Anyone else love Test Match Special even though they don't really understand cricket?

[kiltedsheep]

Just that, really. I've got an 8 week old LO and the TMS coverage of the Cricket World Cup is my new best friend (as all my other, child-free friends are out having fun with their expendable income and free time).

I don't really know much about cricket other than the very basics. I certainly don't know what a dot ball is or wtf 'cow corner' is. But somehow, it doesn't matter - TMS is just so comforting when DS is kicking off for the umpteenth time. Anyone else have this? Or I am just really weird?

No you aren;t weird - I love TMS - I do know quite a lot about cricket though, but I'd rather listen to TMS than watch it on TV.
A dot ball is one from which no runs are scored - something bowlers like to bowl in limited overs matches - the more dot balls the better as you want to limit the other side's scoring rate.

Cow corner is where you hit a cow shot ( a bit of a slog/risky hit in the hope of getting a boundary) it is deepish on the batsmans leg side. If you google a plan of a pitch with cow corner marked on it, you'll get a better idea than me trying to describe it

When TMS is on during the night (eg when we are playing Australia) very so often they play the Shipping Forecast - so it's like all my listening joys come together at once

TMS does still stop for the shipping forecast if you listen to it on radio 4 longwave

And yes i love listening to the cricket

Yes! Totally relaxing (and periodically exciting)

Currently sat at a cricket ground waiting for husband to start play.

I have come to love the game and learning the basics (even know about Duckworth Lewis 😁). Lucky enough to have tickets for Eng v Sri Lanka

@KurriKurri Cheers for the info! I'll print out a chart of the positions and pin it up. Would love to know how all these weird terms came into being - silly mid off, an agricultural shot etc. This could be the start of a new hobby.

I'll have to listen on LW just to get the shopping forecast in, too!

@Autumnchill Lucky you! Will you be able to listen to the TMS coverage of the England match when you're actually at the ground?

Yes, I also like having Wimbledon coverage on the radio even though I'm not really interested in who wins, it's just relaxing.

You're welcome - I think the daft names for everything are all part of the charm - I only know all this stuff because I am ancient and have been going to cricket matches since I was about 11 and used to play at school. TMS are quite good at explaining things though I find, so hopefully you'll gradually assimilate the bonkers lingo the more you listen

@kiltedsheep you can get a radio ear piece. We were at Trent Bridge for Windies v Oz and also got tickets for South Africa v Oz.

If you start to enjoy it, look out for Tailender free tickets next year - celebs v ex cricketers. Really good day with excellent commentary basically taking the piss out of everyone

I love TMS. I know quite a bit about cricket, but it's the relaxed vibe and people chatting I love. Just as happy listening to it during a long rain break as when the actual match is happening.

I’m a qualified cricket scorer (see my username 😎) and like to listen to TMS rather than watch it on the telly.

I like it, a bit like a comfort blanket on a long car journey or just at work. The cake talk though makes me hungry!

Love it. Get the map of positions - it's fun. As for cow corner, many village cricket teams have a real one into which you do not go when cows are calving. And your LO will love the game which is basically sporting chess.

@Autumnchill Thanks for the Tailenders tip! I'll check it out.

It's really interesting that a lot of you prefer TMS to watching the cricket on telly. We don't have Sky so i don't have a choice, and the highlights on terrestrial are on way too late at night (I'm cosleeping with DS so am in bed absurdly early). So it has to be the radio experience for me!

Btw, Charles Dagnall read out an email I sent in during the Eng v Pak coverage, in which I described how comforting I find TMS when I'm struggling with the baby. It's been the highlight of my maternity leave thus far (except for actually having the baby, obviously)!

Me! And my FIL is from West Indies so we're off to watch them on Saturday- I will have no idea what's happening!

To the World Cup not test match if that makes a difference 🤷🏼‍♀️

My view today Ladies

I love TMS being on in the background. My DH is an avid cricket fan so it's on a lot. Despite his best efforts, I don't understand it; regardless, I really enjoy the sound of the ball hitting the bat, the general chat and observations about things other than cricket. I miss Blowers so much, though.

@Autumnchill Ah, fantastic! And it's going so well for England, too.

@ProfessorRapson I agree re: Blowers! What an incomparable style.

Look who I just met! Rhubarb!

Absolutely. TMS was always on in our house whenever there was play and I loved it from long before I liked the game.

Do check out the Tailenders podcast. It's hilarious and they do a lot about explaining things to people who are new to it. They always re-explain the in-jokes too.

Ohhh, they just mentioned Tailenders on TMS as I was typing!

@Autumnchill Amazing! 😄 What a legend.

Anyone listening today?

I’m watching on Sky , still trying to get over India being beaten yesterday

I know, i don't think anyone expected that