Good news for England Cricket Fans

[BrilloPad]

3-0 whitewash. First time England have been whitewashed by Pakistan. Second time in succession that the number one ranked side in the world has been whitewashed.

Pakistan have played well this series, against massive adversity. Fair play to them and they deserve some congratulations on their performance this series.

So will England still be ranked number one after this?

[TheFaQQer]

So will England still be ranked number one after this?

Yes.

If South Africa beat New Zealand 3-0 in their next series, then we drop to second. It's a shame that the SA-Eng series is only going to be three tests, as it could be a cracker.

[Churchill]

Eh? Nothing to do with hearts and minds, just keeping test cricket going. You asked a question and I gave you the answer.

Mind you, I do object to the rules of fair bowling being changed/re-interpreted every time a new chucker comes out of the sub-continent.

It was when you mentioned "greater good", I thought that has something to do with keeping the little chaps occupied and away from bomb making websites.

Someone should teach them the rules of "Hide & Seek", they're crap at that, what with Bin Laden hiding right under their noses and half the ******* Taliban leaping over the border at every chance.

The Yanks can bomb the bastard place off the face of the earth for all I care.

[Doggy Styles]

The bowling rules haven't been re-interpreted, though. They have been consistent for a number of years. The Pakistani spinner (can't remember which one it was) who has a "suspect" action has been investigated by the ICC and they have cleared him against the current rules.

Yes they have, they were re-interpreted for Murilitheran.

He obviously threw, so they examined his action and defined the maximum straightening 'angle' in the throw to 15 degrees, to allow him to carry on bowling.

In laboratory conditions (where the tests take place) it is easy to bowl within that. But not out in the middle where a bowler is looking to rip it (and where they are not tested).

[TheFaQQer]

Yes they have, they were re-interpreted for Murilitheran.

He obviously threw, so they examined his action and defined the maximum straightening 'angle' in the throw to 15 degrees, to allow him to carry on bowling.

In laboratory conditions (where the tests take place) it is easy to bowl within that. But not out in the middle where a bowler is looking to rip it (and where they are not tested).

Murali was called in 1995. The rules were modified in 2005 after biomechanical analysis of a number of bowlers.

Since 2005, four bowlers have been banned / sanctioned - 2 Pakistanis, 1 Bangladeshi, 1 South African and 1 English.