Humidor with a favourite's chance at Meydan yesterday. But rearing up just before the stalls opened and getting a front leg caught. Frankie unbalanced as the stalls cracked open, and doing well to stay aboard. But "game over". Humidor sound this morning. But sore. He has tweaked a muscle. Nothing dramatic. And he will be back sooner rather than later. But a decent opportunity goes by the wayside. Frustrating. And proving, yet again, that you need luck firmly in your corner in this game.....
Cricket, Bloody Hell......
This DRS review system changing the face of cricket. Certainly on sub-continent wickets. The system a massive boon to spin bowlers, who are now picking up wickets with deliveries that would never have received an affirmative nod from the umpire in the "good old days". No longer does the long stride forward save the batsman. Look at Broad's dismissal just now. That would never have been given until very recently. Hit on the front pad, a long way forward. "Not Out" the verdict of the on field umpire. "Out" says DRS......
I am not totally sure where I stand on this. Basically, DRS is showing that decades of "Not Out's" were quite probably "Out". But batsmen are caught in a complete quandary. Having to adapt and adjust. Knowing that anything hitting the pad is likely to elicit a manic appeal. "Manic", certainly, when the bowling team is Pakistan, who charge around like so many wailing banshees at the merest sniff of an appeal....
This 3 Test Match series has seen the highest number of LBW's in a similar series ever. Right or wrong ?? One thing is for sure, and that is that the governing body are not going to be very keen on 3 day Test Matches. Which is the path down which DRS is sending us. But if technology tells us that a batsman is out, then surely there can be no complaint. Or can there.....??
The game of cricket being altered in front of our eyes. Spin bowlers the massive benefactors. Batsmen being put under intense pressure. A new game with new rules......
Just Thundering Home today. Back to Wolverhampton, his preferred venue. In good form, but a typically competitive handicap. We shall see......
Struggling on the "allweather" gallops. Rock hard yesterday morning. Four lots. All of them trotting. A thin layer of woodchip sitting atop a frozen base. Dangerous to do anything more than trot. Probably the same again this morning. Dull. Frustrating. "All weather". NOT....
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