batsman can get out. The five most common ways are bowled, caught, run out, stumped, and lbw. But there are five other ways that rarely occur and one of them is something called ‘hit wicket’, when a batsman in the course of playing his shot accidentally disturbs the stumps behind him. You can see a clip of Regis Chakabva of Zimbabwe losing his balance and getting out this way here.
Today New Zealand plays England, a game that is expected to be close and particularly important for England to win.
There’s an informal amateur cricket league in Houston. I went to the Jamaica/Pakistan match with a Jamaican coworker. Pakistan won by strength in numbers. Bigger pool to draw talent from.
Coolest thing was to hear lots of Jamaican Patois. I almost got to where I could understand half of it. Those of you who do not know of Patois should keep in mind this is not at all the same as the formal Jamaican English you have heard in Reggae songs. It is a distinct language with grammar considerably different from English. And because of my limited experience I never thought of white people speaking such a language. Yet they did. I was so glad to learn that. Expanded my world.
Mano -- I’m reading the BBC on-line commentary of the New Zealand v England match in real-time. It’s worth reading from the start to get a flavour of just how incredible a match this is: http://www.bbc.com/sport/live/cricket/31021064
Wow, just wow!, and now they break for lunch with a result very close?
I have been following it at cricinfo and you are right, it is incredible. I too was surprised that they took a lunch break with the end so obviously near.
Me again -- Regarding being out hit wicket, have you talked about the famous Botham hit wicket BBC Test Match Special commentary? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k0qZDdfvZk
Doh! I believe that this is the post where I eat humble pie.
I didn’t expect England to beat Australia but I did think we’d win a close game against NZ.
There is going to be a great deal of self reflection on that early flight home.
Oh well, we’ve still got a decent test side and an Ashes summer to look forward to.
What with losing to NZ , is it acceptable to exchange the Humble pie for fush un chups?
I had not heard the Botham commentary before. Thanks!
Regarding the Botham-induced giggles -- the euphemism “getting one’s leg over” perhaps needs some explanation for non-UK folks. It generally means having sex, and not being able to GOLO for a man could be interpreted as not being able to have an erection.
Of course, these are topics not generally discussed when summarizing the day’s play at a test match which might give some idea of the reasons behind the fits of giggles that ensued after Agnew’s (“Aggers” in the clip) comment.