ICC Cricket World Cup Thread

[PTP]

Got to be better than the usual drivel we hear in the Mod Lounge from you

[Mumsafan]

C'mon then

[PTP]

Anyway the story – My Grandad was a captain in the Merchant Navy and quite high up/well respected – he traveled a lot to the W.Indies etc and as result employed a lot of the locals on his ship, one of which turned out to be Gary Sober’s brother, from what I remember/have been told he worked for my granddad for a number of years and they knew each other well, my granddad was keen on cricket and used to organize/play in games in the w.indies when they were docked there for the locals(this was a big thing because at the time, usually captains on a ship wouldn’t even glance at the locals) Anyway, a number years later – Gary Sobers was in England and involved in a big car crash in which another w.indies player died(I may be wrong but think gary sobers was the driver in the accident) he was basically stranded in England and didn’t know anyone or what to do and called his brother – his brother passed on my Grandad’s details and he got in contact with him and may granddad helped him with whatever he could.

As a result they became very good friends for a long time – when the w.indies toured England they would visit my Grandad/Dad at their home in New Brighton, my dad was about 15 and very good at cricket(opened the batting for a top amateur mens team whilst still at school). My dad used to play cricket with Gary Sobers and a few other members(can’t remember the names, my dad still knows them) of the team in his back garden and they regulary provided him with equipment such as cricket bats/pads/balls/kit etc which was impossible to get in the shops. My dad and granddad even used to play pitch and putt with Gary sobers on Harrison drive in wallasey(for those who know the area). They also used to take my nan, granddad and dad to all their test matches whilst in England, my dad and granddad were allowed access to the changing rooms and used to sit in on the team talks befored/during/after the matches and were basically considered part of the team, one story my dad tells me is of some windies player(I will have to find out the names my dad knows but I ain;t got a clue). Standing up and pointing at my dad/granddad and said “what the **** are they doin in here” to which another w.indies player told him were to go and that they can stay/go/do what they want.

My dad still has a bat used and signed by gary sobers locked away – you are not even allowed to breath on it and a small souvenir bat signed by the full squad. My Grandad lost contact over the years but still used to receive Christmas cards of Gary Sobers for many years, sadly he passed away about 7 years and Gary Sobers doesn’t have my dads address so we have heard nothing since

[DeeGame]

its a bit early for a bedtime story

[animal magic]

it all starts tomorrow

[Colemere]

I think the West Indies will suffer an absolute hammering.

[Shaggy]

I do, sadly. They're my 2nd team for the tournament, quite naturally I suppose, given that they're the hosts, but I've loved the Windies since I was a kid and Greenidge, Haynes, IVA Richards, Holding, Garner, Marshall, Lloyd et al dominated the game.

[Colemere]

Amazing how such fine tallent cannot come together in order to coach a next generation of great stars.

[Red Chilli]

I do, sadly. They're my 2nd team for the tournament, quite naturally I suppose, given that they're the hosts, but I've loved the Windies since I was a kid and Greenidge, Haynes, IVA Richards, Holding, Garner, Marshall, Lloyd et al dominated the game.

Not forgetting Curtley and Courtney

[captainfog]

****ing too right When we grew up the Winders were the muts nuts. My first real cricketing memory is their tour of England in 1988. I think they hammered us 4 nil or something and Marshall was awsome. Unfortunately Garner and Holding had already retired but Viv was still there along with Greenidge and Dujon and little Gus Loggi. That must have been Curtleys first tour of England - what a ****ing legend he turned out to be. Awsome, Awsome team. I am just sorry I was not more alive in the 70's (1 year does not count for much) when cricket in general was in its pomp

I love India as well and will be cheering them on after the inevitable demise of England.

[Tee]

I do, sadly. They're my 2nd team for the tournament, quite naturally I suppose, given that they're the hosts, but I've loved the Windies since I was a kid and Greenidge, Haynes, IVA Richards, Holding, Garner, Marshall, Lloyd et al dominated the game.

What an incredible team they were Greatest team I have ever seen, and that includes the recent Australia team.

I think tomorrow will be a great match - both sides are unpredictable - expect the unexpected!!

[Shaggy]

Why do you love India, Foggy? They've never struck me as a particularly attractive team, to an outsider at least, and I've really disliked a few of their players from down the years. Hated Kapil Dev, although I did always love Azharuddin.

[captainfog]

Why do you love India, Foggy? They've never struck me as a particularly attractive team, to an outsider at least, and I've really disliked a few of their players from down the years. Hated Kapil Dev, although I did always love Azharuddin.

Partly because I have an Indian surname (despite not being Indian ) and partly because Tendulka is a cricketing deity and partly because my dad used to do alot of work in India when I was a nipper and he always used to champion the nation and say it was his favourite country and the people there were the nicest in the world.

Nothing rational I guess, I just have always liked them


Better than the dirty cheating Pakistan, Australia and SA. I will be happy as long as those three don't win.

[Shaggy]

Lovely stuff.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

What a life the SkySports boys have David Gower and the rest. Over in the OZ for 3 or so months in there Summer and back home for a month and now there in the Caribbean for 6 weeks. WHAT A LIFE, jammy fookers