Lion_of_the_Midlands

Alonso isn't at a bigger team because he would cost far too much and he isn't willing to take less money for a better drive. He also likes to be in charge of the whole team. Can't see Wolff, Horner, or Arrivabene allowing that. 

I think that is a fair observation KC. That won't be remembered as one of the best races of the season at the end of the season but right now it's good to see the cars on the track. F1 is always about so much more than the on track action. The little battles, the luck, and the strategy are what makes it. Yesterday's race had all three of those ingredients. The main little battles of yesterday were Haas v their equipment, and Verstappen v The edge of grip. The luck was obvious, and the strategy was influenced by qualifying. The 2 Ferrari's were able to get the better of Hamilton because of Bottas's crash and subsequent grid position. F1 really is a team game and Bottas really let his team down yesterday. 

I'm not saying the ECB are capable of doing the right thing Gus, there is no evidence of that at all, and as someone who has a few dealings with them let me tell you: Organisation of stuff and common sense are not their forte.

If they changed it they would probably try to merge Yorkshire and Lancashire or something equally stupid. You are right about Somerset though. If they changed the system they'd probably base it on test grounds. 

@Cod Eye All I can say is that having spoken to about half a dozen 1st Class umpires over the last year or so, the one thing they all agreed on was that there are far to many average players in the county game. They all said the level of competition needs to improve dramatically and that can't happen under the present system.

As for getting kids playing, there is a lot of effort going into that. The All Stars initiative that a lot of clubs run is brilliant for getting younger kids involved. The problem is actually retaining them once they get to 14-18 years old. That is a problem a lot of sports have. 

The TV contract will ensure 50 over cricket survives for the minute. T20 can be exciting, 50 overs can be exciting, but nothing is better than a close fought Test. As long as Test Match cricket survives who really cares about the pyjama wearers. 

As for the Championship Gus, it is simple. There are far too many Counties. It's the tradition thing again. Australia produces top quality cheats, sorry cricketers with half a dozen state sides and really strong grade cricket. We should do the same. We have the ECB Premier League system in place now. Go with 8 counties and make minor counties and ECB Prems more competitive. 

That is the way the ICC works Butch. The bigwigs that run it are the sort of nobs that would belong to a gentleman's club. They treat cricket in very much the same way as those clubs are run. Not keen on admitting brown faces and keen to restrict the membership so that their own nests remain fully feathered. 

Anyway England lasted longer than expected today, the damage was all done on that first morning and they have effectively lost the match in 3 days. I was at a cricket dinner with Angus Fraser on Friday night. He doesn't expect to last much longer as a selector. 

Actually it's really easy to tell with Kimi. No. Fucks. Given. Ever. 

As for Hamilton and Vettel, it's early in the season, enjoy the childish banter. By the time we've got half way through and they've had a few clashes on the track they won't be speaking to each other except to call one another cheats and the atmosphere will be terrible. 

Well I see that the British Ali v Frazier (Copyright Mick Henessey) Sam Sexton v Hughie Fury is going to have some competition for fight of the weekend as Vasyl Lomachenko is fighting Jorge Linares on May 12th. That could be a decent fight. 

5 runs and a possible change of ball is the in game penalty. With that comes a report to the match referee and further potential sanctions after the game. 

I can't wait until Warner, Bancroft, and Smith bat. 

Today has been joyous in the SA v Aus test. The cheating Aussies get caught on camera tampering with the ball. Then they got caught on camera trying to hide the evidence. Then they lie to the umpires about it, then they admit that they planned it in advance. If Smith and Bancroft don't get bans then there is no justice. 

The upvote for Mum's Gone To Iceland from me Astro. 

Recorded in 1999 so I'm claiming it. 

Bayliss was brought in to make us better at white ball cricket and he has done that. Unfortunately we are now dogshit in tests. I'd sooner be lording it over everyone for 5 days myself, not 3 hours in a T20. 

That was an awful listen. That was embarrassing for a Sunday league 2nd XI let alone an international team. 

Billy Joe Saunders v Martin Murray is postponed until June as Saunders has a hand injury. 

1 minute ago, tiger_rick said:

I've heard it's a live episode of Thunder. 

Take my money now. 

The problem that the satellite Yamaha has is that it uses the tyres up more under full fuel. Zarco is amazing and he kept it at the front as long as he could, but once the tyres went he was lucky to finish top 10. 

Most of the top riders will try and ride with a broken collarbone. A couple of years ago Jorge Lorenzo broke his collarbone in Free Practice 1 on the Friday at Brno in the Czech Republic. Was flown to see his surgeon in Spain on the Saturday. Had an operation to set it and flew back to Brno. Had to pass the fitness test to ride in the race, part of the test was he had to do 20 press ups. Passed the test, started 14th on the grid and finished 7th. He had to be lifted off the bike at the end of the race. Like you say, a different breed. 

I don't know if anyone broke anything, other than Zarco breaking the lap record in qualifying. 

If you get chance to see the opening round of the MotoGP from Qatar yesterday you should give it a watch. A cracking race which sets up the season really well. 18 more races like this would be fantastic. 

I prayed for you Max but no joy I'm afraid. Just Cousin Pete and Theinval each way for me today. Good Cheltenham for me overall. Finished about 300 quid up.