Cricket......

[IceCreamMan]

Robin jackman passed.

 

Loved his wisdom and use of language.

[babse]

Robin jackman passed.

Loved his wisdom and use of language.

Sad news...

Brilliant presenter/commentor!

 

Just actually watched a flash back series again Sri lanka where he commented.

Yara what a team we had back then.

[Stretch]

Used to love his commentary. I see he was born in India.. Didn't realise that

[Mntboy]

RIP Robin Jackman.

 

One could always hear his love for the game in the way he commentated. 

[Mntboy]

Sri Lanka 218/3 although it's effectively for four as De Silva's retired hurt and by the sound of things won't be playing a further role in the match. Ngidi, Nortje and Mulder with a wicket a piece. Chandimal on 52* while De Silva made 79* before hurting his hip.

[babse]

One could always hear his love for the game in the way he commentated.

 

VS some of our current commentator ‍♂

 

Not sure what's more flat, our cricket or the commentary there of.

[Mntboy]

VS some of our current commentator ‍[emoji2383]

 

Not sure what's more flat, our cricket or the commentary there of.

Hopefully the commentary livened up as the game did. Will catch the highlights later more to see Mulder's 3 for and Sipamla's first (of a great many, I hope) wicket. The game's been played at a fair pace.

[Baldrick]

Oh dear. Now SL down to one recognised bowler

[Mntboy]

Oh dear. Now SL down to one recognised bowler

Haven't seen anything on the Cricinfo commentary to confirm that Kumara is also now on the injury list with De Silva, Hasaranga and Rajithi. If he is though that's a really tough situation for them to be in!

[Mntboy]

Mark Nicholas is rarely at a loss for words or without the means to adequately express himself or his views and his pieces on the various characters of the game is always fascinating for it's insight into the thought processes of a professional player. His tribute to his friend, and one time county opponent, Robin Jackman is beautiful in it's simplicity and it's portrayal of a man who loved the sport and it's players. An absolute worthwhile read, just have some tissues handy. 

 

Mark Nicholas pays tribute to Robin Jackman (espncricinfo.com)

[Baldrick]

Oh dear

[Mntboy]

http://cricket.co.za/news/37124/CSA-Interim-Board-and-Members-Council-endorse-new-domestic-cricket-structure

 

So apparently there will be a restructuring of the domestic scene. Hopefully the two division set up will help those who aren't getting the game time they might need to press for higher honours (a guy like Dupivillon - unsure of spelling) as well as raise the standards of those playing on our domestic scene. Our national team desperately needs that to happen.

[gemmerbal]

The problem that i foresee is this: if theres not enough money to keep the strength in 6 franchises, how does CSA expect to do it for 15? Yes, Kolpak will no longer be a factor in terms of losing our players from the local circuit, but where will the money come from to support 205 odd contracted players? With match attendances non-existent and the lack of broadcasting exposure for potential sponsors, i just dont know the answer to that question. Yes we have seen a dedicated channel on the DSTV platform providing some broadcasting, but i dont think thats enough to pull sponsors. And let me not comment on the quality of cricket on show, again, that is based on the current 6 franchise system.

 

My logic tells me that you do not create quality by dilution. The county system on which CSA is basing their decision has one big advantage: they have plenty of overseas talent bolstering their setup (Kolpak, naturalised expats etc etc). And of course salaries are paid in pounds.

 

And then, whats to stop players ditching a div2 side to go play in div1?

 

This debate has been going on for a while, i believe it was Corrie van Zyl who first pushed for the 2 division system with promotion/relegation. But i honestly feel that all that will be achieved is that we will have more players playing on a further weakened circuit. Again, it is my view that this is no recipe for creating quality.

 

Since we are talking money: operating 15 stadia on a full time basis is about 2,5 times more expensive than operating 6...

 

 

 

http://cricket.co.za/news/37124/CSA-Interim-Board-and-Members-Council-endorse-new-domestic-cricket-structure

 

So apparently there will be a restructuring of the domestic scene. Hopefully the two division set up will help those who aren't getting the game time they might need to press for higher honours (a guy like Dupivillon - unsure of spelling) as well as raise the standards of those playing on our domestic scene. Our national team desperately needs that to happen.

Edited January 1, 2021 by gemmerbal

[gemmerbal]

Some additional reading, which has some relevance to the current conversation

 

https://www.sacricketmag.com/south-african-kolpak-players-what-next-2020/

 

https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/guess-whos-cheering-for-brexit-south-african-cricket/303230/

[Mntboy]

 

 

The problem that i foresee is this: if theres not enough money to keep the strength in 6 franchises, how does CSA expect to do it for 15? Yes, Kolpak will no longer be a factor in terms of losing our players from the local circuit, but where will the money come from to support 205 odd contracted players? With match attendances non-existent and the lack of broadcasting exposure for potential sponsors, i just dont know the answer to that question. Yes we have seen a dedicated channel on the DSTV platform providing some broadcasting, but i dont think thats enough to pull sponsors. And let me not comment on the quality of cricket on show, again, that is based on the current 6 franchise system.

 

My logic tells me that you do not create quality by dilution. The county system on which CSA is basing their decision has one big advantage: they have plenty of overseas talent bolstering their setup (Kolpak, naturalised expats etc etc). And of course salaries are paid in pounds.

 

And then, whats to stop players ditching a div2 side to go play in div1?

 

This debate has been going on for a while, i believe it was Corrie van Zyl who first pushed for the 2 division system with promotion/relegation. But i honestly feel that all that will be achieved is that we will have more players playing on a further weakened circuit. Again, it is my view that this is no recipe for creating quality.

 

Since we are talking money: operating 15 stadia on a full time basis is about 2,5 times more expensive than operating 6...

 

 

 

 

I did say 'Hopefully' didn't I? [emoji102][emoji848]

 

I agree with a lot of what you said and we moved to the 6 team Franchise system because it was believed that it would produce strength v strength matches and not a bunch of mismatches as I expect might occur with the restructured 15 province system. That's aside from the problems you mention.

 

The only real benefits that I can see this having is that guys not getting regular playing time due to transformation and the transformation base becoming bigger (but not necessarily better). Also a few less Conway's might slip through the system but that's more likely to be a fringe benefit.

 

As for saving money I think what CSA's hoping for is that the single round of Four day cricket will be less costly than the combined cost of the Franchise system's double round and the supporting semi-professional provincial system currently is.

 

The only clear thing in my mind is that we need to restructure our domestic game and get people to watch it again (on TV or at the stadia) but how exactly to do that while raising standards and providing opportunities for all is rather problematic.

[gemmerbal]

Yes you did say hopefully

 

The elephant in the room is this: with the 6 franchise system and the mandatory transformation targets that are in place, we lost a lot of quality players because there simply was not room for them in the system - i hate dragging politics into the conversation but on this point i dont see how i can avoid it. So maybe, on that basis, we will have these guys in the system because Kolpak wont be an option anymore; you make a good point there. In fact, if this pans out to be the case, maybe we will see the new system produce a bigger pool of decent cricketers - again you make an excellent argument for this. But yes, the finances, that is the one thing that needs serious attention. And it starts by having QUALIFIED administrators running the game, not politicians.

 

I did say 'Hopefully' didn't I? [emoji102][emoji848]

 

I agree with a lot of what you said and we moved to the 6 team Franchise system because it was believed that it would produce strength v strength matches and not a bunch of mismatches as I expect might occur with the restructured 15 province system. That's aside from the problems you mention.

 

The only real benefits that I can see this having is that guys not getting regular playing time due to transformation and the transformation base becoming bigger (but not necessarily better). Also a few less Conway's might slip through the system but that's more likely to be a fringe benefit.

 

As for saving money I think what CSA's hoping for is that the single round of Four day cricket will be less costly than the combined cost of the Franchise system's double round and the supporting semi-professional provincial system currently is.

 

The only clear thing in my mind is that we need to restructure our domestic game and get people to watch it again (on TV or at the stadia) but how exactly to do that while raising standards and providing opportunities for all is rather problematic.

Edited January 2, 2021 by gemmerbal