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[Ragamuffin]

Been following closely on the comments about bat sizes leading up to and in the world cup so far. I'm sure talent of a batsman can alter the course of any game if talented enough to play proper cricket.

Why do the ICC and others have issue with the size of bats used ?

[WalkingWicket37]

Been following closely on the comments about bat sizes leading up to and in the world cup so far. I'm sure talent of a batsman can alter the course of any game if talented enough to play proper cricket.

Why do the ICC have issue with the size of bats used ?

Because they're a bunch of clowns who make a load of changes  to the rules that favour the batsmen (shorter boundaries, two new balls, less men allowed outside the circle), then decide the game is too heavily balanced in favour of batsman!

[Buzz]

It is mainly the bowlers union kicking in and jealous former players who don't have the talent or the pay checks of the modern batsman.

Journalists and commentators are not doing any homework.

I could rant about this more but won't!

[Ragamuffin]

Current changes have been over the top but the fundamentals should remain the same with highest score wins.

[KIPPERS]

Yer bowlers union. Give me a ball that refuses to swing on a pitch that's a road with no pace, make the boundary tiny and give the batsmen a stick that will misshit for six. And make the fielders stand so close that an edge will go over their heads. Cant see a problem with that. Perhaps we should be made too hop in on one leg as well.

[KIPPERS]

How would you batsmen feel if your league insisted you used a standard Bat that was absolutely (No Swearing Please) and couldn't hit the ball off the square even for the best players.

[KIPPERS]

In all seriousness your allowed to go out and buy one of these if you choose http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Newbery-Cenkos-The-Worlds-most-Exclusive-Bat-Signed-by-Andrew-Flintoff-/291382982343?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43d7c776c7 why cant I get a nice Readers test ball to bowl with if I choose.

[Vitas Cricket]

In all seriousness your allowed to go out and buy one of these if you choose http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Newbery-Cenkos-The-Worlds-most-Exclusive-Bat-Signed-by-Andrew-Flintoff-/291382982343?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43d7c776c7 why cant I get a nice Readers test ball to bowl with if I choose.

Pretty much every serious ball sport i've played at any kind of level has had a standard league issue ball. This is for consistency, and also looking a little more cynically, sponsorship income.

Many league cricket balls are pants, but it seems unlikely to change, i've lost count of the number of league boards i've spoken to who wont even look at testing a ball we would introduce to their league because (i suspect) they get a nice brown envelope somewhere along the way. This is despite a list of clubs as long as my arm in the league who have confirmed they are unhappy with the ball.

[qasim_aziz99]

Our league is pretty good a couple of years ago we had a new ball and it was (No Swearing Please) and would lose shine and shape in less than 10 overs. Within 2 games the balls were changed for a better ones

[KIPPERS]

well lets have a standard league bat for sake of consistency? 

[Vitas Cricket]

well lets have a standard league bat for sake of consistency?

Not quite the same thing though. It's a ball sport, the league presides over the ball, whereas the players preside over their own equipment which can, and will vary.

When i played football no-one was telling me i had to wear standard issue boots, or goalie gloves. And particularly with gloves, some were much better than others. Being given a new set for free every few weeks by my sponsor meant i never had to worry about it, but i certainly would have purchased better ones myself if i had to, just for the added advantage over my opponents, however small an advantage that was.

Same with Tennis, the ball is the same, but rackets are all different. Hockey, baseball, even one of my niche favourites snooker. The ball is largely the same, certainly each tournament/competition/league/national board/etc will have a standard issue ball, so if touring the globe on the world tennis tour you will encounter some variation but not match to match when playing in games under the banner of the same board. The players job is to find the best equipment he can to enable him to play to his best at the chosen sport. My friend hates my snooker cue for example, but i love it. His is much cheaper than mine (the perk of having an account with GM who also have Powerglide cues under the same umbrella) but i would happily use his. I still think mine is better. If we were forced to use a standard cue i'm sure neither of us would be happy. We accept the standard ball though even if they are too big for the pockets

I accept cricket is somewhat different as there is much more variation in cricket balls than tennis or hockey etc. I think some of your previous points are what we need to concentrate on. Covered wickets, smaller boundaries etc are all aiding the batsmen. Poor balls issued by leagues don't help bowlers, but if you collectively put enough pressure on a league board they will change.

I just don't feel its as simple as 'modern bigger bats hit the ball further' - i mis-timed my first ever six 11 years ago using a harrow that was basically a twig.

[KIPPERS]

My first six was a top edge over the keeper off the fastest bowler in the league with a 2.6 hunts county. Yes I know the conventions of team sport and i have no problem with bat size (the guys have to pick the things up) but it is inconsistent that they can pick their equipment and I cant. I know that wont change. But if a bowler spends years learning how to swing a ball, then you give him one that wont its patently unfair. Compared to a batsman who now has a tool that will hit 90 meters not 60. Just a discussion point.