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The Cric-Code

Copyright 1995 by David Mar.
This work may be reproduced and distributed provided no charge is levied.

Version 1.2

You may be aware of the Geek Code, a series of letters and symbols many geeks add to their signature files to indicate what sort of geeks they are. Well, here is your chance to show, in succinct coded form, exactly what sort of cricket fan you are!

The Cric-Code is made up of a series of letters, representing categories of cricketing interest, and symbols to indicate where you fit in each category. The symbols are explained in the sections below, but first there are a few special modifier symbols:

()
Parentheses are used to indicate ranges of values. For example, a cricket fan who mostly thinks England are a great team, but sometimes in despair thinks they are hopeless, would be `E+++(-)'.

Note that symbols are case-sensitive. `P+++' means you think Pakistan are a great team, while `p+++' means you play first class cricket!

Add the Cric-Code to your signature file when you post to rec.sport.cricket, to show people how much you love the game! Add it to your e-mail, to find other cricket fans around the world, and confuse anyone who doesn't follow cricket!


Being a Cricket Fan

The first and most and most important symbol in the Cric-Code is the declaration of cricket-fandom. This is indicated by the letter `C', followed immediately by another letter to indicate from which country you hail. Note that this only indicates where you were born/grew up, not necessarily the team you support.
CE
English cricket fan.
CA
Australian cricket fan.
CW
West Indian cricket fan. Add another letter to indicate exactly where in the Caribbean:
CWB: Barbados
CWJ: Jamaica
CWG: Guyana
CWT: Trinidad and Tobago
CWA: Antigua and Barbuda
CWK: St. Kitt's-Nevis
CWD: Dominica
CWL: St. Lucia
CWV: St. Vincent and the Grenadines
CWM: Montserrat
CWP: Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique
CS
South African cricket fan.
CI
Indian cricket fan.
CP
Pakistani cricket fan.
CN
New Zealander cricket fan.
CL
Sri Lankan cricket fan.
CZ
Zimbabwean cricket fan.
C!
Cricket fan from a non-Test-playing country. If you are from one of the countries below, you could use that letter instead:
CU: USA cricket fan
CC: Canadian cricket fan
CD: Dutch cricket fan (from Netherlands)
If you are currently resident in a different country, add its code letter after a `/', or `!' for anything without a specific letter. Example, a cricket fan from Barbados, currently living in the USA would use `CWB/U'.

Team Opinions

It is important to know what you think of all the Test nations' cricket teams. For each team, indicate your opinion by appending symbols to the team code letter, as follows.

England

E+++
England are the greatest! Cricket was invented in England, and don't you forget it!
E++
England is a great cricketing power - they're just going through a bit of a slump right now, but they'll be back on top before you know it.
E+
I like England a lot, but I wish they'd win more games.
E
England are okay, I suppose. At least they can beat Zimbabwe occasionally.
E-
England are hopeless, and have been since Botham retired.
E--
England devalue the game of cricket, because it's so easy to beat them. They shouldn't be a Test nation any more.
E---
I hate England! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat England by an innings, and that's not very difficult, either!

Australia

A+++
Australia are the greatest! They've dominated world cricket since the first Ashes Test, and are just getting better and better.
A++
Australia is a great cricketing power - and I hope they take the Frank Worrell Trophy because then they'll be the best.
A+
I like Australia a lot, and I think they have an excellent team.
A
Australia are okay, I suppose. At least they can beat the West Indies sometimes.
A-
I don't like Australia, because they beat my team too much.
A--
Australia are no good, and haven't been any good since Bradman retired.
A---
I hate Australia! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat Australia by an innings.

West Indies

W+++
Dee West Indies are cool, mon. Start dee calypso music and pass me dat bottle of rum...
W++
The West Indies are a great cricketing power - probably the best team in the world.
W+
The West Indies are a very good team, and I hope they stay that way for many years to come.
W
Okay, okay, the West Indies have a pretty good team, but I don't have to like it.
W-
The West Indies are too good. They should be made to play as separate countries.
W--
Ah, the West Indies are hopeless. My team can beat them. Sometimes.
W---
I hate The West Indies! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat The West Indies by an innings.

South Africa

S+++
South Africa are the greatest! Even after 20 years out of Test cricket, they started winning right away, and don't you forget it!
S++
South Africa is a great cricketing power - it won't be long before they beat everyone else again, and that'll be great.
S+
I like South Africa a lot, and I think they have a fantastic team.
S
South Africa are okay, I suppose. Especially considering they were out of Test cricket for so long.
S-
South Africa are no good, and haven't been any good since Pollock retired.
S--
I don't like South Africa. They never should have been let back into Test cricket.
S---
I hate South Africa! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat South Africa by an innings.

India

I+++
India are the greatest! Go Tendulkar, Go Kambli! What more do you want?
I++
India is a great cricketing power - and with a little luck it won't be long before they're undisputed champions.
I+
I like India a lot, and I think they have a wonderful team.
I
India are okay, I suppose. They have a couple of good players.
I-
I don't like India, because sometimes they win when you least expect it.
I--
India are no good, and haven't been any good since Kapil Dev retired. Or is he still playing?
I---
I hate India! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat India by an innings.

Pakistan

P+++
Pakistan are the greatest! I have posters of all their players on my walls.
P++
Pakistan is a great cricketing power - not long before they are indisputably the greatest!
P+
I like Pakistan a lot, and I think they have a brilliant team.
P
Pakistan are okay, I suppose. You can't argue with their opening attack.
P-
I don't like Pakistan, because I'm sure their bowlers tamper with the ball. How else do they get such devastating swing?
P--
Pakistan are no good, and haven't been any good since Imran retired.
P---
I hate Pakistan! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat Pakistan by an innings.

New Zealand

N+++
New Zealand are the greatest! Ku-ma-te! Ku-ma-te! Aaaagh! <poke tongue out>
N++
New Zealand is a great cricketing power - or they will be once the new crop of good young players comes through.
N+
I like New Zealand a lot, but they do seem to be having a rather hard time of things at the moment.
N
New Zealand are okay, I suppose. They could improve soon.
N-
I don't like New Zealand, because I've never forgiven them for that time Hadlee destroyed my team's batting order.
N--
New Zealand are pathetic, and have been since Hadlee retired. (Thank goodness he did...)
N---
I hate New Zealand! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat New Zealand by an innings.

Sri Lanka

L+++
Sri Lanka are the greatest! They never should have been denied Test status for so long!
L++
Sri Lanka is a great cricketing power - well, they might be one day, and then I'll be celebrating.
L+
I like Sri Lanka a lot, and I think they'll get a lot better in the future.
L
Sri Lanka are okay, I suppose. They have a couple of good players.
L-
I don't like Sri Lanka, because they upset my team a few times.
L--
Sri Lanka are no good, and haven't been any good since Gurusinha retired.
L---
I hate Sri Lanka! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat Sri Lanka by an innings.

Zimbabwe

Z+++
Zimbabwe are the greatest! When do they get a chance to beat Australia in a Test?
Z++
Zimbabwe is a great cricketing power - well, maybe not, but the potential is there and it's only a matter of time.
Z+
I like Zimbabwe a lot, and I think they will be a good team once they get a bit more experience.
Z
Zimbabwe are okay, I suppose. It's good to see cricket growing around the world.
Z-
I don't like Zimbabwe, because they haven't earned my respect yet.
Z--
Zimbabwe are no good. Why were they ever granted Test status?
Z---
I hate Zimbabwe! I don't care if my team loses to everyone else, as long as they beat Zimbabwe by an innings.

Watching Cricket

How fanatical a cricket fan are you? Indicate it with the `w' code.
w!
I follow my team on tours overseas.
w+++
I travel around the country to see matches.
w++
I go to the local Test match and first class matches.
w+
I go to one-day internationals.
w
I watch every game I can on TV, and otherwise listen on the radio.
w-
I watch games on TV if it's convenient.
w--
I read the results in the newspaper.
w---
I hear the results from other people.
#w
I can't get cricket coverage, but I catch games on #cricket.

Getting Cricket Information on the Net

Since you're reading this, you must use the Internet to satisfy some of your thirst for cricket knowledge. Use an `i' code, for `information'.
i+++
I post to rec.sport.cricket.info and send things to CricInfo.
i++
Everyone on rec.sport.cricket knows me. I use CricInfo all the time, and regularly check the cricket World Wide Web pages.
i+
I post to rec.sport.cricket and know about CricInfo.
i
I read rec.sport.cricket regularly.
i-
I look in rec.sport.cricket.info for scores.
i--
I'd like to know how to get cricket scores over the net.
i---
I can't even remember my password, and you want me to get cricket information on this thing?
#i
I join #cricket on IRC to get ball-by-ball coverage.

Playing and Umpiring Cricket

Some cricket fans play or umpire cricket too.

Playing

Use a `p' for `play', followed by one or more letters indicating what sort of player you are:
po
Opening batsman.
pt
Top-order batsman.
pm
Middle-order batsman.
pw
Wicket-keeper.
pp
Medium-pace bowler.
pf
Fast bowler.
ps
Off-spin bowler.
pl
Leg-spin bowler.
px
Orthodox-spin bowler.
pu
Unorthodox-spin bowler.
Example: `pmp' is a middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler. Use your letters with the following codes to indicate at what level you play.
p!
I play Test cricket.
p+++
I play first class cricket.
p++
I play in a local organised competition.
p+
I play friendly games with a real cricket ball and pads.
p
I play with friends with a tennis ball.
p-
I've been known to pick up a bat occasionally, but not often.
p--
I don't play cricket at all.
p---
I've never seen a cricket bat or ball in my life.
#p
I play computer cricket.
~p
I am a retired cricket player.
Example: `~pmf!' is Ian Botham.

Umpiring

Indicate your level of umpiring with the `U' code:
U!
I umpire Test cricket.
U+++
I umpire first class cricket (or have my own umpiring coat).
U++
I am a professional umpire certified by the national governing body.
U+
I get paid to umpire games.
U
I umpire in friendly games.
U-
I umpire only when the captain tells me to get out there because they need somebody to do the job.
U--
I yell at umpires.
U---
I have beat up umpires occasionally.

Cricket Law Opinions

Some of the laws of cricket are controversial, especially the newer ones. Show your feelings on the following laws.

The Front Foot No Ball Law

F+++
The front foot law is the best thing to happen to cricket! I don't know why everyone complains about it.
F++
It's a good idea. It keeps the bowlers honest. They have too many advantages over batsmen already.
F+
I suppose the front foot law is easier on the umpires, so it's probably a good thing.
F
I don't really have an opinion on this.
F-
I think a back foot law makes more sense. At least the bowlers have better control over where their back foot lands.
F--
The front foot law is too hard on the bowlers, and also doesn't give the batsmen the chance to take ``free swings'' at no balls because they don't get called early enough. I think the back foot law should be re-introduced.
F---
It totally wrecks the game. They never should have changed from the back foot law. Who was the idiot who changed it anyway?
F?
What is the front foot no ball law?

The Limited Bouncers Law

B+++
Limiting the number of bouncers per over is a great idea! Fast bowlers all use bouncers too much anyway, I hate them all.
B++
With limited bouncers, the batsmen have a better opportunity to score runs because they don't have to keep dodging, and that's good for cricket.
B+
It makes batting safer, so that's a point in its favour.
B
I don't really have an opinion on this.
B-
I dunno, it sort of takes some of the fun out of the game, because after a couple of bouncers in an over you know there won't be any more.
B--
Limiting the bouncer is removing a vital part of the fast bowler's arsenal, and the batsmen already have too many advantages. Besides, they can always hook them if they want.
B---
Pitch 'em short and pitch 'em fast! Who cares about batsmen?
B?
What is the limited bouncers law?

The Not-Playing-a-Shot LBW Law

l+++
This is a great law! More power to the bowlers! When are they going to get rid of the pitching-outside-leg-stump restriction?
l++
It's good to see batsmen getting out when attempting to ``play with their pads''. It makes boring cricket and I'm glad this law was introduced.
l+
It seems like a good idea, I suppose. I don't really understand the lbw laws anyway, but this makes some sort of sense.
l
I don't really have an opinion on this.
l-
It think it's a bad idea, sort of. I don't really understand the lbw laws anyway, and this just makes it tougher.
l--
I think it's bad. There's no real way the umpires can be sure the ball would have hit the stumps if it strikes the pads outside off stump. Just because you weren't playing a shot doesn't change it.
l---
What idiot former fast bowler on the MCC Board dreamt this one up? Aren't things hard enough for the batsmen already?
l?
What is the not-playing-a-shot lbw law?

Example: Here is my own Cric-Code:
CA E---(-) A++ W S I P- N L Z+ w++ i+++ #pml(-) U- F B-- l++
If you have any suggestions for additions to the Cric-Code, please send e-mail to me at mar@physics.usyd.edu.au.


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