Tails wagging the dog; Ratings 23rd July
Russell Degnan

2nd TestEnglandvIndia
Pre-rating1054.21152.3
Form-40.1+6.2
Expected MarginEngland by 9 runs
Actual MarginIndia by 95 runs
Post-rating1039.11161.7

Until one ball before lunch on the final day this was a fluctuating match that England ought to have won. What is apparent is that they fundamentally cannot do so, regardless of what is offered. Having wasted a green pitch on the opening morning with short bowling, England still managed to have India 7/145 after tea, before Rahane's counter-attack found support from Binny and the rest of the tail. They turned 4/211 - with only Kumar finding swing to trouble the top-order - into 319 - still a lead. And in the second innings, had removed the specialist batsmen with India only 211 in front. Jadeja and Kumar's 99 run stand was, in the context, as vital as Ishant Sharma's bouncers inducing a collapse of 6/50 either side of lunch on the final day; a point when, again, England had got themselves into a position to challenge for victory.

Sharma's 7/74 and Dhoni's willingness to try a spell of short pitched bowling looks like genous only in hindsight. The spell was not near as menacing as England made it look; runs flowed at first, and the balls that took wickets were well wide of off-stump and easily left by clear-headed batsmen. England though are far from that. Prior's departure leaves only Cook, Bell, Broad and Anderson of the core that formed England's best side. The batsmen in that group are woefully out of form, and even the performances of the youth cannot hide it. The bowlers must be nearing exhaustion, having clocked nearly 200 overs each in the past 6 weeks, and Broad carrying a long-term injury.

India look a settled and confident side only by comparison. The batting has been failing, the sins hidden by the tail, whiich can't be relied on. Dhoni is struggling which they cannot afford when playing five bowlers, even if 7-9 are competent, and occasionally match-winning. If England can click, they can challenge and win this series. It would be a shock if that happens with Cook at the helm however.


1st TestSri LankavSouth Africa
Pre-rating1035.61299.4
Form+28.7-36.6
Expected MarginSouth Africa by 82 runs
Actual MarginSouth Africa by 153 runs
Post-rating1032.71302.6

Contrary to my preview, a relative lack of impact from Imran Tahir and Duminy - the undeserved wicket of Sangakarra nowithstanding - didn't impact South Africa at all. The reason is that Dale Steyn is a genius, and Morne Morkel is very tall and awkward to face. The latter primarily contributed in taking out the tail. Steyn did as Steyn has done for going on 371 test wickets, taking 9/99 for the match. South Africa were challenged only once after Elgar (103) and du Plessis (80) got them away to a start. For a brief moment, after de Villiers was dismissed a 5/266, Sri Lanka were placed to put pressure on South Africa with the bat. Duminy's even 100 not out got them to 9/455 declared. Sri Lanka could only respond with sporadic scores from Tharanga, Mathews and Sangakarra, none going over 100, when they needed more.

South Africa having declared in both innings, the second after a race to set a target that showed admirable aggression; this was a more emphatic victory than the score suggests. Whether it will be repeated depends on Steyn. Morkel remains a useful support; the spinners added litle, and Philander went wicketless on his least friendly surface. It would surprise if the next match wasn't closer, but this was an impressive victory by the tourists in their new era.


Rankings at 23rd July 2014
1.South Africa1302.6
2.Australia1273.7
3.India1161.7
4.Pakistan1093.9
5.England1039.1
6.Sri Lanka1032.7
7.New Zealand937.8
8.West Indies870.2
9.Bangladesh600.6
12.Zimbabwe560.2

10.Ireland594.8
11.Afghanistan587.6
13.Scotland430.3
14.Namibia383.4
15.Kenya276.4
16.U.A.E.257.3
17.Netherlands182.4
18.Canada147.9

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Idle Summers 24th July, 2014 01:54:11   [#] [0 comments] 

Monday Melbourne: CCCV, July 2014
Russell Degnan

Flinders Lane. Taken July 2014

Melbourne Town 22nd July, 2014 21:38:25   [#] [0 comments] 

ICC Conference and ACC AGM with Shahriar Khan; Associate and Affiliate Cricket Podcast
Russell Degnan

In the wake of the ICC Conference in Melbourne, Andrew Nixon (@andrewnixon79) and Russell Degnan (@idlesummers) look at the news - or lack of - from changes in the ICC. Russell speaks to media manager of the Asian Cricket Council, Shahriar Khan about the recent success of Asian sides, the leadup to the Asian Games, and some of the ICC conference outcomes, as they affect Asian cricket. There are reviews of World Cricket League Division 4, ICC Europe Division 2, and cricket in Romania and Scotland. The episode ends with some governance news from Kenya, Canada and Nepal.

Direct Download Running Time 88min. Music from Martin Solveig, "Big in Japan"

The associate and affiliate cricket podcast is an attempt to expand coverage of associate tournaments by obtaining local knowledge of the relevant nations. If you have or intend to go to a tournament at associate level - men's women's, ICC, unaffiliated - then please get in touch in the comments or by email.

Idle Summers 21st July, 2014 00:24:48   [#] [0 comments] 

Grind until a fine paste; Ratings 16th July
Russell Degnan

1st TestEnglandvIndia
Pre-rating1067.61150.1
Form-52.9+7.3
Expected MarginEngland by 9 runs
Actual MarginMatch Drawn
Post-rating1054.21152.3

England's rating slips a little further, on a pitch offering little to the bowlers, but which nevertheless offered both sides ample opportunities to press for victory. That they didn't came down to the last wicket partnerships between Kumar and Shami, that lifted India from 9/346 to 457; and between Root and Anderson, that took England from 9/298 to 496. Anderson's heroics with the bat came on the back of 38 overs in he first innings, and 59 in the match, which probably explains why England failed to Jadeja, Binny and Kumar when at 6/184 the game promised one final twist.

Bowling short and in the channel instead of full at the stumps didn't help either. On a pitch with no bounce, little pace, and sapped by the workload - there remain another four tests, lest we forget - bowling in the low-80s left the batsmen (and the bowlers masquerading as such) with far too much time. With Lord's promising to be flat, and neither captain likely to be take undue risks, we are in line for an attritional series marked by the odd inexplicable match-losing collapse. In this, England's squad bowling and batting depth probably tilt things in their favour. India's decision to play five batsmen could haunt them at some point, but if they win the toss and bat, they could have England in the field six days in nine. For a team already looking jaded, that's a worrying prospect.

The ratings now predict an English victory by a single run. Attritional cricket might lack a certain sexiness, but it still brings interesting narratives. And the longer the stays in the balance, the more interesting they become.


2 TestsSri LankavSouth Africa
Pre-rating1035.61299.4
Form+28.7-36.6
Expected MarginSouth Africa by 82 runs

South Africa enter this test as favourites, but their form, and the loss of both their captain and most solid batsman in the last year means they are probably not at quite that level. Sri Lanka's win in England showed a resilience they have often lacked while travelling. If they can couple that with the natural advantages playing on turning tracks at home gives them, then this could be a close contest.

The key for South Africa will be Imran Tahir. Leg spinners - or at least Warne - enjoyed Sri Lankan conditions, when the pitch wasn't completely dead. If he can contribute in ways he hasn't always on seaming, bouncing southern hemisphere pitches, then the South African seamers will be sufficiently strong to cover for any batting frailties. If not, South Africa's attack looks thin, and the tourists could be a middle order failure from Amla, du Plessis and AB de Villiers from an undefendable total.

Rankings at 16th July 2014
1.South Africa1299.4
2.Australia1273.7
3.India1152.3
4.Pakistan1093.9
5.England1054.2
6.Sri Lanka1035.6
7.New Zealand937.8
8.West Indies870.2
9.Bangladesh600.6
12.Zimbabwe560.2

10.Ireland594.8
11.Afghanistan587.6
13.Scotland430.3
14.Namibia383.4
15.Kenya276.4
16.U.A.E.257.3
17.Netherlands182.4
18.Canada147.9

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Idle Summers 16th July, 2014 22:15:14   [#] [0 comments] 

Monday Melbourne: CCCIV, July 2014
Russell Degnan

VCA. Taken June 2014

Melbourne Town 14th July, 2014 23:39:05   [#] [0 comments] 

A tale of two hundreds; Ratings 10th July
Russell Degnan

3rd TestWest IndiesvNew Zealand
Pre-rating880.7931.1
Form-24.9+11.8
Expected MarginWest Indies by 25 runs
Actual MarginNew Zealand by 53 runs
Pre-rating870.2937.8
Series rating902.8910.6

A competitive series ended with a match that looked tighter on the scoreboard than it felt at the finish. The West Indies were set 308 runs on the final day, and were on track time-wise to make it. But despite getting to 254, an earlier collapse to 7/144, primarily to Southee (3/28), meant that they were always unlikely, and the new ball did for Taylor to end the contest.

Although 20 players got past 20 in the match, only one went on to make a score: Williamson's 161 being the major difference between the sides, With the ball Roach's 8/116 was the best of any bowler, but like the runs, the wickets were largely shared, and New Zealand's strength in depth allowed them to maintain pressure throughout the match. New Zealand's recent record is very good, but the series rating indicates both how close this series was, and that the gap to the top remains to be bridged. They have a capable side though, and enough youth - particularly in Williamson whose potential exceeds any - to maintain an upward trajectory.

2nd TestEnglandvSri Lanka
Pre-rating1087.31022.9
Form-53.9+13.7
Expected MarginEngland by 82 runs
Actual MarginSri Lanka by 100 runs
Post-rating1067.61035.6
Series rating1008.41108.4

A test that in many ways resembled Sydney 2008, whether from the grandstand finish, the persistent sledging from the winning side, or the failure to capitalise on a dominant position from the eventual losers. The umpiring was (fortunately) generally better, and the acrimony (fortunately) not long lasting. The turning point came from Mathews, beginning with his 4/44 in England's innings, and hitting a high-point in his 160 that took the match away from England. Mathews is a captain who, six months ago, basically gave away a test from negativity, so he'd have appreciated similarly generous field placings from Cook, that allowed him to aggressively hit through the ball without fear of being caught, while keeping the score ticking over.

For England, the positives were the performance of their young batsmen, with both Robson and Moeen Ali scoring tons; the latter a masterclass of concentration and resistance that deserved to secure the draw. Plunkett, and to a lesser extent Jordan both bowled well, but Cook's failure trust his young players, and tendency to look to Broad and Anderson cost them. Anderson had a very good series, but he is better as a stike-bowler than a work-horse, and will be lucky to last the summer, with seven tests in such quick succession.

Sri Lanka achieved a famous victory, and their pace bowlers belied their reputation and averages (albeit averages mostly achieved in unfavourable conditions) to out-bowl the home side. But their batting looked terribly dependent on Sangakarra, and they need bigger scores from the rest of their top-6 to challenge sides who remember how to win matches.

5 TestsEnglandvIndia
Pre-rating1067.61150.1
Form-52.9+7.3
Expected MarginEngland by 9 runs

A series for the present regime, with five tests in seven weeks between cricket's biggest money-earners, if not their most in-form sides. India had a better tour of South Africa than is recognised, and might have won with better captaincy, or some more consistent performances from their pace attack. England, are a mess. Their youth looks promising, but is being let down by their senior players, and either a lack of belief, or captaincy that leads one to believe they can't win.

At home, against a still inexperienced Indian batting lineup, and a still weak Indian pace attack, England ought to win. The ratings don't indicate one side or another, but India have not won away of late, and that will matter. Much may depend on whether their secondary bowling can cover for the inevitable slumps that so much cricket in such a short period will bring. If it comes to that, England probably can find adequate replacements, whereas India almost certainly cannot. But runs matter too, and if India can adjust to conditions (or as is apparent at Trent Bridge, find them to their liking), they have the talent to score heavily. With both sides rebuilding, and neither with any great confidence it should be an interesting, if occasionally poorly played series.


Rankings at 10th July 2014
1.South Africa1299.4
2.Australia1273.7
3.India1150.1
4.Pakistan1093.9
5.England1067.6
6.Sri Lanka1035.6
7.New Zealand937.8
8.West Indies870.2
9.Bangladesh600.6
12.Zimbabwe560.2

10.Ireland594.8
11.Afghanistan587.6
13.Scotland430.3
14.Namibia383.4
15.Kenya276.4
16.U.A.E.257.3
17.Netherlands182.4
18.Canada147.9

Shaded teams have played fewer than 2 games per season. Non-test team ratings are not comparable to test ratings as they don't play each other.

Idle Summers 10th July, 2014 01:07:13   [#] [0 comments] 

Monday Melbourne: CCCIII, July 2014
Russell Degnan

Winter's morning sunlight. Taken June 2014

Melbourne Town 9th July, 2014 22:13:13   [#] [0 comments] 

Notes from the Animation Festival 2014
Russell Degnan

A pilgrimage, Helen called my inevitable return to the Melbourne International Animation Festival, though without the implied penitential aspect. Festivals that correspond with World Cup years are always a little bit harder to stay awake in, and I'll note in passing that Malcolm again indicated that next year won't last 11 days. I made things slightly easier for myself by skipping the abstract animation, late night macabre and the quickdraw animation influences screening.

Of the 27 I did get to though, and is is now traditional, here were the films I thought stood out, for various reasons. As a rule I don't like to have a best of the festival nominee, as the film-makers have their own artistic and technical reasons for their decisions that should be respected. But, not for the first time, I wasn't a huge fan of the official best-of film. Technically brilliant, but a shallow plot, and if animaed shorts have a weakness, it is in that area. Thus, if from this list you only watch one film, make it To This Day; films with this level of emotional depth are rare.


The Entertainers

Love The Way You Move: Slightly Left Of Centre Aaron McDonald, Ben Ommundson Aust. - Neither the music nor the song are classics, but Soviet/Putin references and modern dance music is pretty funny.

IOA Gabriel Moehring Next 2 - A hyperventilating Beckett-esque speaking machine. Very short and sharp.

The Gift Julio Pott Sth.Amer. 2 - The course of a sub-optimal relationship simply and precisely drawn.

A Quoi Ca Sert L'Amour - Edith Piaf Louis Clichy Paris 1 - The course of a marginally better relationship, with a very French song and scenery.

Wildebeest Ant Blades Int. 5 - Wildebeests discussing risk and Bayesian priors. Badly.

The Technically Superb

Sonata Nadia Micault Int. 1 - Rotoscoped dancing. Long, perhaps to it detriment, but fabulous movement.

Patch Gerd Gockell Int. 3 - A collection of black and white tiles, painted subtlety differently then animated on a wall.

Passages Luis Paris Sth.Amer. 1 - A cyclist, on a loop through the coutnry side, brilliantly interplaying light and shadow.

Bear Story Pato Escala Sth.Amer. 2 - The life of a bear, in a box. The transitions of scenery are particularly cool

Ascension Thomas Bourdis, Martin de Coudenhove, Caroline Domergue, Colin Laubry, Florian Vecchione Int. 3 - Incredibly realistic looking mountain scenery (and amusing) story. The attention to detail on the textures and snow is phenomenal.

Four Margherita Premuroso, Luca Da Rios Kids - A spring awakening, with fabulous depth and detail in the trees and backgrounds.

Bendito Machine IV Jossie Malis Int. 2 - A long fruitless journey, depicted entirely in silhouettes.

The Well Plotted

To This Day Shane Koyczan Int. 1 - A poem, animated in short bursts, and seamlessly put together.

In The Air Is Christopher Gray Felix Massia Int. 1 - An odd little story of children, love, and death.

The Gallant Captain Katrina Mathers, Graeme Base, Patrick Sarell Aust./Kids - Very charming film of a boy in his boat, thinking of his father.

Padre Santiago Bou Grasso Sth.Amer. 1 - A slow, intriguing film about the carer of an old dictator, accused of genocide.

Betty's Blues Remi Vandenitte Int. 2 - Musical story of the life of Blind Boogie Jones in Lousiana, in to very different styles.

Strange Fruit Hili Noy, Shimi Asresay Int. 6 - A brutal Israeli allegory of teaching discrimination to children.

The End Of Pinky Claire Blanchet Int. 5 - Of criminals, and their loyalties to friends and their own survival.

The Bizarre But Brilliant

5 Metres 80 Nicolas Deveaux Paris 1 - Giraffes, high-diving, and so gracefully.

Dancing Graffiti Rodrigo Eba Sth.Amer. 2 - Using graffitied stencil art to dance on streets; so much more complicated than just drawing.

Land Masanobu Hiraoka Int. 2/Kids - A film for which kaleidoscope is an apt description. Fabulous movement and completely trippy.

365 The Brothers McLeod Int. 5 - Great idea: 1 second of animation every day for a year. Needs multiple viewings.

Ex Animo Wojciech Wojtkowski Int. 3 - Hand drawn character transitions at their best.

The Elephant's Garden Felix Colgrave Aust. - A garden of odd creatures. Very Pythonesque, in style and humour.

Finer Things 5th July, 2014 16:44:52   [#] [0 comments]