2004, it's over.

[marc71178]

If anyone actually realised what they were saying, they might change their mind.

Maybe it's time you heeded your own advice.

 

[Richard]

No, not at all - I've actually thought the thing through about fifty times the number of times anyone's thought the conventional out-of-hand idea of chances.

 

[vic_orthdox]

surely thats what makes cricket such a wonderful, albeit cruel, game. one day you get dropped five times and make runs, the next day your run out from a straight drive that scraped the bowlers hand and went onto the stumps. luck is one of the most essential parts of cricket, and what makes watching it enjoyable.

 

[Richard]

Maybe for some people - for mine, that's one of the most disappointing aspects.
There's nothing I hate more than a dropped catch or bad decision.
And it's all the more reason to use stats that disregard luck when trying to sum-up a batsman's ability.

 

[marc71178]

No, you'd much rather use a combination of a flawed system and a flawed person's opinion on players wouldn't you?

 

[Richard]

But for the "flawed" parts, you've got it just about right.

 

[marc71178]

First chance - flawed owing to the fact that there is no clear definition of a catch.

Your opinon - flawed because you refuse to accept players can evolve from your first view of them.

 

[Richard]

Scorebook - flawed because it doesn't accout for luck.
It's all a question of what you place most value on.
I place most value on the eradication of luck.
You place most value on the non-use of opinion.
It's not a question of one bieng unquestionably better, as I've repeatedly pointed-out to you.

 

[Richard]

Your opinon - flawed because you refuse to accept players can evolve from your first view of them.

Oh - and how many times have I got to disprove that before you notice?
No, it takes longer to convince me that a player has changed than it does some, but that simply says that I'm more prepared to wait - and in cases such as Harmison, it might just see me proven right after all.
I am not totally unprepared to change my view of a player.