Happy Birthday!

 

This is your cricket blog – here you’ll write analysis of International and Domestic games but also your experiences viewing them around the world.

But of course, you can write on any topic you like.  This is your space.

For instance, you could discuss TriMatch like this…

Tri-Match Hits the Spot August 26, 2006 The world’s first trial of the exciting, new Tri-match concept produced a stunning finish with the final result decided off the very last ball of the 60 over contest. With two balls remaining, the Ninja Gold outfit required an almost impossible 11 runs to lift themselves above the total of 131 posted by the All Star XI off their allotted 20 overs. Procter had other ideas. The free-swinging late order batsman despatched the penultimate ball from Wheller over the square leg fence for six to put Ninja Gold one similar blow away from an unlikely victory over the All Star XI. Procter then launched the final ball straight over the bowler’s head but it fell just centimetres short of the boundary rope. The four off the final delivery runs left the scores level between the two sides after the end of the respective 20 overs batting time. However, despite there being a tie between two sides, there was still a winner on the day. Neither Ninja Gold nor the All Stars were good enough to overhaul the total of 151 which the Ninja Black scored when it batted first, leaving it as the winner of the inaugural tri-match game. This is the kind of twist that can only happen with the unique, three-way contest that is Tri-match. The game was played in the humble surrounds of 7th Brigade Park, Geebung, with three sides consisting of the Ninja Gold and Ninja Black sides who play in the Brisbane Warehouse Cricket competition, and an All Stars XI which included a number of grade cricketers from the University Cricket Club. Ninja Black commenced proceedings with a highly competitive 149 off their 20 overs, scoring with equal freedom against both the Ninja Gold and All Star bowling attacks. Ballantyne curbed the late onslaught by Ninja Black with a clever spell of slow bowling, taking 3-13. The All Star XI started with a flurry, as Phillipson took to the Ninja Gold opening bowlers. However, they were quickly hauled back with Shippy taking 4-10 as the All Stars crashed to 8-49 IN THE 8TH OVER. Only a responsible, well-paced innings of 57 from skipper Teys, with some help from the tail helped guide the All Stars to a respectable 131. Batting last, the Ninja Gold team had two targets in their sights. When Shippy fell for 51 in the 12th over, the Ninja Black target looked to be out of reach and attention turned towards overhauling the All Stars total. That too seemed to be out of reach as wickets continued to fall, but Procter ensured an exciting tie with his late hitting.