> Many of them, though, are really there for the complex statistics the game
> generates, which are probably even more arcane, and more intensively stored and pored over, than in baseball.

I doubt it. See:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/statpages/glossary/

And if that ain't enough baseball statistics for you, check out the link at the bottom of that page

Most of what artvark points us to is statistics as history, not statistics as they unfold in front of your eyes.

The point about the statistics in cricket is not that they are arcane (although some are) but that they are subtle.

In a well-contested match, the balance of advantage can shift to and fro every few minutes, sometimes without a run being scored or a wicket taken.

hi, thereyet,

you are due to see one of the most exciting and accessible forms of the game, which was only introduced a few seasons ago. It's the cricket equivalent of "wham bam thank you mam" but some think none the worse for that.

You are going in the middle of our summer, so be prepared for rain! [only kidding]

have a great time,

regards, ann

Padraig, no doubt there are volumenous statistics which are arcane in nature. However, many statistics do have a direct effect on how the game of baseball is played and the decisions that are made in the dugout as to how to proceed in a given situation. Every pitch is given to plotting and every batter is plotted as well. Batters are known to have holes in their swing and this knowledge is regularly exploited. If a fast runner is on first the pitchers motion is timed to determine if a theft of second is a likelyhood. This in turn prompts the managers dicision as to wheather to throw over to first to hold the runner tight to the bag or to pitch out when a steal is in progress to give the catcher a better chance to catch the thief. Also, the placement of the fielders is changed moment to moment depending on the batters tendencies or the game situation. It is always nice to know when runners are in scoring position whether or not the batter has a high batting average in an RBI situation. So the law of averages, timing, and a managers hunch are all considered in every situation. It is a good thing the game is slow so these things can be considered every at bat. thereyet

hi, thereyet,

but what we need to know is: do they discuss the buses on the Harlequin [?] road, CMJ's poor time-keeping, and the quality of the chocolate cake?

regards, ann

Okay, thereyet, I accept what you say. Similar things happen in cricket (not identical, obviously).

Ann, absolutely. Where to get the best pizza in Chicago. How long it took the cab to get to the ballpark in New York. Whos birthday was celibrated last night. Etc, etc, etc... thereyet

hi, thereyet -

and there I was thinking TMS was unique. I was clearly wrong. Where can I listen to the US version of this artform?

regards, ann

you should feel at home at a cricket match, at any rate.

Ann, a quick look for my favorite team the Oakland Athletics and indeed you can get internet feed of the radio broadcast (much more colorful for obvious reasons then tv). But alas they have found a way to make you pay. So sad. But that is the major complaint about all things US isn't it? Its all about the money. thereyet
ps. oaklandathletics.com has a gametrax version, strictly statistical, to follow the game in cyberworld.

Meant to say gameday not gametrax at above link. If you click on scoreboard at top you will be linked to all games being played in the Major leagues and can follow in near real time. thereyet

Hi, thereyet,

pay!!! don't they do a taster version?

many people at the bigger cricket matches - test matches and the like - will have come form of radio with them so they can listen to the commentary. does this happen at baseball?

regards, ann

Ann, I always brought this transister radio that was from radio shack, the kind you could drop until it rattled and it still worked, to all the games. Sadly it finaly broke and now we use one with the earphone thingys and still listen to the games on radio. Problem is you keep pulling off the earphones to hear the conversation around you. Still, when it gets noisy after the occassional burst of excitement you can hear the broadcaster over the din of the crowd. 40,000 people in a stadium can make quite a din when they have something to chear about! thereyet

Ann, Here is another link;
http://www.mlb.com/mlb/radio/index.jsp

Streaming is possible but they make you pay.
I wish they had a youtube for radio.
You probably can find some historic radio broadcasts that pertain to historic moments. thereyet

20/20 is the shortest version of the game - it hugely favours the batsmen. It's meant to be a riot of big hitting.

It only lasts a few hours.

Make sure you have a wander around Lords. It's worth seeing in itself.

The Old Pavilion (which I'm afraid you won't alllowed into - members only). There is a museum which has everything from the Ashes to a sparrow killed by a cricket ball.

There's the nursery (which used to be a nursery - the plant kind) which is a big grassy area and there's shops and bars (lots of bars watching cricket is thirsty work).

There's also the new media centre which is known, rather uncharitably, as "Cherie Blairs mouth".

If you are baffled - just ask a nearby spectator - we cricket fans enjoy missionary work.

On the "sticky wicket" thing no one's got it quite right. The wicket is the bit of grass between the stumps. Nowadays it is covered up over night or in case of rain.

It didn't used to be covered so a down pour could change the character of the wicket instantly - playing on a wet wicket is really hard.

Most teams had a bowler who could expoit these conditions. The msot famous Being Derek "Deadly" Underwood who was nicknamed the Umbrella as kent took him with them in case of rain.

We club cricketers still have sticky wickets - and we loathe them.

audere est facere wrote: "On the "sticky wicket" thing no one's got it quite right."

In what way did I get it wrong?

Apologies old chap. you Irish are obviously taking to your new role as a cricketing superpower.

I know; it's very demanding, especially as we have recently had to get used to being rather successful at rugby.

Sometimes we give the lineout thrower out when the jumper makes a clean catch.

So when I go to Lord's cricket grounds I will be rooting for the home club Middlesex (do they have a team name besides that?). How is the team doing now? I know Audere est facere doesn't think much of the quality of Brittish cricket right now but is this likely to be a good match or will it be a blowout? Is there a rivalry between Middlesex and Essex? Do these matches draw alot of away fans to them? Is attendence good for these matches? Just wondering. thereyet