Well our new look ODI team has been a failure. :-(

Records were broken and then re-broken with this new new look team performing much better than the last did.

Josh Inglis ton lifts Australia to ODI win over England in Champions Trophy.

Josh Inglis has posted his first ODI century as Australia bludgeoned the largest total in Champions Trophy history to pull off a spectacular five-wicket win over England in Lahore.

England's Ben Duckett cracked 165 off 143 deliveries to lift England to 8-351, bettering the previous best Champions Trophy mark of 4-347 set by NZ against the US at The Oval in 2004.

But England's record lasted only a matter of hours, with Australia chasing down the victory target on 5-356 with 15 balls to spare courtesy of Inglis's heroics.

The Leeds-born wicketkeeper cracked an unbeaten 120 off 86 balls, an innings including eight fours and six sixes, in a monumental performance.....

Well that 1 got away from us.

South Africa beats Australia by five wickets on day four at Lord's.

Can't remember this happening before at test match level, where both teams, England and India, score the same, 387 runs, in their 1st innings.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c4gd6mze1yyo

Rumours seem to indicate that a once great test cricketing nation is about to be dumped down to tier 2 status.

Australia’s iconic West Indies Test tours may be on borrowed time as crucial call looms.

As Australia’s Test series against the West Indies comes to an end there is the real possibility it could be the last one Australia plays in the Caribbean.

While on the surface that may sound far-fetched as the trip to the Caribbean is one that both fans and cricketers look on fondly and is full of nostalgia.

But with changes likely to come to the five-day format, Australia vs. West Indies Test matches could now be a thing of the past.

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Future Tours Program is reportedly strongly considering moving to the two-tier system which would see Australia and the Windies no longer face in Test cricket.

And a report in the SMH backs that up, with the news outlet reporting there are no Tests locked in between Australia and the West Indies in the Caribbean from 2027 onwards.

Cricket Australia and the Aussie team would undoubtedly be keen for another Test series but with numbers again down it would be no surprise to see it scrapped.

However, most likely that decision is not CA’s to make, instead if the ICC opts to split Test cricket into two divisions, the West Indies would almost certainly be in the second tier.

Another reason for that Test cricket in the Caribbean could be doomed, is the focus shifting from Test to T20 cricket........

Is cricket becoming like other sports that rely far too much these days on making mega bucks?

Is cricket becoming like other sports that rely far too much these days on making mega bucks?

Yes!
Just look at the ECB & "The 100's".

Today is going to be an interesting Monday.
England need 35 runs for the 2nd highest test chase to win the series 3-1.
India need 4 wickets to draw the series 2-2.

Harry Brooke & Joe Root each hit a century to turn England's game around.
Can they do it?

Edited for spelling.

India got the draw as England 6 runs short. What a finish.
A great advertisement for the 5 day test series to continue rather that any shortened versions.

Considering that South Africa had won the previous two games earlier this week, this score is crazy.

Third one-day international, Southampton

England 414-5 (50 overs): Bethell 110, Root 100

South Africa 72 all out (20.5 overs): Bosch 20; Archer 4-18

England won by 342 runs; SA win series 2-1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cdxqvqjpx4xo

I'm putting this here because he was probably only known to cricket fans.
Iconic former cricket umpire Dickie Bird has died at the age of 92.

Bird, whose first-class playing career was cut short by injury, became one of the most famous umpires in the game.
He officiated in 66 Tests and 76 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals, between 1973 and 1996.
Bird's home county Yorkshire, whom he played for and served as president, described him as a "national treasure, known not only for his umpiring excellence but also for his eccentricities and warmth".
"He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility and joy - and a legion of admirers across generations," Yorkshire said.
Bird was born in Barnsley and played club cricket with legendary England batter Geoff Boycott and journalist and TV host Sir Michael Parkinson, with whom he remained close friends.

Well what can 1 say as a test match gets decided on day 2 and my weekend gets ruined?

Bazball meets Mitch and Trav.

Travis Head plays 'one of the best innings you'll ever see' to potentially solve Australia's opening headache.

And what was Joe doing? Very little again.

Or is there another plan that the Poms are working on?

Australia's two-day Ashes Test win to leave Cricket Australia millions short of expected revenue.

On to Brisbane.

2-0 up & already looking like a "pomwash" on the cards.

At least they lasted twice as long than they did in the 1st test so that has to be an improvement. ;-)

But it would be nice to finally see a full 5 day action packed cliff hanger for a change.

Anyhow on to Adelaide next week.

Heading for the fastest Ashes defeat in 104 years. :-(

Booze, Beach, Beaten
Agree 100%.

Well the Aussies take out the Pink Test with 5 wickets left in hand and the Ashes 4-1.