When Afghanistan beats Scotland...

[Peter B]

...it's the Cricket World Cup.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/current/story/838807.html

Yes, for those of you who thought cricket was a game played only Commonwealth countries (except Canada), you might be surprised to know that it's also the most popular sport in Afghanistan, thanks to thousands of refugees picking the up the game while in Pakistan.

They qualified for the current Cricket World Cup, losing to Bangladesh in their first game (played here in Canberra at a packed venue) and to Sri Lanka in their second game. And now they've won their first World Cup game, beating fellow Associate country Scotland.

The countries taking part in the Football (Soccer) World Cup are usually all highly ranked countries. But in the case of the Cricket World Cup there are the ten top-ranked countries (West Indies, England, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia and New Zealand), plus four Associate (second tier) countries, in this case Scotland, Ireland, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. And quite often the most entertaining games are those between the Associate countries, like this one.

[BazBear]

Cricket? That's that sport like baseball, but lonnnnnggggger, right?

[Luke Pemberton]

Cricket? That's that sport like baseball, but lonnnnnggggger, right?

...and better too 

[Luke Pemberton]

The countries taking part in the Football (Soccer) World Cup are usually all highly ranked countries. But in the case of the Cricket World Cup there are the ten top-ranked countries (West Indies, England, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia and New Zealand), plus four Associate (second tier) countries, in this case Scotland, Ireland, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. And quite often the most entertaining games are those between the Associate countries, like this one.

Absolutely, and while I am an England fan, I hope Afghanistan beat us in a funny kind of way. It wouldn't bother me in the slightest given the plight of that country.

[Peter B]

Cricket? That's that sport like baseball, but lonnnnnggggger, right?

Well, this is one-day cricket. For people whose concentration at watching a game extends to about 8 hours.

In any case, it sure is popular. The pool match between India and Pakistan was among the most watched sporting events in history: http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/icc-world-cup-2015/cricket-world-cup-2015-india-v-pakistan-to-join-the-most-watched-sporting-events-in-history/story-e6frf3ju-1227216796280

FORGET Ben Hur, Sunday’s World Cup clash between India and Pakistan is set to be 10 times bigger than the Super Bowl, putting it on the podium of the most-watched sporting events of all time.

My bold.

[Bryanpoprobson]

Cricket? That's that sport like baseball, but lonnnnnggggger, right?

Baseball? That's that game like rounders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rounders) that the girls used to play at school isn't it?

[mako88sb]

Cricket? That's that sport like baseball, but lonnnnnggggger, right?

Baseball? That's that game like rounders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rounders) that the girls used to play at school isn't it?

We have a new guy at work from Scotland that quickly pointed that out. I never heard the term before. I told him he should watch some videos of the home plate collisions that have happened and see if he's still of the opinion it's a girls sport.

[darren r]

We have a new guy at work from Scotland that quickly pointed that out. I never heard the term before. I told him he should watch some videos of the home plate collisions that have happened and see if he's still of the opinion it's a girls sport.

Well, according to Jane Austen, base-ball was certainly a game that was played by girls. Although, so was cricket!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/3562873/Jane-Austen-wrote-about-baseball-40-years-before-it-was-invented.html

[Zakalwe]

<troll mode on>

Cricket and baseball?

You want to try a real mans game like hurling

<troll mode off>
     

[smartcooky]

For attention spans less than 8 hours you can try American Football.

For starters, the name "football" is something of a misnomer, because kicking the ball is not part of the general flow of the game and it played primarily with the hands not the feet. A full game lasts about 3¼ hours, although the game clock only runs for an 60 minutes, and on average the ball is only in play for about 10 minutes!

However, I don't let that stop me from enjoying it, because I understand what American Football really is; not a ball game between two teams. but a game of chess between two coaches.

[Zakalwe]

However, I don't let that stop me from enjoying it, because I understand what American Football really is; not a ball game between two teams. but a game of chess between two coaches.

I prefer Cleese's interpretation

 

[BazBear]

Cricket? That's that sport like baseball, but lonnnnnggggger, right?

Baseball? That's that game like rounders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rounders) that the girls used to play at school isn't it?

Touche!

[Al Johnston]

I also enjoy hand-egg American football, even if it has been described as "combining the worst two aspects of American life: bouts of mindless violence, interspersed by committee meetings".

[Echnaton]

Ah, but the violence is not mindless.  It is purposeful and directed.  Isn't that better?

[Luke Pemberton]

I also enjoy hand-egg American football, even if it has been described as "combining the worst two aspects of American life: bouts of mindless violence, interspersed by committee meetings".

The bold, now that was really funny.