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Cricket versus baseball

Is cricket the Commonwealth’s baseball? Is baseball America’s cricket?

I have become a fan of cricket, thanks to YouTube. Presently, I am enjoying the daily highlights of England's tour to the West Indies. The weather looks nice in St. Lucia.

As a baseball junkie, so much of cricket looks familiar. This morning I decided to compare and rate some of the similarities the two sports share:

  • Caps. Baseball’s are much cooler. Cricket players wear painters’ caps.

  • Ratio of hits to outs. Cricket. You can watch your favorite hitter bat all day, if s/he’s on a hot streak.

  • Bat shape. Cricket. Solving the conundrum of hitting a round ball with a round bat.

  • Outfield assists. Baseball. In cricket, outfielders have to catch with their bare hands. Byron Buxton’s defense would be wasted. Then, instead of throwing to a catcher with a man bearing down on him, the fielder has to throw at three croquet sticks.

  • Umpire’s out sign. Baseball. In cricket, the umpire sticks his finger out like he’s testing the wind. Give me the sign by a guy who looks like he's punching the man who's down.

  • Home runs or sixes. Tie. Always excellent t.v.

  • Leg pads or elbow guards. Elbow guards. Baseball. Cricket batters lead with their leg pads so much I worry for their parenting future.

  • Unis. Cricket. Dap-per.

Joe Root acknowledges the applause as he leaves the field with Ben Stokes on an undefeated on 111 and the lead at 448.

Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images