The Cricket Thread

[mpickard2087]

I don't know what the solution is really. The latest call was 'ffs why are we not picking Stoneman', this is a guy who at the age of 30 and with about 150 first class matches averages under 35. He might be a massive surprise and take to Test cricket, but the evidence would suggest he's an average batsman. And this applies to all of them really - Westley, Jennings, Malan, Hales etc etc. When they don't even have a FC average of 40 then you can be expecting miracles, we're picking anyone in a bit of form rather than someone who consistently gets runs.

I don't know whether we just pluck younger players early and hope they have the talent to make the transition. Ultimately I think the standards at county level have to go up.

 

[Buggsy61]

What's the AFL? The only AFL I can think of is the Australian Football League.

Sorry - NFL, now edited - cheers. I should know as I loosely follow AFL, from my time over there - Western Bulldogs supporter!.

 

[Buggsy61]

I don't know what the solution is really. The latest call was 'ffs why are we not picking Stoneman', this is a guy who at the age of 30 and with about 150 first class matches averages under 35. He might be a massive surprise and take to Test cricket, but the evidence would suggest he's an average batsman. And this applies to all of them really - Westley, Jennings, Malan, Hales etc etc. When they don't even have a FC average of 40 then you can be expecting miracles, we're picking anyone in a bit of form rather than someone who consistently gets runs.

I don't know whether we just pluck younger players early and hope they have the talent to make the transition. Ultimately I think the standards at county level have to go up.

We have been saying that for years and the 2 divisions has probably helped.
I think you make a good point about younger players though - get them in early if you think they have the talent and technique to cope and the rigours of test cricket will hopefully raise their performance levels. Might have to stick with them and tolerate a few low scores at the outset though.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

We really are woeful where the batting is concerned aren't we?

I'd be astonished if we came away from Australia with anything less than at least a 2-0 beating. Minimum. We can't keep batting with only 4 batsmen

Our top order is absolutely abysmal.

Stoneman, Westley and Malan just aren't test quality and i'm not really sure what the solution is. We certainly can't take them to australia. Personally, i'd certainly bring back Hales and Butler but #3 is a problem.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Imo we should bring back Eoin Morgan to bat at 5.

He's such a better player than he used to be when he initially played in tests for us.

Also, test cricket has evolved to accomodate players like him. I think he'd do very well for us in this team.

I'm sure Root would benefit from having another captain in the field too.

 

[WorcesterTHFC]

Imo we should bring back Eoin Morgan to bat at 5.

He's such a better player than he used to be when he initially played in tests for us.

Also, test cricket has evolved to accomodate players like him. I think he'd do very well for us in this team.

I'm sure Root would benefit from having another captain in the field too.

Maybe Morgan's waiting for Ireland's Test debut in 2019. I don't know if he'd have a problem with eligibility for Ireland (even though he was born and bred there) as he's already played for England or if further appearances for England would cause a problem.

 

[Spurs 1961]

Shame we, Windies, dropped those key catches and didn't review when Stokes was 'caught'. Still a much better bowling performance giving the batmen something to play for

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Maybe Morgan's waiting for Ireland's Test debut in 2019. I don't know if he'd have a problem with eligibility for Ireland (even though he was born and bred there) as he's already played for England or if further appearances for England would cause a problem.

I don't think it'd be a problem. Boyd Rankin represented England in limited and tests then went back to Ireland. As did Ed Joyce, I think.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Deary me. Absolute shite from England.

 

[Buggsy61]

Well done Windies for coming back in this test.

No excuses from the top order next innings. Stoneman, Westley and Malan, this is the time to show what you are made of or there is no point on you going down under otherwise.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Well done Windies for coming back in this test.

No excuses from the top order next innings. Stoneman, Westley and Malan, this is the time to show what you are made of or there is no point on you going down under otherwise.

I'm actually quite pleased that this has happened. A chance - and a last one for some - to stand up and show what they're made of when the pressure's on.

The problem is, if all three fail, who the hell do you take on the Ashes tour? Whoever it is will be untried, clearly not first choice, and thrown into the most challenging environment there is.

Perhaps we should negotiate a deal to play 8 a side ...

 

[Buggsy61]

I'm actually quite pleased that this has happened. A chance - and a last one for some - to stand up and show what they're made of when the pressure's on.

The problem is, if all three fail, who the hell do you take on the Ashes tour? Whoever it is will be untried, clearly not first choice, and thrown into the most challenging environment there is.

Perhaps we should negotiate a deal to play 8 a side ...

I would take Hales and Hameed to start. Although Hales is a bit loose and not one to save a game he has got undoubted talent and by the time the Aussies find a way through his defence as they undoubtedly will he will probably have 40 or so on the board.
Another controversial thought is to promote Stokes or Bairstow as they have both shown that they can dig in when needed and we would still have a few bangers down the order.
Bairstow could become the new Alec Stewart, but there's no getting away from it the top order is in a mess!.

 

[aussiespursguy]

I would take Hales and Hameed to start. Although Hales is a bit loose and not one to save a game he has got undoubted talent and by the time the Aussies find a way through his defence as they undoubtedly will he will probably have 40 or so on the board.
Another controversial thought is to promote Stokes or Bairstow as they have both shown that they can dig in when needed and we would still have a few bangers down the order.
Bairstow could become the new Alec Stewart, but there's no getting away from it the top order is in a mess!.

Hales has played quite a bit over here in the T20 Big Bash series. We already have him figured out.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

I've complained about the batting (who hasn't) but if this is what the bowlers are going to serve up in Australia we're going to get an absolute thrashing and my 0-2 prediction would start to look generous. The selectors have bumfucked themselves into a corner now with the batting though, there's no way they can take any of the players they've tried this summer, but they will, they absolutely will. If I were them i'd be making urgent telephone calls to Ian Bell, its gotten that desperate

Morgan is a decent shout. Habib, Buttler and Hales have to go on the tour too. I know they've been tried previously but at least there's a chance they can come off and there's something about them, this current bunch are like rabbits stuck in the glare of the headlights and they inspire absolutely no confidence whatsoever. The Australian bowlers must be licking their lips.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Habib, Hales, Buttler and / or Morgan.

A nice sensible opening to the innings, and then watch out. Love it!

 

[theShiznit]

Not sure what Woakes has done to merit being auto-recalled when fit.

I thought Toblerone and Jones had done well and was consistently taking wickets.

Some of the things I've heard about Woakes in this test are laughable.

After showing his batting and bowling averages. "That bowling average will go up, and that batting average will come down"
Translation, "at the moment his stats aren't very good"

and today's gem, "Woakes presents the seam better than any other England bowler."

I imagine him with a ball on a royal crested pillow with gold leaf trim 'Here you are my lady I present to you the seam...'

To me he just seems like a bits and pieces cricketer of old, as a bowler of his height you have to be doing something special with the ball and he just seems a bit meh.

 

[mpickard2087]

The last half hour hasn't been very clever. Dug in ok, but the job isn't done at effectively about 130-4... So of course Stokes carelessly chips one down to long off, now Bairstow has got himself bowled on the reverse sweep.

Looks like we could well be asking miracles of the bowling attack again if these two can't put together something.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

The last half hour hasn't been very clever. Dug in ok, but the job isn't done at effectively about 130-4... So of course Stokes carelessly chips one down to long off, now Bairstow has got himself bowled on the reverse sweep.

Looks like we could well be asking miracles of the bowling attack again if these two can't put together something.

Agreed re Bairstow, but I'd hardly call Stokes's shot a careless chip!

 

[mpickard2087]

Agreed re Bairstow, but I'd hardly call Stokes's shot a careless chip!

It was very wide and he was nowhere near the pitch of it, not to mention it turned. That he managed to hit it that far in that way was an achievement in itself, but it was a bad way to get out.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Not sure what Woakes has done to merit being auto-recalled when fit.

I thought Toblerone and Jones had done well and was consistently taking wickets.

Some of the things I've heard about Woakes in this test are laughable.

After showing his batting and bowling averages. "That bowling average will go up, and that batting average will come down"
Translation, "at the moment his stats aren't very good"

and today's gem, "Woakes presents the seam better than any other England bowler."

I imagine him with a ball on a royal crested pillow with gold leaf trim 'Here you are my lady I present to you the seam...'

To me he just seems like a bits and pieces cricketer of old, as a bowler of his height you have to be doing something special with the ball and he just seems a bit meh.

He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the year in 2016, after a poor start to his Test Career he has been Englands most consistent (and fastest) seamer before his injury.

Unbelievably harsh there old bean.