On the bus through Malinga fuss
Guyana - All around the cricketing world people must be asking, 鈥淲here were you when became the first bowler to take four wickets in four balls in an international?鈥
For Ireland鈥檚 players, the answer was, 鈥淥n the way home鈥.
Trent Johnston and several of the team were at the game between Sri Lanka and South Africa on Wednesday to get an early look at the wicket at the new ground ahead of their .
But opening batsman Jeremy Bray was keen to beat the traffic and, with South Africa coasting to victory, managed to convince the rest of the group. 鈥淲e were on the team bus when all four wickets went 鈥 that wasn鈥檛 too pleasing,鈥 Johnston told Thursday鈥檚 news conference, which was the busiest I have seen for a game so far.
England have their usual horde of media but Ireland come pretty close to it and, as the great novelty story of the Super 8, there are plenty of interested neutrals as well.
As the phoney war continues before the start of what has been dubbed in some quarters as the "Battle of Britain" the role of a double agent was exposed.
Batsman Ed Joyce helped Ireland qualify for this tournament as their leading run-scorer in the 2005 ICC Trophy before jumping to England in the hope of playing Test cricket.
England skipper Michael Vaughan said this morning: 鈥淓d Joyce has been invaluable with tips, talking to Mark Garaway our analyst about the areas they like to play in.鈥
How had Ireland gone about their reconnaissance of England?
Said vice-captain Kyle McCallan, with tongue in cheek: 鈥淲e spoke to Ed Joyce and he鈥檚 given us all their details, strengths and weaknesses.鈥
England got a full training session in during the morning but Ireland barely had time to warm up before rain swept across the ground and left them diving for cover.
Obviously, my ability to report on the weather objectively has been cast into doubt of late but there was redress today as the Kaieteur News carried the front-page headline 鈥溌槎股 Sports editor explains Gough faux pas".
鈥淗e is a cricket specialist who has been reporting on the sport for many years now and serves 麻豆社 Sport with real distinction,鈥 says my boss, Ben Gallop, in a letter to the editor.
鈥淢ind you, he does support Derbyshire County Cricket Club so maybe he's not that much of an expert after all.鈥
Thanks, I think.
颁辞尘尘别苍迟蝉听听Post your comment
I agree completely. Anyone who supports Derbyshire has a problem facing reality!
Complain about this comment
Clearly u have some objectivity issues dude.
Complain about this comment
"Battle of Britain" ???? That's normally referred to when two sides from Britain meet in a sports competition....like Man United and Celtic in soccer. Ireland are NOT part of Britain old boy. If you want to call it anything call it the Anglo-Celtic battle perhaps. Sorry to be pedantic but it's the kind of comment that does irk us paddies.
Roll of Friday tho' and here's to a great game either way.
Complain about this comment
"battle of britain"....
the last time I checked, Mr Gough, Ireland was not a part of Britain.
More of the usual from the 麻豆社. As a journalist, less ignorance would be expected.
Complain about this comment
If england win the toss an bat first i think we will post a good total of 300 + whicj is just to much for the smaller team of ireland. no disrespect they have been great to watch so far in the wc but with the like of panesar and flintoff stoping the runs in the middle overs i cant see them chasing down a high total. but on the other hand if ireland bat first and post a score of 200 + we al no what england are like with there collapses an anything could happen but nether the less COMMON ENGLAND
Complain about this comment
Mike and Nick, you're right or course, for around half the team, who are from the Republic.
The phrase was actually used in today's news conference by Kyle McCallan, who is from Northern Ireland.
I guess "Battle of Britain and Ireland" may not have quite the same ring but I won't use the phrase again.
Complain about this comment
Fair enough then Martin. I look forward to "The Battle of Africa" when England take on South Africa, given that Petersen,Strauss and Fletcher were all born there.
Ba boom tish !! :o)
Complain about this comment
Ireland may not be part of Britain (I checked my passport, and it says United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), but it is unequivocally one of the British Isles.
Bring on the battle of the British Isles ?!?!
Anyway, to me the irony is that someone like Ed Joyce, who has learnt his cricket in Ireland, should now be standing opposite them.
NP
Complain about this comment
Naveed....the island of Ireland is not "unequivocally" part of the British Isles. That term is disputed in the Republic of Ireland for it's colonial connotations and is never used. For clarification please see
As for Ed Joyce, yes it's a pity he's wearing an England jersey tomorrow but he made his decision in order to advance his own career and test match playing prospects. You can't deny him that. Then again there's many other players representing nations not of their birth in this competition. How far does your irony want to take you?
Complain about this comment
There's nothing wrong with Derbyshire - I'm a Derbyshire supporter and I don't jump counties when they're not doing well.
The team we have is looking better and better each year but of course - nobody likes Derbyshire Cricket Club just as everyone doesn't like Derby County Football Club.
But then again - I'll wait to be shouted down. Luckily I'm visiting a friend in Pacifica, California so I won't here it
Complain about this comment
Loved the post about the Rankin family but unfortuneately your researcher should be fired since there is no such place as Londonderry!
Complain about this comment
Luke, if you have a literacy problem I apologise, but if it is just lazy text 'language' then here goes:
" .....but nether the less COMMON ENGLAND". This really annoys me. It is lazy. It is disrespectful of other posters.
Regarding the comment of Naveed Panjwani, Irish people are insulted by the term British Isles. This term emanated from the time of British 'rule' over the island of Ireland. That is no longer the case. It is like calling Sri Lanka - Ceylon or describing India as a colony of Britain.
Back to cricket, it is a pity that the Cricket Authorities do not help the developing or associate countries to retain their best players. Ed Joyce helped to get Ireland to the World Cup and now he is advising the English on the weaknesses of the Irish team. He is a great player and we all wish him well but why should this situation be allowed to happen?
Come on the Irish. Give it a lash! Pull on the ground and give 'em the timber!!!
Complain about this comment
Cormac O'Dea - you having a laugh? I doubt whether you have been to Londonderry or Derry - you are the one who should be fired!
Complain about this comment
Larry - you must be having a laugh also. Half of the Ireland team is from the British part of the island, the other half is not. This is not a problem for anyone on the island - only tubes like you and Mr. O'Dea - please leave your ignorance in the lobby, this is sport not politics.
Complain about this comment
Easy there, Naveen! Never ... ever ... assume that Northern Ireland and particularly, the [rest of that country] as part of the British Isle! Despite what your passport may suggest. I think you owe Larry a drink with a hearthy "Erin Go Bragh"
; o )
Just the same, my spirit is currently in a BLUE MODE as I type away! Shall fervently pray for [OUR] West Indies Captain Brian Lara and his excellent team achieve the ultimate winning SCORES in order to capture that CUP!
Best regards,
Complain about this comment
This is in many ways the battle of britain, England v Ireland, what a jolly good show.
Now where is my transistor radio gone?
Complain about this comment
I'm afraid I was turning over to watch Coronation Street! I only read about it the next day. I saw Chaminda Vaas bowling beautifully and felt that SL would make the game competetive. By the way, I knew that Ed Joyce was not to be trusted!!!!!!!
Complain about this comment
Battle of Britain - while I deplore the phrase in this context, I believe that there is some basis for its use, though I am open to correction.
Firstly, The Irish Cricket Union represents players from both Eire and Northern Ireland - this may not be relevant if Northern Ireland is politically not part of Britain, but the UK. Secondly and geographically, I believe that the island of Ireland is one of the British Isles, along with the island of Great Britain (the mainland of Wales, Scotland and England), the Isles of Man, Wight and Scilly, Anglesey, the Hebrides and Shetlands (and many others). Thirdly and politically, what is Britain? UK or just GB? Are Channel Islanders British? Fourthly, Anglo-Saxon and Celt? What about Norse, Roman, Norman and other historical influences, let alone more recent immigration that has enriched our societies? All rather confusing, so I'll stick to enjoying the cricket - good luck to both teams.
Complain about this comment
i cant wait for the game today , i'm a dublin man working in london and having great banter with my english colleagues in anticipation of the match. can we just talk about the cricket though and get over small descriptions like "battle of britian" . i'm sure there is nothing mischevious meant by it .!! especially when you see ian paisly and gerry adams sitting at the same table during the week. roll on 2.30 and the ideal situation would be ed joyce to get a century but ireland win by one run off the last ball . here's hoping ..!!!! come on ireland .
Complain about this comment
I though the english cricket team represented everyone on that island.
What is the difference between the Englanders and the Irelanders? Isn't it just regional? And they are all from Britain - the same country. So in this case we have two teams from the same country competing in the world cup? Isn't that unfair?
Complain about this comment
As a patriotic Irishman, I am sometimes upset when Ireland is included in the term "British Isles".
Nevertheless, as a grown-up individual, I have come to terms with the fact that it is a geographical term.
We should remember that part of the water mass between Ireland and Britain is called the Irish sea, and perhaps that upsets some people over there?
I've always been intrigued about the term "United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland". Does that mean that our friends of a loyalist persuasion in Northern Ireland should not refer to themselves as "British"? Just a thought, hope no one takes offence.
Oh the match......I forgot about that. Cricket is a wonderful game, and it's fantastic to see Ireland play England on the world stage in a game, to be honest, we're not really that good at. But what an occasion it will be, and as David Lloyd said the other night, when Ireland play England, England need to watch out.
I hope it doesn't rain. I spent 20 months living in Guyana, great people, who love their cricket. But it always rains when cricket is on. There is a consolation: the wonderful Guyanese rums, best in the world, especially the 12 and 15 year olds. So whatever happens it will be a great day.
Complain about this comment
Don't forget that England is actually Engalnd & Wales Cricket Boad which further complicates things.
Anyway the real Battle of Britain was about countries uniting to fight FOR Britain and should not be used as a tag for British infighting - whether politically accurate or not.
Personally I think its going to be a fascinting match between 2 neighbouring countries (not as catchy but hey-ho) - come on England & Wales.
Complain about this comment
Chintaka - two and a half teams. Ireland is all-Ireland, so represents part of the UK (Northern Ireland) and all of the Republic of Ireland; then there's the English (a misnomer, as it's really England and Wales) side and the Scottish team.
In most non-Olympic sports, Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales have always competed as independent nations.
Complain about this comment
Neil Hogan - *technically* they're not wrong. It's the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - or in other words, the big lump of land in the British Isles and the northern part of Ireland.
And we're named after the geographic term, not the other way around. Pliny referred to the entire set of islands as the Britanniae, with what is now Great Britain called Albion. The French are blamed for coming up with the term Great Britain, meaning merely bigger than Britanny. And James I and VI was the first to use the term officially.
Complain about this comment
Mike...................you've got Buckley's!!!
Complain about this comment
"The Battle of Britain"
It would take two British teams for that to occur. There exists only one in the super eights.
Complain about this comment
Why does everything on these boards have to turn into people moaning about one of the other nations' perceived lack of respect or understanding for each other. It's ridiculous. You Irish folks don't NEED to bring up the use of the word Britain when referring to your country. Read the article - they're not even Martin's words and we've got Nick criticising his abilities as a journalist! Give the guy a break.
I also love the 6 Nations but going on those blog boards and wading through the mountains of venomous tosh going back and forth from one nation to another was just plain upsetting. Cricket has managed to avoid it due to what has until now been the presence of only 1 team from these islands of ours (I'm scared to refer to them any other way!) in the upper echelons of the world game. Now Ireland have done us all proud and today face the English and Welsh boys in a historic game of cricket and people are moaning about the poor bloody journalist quoting someone who misunderstood the collective term for the 2 teams playing?! Every country in the British Isles has a history of which they are proud and would defend with honour when criticised but we are talking about a game here. It's not even like the 6 nations where the history of one team's dominance over another (Wales in the 70s, England a few years back and now Ireland) can stoke the fires of rivalry - this is new ground. Let's just enjoy the occasion and leave the silly stuff at home.
Martin has apoplogised (probably whilst rolling his eyes and uttering, 'here we go again'). Leave it there. Good luck today.
Complain about this comment
On yer Tom!
Complain about this comment
Not doing well with sensitive readers these days, Martin. I have sympathy - but you're in the Caribbean and we're sat in permanently overcast Britain so I'll leave it at that. But Derbyshire's not that bad - except for the new wooden construction on the boundary. Didn't really know what to make of that last season - but I'm from Edgbaston's concrete jungle, so what do I know?
Complain about this comment
I cant see what their problem was with your 1st blog. They need to lighten up a bit I thought everyone in the Caribbean was meant to be laid back judging by the alcahol adverts.
Complain about this comment
how does mr malinga get by with that bowling action he probably got his wickets because his arm is so low the south africans could not see the line of the ball
Complain about this comment
LOL TOM
Glad to see someone is talking sense, good on ya lad!
Complain about this comment
Steve.shadbolt, Malinga certainly looks as if he throws the ball, not belittling his amazing feat of four wickets in four balls, but if Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan and Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka get harrassed over their bowling actions how on earth does Malinga not
Complain about this comment
Can we get back to the cricket? Less of this what is or isnt Britain - its a cricket match for heavens sake.
If you cannot be civil - the doors to your right.
Complain about this comment
Mike....the last team who thought we had'nt a "Buckley's" was Pakistan. Dismiss us (pardon the pun) at your peril. I also heard from a little bird that the Irish team have a employed a secret weapon for this game. The Irish squad took Flintoff out for a friendly few drinks last night and apparentley he could'nt keep up.
Complain about this comment
Tp those complaining about Ed Joyce playing for England, how many Australians do the Irish side have? Anyways if Ireland want to find out about Englands strengths and weaknesses they can do so by watching the numerous days of footage from test matches and ODIs that they no doubt have available. Having said that I hope Ireland beat everyone but England and they meet again in the final!
Complain about this comment
Just so we can move on from this, Ireland have four players in the squad born outside the 32 counties, Johnston, Langford-Smith and Bray (Aus) and Botha (SA). All have been living here for years and years and have Irish families. Similarly England's squad has four players born outside it's borders Pietersen, Joyce, Dalrymple and Strauss. It's the same for both sides.
Now onto the match. If Ireland win the toss and can get 230, it could be interesting. If England bat first, Ireland would have to bowl them out for 160ish to have a chance, and to be brutally honest, I can't see that happening. An interesting toss.
Complain about this comment
What Ever!
Eveybody is dancing around the point.
When you refer to Britian, the Island of Ireland cannot not be included as half the team is from the republic and NOT Britian. Conclusion : Incorrect term. END OF STORY.
Martin, is there a reason for your negativity toward the Irish team? The slating you gave them and Bangladish a few days ago was absolutely disgraceful and has angered alot people.
That being said Ireland have already more then accomplished there goals for this comp and the driving force behind them now is to prove critics like you wrong. That I would love to see.
Complain about this comment
Anglo-Celtic doesn't work either, some of us Celts don't care about this game since we are out.
Complain about this comment
Steve Shadbolt & Bob- Malinga's round arm action is legal. Its a technique that has been around longer than the more orthodox overarm technique.
It was devloped by a female (I forget the name but it is explained in WG Grace - A life by Simon Rae). Bowling was originally always underarm but this was too awkward for ladies due to the large dresses they wore in the 1800s. An enterprising lady then began "slinging" the ball to her cricketing husband in a practice session in their garden. The technique caught on and became very popular in first class cricket before evolving into the overarm technique we are all familiar with.
Complain about this comment
Let's kill this issue about how many "foreigners" are playing for Ireland or England (re:Chris's note). Ireland have 4 players (Johnston, Bray, Langford-Smith & Botha) in their squad who were not born in Ireland but have been working and living in Ireland for many years (some married to Irish girls with Irish kids). England currently also have 4 non-English players in their squad (based upon country of birth) - Joyce, Pieterson, Strauss and Dalrymple. Both countries have foreign coaches. So, I reckon it's pretty even - now let's enjoy the game.
Complain about this comment
As a avid (and depressed) Pakistan supporter im all for Ireland upsetting another big team by beating England today, obviously as a neutral i want it to be a great game.
I must say i laughed me head off when i read
''Cormac O'Dea wrote: Loved the post about the Rankin family but unfortuneately your researcher should be fired since there is no such place as Londonderry!''
Eee hey. Byker Groove.
Complain about this comment
Yes we do seem to be dancing around the point. This is all about a cricket match between two brilliant countries, Ireland and England.
Complain about this comment
I reckon Malinga is legal but I just can't see how he manages to control the ball the way he does. When I was taught to bowl, I was always told to let my bowling arm brush my ear and it would go straight. It seemed to work. I'm just surprised they haven't tried to get him bowling more conventionally in his youth days. Still...it works.
Complain about this comment
Just to clarify, Northern Ireland is not part of Britain, but rather the United Kingdom. The Republic of Ireland is part of Britain in the same way that Sweden is.
When Ireland played England in Croke Park no one went around calling it the Battle of Britain.
Yes this is sport not politics - that is why it was pretty stupid for the 麻豆社 to dub it so. Calling Ireland Britain brought the politics in. Correcting that should remove it.
Complain about this comment
Look .........this is desperate. Am on a promise if we win. Missed out last night cos the Windies lost!!
Complain about this comment
Role of Ed Joyce as a double agent? It would seem that he's back on Ireland's side having been dismissed for 1 run...
Complain about this comment
Hey Britain. Is there any other sport you'd like us to be better at too?
Football - done it.
Rugby - done it.
Cricket - doing it right now.
Complain about this comment
Stephen Madden - The 麻豆社 didn't refer to Ireland as being in Britain, they simply quoted other parties, not related to the 麻豆社 who were.
"As the phoney war continues before the start of what has been dubbed in some quarters as the "Battle of Britain" the role of a double agent was exposed."
If you want to whinge, contact the Beeb and find out who they quoted, then hunt them down and have it out with them. Now drop it.
Complain about this comment
It constantly amazes me how many people don't understand the relationship between "Great" Britain and Northern Ireland. Britain + NI = United Kingdom. Learn it. Forget about it. Move on.
Ireland? Different country.
Mr O'Dea? Idiot.
Complain about this comment
Cheers for the info Steve FX. Every day's a school day! I shall hunt that book out too. Cheers.
Complain about this comment
Not overly pushed if you call it Derry, Londonderry, British Isles etc. British Isles was used for years in Irish Schools' Atlas and was only recently removed. Only disputed by narrow minded people who can't tell the difference between a geo-political term such as Britian and and a geographical term such as the British Isles. It is not a matter of choice or political achievement. It's just a name. Plus given that so many Irish fought for Brits, esp in WW2, call it what you want....but in reality it's just not cricket.
Complain about this comment
Martin,
You mention the Battle of Britain, presumably as a cryptic reference to the Ireland v England game. Kindly explain which part of Britain Ireland is in. My understanding was that Northern Ireland was part of the United Kingdom (not Britain) but that the majority of the country had enjoyed hard-won independence from its colonial oppressor for more than 85 years. You seem determined to offend everyone since arriving in Guyana, don't you?
Complain about this comment
Actually, the Anglo - v - Celtic bit is well wrong these days. Turns out England is the most Celtic country of all the British ones and what's more, always has been.
Complain about this comment
Dear Sir,
I think Pakistani cricketers lack mental fitness when they lost in the final of the 1999 World Cup people blamed that they have taken money to throw matches, while when they lost in 2003 and now they are still upset and not addressing the real issue - mental toughness.
I think that following the domestic scenario in Pakistan i have come to notice that most Pakistani domestic cricketers are not mentally fit they lack confidence just as a guy who acts cool in college but lacks the guts to go up to a girl to ask her out!!! That's what most Pakistani cricketers are like they may score a big innings one day and would falter in the next couple of innings and that is just not good enough!!! And unfortunately future of Pakistani cricket is even darker as the new breed of batsman who are facing weaker bowlers are more than likely to fail on the green top wicket!!!
I can only say that we hope to find a solution to the current problems and the problems we might see in the long-run!!!
Ahsan E Jaffer
Just finished a successful season with Eastcote CC in Middlesex Premier League scoring runs on green top wickets!!
Complain about this comment
On the subject of british/english celts, I thought I'd share another source of my confusion with you. The Cornish, celtic as you like (who most likely will object to being referred to as English, since Kernow is historically an independent Duchy, apparently) call a swede a turnip, and also call a turnip a turnip. Not a confusion of earth shattering merit, you may think, until you consider that a vital ingredient of the most magnificent culinary experience known to mankind (and cricket fans), the Cornish Pasty, is swede - or is it turnip?
Anyway, what's going on with Vaughney bowling - doing alright though.
Complain about this comment
Congratualtions to England. It's a fair cop. Could have been different if we'd won the toss but such is cricket. Well done to Ireland too for putting up a brave performance and making England work for it. Take heart lads.....to reach the 8's you've already done us proud and elevated cricket to an unheard of level back home. I'm getting reports that bars were packed out in Dublin with people watching it! Who's have ever thunk it? Even the Irish bars here in Singapore had a sizeable crowd roaring them on.
Complain about this comment
A special mention for Collingwood, again saving england from a collapse. What a player.
Complain about this comment