- Feb 1, 2005
- 55,594
- 205,142
- Admin
- #6,981
The squad for the NZ Tests is announced at 10pm tonight, so we'll soon know/have a laugh 
The Cricket Thread
- Thread starter SteveH
- Start date
theShiznit
Well-Known Member
- Jul 26, 2004
- 17,892
- 23,950
Hopefully it's just Gary Ballance...
Is this series on Sky as we have a 100% failure record on BT
Is this series on Sky as we have a 100% failure record on BT
aussiespursguy
Well-Known Member
- Mar 21, 2015
- 3,445
- 6,703
I was watching the Big Bash last night and had to put up with Swann in commentary. He said he is leaving for home...........................But back to New zealand in March!Hopefully it's just Gary Ballance...
Is this series on Sky as we have a 100% failure record on BT
More joy for you poor suffering souls.
theShiznit
Well-Known Member
- Jul 26, 2004
- 17,892
- 23,950
Ahh, it'll be great to have Billy Banter and the gang all back together again...I was watching the Big Bash last night and had to put up with Swann in commentary. He said he is leaving for home...........................But back to New zealand in March!
More joy for you poor suffering souls.
The red ball tends to move and swing more than the white ball plus you can have a lot more defensive fields in Test cricket with no fielding restrictions. I remember reading about Leach and from what Chris Rogers said it didn't seem like he thought he had the mental toughness to play test cricket yet.
I wouldn't move Malan just yet myself, let him play at 5 where he looks fine. I personally would think about getting another opener into the number 3 position myself. If Hameed is fit, let him play there as we have plenty of firepower to come afterwards.
D
Deleted member 27995
Tom Westley might be the name that comes in again, see if he has been able to correct his inability to get his head in line with the ball rather than outside of it. If he has, then when he wasn't falling over to the offside he looked more than competent.The squad for the NZ Tests is announced at 10pm tonight, so we'll soon know/have a laugh
Such a dearth for the number three spot right now.
I dunno if I'll be laughing, but I am sure tonights selection will fan the flames again for me. Bloody England.
Edit: Eh - nix this he is out with a finger injury
Next!
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
- 21,889
- 32,561
My team:
Robson
Lyth
Compton
Jennings
Ballance
Vince
Buttler
Dawson
Jordan
Ball
Finn
Anything is possible with the current jokers in charge.....
Robson
Lyth
Compton
Jennings
Ballance
Vince
Buttler
Dawson
Jordan
Ball
Finn
Anything is possible with the current jokers in charge.....
Spurs_Bear
Well-Known Member
- Jan 7, 2009
- 17,094
- 22,286
Hameed may be an option, although his form last season was diabolical, but as he's not out there with the squad currently I haven't included him. It may look totally different come the first test of the summer but that is what I would go with now.
- Feb 1, 2005
- 55,594
- 205,142
- Admin
- #6,989
Anyone with Sky check out the 5th test ashes verdict on catch up, very interesting onions on how we go forward and the NZ tests.
Arnoldtoo
The thinking ape's ape
- May 18, 2006
- 35,395
- 55,149
Having Stokes back does actually make a big difference to the look of the team - the tail doesn't begin at 7 for a start.
But one change I'd make - not for New Zealand - is Buttler back as keeper, and Bairstow up to 3 or 5.
For NZ I might be tempted to bring a batter in, probably for Vince. But it would be informative to see how this team performed when they weren't facing the best attack around. Pitch admitted, but is it a coincidence that we did best when Bird replaced Starc?
But one change I'd make - not for New Zealand - is Buttler back as keeper, and Bairstow up to 3 or 5.
For NZ I might be tempted to bring a batter in, probably for Vince. But it would be informative to see how this team performed when they weren't facing the best attack around. Pitch admitted, but is it a coincidence that we did best when Bird replaced Starc?
- Feb 1, 2005
- 55,594
- 205,142
- Admin
- #6,991
I think (but am not certain) that BT's deal is only with Cricket Australia. Any cricket played in New Zealand, including the one day series would be on Sky Sports. Bullet half dodged, but if this is the case at least we'll be spared Swann for the test matches.I was watching the Big Bash last night and had to put up with Swann in commentary. He said he is leaving for home...........................But back to New zealand in March!
More joy for you poor suffering souls.
Danners9
Available on a Free Transfer
- Mar 30, 2004
- 14,015
- 20,797
that run out decision against Brisbane was bollocks. Such a shame Lynn is injured.I was watching the Big Bash last night and had to put up with Swann in commentary. He said he is leaving for home...........................But back to New zealand in March!
More joy for you poor suffering souls.
D
Deleted member 27995
I enjoy listening to Michael Holding and this only reinforces what a lot of you have talked about in regards to pace and the lack there of.
For those who have heard Holding talk about this openly whilest on Sky Sports both in the studio and also in the com. Box this probably isn't news. I'm glad that it's made it to the beeb though, for those who haven't had the chance to listen to the great man talk about this subject.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42639889
(if this link isn't allowed let me know and I'll remove it.)
For those who have heard Holding talk about this openly whilest on Sky Sports both in the studio and also in the com. Box this probably isn't news. I'm glad that it's made it to the beeb though, for those who haven't had the chance to listen to the great man talk about this subject.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42639889
(if this link isn't allowed let me know and I'll remove it.)
UncleBuck
Well-Known Member
- Aug 20, 2003
- 9,254
- 11,284
Pretty sure you’re right on the BT front thank god...
I haven’t looked at the venues for NZ but hope one is at the Basin, I remember being out there in ‘02 with ‘The Army’ and it was one of the funniest days I’ve ever had at a game!
- Feb 1, 2005
- 55,594
- 205,142
- Admin
- #6,995
Test squad: Joe Root (Yorkshire), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Mason Crane (Hampshire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Middlesex), Craig Overton (Somerset), Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Stoneman (Surrey), James Vince (Hampshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).
UncleBuck
Well-Known Member
- Aug 20, 2003
- 9,254
- 11,284
Have to say I’m struggling with Livingstone although our options are a tad limited at the moment, admittedly I’ve only ever seen him twice and on both occasions he was proper village.
Would make me think that Malan has been told to go to three which is just so typical of the ECB since the 80’s, just throw someone into a role on the back of one or two half decent performances.
Surprised about the Curran exclusion as well seeing as we’re struggling with talent coming through who could learn off JA...
Arnoldtoo
The thinking ape's ape
- May 18, 2006
- 35,395
- 55,149
I'm guessing that if Stokes doesn't make the trip, Curran gets called back in. He deserves the opportunity.
D
Deleted member 27995
Not sure why you would drop Curran I don't see the Stokes situation changing if the videos that came out around the time are anything to go by.
Complete dearth of talent around it seems for the most important batting spot in test cricket. Why exactly is Root so against batting at three? Livingstone seems to be the next man up which would suggest, even though most would have had him out by now, Vince is on a short leash (a pointless one, most would say, I know)
Doesn't help they start off with another day/nighter test match, fucking gimmicks.
Personally I think the selectors need to figure out if they want a three pronged pace attack with a full time spinner and then an other who can bowl a bit, or they want a long batting line up with bits and pieces cricketers.
Stokes has caused them a major headache and Ali seems to have lost both aspects to his game against the best test cricketing team in the world.
Someone mentioned Jack Leach, totally agree with them about him. The only knock on him is he has at least had to remodel his bowling action once already after having it reported. Looks like he is ironed out whatever it was that was deemed illegal. No idea if this sort of bollocks has impacted his chance, but I hope he doesn't get overlooked moving into the summer series.
Complete dearth of talent around it seems for the most important batting spot in test cricket. Why exactly is Root so against batting at three? Livingstone seems to be the next man up which would suggest, even though most would have had him out by now, Vince is on a short leash (a pointless one, most would say, I know)
Doesn't help they start off with another day/nighter test match, fucking gimmicks.
Personally I think the selectors need to figure out if they want a three pronged pace attack with a full time spinner and then an other who can bowl a bit, or they want a long batting line up with bits and pieces cricketers.
Stokes has caused them a major headache and Ali seems to have lost both aspects to his game against the best test cricketing team in the world.
Someone mentioned Jack Leach, totally agree with them about him. The only knock on him is he has at least had to remodel his bowling action once already after having it reported. Looks like he is ironed out whatever it was that was deemed illegal. No idea if this sort of bollocks has impacted his chance, but I hope he doesn't get overlooked moving into the summer series.
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
- 21,889
- 32,561
Unsurprisingly they seem to aim for consistency of selection, yet are actually quite inconsistent and for me muddled with their thinking.
The batting selections..... Not that he deserves a place in the squad, but the only not to play is the one who gets the chop and those who failed get to carry on - that's quite unique thinking.
Stokes is apparently still unavailable, yet named in the squad... The 'will he, wont he' saga will carry on anyway, but they could have drawn at least some line under it by making a definitive decision for the tour one way or the other and then moved on. Now at least some time/focus will be spent on him and wondering if he'll be in the team, when it should be going on other matters.
The bowling is the most head-scratching for me. Wood's fitness record is there for all to see, and currently wasn't trusted for The Ashes in conditions where you would think to take a chance on him and his extra pace. Now a complete U-turn and decide he can go to NZ? Next, I'm glad they've finally realised Jake Ball is crap, but it's just a few weeks ago they were saying he was their secret weapon and now they've lurched to binning him from the squad altogether.
The first thing I'd do is to have tried out a left arm seam option, just for varieties sake and something different to offer up. Especially in NZ where there should be a bit of assistance. You could go experienced with someone like Footitt, or take a chance on someone like Garton. In my opinion we have to start trying things out though.
I'm not that surprised that T Curran got dropped. He's young but needs to find some extra weapons, same really for C Overton (who does get in). If anything I'd say they're maybe focusing on the wrong brother in each case - S Curran is a left arm seam option and J Overton (ok, he's had his injury issues I know) has a bit more pace - at least they'd have variety. Maybe another example of going for the more solid, boring, 'English-type bowler' options..... In NZ they might get away with it, and then into the summer, but we've seen that wont always be the case.
The batting selections..... Not that he deserves a place in the squad, but the only not to play is the one who gets the chop and those who failed get to carry on - that's quite unique thinking.
Stokes is apparently still unavailable, yet named in the squad... The 'will he, wont he' saga will carry on anyway, but they could have drawn at least some line under it by making a definitive decision for the tour one way or the other and then moved on. Now at least some time/focus will be spent on him and wondering if he'll be in the team, when it should be going on other matters.
The bowling is the most head-scratching for me. Wood's fitness record is there for all to see, and currently wasn't trusted for The Ashes in conditions where you would think to take a chance on him and his extra pace. Now a complete U-turn and decide he can go to NZ? Next, I'm glad they've finally realised Jake Ball is crap, but it's just a few weeks ago they were saying he was their secret weapon and now they've lurched to binning him from the squad altogether.
The first thing I'd do is to have tried out a left arm seam option, just for varieties sake and something different to offer up. Especially in NZ where there should be a bit of assistance. You could go experienced with someone like Footitt, or take a chance on someone like Garton. In my opinion we have to start trying things out though.
I'm not that surprised that T Curran got dropped. He's young but needs to find some extra weapons, same really for C Overton (who does get in). If anything I'd say they're maybe focusing on the wrong brother in each case - S Curran is a left arm seam option and J Overton (ok, he's had his injury issues I know) has a bit more pace - at least they'd have variety. Maybe another example of going for the more solid, boring, 'English-type bowler' options..... In NZ they might get away with it, and then into the summer, but we've seen that wont always be the case.
Spurs_Bear
Well-Known Member
- Jan 7, 2009
- 17,094
- 22,286
Agree with all of that and just to pick up on this point, it wouldn't surprise me if they keep Vince in for the day/nighter rather than give Livingstone a Baptism of Fire so to speak. Then if/when Vince doesn't produce the goods they will shove Livingstone in on a flat wicket in the second Test.
