Cricket International Series & General Chat

[Will27]

Just watched a great documentary called Death of a Gentleman.

A real eye opener. Lovers of test cricket should be concerned.

It's available for download.

IMDB: Two cricket journalists set off on a journey to the heart of the game they love, only to stumble upon

one of the biggest sporting scandals ever. This is a film about passion, greed, power - and standing up for what you care about.

[BookMan]

Michael Clarke slams Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, John Buchanan for 'low act' pot shots

Michael Clarke has launched a scathing attack on former teammates Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds and slammed John Buchanan, saying his dog could have done as good a job as the former national coach.

The former captain used his Ashes Diary 2015, released this week, to square the ledger with members from Australia's glory era who took a public swipe at him after he announced his international retirement in August.

He described the "pot shots" thrown at him by Hayden and Symonds as a "low act", mounted a spirited defence of his leadership and contribution to Australian cricket and lambasted the media who had "smashed" him "for every failure of the team in the last 13 years".

While Clarke was careful to avoid publicly criticising players during his decorated 11-year international career, the gloves have come off in retirement.

Clarke is particularly upset former teammates had used his retirement to "publicly kick" him, suggesting the comments were motivated by publicity in an attempt to shore up their own media profile.

He savaged Symonds, with whom he was once close friends, after the all-rounder questioned Clarke's leadership style. "Andrew Symonds went on TV to criticise my leadership. I'm sorry, but he is not a person to judge anyone on leadership," Clarke wrote in a diary entry from the fifth Test of the Ashes. "This is a guy who turned up drunk to play for his country. It's pretty rich for him to be throwing rocks."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-slams-matthew-hayden-andrew-symonds-john-buchanan-for-low-act-pot-shots-20151119-gl34xw.html#ixzz3rvBKdHXP

[rijit]

Michael Clarke slams Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, John Buchanan for 'low act' pot shots

Michael Clarke has launched a scathing attack on former teammates Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds and slammed John Buchanan, saying his dog could have done as good a job as the former national coach.

The former captain used his Ashes Diary 2015, released this week, to square the ledger with members from Australia's glory era who took a public swipe at him after he announced his international retirement in August.

He described the "pot shots" thrown at him by Hayden and Symonds as a "low act", mounted a spirited defence of his leadership and contribution to Australian cricket and lambasted the media who had "smashed" him "for every failure of the team in the last 13 years".

While Clarke was careful to avoid publicly criticising players during his decorated 11-year international career, the gloves have come off in retirement.

Clarke is particularly upset former teammates had used his retirement to "publicly kick" him, suggesting the comments were motivated by publicity in an attempt to shore up their own media profile.

He savaged Symonds, with whom he was once close friends, after the all-rounder questioned Clarke's leadership style. "Andrew Symonds went on TV to criticise my leadership. I'm sorry, but he is not a person to judge anyone on leadership," Clarke wrote in a diary entry from the fifth Test of the Ashes. "This is a guy who turned up drunk to play for his country. It's pretty rich for him to be throwing rocks."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-slams-matthew-hayden-andrew-symonds-john-buchanan-for-low-act-pot-shots-20151119-gl34xw.html#ixzz3rvBKdHXP

Drunk??? True or just a massive hangover

[Will27]

Agree with Chappelli here:

Sloppy fielding hurting Aust: Chappell

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/cricket/a/30155245/sloppy-fielding-hurting-aust-chappell/

Ian Chappell, a reliable set of hands at first slip in his 75-Test career and a sharp set of eyes in the commentary box since, can't recall it being this bad in 30 years.

Edited November 21, 2015 by Will27

[Will27]

Michael Clarke slams Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds, John Buchanan for 'low act' pot shots

Michael Clarke has launched a scathing attack on former teammates Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds and slammed John Buchanan, saying his dog could have done as good a job as the former national coach.

The former captain used his Ashes Diary 2015, released this week, to square the ledger with members from Australia's glory era who took a public swipe at him after he announced his international retirement in August.

He described the "pot shots" thrown at him by Hayden and Symonds as a "low act", mounted a spirited defence of his leadership and contribution to Australian cricket and lambasted the media who had "smashed" him "for every failure of the team in the last 13 years".

While Clarke was careful to avoid publicly criticising players during his decorated 11-year international career, the gloves have come off in retirement.

Clarke is particularly upset former teammates had used his retirement to "publicly kick" him, suggesting the comments were motivated by publicity in an attempt to shore up their own media profile.

He savaged Symonds, with whom he was once close friends, after the all-rounder questioned Clarke's leadership style. "Andrew Symonds went on TV to criticise my leadership. I'm sorry, but he is not a person to judge anyone on leadership," Clarke wrote in a diary entry from the fifth Test of the Ashes. "This is a guy who turned up drunk to play for his country. It's pretty rich for him to be throwing rocks."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-clarke-slams-matthew-hayden-andrew-symonds-john-buchanan-for-low-act-pot-shots-20151119-gl34xw.html#ixzz3rvBKdHXP

Drunk??? True or just a massive hangover

By all reports he was still drunk.

Was staggering around at training and fell over a wheelie bin

[BookMan]

Australia v New Zealand Third cricket Test: Kookaburra raises pink-ball concerns before day-night Test

As cricket embarks on the start of a new era, Kookaburra, the manufacturer of the pink ball to be used for the historic day-night Test, concedes there will be times when players lose sight of the ball.

The eyes of the cricket world will be on Adelaide on Friday when Australia and New Zealand take part in the first Test to be played under lights.

While players had approached the concept with trepidation, both teams are now relishing the opportunity to be part of history.

So, too, it seems are the fans, with cricket authorities expecting crowds in excess of 40,000 for the opening two days of the match. Only 34,000 turned out for the first two days when Australia last hosted New Zealand here in 2008.

Of particular interest will be the impact the new playing conditions have on play, so, too, the visibility and durability of the revolutionary pink ball.

Kookaburra agrees the pink ball will be hardest to see during twilight but that was no different to the traditional red version or the white one used in the limited-overs formats. And there will also be times when players cannot see the ball.

"There will inevitably be moments, especially as the ball deteriorates and picks up dirt and stains from its surrounding environment, that a player loses sight of the ball for a second but I don't think that's unique to the pink ball," said Kookaburra managing director Brett Elliot.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-vs-new-zealand-third-cricket-test-kookaburra-raises-pinkball-concerns-before-daynight-test-20151126-gl8pqh.html#ixzz3sdaU2Cym

[Will27]

Makes you wonder if the ICC will eventually bring in (further) legislation about bat sizes and weights.

Barry Richards holds the bat with which he made 325 in a day at the WACA in 1970 in his right hand, and David Warner's modern-day

weapon in his left, Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Adelaide, November 27, 2015

Edited November 27, 2015 by Will27

[BookMan]

Makes you wonder if the ICC will eventually bring in (further) legislation about bat sizes and weights.

Barry Richards holds the bat with which he made 325 in a day at the WACA in 1970 in his right hand, and David Warner's modern-day

weapon in his left, Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Adelaide, November 27, 2015

ANy idea of the measurements and weights of the two bats?

[Will27]

Makes you wonder if the ICC will eventually bring in (further) legislation about bat sizes and weights.

Barry Richards holds the bat with which he made 325 in a day at the WACA in 1970 in his right hand, and David Warner's modern-day

weapon in his left, Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Adelaide, November 27, 2015

ANy idea of the measurements and weights of the two bats?

No idea to be honest mate.

You wouldn't think the length and width would be much different.

I know they can make the bats lighter now, but there would have to

be a fair increase in weight.

As a guide, most of the bats used in the 70's & 80's were under pounds.

[BookMan]

Makes you wonder if the ICC will eventually bring in (further) legislation about bat sizes and weights.

Barry Richards holds the bat with which he made 325 in a day at the WACA in 1970 in his right hand, and David Warner's modern-day

weapon in his left, Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Adelaide, November 27, 2015

ANy idea of the measurements and weights of the two bats?

No idea to be honest mate.

You wouldn't think the length and width would be much different.

I know they can make the bats lighter now, but there would have to

be a fair increase in weight.

As a guide, most of the bats used in the 70's & 80's were under pounds.

I googled it..

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/944653.html

This has also meant that far bigger bats are better balanced and nowhere near as heavy relative to their size - Richards used a 2lb, 7oz bat; Warner's, for all its bulk, is only 2lb, 10oz.

So..

Warner is using a bat of 1190 grams

Richards bat was 1105 grams

Edited November 28, 2015 by BookMan

[Will27]

Makes you wonder if the ICC will eventually bring in (further) legislation about bat sizes and weights.

Barry Richards holds the bat with which he made 325 in a day at the WACA in 1970 in his right hand, and David Warner's modern-day

weapon in his left, Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Adelaide, November 27, 2015

ANy idea of the measurements and weights of the two bats?

No idea to be honest mate.

You wouldn't think the length and width would be much different.

I know they can make the bats lighter now, but there would have to

be a fair increase in weight.

As a guide, most of the bats used in the 70's & 80's were under pounds.

I googled it..

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/944653.html

This has also meant that far bigger bats are better balanced and nowhere near as heavy relative to their size - Richards used a 2lb, 7oz bat; Warner's, for all its bulk, is only 2lb, 10oz.

So..

Warner is using a bat of 1190 grams

Richards bat was 1105 grams

Oops, meant to say under 3 lbs.

[BookMan]

I googled it..

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/944653.html

This has also meant that far bigger bats are better balanced and nowhere near as heavy relative to their size - Richards used a 2lb, 7oz bat; Warner's, for all its bulk, is only 2lb, 10oz.

So..

Warner is using a bat of 1190 grams

Richards bat was 1105 grams

Oops, meant to say under 3 lbs.

Chimpy's rant of the day

Speaking of pounds and ounces..

Chimpy goes a bit manic when commentators start speaking in 'pounds and ounces'. Any item close to him is latched onto and hurled towards the screen. he particularly loathes Ian Healy, Mark Taylor, Ian chappell (err...and a couple of others), but his dislike is not solely weight-speak specific issues. Chimpy just doesn't like them. Part of the problem is since Mark Taylor went to elocution training, Chimpy can now understand what he is saying, and it isn't worthy of broadcast time. He is happier now that Ian Chappell doesn't mention baseball whenever he speaks, but he does tend to cover his ears when Chappelli speaks. Something about the whiny voice irritating his eardrums.

Chimpy does have point regarding weights/measure. Australia changed to the Metric system in 1971. So anyone from this time onwards learnt metric weights and measurements ins school and have been exposed to daily systems of metrication across the country. Anyone under 45 has basically not been schooled in using pounds/ounces.

You could say that anyone under fifty-five has spent enough time in the school system also, to not be using poundage and ounce-age when speaking.

[Will27]

I googled it..

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/944653.html

This has also meant that far bigger bats are better balanced and nowhere near as heavy relative to their size - Richards used a 2lb, 7oz bat; Warner's, for all its bulk, is only 2lb, 10oz.

So..

Warner is using a bat of 1190 grams

Richards bat was 1105 grams

Oops, meant to say under 3 lbs.

Chimpy's rant of the day

Speaking of pounds and ounces..

Chimpy goes a bit manic when commentators start speaking in 'pounds and ounces'. Any item close to him is latched onto and hurled towards the screen. he particularly loathes Ian Healy, Mark Taylor, Ian chappell (err...and a couple of others), but his dislike is not solely weight-speak specific issues. Chimpy just doesn't like them. Part of the problem is since Mark Taylor went to elocution training, Chimpy can now understand what he is saying, and it isn't worthy of broadcast time. He is happier now that Ian Chappell doesn't mention baseball whenever he speaks, but he does tend to cover his ears when Chappelli speaks. Something about the whiny voice irritating his eardrums.

Chimpy does have point regarding weights/measure. Australia changed to the Metric system in 1971. So anyone from this time onwards learnt metric weights and measurements ins school and have been exposed to daily systems of metrication across the country. Anyone under 45 has basically not been schooled in using pounds/ounces.

You could say that anyone under fifty-five has spent enough time in the school system also, to not be using poundage and ounce-age when speaking.

Methinks they just speak way too much.

It's not radio. They don't have to keep going on.

Warney is usually spot on, but my favourite funnily enough is AFL commentator

James Brayshaw.

[Will27]

Voges and Shaun Marsh.

That's me putting a line through those two spuds.

Surely there has to be a better replacement for Khawaja than Marsh.

The jury is still out on Mitch Marsh, Joe Burns and Khawaja.

Nevill has to bat in front of Mitch.

With Starc going down and MJ's retirement, we ain't looking that good,

although we have some good replacements waiting.

Australia will do well to avoid defeat here.

[BookMan]

Voges and Shaun Marsh.

That's me putting a line through those two spuds.

Surely there has to be a better replacement for Khawaja than Marsh.

The jury is still out on Mitch Marsh, Joe Burns and Khawaja.

Nevill has to bat in front of Mitch.

With Starc going down and MJ's retirement, we ain't looking that good,

although we have some good replacements waiting.

Australia will do well to avoid defeat here.

Good to see Golden Tonsils Lyon finally coming good and hitting 4.6.4 in one over... Oh, hang on... he is a Spinner. I forgot

Shaun marsh has those family connections and will be round for a while yet.

Who are some of the replacements we have waiting?

[Will27]

Voges and Shaun Marsh.

That's me putting a line through those two spuds.

Surely there has to be a better replacement for Khawaja than Marsh.

The jury is still out on Mitch Marsh, Joe Burns and Khawaja.

Nevill has to bat in front of Mitch.

With Starc going down and MJ's retirement, we ain't looking that good,

although we have some good replacements waiting.

Australia will do well to avoid defeat here.

Good to see Golden Tonsils Lyon finally coming good and hitting 4.6.4 in one over... Oh, hang on... he is a Spinner. I forgot

Shaun marsh has those family connections and will be round for a while yet.

Who are some of the replacements we have waiting?

Lyon went the tonk after his reprieve from the DRS.

People are mentioing Travis Head, Peter Handscomb and Cameron Bancroft as the next replacements.

Trouble is, none of them are knocking the door down.

Just cannot see the point in going back to Marsh for the 6th time. You know what you're going to get.

Voges at 36 is very ordinary. Cashed in against a week WI. Couldn't make a run against the Poms and

cashed in again this series on flat tracks. Any movement and he's found out. Terrible fielder as well.

Give the youngsters a go.

There's a young lad called Jason Sangha from Sydney, who sounds like he could be something.

Played first grade at 14 and selected for the Australian under 19's at 15.

[BookMan]

Lyon went the tonk after his reprieve from the DRS.

People are mentioing Travis Head, Peter Handscomb and Cameron Bancroft as the next replacements.

Trouble is, none of them are knocking the door down.

Just cannot see the point in going back to Marsh for the 6th time. You know what you're going to get.

Voges at 36 is very ordinary. Cashed in against a week WI. Couldn't make a run against the Poms and

cashed in again this series on flat tracks. Any movement and he's found out. Terrible fielder as well.

Give the youngsters a go.

There's a young lad called Jason Sangha from Sydney, who sounds like he could be something.

Played first grade at 14 and selected for the Australian under 19's at 15.

Marsh has had many chances... He might just need a few more recalls to figure things out.

Trying out a few youngsters against NZ would have been the way to go I reckon

[BookMan]

People are mentioing Travis Head, Peter Handscomb and Cameron Bancroft as the next replacements.

Trouble is, none of them are knocking the door down.

Just cannot see the point in going back to Marsh for the 6th time. You know what you're going to get.

Voges at 36 is very ordinary. Cashed in against a week WI. Couldn't make a run against the Poms and

cashed in again this series on flat tracks. Any movement and he's found out. Terrible fielder as well.

Give the youngsters a go.

There's a young lad called Jason Sangha from Sydney, who sounds like he could be something.

Played first grade at 14 and selected for the Australian under 19's at 15.

Trevor Handsome man, eh?

[7by7]

Back to bats for a moment.

From appendix E (the bat) of the laws:

Length and width-
(a) The overall length of the bat, when the lower portion of the handle is inserted, shall not be more than 38 in/96.5 cm.
( b ) The width of the bat shall not exceed 4.25 in/10.8 cm at its widest part.
( c ) Permitted coverings, repair material and toe guards, not exceeding their specified thicknesses, may be additional to the dimensions above.

Length of handle – Except for bats of size 6 and less, the handle shall not exceed 52% of the overall length of the bat.

Nothing there about weight or thickness, though.

Edited November 28, 2015 by 7by7

[7by7]

Coin toss to be scrapped in County Championship cricket

The mandatory coin toss is to be scrapped in the County Championship next season, the England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed.

The change is effective in both divisions and aims to encourage better pitches for four-day cricket.

An ECB statement read: "The visiting captain will be offered the opportunity of bowling first.

"If he declines, the toss will take place as normal. But if he accepts, there will be no toss."

Thoughts?

Edited November 28, 2015 by 7by7

[BookMan]

Coin toss to be scrapped in County Championship cricket

The mandatory coin toss is to be scrapped in the County Championship next season, the England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed.

The change is effective in both divisions and aims to encourage better pitches for four-day cricket.

An ECB statement read: "The visiting captain will be offered the opportunity of bowling first.

"If he declines, the toss will take place as normal. But if he accepts, there will be no toss."

Thoughts?

Going further. I'd like to see coin tosses scrapped for test matches. Rather the teams take it in turns to make a choice of what they want to do. Perhaps the first one is decided by a coin toss, then alternates...

Do you know what is the reasoning behind only having the opportunity of bowling first?

and

How does it encourage better pitches for four-day cricket?

[BookMan]

Must have been the guys birthday.. get him on the field to enjoy himself...

Australia vs New Zealand third cricket Test: Michael Hussey questions Grant Baldwin call

Former Test star Michael Hussey has accused the Australian cricket team of being "unprofessional" for allowing their massage therapist to field in the day-night Test against New Zealand.

Grant Baldwin, who is also the assistant team manager, deputised for the injured Mitchell Starc in the second innings after also spending long periods in the field in the first innings.

The issue came to a head when Baldwin misfielded a ball at mid-off, costing Australia three runs in a low-scoring game, prompting Michael Slater to ask on the commentary why a masseur was fielding in a Test match.

Nominal 12th man James Pattinson left the squad on Friday so he could play for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield game against Western Australia, while Stephen O'Keefe was also released for Shield duties.

Cricket Australia normally uses a state player in such circumstances but there is a full round of Shield cricket. There was no first grade cricket.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-vs-new-zealand-third-cricket-test-michael-hussey-questions-grant-baldwin-call-20151128-glakvl.html#ixzz3spRQnAZE

[BookMan]

Shane Warne Foundation sought to block release of records by regulator

The Shane Warne Foundation tried to have its records declared confidential by the national charity regulator under a federal law that has been used to protect the safety of family violence charities.

It's one in a series of measures taken to avoid public scrutiny of the cricketing legend's personal charity, now being investigated by Victoria's consumer watchdog over its accounting practices.

The probe comes as the foundation has been overstating its current financial position in a bid to counter negative publicity about its practice of donating just 16¢ of every dollar raised on behalf of charities that care for sick and underprivileged children.

Meanwhile, the foundation appears to have been paying rent to Warne's parents and a company associated with one of the directors of the charity.

But in the wake of negative publicity following a Sunday Age investigation into its activities, the foundation dropped its secrecy bid last week.

"The Shane Warne Foundation asked that their withholding application be withdrawn in the interests of transparency," a ACNC spokesman said.

In October, The Sunday Age compelled the foundation to release its annual reports from 2011-13 under an obscure provision of Victoria's Fundraising Act.

The documents revealed the foundation has actually donated an average of just 16¢ of every dollar it raised on behalf of sick and underprivileged children from 2011 to 2013.

The vast majority of its funds were instead spent staging glitzy celebrity events such as cricket matches, poker tournaments, and gala dinners. It also spent $210,000 employing Shane Warne's brother in an executive position at the foundation.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/shane-warne-foundation-sought-to-block-release-of-records-by-regulator-20151128-glaer2.html#ixzz3spSc8khX

[BookMan]

Here is a video of the contentious DRS decision. Lyon was given not out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXOCmRf66HY

[Will27]

People are mentioing Travis Head, Peter Handscomb and Cameron Bancroft as the next replacements.

Trouble is, none of them are knocking the door down.

Just cannot see the point in going back to Marsh for the 6th time. You know what you're going to get.

Voges at 36 is very ordinary. Cashed in against a week WI. Couldn't make a run against the Poms and

cashed in again this series on flat tracks. Any movement and he's found out. Terrible fielder as well.

Give the youngsters a go.

There's a young lad called Jason Sangha from Sydney, who sounds like he could be something.

Played first grade at 14 and selected for the Australian under 19's at 15.

Trevor Handsome man, eh?

Groan

[Will27]

Coin toss to be scrapped in County Championship cricket

The mandatory coin toss is to be scrapped in the County Championship next season, the England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed.

The change is effective in both divisions and aims to encourage better pitches for four-day cricket.

An ECB statement read: "The visiting captain will be offered the opportunity of bowling first.

"If he declines, the toss will take place as normal. But if he accepts, there will be no toss."

Thoughts?

Going further. I'd like to see coin tosses scrapped for test matches. Rather the teams take it in turns to make a choice of what they want to do. Perhaps the first one is decided by a coin toss, then alternates...

Do you know what is the reasoning behind only having the opportunity of bowling first?

and

How does it encourage better pitches for four-day cricket?

I'm not sure what the decks have been like in County cricket.

Maybe they've got too much grass on them and aren't lasting for 4 days?

Making them better (for batting) sounds like what's possiblu behind it.

Your idea sounds fairer BookMan but not sure if I like it.

I'm a traditionalist. I like watching the toss, especially if it's a crucial one.

[Will27]

Must have been the guys birthday.. get him on the field to enjoy himself...

Australia vs New Zealand third cricket Test: Michael Hussey questions Grant Baldwin call

Former Test star Michael Hussey has accused the Australian cricket team of being "unprofessional" for allowing their massage therapist to field in the day-night Test against New Zealand.

Grant Baldwin, who is also the assistant team manager, deputised for the injured Mitchell Starc in the second innings after also spending long periods in the field in the first innings.

The issue came to a head when Baldwin misfielded a ball at mid-off, costing Australia three runs in a low-scoring game, prompting Michael Slater to ask on the commentary why a masseur was fielding in a Test match.

Nominal 12th man James Pattinson left the squad on Friday so he could play for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield game against Western Australia, while Stephen O'Keefe was also released for Shield duties.

Cricket Australia normally uses a state player in such circumstances but there is a full round of Shield cricket. There was no first grade cricket.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-vs-new-zealand-third-cricket-test-michael-hussey-questions-grant-baldwin-call-20151128-glakvl.html#ixzz3spRQnAZE

I agree. Surely they could've found a first class player from somewhere.

Maybe he gave Smith a happy ending during a rub down

[Will27]

Here is a video of the contentious DRS decision. Lyon was given not out.

Another minute and Lyon would've taken his pads off.

[7by7]

Coin toss to be scrapped in County Championship cricket

The mandatory coin toss is to be scrapped in the County Championship next season, the England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed.

The change is effective in both divisions and aims to encourage better pitches for four-day cricket.

An ECB statement read: "The visiting captain will be offered the opportunity of bowling first.

"If he declines, the toss will take place as normal. But if he accepts, there will be no toss."

Thoughts?

Going further. I'd like to see coin tosses scrapped for test matches. Rather the teams take it in turns to make a choice of what they want to do. Perhaps the first one is decided by a coin toss, then alternates...

Do you know what is the reasoning behind only having the opportunity of bowling first?

and

How does it encourage better pitches for four-day cricket?

I'm not sure what the decks have been like in County cricket.

Maybe they've got too much grass on them and aren't lasting for 4 days?

Making them better (for batting) sounds like what's possiblu behind it.

Your idea sounds fairer BookMan but not sure if I like it.

I'm a traditionalist. I like watching the toss, especially if it's a crucial one.

It seems to be an attempt to stop the home side preparing a pitch which suits them in the hope of then winning the toss.

Something which does also happen in Test cricket.

Peter Wright, the chairman of the ECB Cricket Committee, explains the rationale in ECB to trial change to coin toss.

Personally, I'm all in favour of anything which makes the game a fairer competition between both sides; but am not sure if this is the way to go.

Neutral groundsmen employed by the ECB rather than each county; perhaps?

But that wouldn't work for test cricket. Maybe Bookman's idea would be better there. Though the toss would still play a role as most test series are 3 or 5 games; so the captain who wins the toss at the start of the series would have one more choice than the captain who loses it.

[BookMan]

It seems to be an attempt to stop the home side preparing a pitch which suits them in the hope of then winning the toss.

Something which does also happen in Test cricket.

Peter Wright, the chairman of the ECB Cricket Committee, explains the rationale in ECB to trial change to coin toss.

Personally, I'm all in favour of anything which makes the game a fairer competition between both sides; but am not sure if this is the way to go.

Neutral groundsmen employed by the ECB rather than each county; perhaps?

But that wouldn't work for test cricket. Maybe Bookman's idea would be better there. Though the toss would still play a role as most test series are 3 or 5 games; so the captain who wins the toss at the start of the series would have one more choice than the captain who loses it.

Teams could carried over from series to series whose turn it is to choose so no need to have coin tosses.

I can see some advantage for the visiting side to have a choice of bowling first, to avoid doctored pitches.

It could get to a stage where all cricket pitches are drop ins, maintained by neutral groundspeople...