The Cricket Thread
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WorcesterTHFC
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- May 4, 2016
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As old-school bowlers used to say to the batsman, "You miss, I hit."
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Isn't this fun? Isn't fun the best thing to have?
- Jun 6, 2005
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Could've crumbled a bit after Pakistan's first innings, didn't expect them to be quite so solid, and certainly didn't expect them to shut down our batsmen like they did - excellent captaincy on both counts though, the patience shown by everyone involved was zen like. Great match, five days well worth playing, and top marks to England for over coming an in form Pakistan.
Rocksuperstar
Isn't this fun? Isn't fun the best thing to have?
- Jun 6, 2005
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Nice innings by Moeen, top knock, he looked very comfortable out there.
And a nice early wicket for us as well, he was stuffed however it went there, surprised it needed a review at all. Got to love seeing that aggressive field setup though - six slips! Looks like the 80's again!
And a nice early wicket for us as well, he was stuffed however it went there, surprised it needed a review at all. Got to love seeing that aggressive field setup though - six slips! Looks like the 80's again!
Buggsy61
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- Aug 31, 2012
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Just watched the highlights. Although Vince got a great ball both him and Balance look out of their depth at this level. We need to get that middle order right before going to Australia in 2017.
Not sure Stokes is a 5 as you need someone who can drop the anchor if need be. Must be some young promising players in the county game who can be blooded - pity they didn't choose this match to try one of them.
Not sure Stokes is a 5 as you need someone who can drop the anchor if need be. Must be some young promising players in the county game who can be blooded - pity they didn't choose this match to try one of them.
I am happy to give them both more time, Woakes was cast off as someone who was good at county level but not good enough against the top players and look at him now. You need to let players play at international level to improve.
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
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Ive always thought Moeen has more potential with the bat than ball. Indeed he came into the England team as a top order batsman who bowled a bit of off spin as a second spinner option, you have to feel a bit sorry for him that he's been thrust into the main role and batting down at 7/8. He does have concentration issues, particularly outside off stump, but it's not helped when he's left with the tail.
I'd bat him at 5 over the winter, gets the extra spinner in the team and he plays spin well, and challenge him to make the role his and see if he can build on this form where he's seemingly knuckled down with his batting.
I'd bat him at 5 over the winter, gets the extra spinner in the team and he plays spin well, and challenge him to make the role his and see if he can build on this form where he's seemingly knuckled down with his batting.
Buggsy61
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Yep, the progress of Woakes has been astonishing with both bat and ball. England definitely give their players more time these days to adjust to the big gap between the county game and the test game but I have my doubts about these two. The pressure will certainly be on them in the 2nd innings with tour places up for grabs. Jason Roy might be a good shout but he seems to be pigeon holed as a 1 day player, as per Hales.
If you think Vince will struggle with playing test cricket, then roy certainly will for me. His technique doesn't look solid enough and if he did play, he wouldn't be any higher than 6.
Rocksuperstar
Isn't this fun? Isn't fun the best thing to have?
- Jun 6, 2005
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Moeen has improved with both the bat and the ball - i think he took a wee while to settle into the pace of international tests, but now he's really starting to work hard. Doesn't always come off but, compared to a few of his early matches, he looks a hundred times a better fit now.
Pakistan have done really well with their innings - not panicked when losing a wicket, protected Younus when required and in turn he's taken up the reigns now they're into their bottom order. Very impressive show he's put on (i say, as he clobbers an absolute text book cover drive, top notch), but unless we can keep them under 500 and our swordsmen are on absolute fire, this is theirs to lose right now.
Pakistan have done really well with their innings - not panicked when losing a wicket, protected Younus when required and in turn he's taken up the reigns now they're into their bottom order. Very impressive show he's put on (i say, as he clobbers an absolute text book cover drive, top notch), but unless we can keep them under 500 and our swordsmen are on absolute fire, this is theirs to lose right now.
mpickard2087
Patient Zero
- Jun 13, 2008
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Pakistan showed that as usual The Oval is a 500-600 pitch. Our batting efforts have been really bad here.
Hales and Vince should be gone. Ballance is on very shaky ground too, but can still redeem himself...
Hales and Vince should be gone. Ballance is on very shaky ground too, but can still redeem himself...
Buggsy61
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Yep, if we go to the Ashes tour in 2017 with a middle order like that we are going to get blown away at places like Perth. Time to start looking at other options.
Rocksuperstar
Isn't this fun? Isn't fun the best thing to have?
- Jun 6, 2005
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Hales is still too keen to score to be an opener at this level. Even when he's presented with a wicket like the Oval, he still couldn't reign it in and just take his time and i think a fair few bowlers have seen that in him. Nearly always on the front foot when he gives up his wicket, attacking something that could've happily been left or drilled into the dirt. Could argue that he's a product of his generation, the need to make cricket exciting, but that's not the job he's being asked to do.
He would do well to watch some old tapes of Collingwood or Athers, they knew how to stay at the crease and stay in charge of the bowlers.
He would do well to watch some old tapes of Collingwood or Athers, they knew how to stay at the crease and stay in charge of the bowlers.
Buggsy61
Washed Up Member
- Aug 31, 2012
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Great series and all credit to Pakistan who played some really good cricket in a great spirit.
Really poor test match for England. Bowling was below par, 'catching' was a joke and the batting line up needs some major surgery if we are to improve and take on Australia. I have seen enough to dispense with Hales, Ballance and Vince (who is the worst batsmen I have seen in an England team for many years unfortunately)
Although Bairstow more than earns his place as a batsman I am not convinced he is a test class keeper where again missed catches and stumpings can cost dearly.
Really poor test match for England. Bowling was below par, 'catching' was a joke and the batting line up needs some major surgery if we are to improve and take on Australia. I have seen enough to dispense with Hales, Ballance and Vince (who is the worst batsmen I have seen in an England team for many years unfortunately)
Although Bairstow more than earns his place as a batsman I am not convinced he is a test class keeper where again missed catches and stumpings can cost dearly.
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