cricket

I'm not usually a big cricket fan, but I must be homesick so I've been reading the Guardian online's live coverage of the Ashes series. The fact that nothing ever happens can be great for inducing a state of zen-like calm (either that or insane boredom). Given how derisive Americans seemed to be about cricket, I was expecting baseball to be packed with action and excitement, but it's actually pretty similar. Each game may be over the same evening (although they can go on for hours and hours) but there are games practically every day to make up for it and the scores are much lower.
Cricket coverage seems to be only peripherally focussed on the cricket, anyway, with 1 part commentary to about 5 parts discussion of pigeons on the ground, the countries' flags, players' haircuts, cakes etc etc. The only difference with the online version is that readers get to have email conversations with each other via the commentary. Does this really sound like they care what's going on with the match? (Highlights in bold italics, for those who'd like to skim over the actual cricket terminology)

71st over: Australia 282-7 (Katich 10, Lee 4) Despite the early drizzle, play starts on time. Harmison's first ball is a beauty, but Lee's thick edge flies past slip for four. He then nearly gets Lee again with a delivery that nips back and cuts him in half. Meanwhile Ian Roberts writes: "Can I be first on the board to say that our local deli, here in Columbus, Ohio has eight flavours of Walkers Crisps." You can Ian, although in truth there's not much competition.
91th over: Australia 350-9 (Katich 55, McGrath 2) Katich brings up his 50 with a single off his legs. It's been a superbly steady innings - off 84 balls and including eight fours. But he does expose Glenn McGrath. Unforunately Flintoff can't take advantage as both Aussie batsman take runs. "Sorry to be tedious, but is Wayne Trotman of Izmir (over 89) any relation to Dan Trotman, one of my second year Zoology students at Manchester University?" asks Matthew Cobb. Well, Wayne?
95th over: Australia 364-9 (Katich 59, McGrath 10) Ashley Giles on for Flintoff. Like the rest of the Australian batsman, McGrath has no problems in dealing with the King of Spin/Spain and confidently takes a single off his opening delivery before sweeping him for another couple. "As far as I am aware, Dan is no relation of mine," says Wayne Trotman in answer to Matthew Cobb in over 91. "Most of our genes hail from the Gloucestershire area. Anyway, since he shares the illustrious surname, Dan certainly deserves fine grades; does he get them, though?"