I'm conflicted on that. Surely the team is in just about the same position as players under any vile regime. Maybe we'd like them to refuse to play, but it won't happen
This is the point right here. It's not about banning countries with nasty regimes. That's a huge rabbit hole - ban the US, anyone, or the UK? But equality of opportunity for women to play is a simple, non-partisan point to make. Afghanistan is the only cricket nation that bans women from playing.
Yeah, it would be tough on the men, especially now, but there's a massive issue of sporting equality there.
Until 2 minutes ago I hadn't realised Trott only took over in 2022. Very much in the Taliban era. So yeah fuck him, 100%.
He's almost certainly nevet set foot in Afghanistan. The team is based in India. I doubt any of them go back very often. They're a wandering group of exiles, effectively. Not to excuse it, but that's the context.
Whilst I imagine that was in the mix at one time, a couple of minutes reading suggests that's not at all where things are at now. And that must have been very clear to the likes of Trott even before he took over. He's not an Afghan, he's not an Afghan player, he's someone who could have quite easily put his principles first (assuming he has the rights principles anyway). So, fuck him.
)Duckworth-Lewis co-creator Frank Duckworth dies aged 84
Frank Duckworth, one half of the team who pioneered the Duckworth-Lewis method, has died at the age of 84www.theguardian.com
or 55 if you use his calculations.
(sorry, someone had to do it
Think that took place in March and April....
At the very least it'll be broken up. I can't remember what time of year the 2007 50 over version was in the Caribbean, but I went to the whole thing pretty much and don't recall a drop of rain. Tis a shame, a wasted opportunity not to host the final in the US as well.
I listened to a TMS podcast and they spoke about this. I think it was Geoff Lemon who said that one of the ideas behind T20 is that it's an evening fixture so that people can go after work, families can attend etc.. and the TV rights deal just goes against.Afghanistan thrashed. Now it's England's turn. Or is it? There's every chance of rain, in which case India win.
But this is why, and how, TV money from India is ruining cricket. And I quote;
First and absolutely foremost, however, it is a television product; the first in a four-year deal that cost Star India $3bn and represents 90% of the International Cricket Council’s revenue. Star wanted consistent start times for India throughout – 10.30am local time to make it 8pm viewing back home – and just a day out from the fixtures being released in January the broadcaster is said to have successfully lobbied to make this the case during the group stages, along with 25 of the 55 games overall.
But with the first semi-final in Trinidad always down to be played at night, and the second slated for Guyana at 10.30am the following day – itself a climbdown after Cricket West Indies originally asked for all three knockout games to be evening affairs – the odds facing the punters this week were something neither Star nor the ICC were willing to take on. A playing regulation was inserted to ensure India would definitely be in Guyana regardless of finishing first or second in their Super Eight group. Every country nodded along to this, their split of the kitty too alluring to make a fuss about a trifling issue such as sporting integrity.
England up against weather, location and mighty India at T20 World Cup
The World Cup semi-final – if the rain stays away – could be Guyana’s rumble next to the jungle
June is Guyana’s wettest month – 359mm of rain on average – and the forecasts look a bit iffy.
You wouldn't host it in June in Florida, though.
At the very least it'll be broken up. I can't remember what time of year the 2007 50 over version was in the Caribbean, but I went to the whole thing pretty much and don't recall a drop of rain. Tis a shame, a wasted opportunity not to host the final in the US as well.
I'm not sure SA are allowed to win. I think it's in the laws somewhere.
it's not just t20. It's true of all limited overs contests. Back in the day, with 10:30 starts in September, whoever batted first in the Gillette Cup final was just trying not to lose in the first hour, and often not succeeding. It can ruin the game as a spectacle.
