Single Wicket Contest

Goughy · 20-01-2010, 07:45 AM

What would be your chosen field of 8 players to take part in a single wicket knockout contest using the old rules used by Alfred Mynn and the like.

Rules
2 innings per player
Runs can only be scored in front of the wicket
2 other fielders in addition to keeper and player
To score a run the batsman had to get to the bowler's end and back
A batsman can not leave his crease before making a stroke

For background
The last great single-wicket contest | Regulars | Cricinfo Magazine | Cricinfo.com

Social conditions made games of this sort popular: before the arrival of a national railway network in the 1840s and 1850s, it was easier to get two top players to a ground than 22 of them. The games were often slow, with the bowler allowed up to a minute between deliveries. In lengthy contests, exhaustion was a real possibility. What's more, with runs hard to come by because of the strict rules, long periods with no scoring were common.

My Draw

Kallis vs Sanath
Bravo vs Flintoff
Shakib Al Hasan vs Swann
Tendulkar vs Afridi

I think I will back Afridi to win it all. Dont ask me why, mainly based on the fact that being the only bowler could kill a seamer.

Prince EWS · 20-01-2010, 07:53 AM

Haha, funnily enough I was thinking about this not long ago. I read that cricinfo article too; I think Mynn's cricinfo profile took me to it actually.

Immediately I thought Kallis would be awesome at this, but like you I started to consider the fatigue factor - Kallis takes a little longer to score his runs than most and bowling quick would obviously tire him out if he didn't strike in the first 15 balls or so as well.

Spinners would definitely have a huge advantage in the longer matches, so I'd be looking at someone like Swann.

EDIT: Actually, I'd like to nominate Sehwag. Highly under-rated spinner and obviously a good batsman who'd become increasingly effective as the bowler tired.

Mr Mxyzptlk · 20-01-2010, 08:06 AM

Bravo would dart between the wickets and never get tired. Swann to win it though, seeing as he's the best bowler and batsman of the bunch.

GingerFurball · 20-01-2010, 09:15 AM

Was going to nominate Hussey until I realised the players had to bowl. In terms of running and fielding, I reckon he'd have most people covered.

Beamer · 20-01-2010, 09:37 AM

They had a single wicket contest in Tobago last year involving the entire T & T squad. It was won comfortably by Lendl Simmons.

In fairness, Bravo was still recovering from injury and wasn't at his best.

Himannv · 20-01-2010, 10:54 AM

Angelo Mathews. Capable of winning matches and big hits with the bat. Also a tireless bowler effective in international cricket. His fielding is quite exceptional as well. I think Watson would probably do a similarly good job.

G.I.Joe · 20-01-2010, 11:02 AM

AW PEWS. Unless the opponent isn't a proper batsman, its got to be a spinning all-rounder. Fast bowlers would tire pretty quickly trying to dismiss the batsman twice with just two outfielders. Sehwag, Jayasuriya, Symonds, Tendulkar, Mark Waugh, Michael Clarke etc would be good calls.

Pup Clarke · 20-01-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

EDIT: Actually, I'd like to nominate Sehwag. Highly under-rated spinner and obviously a good batsman who'd become increasingly effective as the bowler tired.

I think alot of people rate Sehwag's bowling actually, maybe most rather than his own captain, underbowled i'd say.

Mr Mxyzptlk · 20-01-2010, 12:21 PM

Chris Gayle?

zaremba · 20-01-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mxyzptlk

Chris Gayle?

Beat me to it. Can't see the fatigue factor troubling him unduly.

fredfertang · 20-01-2010, 01:16 PM

There was a single wicket competition held every year at Lords between 1963 and 1966. Just had a look at the results and the winners were Ken Palmer, Barry Knight, Mushtaq Mohammad and Fred Titmus. The one consistent feature seemed to be that the bigger names generally got knocked out early on - Sobers played just the once, 1964, when he lost to Middlesex batsman Peter Parfitt in the first round, surprisingly in a high scoring game which I would have thought should have suited Sobers - generally the scores just go to show its a completely different game and that being a top all rounder isn't, or wasn't then, a pre requisite for success.

slugger · 20-01-2010, 05:07 PM

can you give the link ^^^

Pothas · 20-01-2010, 10:04 PM

Surprised no one has mentioned Vettori yet, advantage of being a spinner and normally scores his runs pretty quickly, resourcefull cricketer as well think he would be good at this.

Mitchell Johnson as well would be a good shout, on a good day could be unbeatable at this, more likely than most to get a wicket quickly and potentially destructive with the bat.

thierry henry · 20-01-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pothas

Surprised no one has mentioned Vettori yet, advantage of being a spinner and normally scores his runs pretty quickly, resourcefull cricketer as well think he would be good at this.

Vettori scores like 80% of his runs behind the wicket lol.

Surprised no-one rates Shakib over Swanneh???? Better bat and bowler for mine.

fredfertang · 21-01-2010, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slugger

can you give the link ^^^

I don't think the scores/results are online - I've only ever seen them in Wisden

20-01-2010, 07:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Goughy International Coach Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: All Over Posts: 14,653	Single Wicket Contest What would be your chosen field of 8 players to take part in a single wicket knockout contest using the old rules used by Alfred Mynn and the like. Rules 2 innings per player Runs can only be scored in front of the wicket 2 other fielders in addition to keeper and player To score a run the batsman had to get to the bowler's end and back A batsman can not leave his crease before making a stroke For background The last great single-wicket contest \| Regulars \| Cricinfo Magazine \| Cricinfo.com Social conditions made games of this sort popular: before the arrival of a national railway network in the 1840s and 1850s, it was easier to get two top players to a ground than 22 of them. The games were often slow, with the bowler allowed up to a minute between deliveries. In lengthy contests, exhaustion was a real possibility. What's more, with runs hard to come by because of the strict rules, long periods with no scoring were common. My Draw Kallis vs Sanath Bravo vs Flintoff Shakib Al Hasan vs Swann Tendulkar vs Afridi I think I will back Afridi to win it all. Dont ask me why, mainly based on the fact that being the only bowler could kill a seamer. __________________ If I only just posted the above post, please wait 5 mins before replying as there is bound to be edits West Robham Rabid Wolves Caedere lemma quod eat lemma Happy Birthday! (easier than using Birthday threads) Email and MSN- Goughy at cricketmail dot net Last edited by Goughy; 20-01-2010 at 07:46 AM.

20-01-2010, 07:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Prince EWS Global Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New South Wales Posts: 37,790	Haha, funnily enough I was thinking about this not long ago. I read that cricinfo article too; I think Mynn's cricinfo profile took me to it actually. Immediately I thought Kallis would be awesome at this, but like you I started to consider the fatigue factor - Kallis takes a little longer to score his runs than most and bowling quick would obviously tire him out if he didn't strike in the first 15 balls or so as well. Spinners would definitely have a huge advantage in the longer matches, so I'd be looking at someone like Swann. EDIT: Actually, I'd like to nominate Sehwag. Highly under-rated spinner and obviously a good batsman who'd become increasingly effective as the bowler tired. __________________ ~ Cribbage Last edited by Prince EWS; 20-01-2010 at 07:57 AM.

20-01-2010, 08:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mr Mxyzptlk Request Your Custom Title Now! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad) Posts: 36,795	Bravo would dart between the wickets and never get tired. Swann to win it though, seeing as he's the best bowler and batsman of the bunch. __________________ Sreesanth said, "Next ball he was beaten and I said, 'is this the King Charles Lara? Who is this impostor, moving around nervously? I should have kept my mouth shut for the next ball - mind you, it was a length ball - Lara just pulled it over the church beyond the boundary! He is a true legend." The Blog The Portfolio The...er...Twitter

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20-01-2010, 09:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Beamer U19 Captain Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 614	They had a single wicket contest in Tobago last year involving the entire T & T squad. It was won comfortably by Lendl Simmons. In fairness, Bravo was still recovering from injury and wasn't at his best.

20-01-2010, 10:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Himannv International Captain Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SL Posts: 6,168	Angelo Mathews. Capable of winning matches and big hits with the bat. Also a tireless bowler effective in international cricket. His fielding is quite exceptional as well. I think Watson would probably do a similarly good job.

20-01-2010, 12:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mr Mxyzptlk Request Your Custom Title Now! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad) Posts: 36,795	Chris Gayle?

20-01-2010, 01:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
fredfertang Cricket Web Staff Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: high dudgeon Posts: 9,737	There was a single wicket competition held every year at Lords between 1963 and 1966. Just had a look at the results and the winners were Ken Palmer, Barry Knight, Mushtaq Mohammad and Fred Titmus. The one consistent feature seemed to be that the bigger names generally got knocked out early on - Sobers played just the once, 1964, when he lost to Middlesex batsman Peter Parfitt in the first round, surprisingly in a high scoring game which I would have thought should have suited Sobers - generally the scores just go to show its a completely different game and that being a top all rounder isn't, or wasn't then, a pre requisite for success.

20-01-2010, 05:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
slugger State Vice-Captain Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Auckland Posts: 1,052	can you give the link ^^^

20-01-2010, 10:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
Pothas Cricketer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Surbiton, UK Posts: 8,480	Surprised no one has mentioned Vettori yet, advantage of being a spinner and normally scores his runs pretty quickly, resourcefull cricketer as well think he would be good at this. Mitchell Johnson as well would be a good shout, on a good day could be unbeatable at this, more likely than most to get a wicket quickly and potentially destructive with the bat.

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