Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

yep! still a very good bowler!

We'll find out if Stevens is banned or not tomorrow: http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh/ ... 22849.html

I don't think he's too optimistic.

I'll keep my fingers crossed. he's a terrific county stalwart

Durhamfootman wrote:I'll keep my fingers crossed. he's a terrific county stalwart

The verdict is not guilty. Excellent news.
@kentcricket: Kent's Darren Stevens has been found not guilty of failing to report a corrupt approach. Official statement to follow shortly.

Assuming that Stevens is able to continue his county career, it's very good news for county cricket, not just Kent.

Am I missing something obvious here?

The ICC issued a statement expressing their disappointment at the outcome – in which only Ashraful, one of the Gladiators' owners and another unnamed player have been found guilty, with the other six cleared – and reserving their right to appeal.

Why are the ICC complaining? Seems a very poor response to me.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/f ... nvolvement

captaincolly wrote:Am I missing something obvious here?

The ICC issued a statement expressing their disappointment at the outcome – in which only Ashraful, one of the Gladiators' owners and another unnamed player have been found guilty, with the other six cleared – and reserving their right to appeal.

Why are the ICC complaining? Seems a very poor response to me.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/f ... nvolvement

That confused me as well. Surely they should be pleased that they've caught the right people...

England's_No7 wrote:

captaincolly wrote:Am I missing something obvious here?

The ICC issued a statement expressing their disappointment at the outcome – in which only Ashraful, one of the Gladiators' owners and another unnamed player have been found guilty, with the other six cleared – and reserving their right to appeal.

Why are the ICC complaining? Seems a very poor response to me.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/f ... nvolvement

That confused me as well. Surely they should be pleased that they've caught the right people...

unless they were hoping for really, really big ripples to deter other cricketers in the future. Why should a small detail like innocence be allowed to get in the way of making a really big point?

Durhamfootman wrote:

England's_No7 wrote:

captaincolly wrote:Am I missing something obvious here?

The ICC issued a statement expressing their disappointment at the outcome – in which only Ashraful, one of the Gladiators' owners and another unnamed player have been found guilty, with the other six cleared – and reserving their right to appeal.

Why are the ICC complaining? Seems a very poor response to me.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/f ... nvolvement

That confused me as well. Surely they should be pleased that they've caught the right people...

unless they were hoping for really, really big ripples to deter other cricketers in the future. Why should a small detail like innocence be allowed to get in the way of making a really big point?

Indeed! I think the exonerated players would have a very good case for taking some form of legal action against the ICC.

I'd guess that there was a lot of evidence against some players, just not quite concrete enough to secure a conviction.

Making_Splinters wrote:I'd guess that there was a lot of evidence against some players, just not quite concrete enough to secure a conviction.

Indeed.

It might just be me, but I'm not sure that 'failure to report' is anything like taking money to fix matches. It isn't even like an athlete avoiding drugs testing when compared with another athlete caught taking drugs. Whilst I understand the need to crack down on illegal bookmakers and spot/match fixing, I'm not convinced that wanting to ignore an unwelcome approach and not wanting to get involved is the kind of thing that someone should lose their career over, so any 'evidence' that the ICC may or may not have had needed to be absolutely water tight.

I completely accept that many might disagree with me

Kent play Loughborough MCCU tomorrow in a 3 day game.

Squad: Squad: Rob Key (captain), Adam Ball, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Billings, Mitch Claydon, David Griffiths, Ben Harmison, Matt Hunn, Robbie Joseph, Brendan Nash, Sam Northeast, Darren Stevens.

Looks like Sam Billings is going to be the keeper this year.
Robbie Joseph has played in all of the warm ups so far. I think he's on trial.
Mark Davies has a slight injury so will be out for the next few weeks.
Doug Bollinger should arrive later in the week.

I put Griff in my FL team, and I am a big fan ( hope Kent have good catchers ) and hope he plays every game this season.

dan08 wrote:Robbie Joseph has played in all of the warm ups so far. I think he's on trial.

that might do him the power of good. He may respond in the positive way that made him very briefly prolific a couple of seasons ago