Son of Swampy version 2.1

You probably all know that fringe Australian player, Sean Marsh (v2.0), is the son of Geoff Marsh (v1.0), former Australian opener and coach.  With all these Marshes coming out of Western Australia it is quite confusing.

Rodney, the former great Australian and Western Australian wicket-keeper does have sons, one of which has player a lot of first class cricket.  His name is Daniel and he has played for Tasmania for some years now.

To further complicate things, Geoff has yet another son (v2.1) and his name is Mitchell.  He is barely 18 and has just completed his first 1st class match for Western Australia, at the WACA.  It was a somewhat ill-fated outing for the Sand Gropers, going down by an innings to the Blues.  However, Marsh v2.1 did manage a very creditable 59 not out in a dismal first innings of 131.

I know there is stacks of other cricket and you can check it on Cricinfo. The West Indies are so pathetic that I’m tempted to overlook the match completely.  Special mention does go to debutant opener Adrian Barath.  He scored 104 glorious runs in an innings in a total of 187.  How that did not deserve man-of-the-match, in a match that had no other centurions, an no bowler who could take more than three wickets in an innings, is beyond my understanding.

Contrast Barath with his more illustrious opening partner.  Perhaps Gayle can blame jet lag and emotional distress but I would say his dismissal in the second innings was not out of character.  To pad up and then refer the decision shows the state of West Indies leadership and why they are not going to improve.

Over in Dunedin, the Black Caps pulled the match out of the fire.  At tea on the final day, Pakistan were five down needing 86 runs for victory.  New Zealand stormed home with late wickets to take the match by 32 runs.  Bond finished with eight wickets and was deservedly man-of-the-match.

Around the grounds – Brief Update

I know that publishig twice in the one day could be too much of a good thing, but I thought a quick update on the actual cricket might be a good thing.

Australia worked their way to 5/322 with most batsmen making runs and none dominating.

In Dunedin, Pakistan were on the mat at 5-85 chasing New Zealand’s 429 with Bond taking three quick wickets.  The Akmal brothers then put on 176 for the 6th wicket.  Umar (129) upstaged his more illustrious brother, Kamran (82) with a sparkling century.

India is crushing Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka trailed by just over 400 runs on the first innings with Sreesanth taking 5/75.  The tears have dried and he is back.  However, Sreesanth and Harbajan are not allowed to sit within five rows of each other on the bus or plane.  And then a modern day rarity occurred – Dhoni enforced the follow on!  Sri Lanka is also fairing badly in the second innings, still trailing by 356 with only six wickets in hand.  They lost the two guys who could possibly pull it out of the fire – Jayawardene and Sangakkara – in successive overs just before the close of play.

Sangers ran out his captain and was bowled the following over.  Rumours are yet to be confirmed that he was unable to see due to the tears.