Stuck on the Wicket again - USA Cricket Coach 2014

[BYU 14]

A little wiser about the nuances of the game, I restart my quest to take Cricket from obscure to a sport the USA will embrace, as I start the quest to join the elites of India, England, Pakistan, Australia, etc. Team USA will play in the World Cricket league 3, which is the 4th tier down (7 tiers total) under Championship and divisions 1 and 2. Other countries in our league are Italy, Oman, Tanzania, Nepal and Denmark. Donald Trump has recently became fond of Cricket and has gathered a group to help finance a domestic league with the following teams as charter members:

New England Blue Coats
Brooklyn Tip Tops
Pittsburgh River Rats
Philadelphia Liberty
Atlantic City Aces
Hartford Terriers

The creation of this league means I now have just over 300 players to choose from for the National Team, though in reality none of the new converts to the game will displace the top players already tabbed for that duty, but at least we have a development system as only one player on the current National squad plays league cricket outside of the USA (Harry Bush for Leicestershire in England)

Once again, I select the 16 member national team out of 335 hopefuls, most of which are naturalized US citizens from Cricket hotbeds, who aren’t good enough to play national or domestic Cricket in their home countries.

First 11 (Name, position, birth country, age)
Steven Taylor – Wicket keeper, USA, 19: Our young captain is our most skilled batsman rated 48
Steve Massiah – Mid/cover, West Indies, 33: Overall rated 37 batter
Aditya Mishra – Slip/Bowler, India, 31: Overall rated 35 batter, bowling spinner, nothing special
Rashard Marshall – Utility, USA, 30: Overall rated 37 batter, power potential
Orlando Baker – Utility/Wicket keeper, USA, 33: Overall rated 37 batter, defensive liability
Barrington Bartley – Slip/Bowler, West Indies, 32: Overall rated 34 batter and 35 as a slow bowler
Timroy Allen – Boundary/Bowler, West Indies, 26: Overall rated 35 batter, fast bowler rated 35
Sushil Nadkarni – Mid/covers, India, 36: Overall rated 42 as a batter, missed him the first time
Neil McGarrell – Mid/covers/Bowler, West Indies, 40: Rated 32 as a batter, but 43 as a slow bowler
Elmore Hutchinson – Boundary/Bowler, West Indies: Rated 25 as a batter, 40 fast bowler
Muhammad Ghous – Bowler, Pakistan, 22: Horrible batter at 18, best bowler 42 rated spinner

Reserves
Akeem Dodson – Wicket Keeper, USA, 25: Batter 33
Harry Bush – Mid covers/bowler, England, 23: Batter 34, Spin Bowler 32
Aditya Thyagarajan – Boundary, USA, 34: Batter 35, Spin Bowler 26
Ryan Corns – Mid/covers, South Africa, 22: Batter 34, Slow Bowler 34
Danial Ahmed – Boundary/Bowler, Pakistan, 28: Batter 14, Slow Bowler 37

I play it a bit more conservative this time and invite Hong Kong over for a Twenty20 2 match series and Germany for a 5 day test match before the season starts against Italy

[bbgunn]

Good luck!

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by bbgunn

Good luck!

Saw your thread over there and got some good tips out of that, though you won't notice in the first friendly

[BYU 14]

USA vs Hong Kong
Boardwalk Grounds, Atlantic City – T20 Friendly
April 10th, 2013
Toss: USA wins and will bat first

1st innings
USA Batting
Overs: 20
Runs/wickets: 82/2 – 4.10 per over

USA – Top Batters
Baker - 40 on 65, 2 fours, 61.5% SR (-)
Massiah - 34 on 40, 2 fours, 85.0% SR (LBW out)
Mishra - 4 on 8, 50% SR (-)
Extras : 1 Wide, 1 No Ball

Hong Kong – Top Bowlers
Ahmed - 4 overs, 11/0, 2.8 RPO
Khan - 4 overs, 12/1, 3.0 RPO

1st innings
Hong Kong Batting
Overs: 10.5
Runs/wickets: 85/5 – 7.85 per over

Hong Kong – Top Batters
Chapman - 35 on 23, 1 four, 2 sixes, 152.2% SR (caught out)
Khan - 23 on 9, 1 four, 1 six, 255.6% SR (-)
Ahmed - 10 on 4, 1 six, 250% SR (-)
Extras : 1 wide, 1 no ball

USA – Top Bowlers
Hutchinson - 4 overs, 20/1, 5.0 RPO
McGarrell - 4 overs, 23/3, 5.8 RPO

Final: Hong Kong 85 + 5 wickets – USA 82
MOM: McGarrell – USA

Hong Kong is a division higher and it gives us a good bench mark for the next level. Their power overwhelmed us as they clouted 4 sixes and ended up with 4 batters over 100% SR (scoring ratio) to run away with the match in under 11 overs. We will get a rematch tomorrow in Pittsburgh and I will be more aggressive at bat, and also plan to mix up the bowling strategy and go after their big hitters, especially Chapman.

[BYU 14]

USA vs Hong Kong
Three Rivers Park Oval, Pittsburgh – T20 Friendly
April 11th, 2013
Toss: Hong Kong wins and will bat first

1st innings
Hong Kong Batting
Overs: 19 (All out)
Runs/wickets: 106/10 – 5.58 per over

Hong Kong – Top Batters
Atkinson - 47 on 35, 2 fours, 4 sixes, 134.3% SR (bowled out)
Khan - 21 on 19, 3 fours, 110.5% SR (caught out)
Dar - 11 on 12, 2 fours, 91.7% SR (bowled out)
Extras : 1 Wide

USA – Top Bowlers
Allen - 2 overs, 4/3, 2.0 RPO
McGarrell - 4 overs, 22/1, 5.5 RPO

1st innings
USA Batting
Overs: 17
Runs/wickets: 107/1 – 6.29 per over

USA – Top Batters
Taylor - 57 on 46, 6 fours, 1 six, 123.9% SR (-)
Massiah - 34 on 28, 2 fours, 1 six, 121.4% SR (-)
Mishra - 13 on 28, 46.4% SR (LBW out)
Extras : 1 wide, 2 no ball

Hong Kong – Top Bowlers
Tucker - 2 overs, 4/0, 2.0 RPO
Khan - 2 overs, 8/0, 4.0 RPO

Final: USA 107 + 9 wickets – Hong Kong 106
MOM: Taylor – USA

It is a big day for USA Cricket as I get my first win and against a higher level team to boot. Hong Kong tried 7 bowlers, but could not get Taylor out as we only needed 3 batters and 17 overs to take it, with Massiah walloping a six in the last over to bring it home. Just as impressive was Timroy Allen, how was like the Cricket version of Mariano Rivera, closing Hong Kong out an over early with 3 wickets in 2 overs!! Hopefully we carry some momentum into our first unlimited overs match with Germany before we open the division 3 campaign. I feel this teams game translates well to the 2 innings, 5 day unlimited format, so it should be a great match.

[BYU 14]

USA vs Germany
Boardwalk Grounds, Atlantic City – Friendly Test Match
April 21st – 23rd, 2013
Toss: Germany wins and will bat first

1st innings
Germany Batting
Overs: 71.1 (All out)
Runs/wickets: 182/10 – 2.56 per over

Germany – Top Batters
Hassan - 31 on 69, 2 fours 44.9% SR (-)
Ahmed - 28 on 53, 52.8% SR (caught out)
Pillai - 26 on 47, 55.3% SR (bowled out)
Extras : 1 Wide, 14 no balls

USA – Top Bowlers
Ghous - 9 overs, 15/2, 3 maidens, 1.7 RPO
McGarrell - 25.1 overs, 56/3, 6 maidens, 2.2 RPO

1st innings
USA Batting
Overs: 102 (All out)
Runs/wickets: 299/10 – 2.93 per over

USA – Top Batters
Taylor - 78 on 209, 4 fours, 37.7% SR (bowled out)
Bush - 68 on 111, 3 fours, 61.3% SR (caught out)
McGarrell - 37 on 67, 1 four, 55.2% SR (caught out)
Extras : 1 wide, 7 no balls

Germany – Top Bowlers
Ahmed - 3 overs, 5/2, 1.7 RPO
Rawat - 16 overs, 36/2, 3 maidens, 2.3 RPO

2nd innings
Germany Batting
Overs: 83 (All out)
Runs/wickets: 211/10 – 2.54 per over

Germany – Top Batters
Ahmed - 62 on 98, 4 fours 63.3% SR (LBW out)
Hassan - 32 on 76, 42.1% SR (caught out)
Vohra - 24 on 45, 53.3% SR (bowled out)
Extras : 1 no ball

USA – Top Bowlers
McGarrell - 32 overs, 76/2, 2 maidens, 2.4 RPO
Hutchinson - 21 overs, 52/3, 2 maidens, 2.5 RPO

2nd innings
USA Batting
Overs: 31.1 (Won)
Runs/wickets: 95/2 – 3.05 per over

USA – Top Batters
Taylor - 32 on 83, 1 four, 38.6% SR (-)
Bush - 31 on 60, 3 fours, 51.7% SR (-)
Massiah - 18 on 36, 1 four, 50% SR (caught out)
Extras : 1 wide, 3 no balls

Germany – Top Bowlers
Iqbal - 13 overs, 35/1, 2 maidens, 2.7 RPO
Hassan - 7.1 overs, 22/1, 1 maiden, 3.1 RPO

Final: USA 394 + 8 wickets – Germany 393
MOM: Ghous – USA

Our first test match against division 4 Germany and as expected our ability to keep innings alive led to a rather easy win that took only 31.1 overs to achieve on day 3 of the match after a nearly reaching 300 on 102 overs in the first innings. Taylor and Bush are turning into a nice 1-2 punch in the lineup and the experience in the English leagues is really serving Bush well. I would expect that Taylor, still only 19 will get a chance to play domestically overseas at some point as well. With a successful run up to the season we now get ready for the powerful Italian team to open division 3 play.

[bbgunn]

Taylor is a pretty good player for the USA.

[BYU 14]

USA vs Italy
Boardwalk Grounds, Atlantic City – Division 3 limited overs (50)
April 30th, 2013
Toss: Italy wins and will bat first

1st innings
Italy Batting
Overs: 50
Runs/wickets: 221/9 – 4.42 per over

Italy – Top Batters
Crowley - 81 on 82, 11 fours 98.8 SR (bowled out)
Marage - 34 on 42, 80.0 SR (bowled out)
Petricola - 28 on 50, 56.0% SR (bowled out)
Extras : 4 Wide, 7 no balls

USA – Top Bowlers
Ghous - 10 overs, 33/2, 3.3 RPO
Hutchinson - 10 overs, 37/1, 1 maiden, 3.7 RPO

1st innings
USA Batting
Overs: 50
Runs/wickets: 218/5 – 4.36 per over

USA – Top Batters
Massiah - 43 on 73, 7 fours, 58.9 SR (LBW out)
Allen - 39 on 45, 6 fours, 86.7 SR (caught out)
Baker - 38 on 52, 2 fours, 73.1 SR (caught out)
Extras : 4 wide, 3 no balls

Italy – Top Bowlers
Sandri - 10 overs, 32/0, 1 maiden 3.2 RPO
Crowley - 7 overs, 24/0, 3.4 RPO

Final: Italy 221 – USA 218
MOM: Crowley – Italy

We open division 3 league play and start with the same bad tendency, winning the war of the wickets, but falling short in the power department as Crowley was a men among boys for the Italians, finishing with a strike rate of 98.8. Still, we were consistent for the most part, though captain Massiah played far too many balls without scoring and it hurt as we fell just three runs short, needing 7 on 6 to win in the last over, but collecting just 4.

Originally Posted by bbgunn

Taylor is a pretty good player for the USA.

He is definitely the future of USA Cricket, hopefully he doesn't move to India and become a citizen there

[BYU 14]

USA vs Denmark
Boardwalk Grounds, Atlantic City – Division 3 limited overs (50)
May 6th, 2013
Toss: USA wins and will bat first

1st innings
USA Batting
Overs: 50
Runs/wickets: 221/3 – 4.42 per over

USA – Top Batters
Massiah - 62 on 77, 4 fours 80.5 SR (bowled out)
Allen - 55 on 80, 4 fours, 68.8 SR (bowled out)
Nadkarni - 42 on 65, 5 fours, 64.6% SR (bowled out)
Extras : 5 Wide, 5 no balls

Denmark – Top Bowlers
Anjum - 5 overs, 18/0, 3.6 RPO
Ahmed - 10 overs, 39/0, 3.9 RPO

1st innings
Denmark Batting
Overs: 38.2 (All out)
Runs/wickets: 164/10 – 4.28 per over

Denmark – Top Batters
Ahmed - 38 on 47, 3 fours, 80.9 SR (bowled out)
Javed - 21 on 25, 3 fours, 84.0 SR (caught out)
Pedersen - 21 on 38, 3 fours, 55.3 SR (bowled out)
Extras : 4 wide, 3 no balls

USA – Top Bowlers
Ghous - 10 overs, 34/1, 1 maiden 3.4 RPO
Baker - 2 overs, 7/1, 3.5 RPO

Final: USA 221 – Denmark 164
MOM: Hutchinson – USA

Our first Division 3 win in convincing fashion as we bowl Denmark out in under 40 overs, with man of the match Hutchinson collecting 4 wickets in 9.2 overs, while showing our third best economy at 4.1 runs per over. The batting was again solid, if lacking in power as we only batter five in our 50 overs, with Bush having the best strike rate at 85%. A big win and I mixed it up more on the defensive side, which I think made the difference.

[bbgunn]

Congrats on that first win!

I'm finding it hard to bat for power in Cricket Coach. Go too low on the aggression level and you get a lot of dot balls and singles. Go too high on the aggression level, and you get a lot of dot balls and singles... if you don't get out first.

[Young Drachma]

Nice!

[BYU 14]

USA vs Tanzania
Anadil Burhani Club Ground, Dar es Salaam – Division 3 limited overs (50)
May 12th, 2013
Toss: USA wins and will bowl first

1st innings
Tanzania Batting
Overs: 50
Runs/wickets: 219/9 – 4.38 per over

Tanzania – Top Batters
Kakonzi - 52 on 72, 3 fours 72.2 SR (LBW out)
Abdallah - 48 on 51, 4 fours, 94.1 SR (LBW out)
Nassoro - 25 on 26, 2 fours, 1 six 96.2% SR (caught out)
Extras : 3 Wide, 4 no balls

USA – Top Bowlers
Hutchinson - 10 overs, 31/3, 1 maiden 3.1 RPO
Baker - 5 overs, 18/1, 3.6 RPO

1st innings
USA Batting
Overs: 49.2 (Won)
Runs/wickets: 220/5 – 4.46 per over

USA – Top Batters
Nadkarni - 70 on 105, 2 fours, 66.7 SR (bowled out)
Taylor - 47 on 70, 3 fours, 1 six, 67.1 SR (caught out)
Massiah - 37 on 56, 2 fours, 66.1 SR (caught out)
Extras : 9 wide, 7 no balls

Tanzania – Top Bowlers
Kimote - 10 overs, 42/1, 4.2 RPO
Rehemtulla - 10 overs, 43/0, 1 maiden 4.3 RPO

Final: USA 220 – Tanzania 219
MOM: Hutchinson – USA

Our second straight division 3 win as we squeak it out with 4 balls remaining in the match by maintaining a steady, if unspectacular pace in which we ground it out, not collecting many power shots in the big park, but not making a lot of outs either. Once again it was the big three that led us offensively, while Hutchinson turned in another solid bowling performance earning his second straight MOM honor.

Might be getting the hang of this finally

[bbgunn]

Nice. Keep it up!

[UK Rookie]

Great last couple of results for you BYU.

As I said on my previous post on your initiall Dynasty,I don`t own the game so this could all count for nowt..but...If there is a pitch report before the game it will tell you if the wicket is fast and bouncy,slow and low or maybe looks like it will turn or something like that.

If it may turn,maybe start your bowling attack with a slow spinner,the batsmen will not take risks incase he gets out,so the pressure will build because the run rate will be low,then the batsmen plays a few risky shots,gets out and you have the momentum.

In real life games,when and how to use your different types of bowlers is key.

Hope that helps you some more.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by UK Rookie

Great last couple of results for you BYU.

As I said on my previous post on your initiall Dynasty,I don`t own the game so this could all count for nowt..but...If there is a pitch report before the game it will tell you if the wicket is fast and bouncy,slow and low or maybe looks like it will turn or something like that.

If it may turn,maybe start your bowling attack with a slow spinner,the batsmen will not take risks incase he gets out,so the pressure will build because the run rate will be low,then the batsmen plays a few risky shots,gets out and you have the momentum.

In real life games,when and how to use your different types of bowlers is key.

Hope that helps you some more.

This is good stuff, it does mention those traits, but there is nothing that really explains them, so thank you

So if it is a slow pitch that has a high turn rate go with spinners. You can also set the type of ball for each turn of the over, so I assume I would keep the ball around the wicket and low, then mix up the spin inside and out?

Also would I bat more defensively in this situation and more aggressively against a spinner when the pitch was not slow and didn't have a good turn rate?

Thanks again for the tips.