Allgemeines » when four years in a row you make the playoffs, M

For a disciple of Test cricket, the last few days have been heaven on the big screen. Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott nipping the ball about in Hobart, the New Zealand and Pakistani fast bowlers doing likewise in Christchurch,while over in India, Haseeb Hameeds and Alastair Cooks brilliant defensive techniques provided a magnificent contrast to their dazzling, wristy strokeplay.It would be true to say that the last fortnight has provided as much breadth and variety as a Test purist could hope for in terms of pitches, techniques and skills.The unique beauty of Test cricket is that a tense draw can be as riveting as an outright result. So long as at least one team is trying to win the match, a pitch that produces a draw is not necessarily a poor one. And a pitch that produces a fourth- or fifth-day result is arguably better than one on which a game finishes on the third day.Lets look at the two most recent Tests in Asia and the two in Australia and New Zealand as examples. Which of these pitches, on a statistical basis, provided more balance between bat and ball and between different bowling styles?The Hobart Test was effectively a two-day affair, allowing for the washout on the second day and some rain interruptions on the third. Fewer than 194 overs were bowled, and 572 runs were scored, with one century. Of the 30 wickets that fell, 29 went to fast bowlers, zero to spinners (there was one run-out). So of all the wickets claimed by bowlers, 100% of them were taken by one type of bowling (fast).In Christchurch, another Test that finished before the halfway point (if you count the washout on the first day), New Zealand won easily against Pakistan, who looked incapable of batting in seam-friendly conditions with extra bounce. A total of 612 runs were scored; no centuries. Of the 32 wickets that fell, seam bowlers claimed 31. The only wicket that fell to a spinner (part-timer Azhar Ali) was at the very end of the game, with victory just one run away. So thats close to 100% in favour of seam.In the first Test in Rajkot against England, India were under some pressure to save the match on the last day before it petered out in the final minutes. A total of 1457 runs were scored, with six centuries. More revealingly, the split between seam bowlers (seven) and spinners (22) suggested the pitch conditions were more balanced.In Visakhapatnam, 1072 runs were scored, with two centuries. Fourteen wickets to fast bowlers and 25 to the slow men. Again, a significantly more balanced snapshot than the matches in Australia and New Zealand.Even if you go back to Australias recent tour of Sri Lanka or New Zealands tour of India, the numbers look more balanced than the ones from Hobart and Christchurch. In Sri Lanka, the three Tests finished on day five, day three and day five respectively. Fast bowlers took 36 wickets and spinners 80 through the series.In India, the Tests against New Zealand lasted five, four and four days respectively. The seam-spin split was 37-62. In both India and Sri Lanka, the fast bowlers took approximately 33% of the total wickets that fell in the series. Thats significantly more balanced than heavily pace-favouring Hobart and Christchurch.Imagine the raised eyebrows if the spin v fast stats in the Tests played in Asia had been as heavily skewed in favour of spinners as they were for seamers in the Antipodes.Theres no question that weather conditions played their part in Hobart and Christchurch, but the same could also be said about the impact of weather on Asian pitches. Dont forget that in Hobart 15 wickets fell for 256 runs on the first day. This was the best pitch the groundsman could serve up for Bellerive Ovals marquee event of the summer. Christchurch was similar - 13 wickets for 237 runs on the first day of actual play. That can sometimes happen on any pitch that offers too much to the bowlers anywhere in the world.The success of Mitchell Starc in Sri Lanka and of Englands seamers in India proves that fast bowlers can do well on Asian pitches, contrary to some of the mutterings from Starc about how much better it was to be back at the WACA. His figures in Perth and Hobart were less flattering than the ones he got in Sri Lanka! At least his style of bowling was allowed to succeed on the Asian pitches, whereas it can hardly be claimed that the same tolerance was shown towards spinners in Hobart and Christchurch.Sure, Australias, New Zealands and Englands batsmen may be less comfortable against better spin bowlers, so it is only natural that the Asian spinners will be more successful against them. And it is worth pointing out that the Asian fast bowlers took more wickets in Asia than the spinners did in Hobart or Christchurch. More to the point, the Hobart and Christchurch Tests did not last long enough to allow the spinners to come into the game.It ultimately boils down to the strengths, weaknesses and unique characteristics of each team in different conditions. It should be no surprise that most teams are more skilful in conditions that they are familiar with, but the doctored pitch accusation should not be thrown around carelessly.Watching Pakistan bat on that second morning against New Zealand was as fascinating as watching England trying to survive in the fourth innings in Visakhapatnam - fascinating contrasts in technique, temperament and skill. I watched every ball of both those innings and it reminded me why I love this format above all else. One run per over in Visakhapatnam was as exciting as David Warner or Quinton De Kock teeing off.Its not always the case that the home team is guaranteed to win because the odds have been unfairly stacked against the visitors. Australia were all over Sri Lanka at times before they squandered winning positions; England had much the better of the Rajkot Test and might have won if Cook had been more adventurous with his declaration.For all those who argue that the toss can sometimes decide a Test match, look no further than Perth, Hobart and Christchurch. Theres talk of the toss being hyper-crucial in Adelaide too, so there goes the theory that its only in Asia that the game is done and dusted before the first ball is bowled. The numbers dont lie. San Diego Padres Store .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. San Diego Padres Shirts . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. https://www.cheappadresjerseys.us/ . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Cheap Padres Jerseys . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Padres Jerseys 2019 . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Peyton Manning finally found some time in retirement to get together with little brother Eli.Peyton showed up at the Giants walk-through workout Tuesday and discussed football, sat through part of a quarterbacks meeting and talked about playing against the Steelers, New Yorks opponent this weekend in Pittsburgh.Eli Manning was unaware his brother was going to show up at the teams facility, but he noted it was nice to see him.The Giants (8-3) have won six straight games -- their longest streak since 2008 -- and have a great chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.It was good to have him here, Eli Manning said. I hadnt seen him in a while. He has something to do tomorrow, so he popped in and sat in on a few meetings with us today. Just good to catch up. Ill get some time with him later on.Peyton Manning, dressed in pajamas, did a commercial before the season for DirecTV in which he had a hard time seeing Eli because his younger brother was playing on the days he wanted to meet.Eli Manning said Peyton seems to be adjusting to life after football, adding that he is staying busy and enjoying his down time.However, the longtime Giants quarterback said its obvious his brother enjoys being around football.I think when he gets in this environment, he was kind of drilling the coaches on questions, Manning said. I know he liked being in there and doing a little install on Pittsburgh. Im sure he misses that environment, just the game plan, how youre going to do things, how youre going to deal with protections, how youre going to pick things up, just really getting back into that flow of things. Im sure it is a little reminder of how special it is to be in this situation.Manning said his brother will watch his games and send him text messages afterward, telling him he made a good throw on some play or asking questions about certain plays or what the offense was running.Thats kind of always been the case, Manning said, adding the two have always tried to watch each other play. Its good communication about what is going on.The Giants offense can use some help. It has scored 231 points this season, which is 21st inn the league.ddddddddddddThere has been no consistency.Were just a few plays away, Manning said. You score 21, its not like we scored 10. Were just not getting down in the red zone enough. Thats the deal.The Giants tried to switch things up last week and go with the deep ball. Manning threw six long passes against the Cleveland Browns in a 27-13 win, but he hit only one.Stepping up this week will be important when facing Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers (6-5), winners of two straight.We have our expectations of what we want to do and how we want to score, Manning said. We feel we can score. Weve been good the last few weeks protecting the ball, thats number one. Its not about forcing things trying to score. We have to execute well, play smart and make the plays that are there.The Giants have made enough plays to get back in the playoff hunt this season with five games to go. In the last three seasons, New York has had little to play for down the home stretch.You can get spoiled early in your career when four years in a row you make the playoffs, Manning said. You assume that is kind of the norm. You play long enough you realize it isnt. It is special to be in contention to make the playoffs, and especially after the last couple being out early.Game notes The Giants placed RB Orleans Darkwa on injured reserve with a leg injury. LB-S Eric Pinkins was signed off the practice squad to take his spot on the roster. ... G Brett Jones, who injured a calf in a start against Cincinnati on Nov. 14, hopes to return to practice Wednesday. ... Starting LG Justin Pugh had a setback last week trying to return from a strained knee and seemingly will be out a little longer. ... Manning said he apologized to rookie WR Sterling Shepard for not targeting him in last weeks game. ... PK Robbie Gould took the blame for missing his third PAT in the past two games. I just missed it. You cant have that, especially when you are trying to make the playoffs.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '