The Pakistan cricket team, featuring Inzamam-ul-haq in his final one day international appearance, posted a formidable target of 349 all out from 49.5 overs in difficult circumstances. The Zimbabwe team never looked like getting close and, after a rain delay, with a revised target of 193 from 20 overs saw wickets tumble as they struggled to reach 99 all out from 19.1 overs. The end result is that West Indies and Ireland are guaranteed to progress to the next round, …
With the police investigation of the Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer’s death continuing, and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, as well as the team’s three-man selection committee, joining team captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in offering their resignations, Zimbabwe will relish their chances today. Worringly it’s a game that could shatter Ireland’s dream of joining the Super8 in the next round. If Zimbabwe win today Ireland will have to either beat hosts West Indies on Friday.. or hope for a better final …
It seems that the Pakistan cricket team, and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in particular, are to be fined for the slow over rate in the nail-biter yesterday. That’s not as petty as it might sound, with rain threatening and the light deteriorating at the end of Ireland’s innings, it could have affected the result.. Thankfully it didn’t. And, in addition to the report Mick pointed to last night, the Observer has another good article on the “extraordinarily tense low-scoring affair” and they …
Or at least that’s what t’Manchester Guardian says… Not bad for a bunch of “Sunday Leaguers!!” Those figures, for those who missed it. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
In an effort to avoid hitting the quick in the nail-biter we’re following here.. at 81 for 4 off 27.3 overs there’s a rain delay [which would apparently leave Ireland in a winning position and put Pakistan, a seeded team, out of the competition – Ed]. How about a player’s perspective, from Andrew White, of Ireland’s opening match in the Cricket World Cup.. only the third ever drawn match in the competition. [Hmm.. “a best wishes fax from Mr Bertie …
Still an hour or so to go before the start of the St Patrick’s Day sporting feast and, if the opinions of the Australian, South African, New Zealand and Argentinian coaches are anything to go by Ireland will have an uphill task to set a high enough target to see off the French. As Jake White, the South African coach puts it, playing at home, “France will know exactly what they have to do..” So fingers crossed then that Italy …
Tomorrow could provide a big boost for Irish sport, or just leave us nursing a Triple Crown… The cricketers appear to be hatching some mad scheme to overturn Pakistan (aye, right). It starts at 14.00GMT. Whilst the rugby team will have to set the pace and not only have to beat a formidable Italian side, but put enough points on the board to get well beyond the French, who play Scotland at home, and stay well clear of the English, …
Belfast will host the biennial World Police and Fire Games in 2013. In the BBC report Dame Mary Peters is quoted from Adelaide were this year’s competition is being held – “We had a very strong bid team; the lord mayor, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. We had the deputy chief constable, the head of the Prison Service, the head of the Fire Service and others.” In 2009 the event moves to British Columbia. The Secretary of State …
Ireland 221-9 v Zimbabwe 221 all out – match tied!Andy Bull: What a special game and what an amazing comeback by Ireland. Johnston was so close to winning that game with that catch at backward point, diving away to his right the ball grazed his fingertips and fell to earth. If he’d held it, they would have won. As it was the pressure got to Matsikenyeri, and he played and missed the last ball when he only needed one to …
As being discussed on Radio Ulster’s TalkBack today, the NI Affairs Committee has published its report on Tourism in NI. It’s a lengthy report but the immediate focus is likely to be on the recommendation about where a National Stadium should be sited. Hint, it’s in line with the Secretary of State for Wales’ comments.. but not the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s.. Chairman Partick Cormack commented on the government’s preference for the Maze site – “The government is …
Ireland don’t do Test cricket; Zimbabwe do. Nevertheless, one of Jamaica’s top newspapers, The Gleaner, reckons Ireland has a good chance today, not least because the rapid exit of talent like Grant Flower, Andy Flower and Henry Olonga, has left their opponents well below Test standard. The match begins at 1430 GMT, and you can listen on Radio 4 on 198LW, or Radio Five Sports Extra. Coverage starts on Sky Sports 1 at 13.00GMT. Try RTE if you prefer Cheltenham. …
It’s not easy to put yourself in shoes of the fans of other clubs/countries… but last night Laurence Booth captured the all to familiar essence (to some of us) of what it is to be a Manchester City fan with his bone dry minute by minute commentary on the Chelsea match…bone Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and …
Even if Ireland had South Africa at 91 runs for eight wickets during a warm up match in Trinidad (before losing by 35 runs), Matthew Engel reckons that for all the International Cricket Council’s efforts expended on getting minor countries like Ireland into the World Cup, migration from the Indian sub continent is the best way to ensure the sport spreads beyond the current test countries. Test cricket is played on all six continents (counting Guyana as South America and …
Ireland up 13 – 9 at the moment, but Scotland look like they want to make up for the humiliation against Italy last week… Near miss by Hickey in the corner… If they keep ahead to the end of the game, we’ll need the English to beat the French, in Le Crunch tomorrow… Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular …
..was the response from the satirical impressionist Rory Bremner to Secretary of State for Wales, etc, Peter Hain’s accusation that he was “spreading cynicism and embitterment about politicians”. Both were appearing on the BBC’s Sunday AM politics show with Andrew Marr – clip here [Realplayer file] – when the discussion, on Bremner’s slightly dodgy phone-calls to certain ministers of state, got a little heated – one was promoting a new TV series, the other continuing his campaign to be deputy …
Welcome (if short term) return of Tom McGurk to the Sunday slot on RTE. Good interview with Eddie O’Sullivan and then a lively panel discussion afterwards on that match… Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
While the Secretary of State for Wales, etc, Peter Hain maintains that he had “never proposed doing anything other than attend and watch the match” – despite acknowledging, the day before, that the question of marking the day itself was “being considered and discussed” – in today’s Irish Times the GAA reveals that the suggestion that a wreath be laid at the ground was raised, “rather obliquely”, by the British ambassador.. about 2 weeks ago.. something they say was felt …
The GAA Central Council has approved the use of Croke Park for rugby 6 nations and football world cup qualifiers in 2008 but have yet to decide on the use of the ground for friendlies. In addition to closing the door on Croke beyond 2008 and the use of other GAA grounds for rugby and football, the Central Council had a shot at these sports claiming they had not reciprocated by enabling other grounds for GAA sports. They also confirmed …
The Secretary of State for Wales, etc, Peter Hain is attempting to recover any lost ground in his campaign after the criticism levelled at him in the Sun.. and, reportedly, in some other important areas – [and on his Birthday too – Ed] – by issuing an official statement on the Ireland V England rugby match at Croke Park next weekend, claiming that he had “never proposed doing anything other than attend and watch the match”.. Hmm.. just a reminder …
Interesting bit of banter from Number Ten’s Ulster born Official Spokesman this morning: Asked if the Prime Minister thought that cannabis use was a bar to becoming Prime Minister, the PMOS replied that the journalist was trying to invite him, not very subtly, into political debate. He may have lost his voice at Croke Park yesterday, but he had not entirely lost his mind. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the …
