The Cricket Thread

[Sweetsman]

I guess if I was captain I'd be a tad nervous using him against the top order because he can be very expensive and hasn't yet learned to tie an end down. And we have rarely had runs to play with in this series, so I'd have used him sparingly. Given that's pretty much what Root has done, I wouldn't argue! I like Rashid though, and he can hold a bat so I'd want him in the team unless it simply wasn't a spinner's wicket.

Why do you think Rashid is so expensive? I think he doesn't stick to building up pressure, so keeps trying to take wicket-taking deliveries.

 

[al_pacino]

Why do you think Rashid is so expensive? I think he doesn't stick to building up pressure, so keeps trying to take wicket-taking deliveries.

Because leg spin is really difficult and only the really elite bowlers are able to consistently avoid bowling half trackers.

Shane Warne came onto the scene when I was just starting to get into cricket and he must have inspired loads of kids to give it a go but they never seemed to arrive.

 

[Sweetsman]

Because leg spin is really difficult and only the really elite bowlers are able to consistently avoid bowling half trackers.

Shane Warne came onto the scene when I was just starting to get into cricket and he must have inspired loads of kids to give it a go but they never seemed to arrive.

True and Shane rated Rashid in the past, but I wonder whether he has worked hard enough on a stock ball. As leggies have so many variations, sometimes they are like kids in a sweet shop. Warne worked very hard on his stock ball, so was able to build pressure with control in a way that bigger spinners like Abdul Qadir did not.

 

[Always Offside]

Shane Warne is a bit of a twat (may be an understatement, I know) BUT he's (imo) the greatest bowler ever in the game of cricket. It's a travesty that he retired as early as he did and that he is behind Murali who (again imho) throws or "chucks" the ball. Leg spin as Sweetsman mentioned is very difficult to control legspin and as such there are so few (of quality) in test cricket.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Why do you think Rashid is so expensive? I think he doesn't stick to building up pressure, so keeps trying to take wicket-taking deliveries.

I think it must come down to the 20/20 game, where he is very successful, though still expensive in terms of the longer game. Batsmen have to take more chances and therefore he picks up wickets. In Test cricket they can simply defend against the good balls and wait for the bad. It's a different mind-set as much as a skill set, and I don't think he's mastered it yet.

Still a damn good player, and in all probability a better leg spinner than me!

 

[Sweetsman]

I think it must come down to the 20/20 game, where he is very successful, though still expensive in terms of the longer game. Batsmen have to take more chances and therefore he picks up wickets. In Test cricket they can simply defend against the good balls and wait for the bad. It's a different mind-set as much as a skill set, and I don't think he's mastered it yet.

Still a damn good player, and in all probability a better leg spinner than me!

I think he's underrated and not been used well, so his confidence has suffered. I agree with you about the different skillset. His decision to bin the red ball game was impetuous.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I think he's underrated and not been used well, so his confidence has suffered. I agree with you about the different skillset. His decision to bin the red ball game was impetuous.

I think there was more behind it than impetuosity.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Well played Mr Cook.

Other openers take note!

 

[markiespurs]

Really happy to see Cook get his century, totally deserved.

England have a massive selection headache with Cooks retirement.

 

[KingKay]

Chef!

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Would anybody be shocked if he decided to continue playing through to the home ashes series next year?

I think, and really hope, he'll decide to retire after that series!

 

[Buggsy61]

I wonder what price on Cook to get a ton in his last test. He's usually performed well when the pressure is on, and is too good a player for a poor run to continue. Would be a fitting end to a great career.

Well played Mr Cook - I owe you a beer. I had a feeling this would happen and got 5/1. Sometimes these things are written in the stars!...…….

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

It's probably been said before, but if Alastair Cook didn't spend his career playing for England behind a television pay wall, he'd be significantly more appreciated in this country.

He's the greatest batsmen to ever play for England and one of the best in the world. His achievements have largely gone unnoticed to the public because you have to pay a premium to watch him.

I'm sure that if you asked a member of the public who wasn't a fan of cricket if they knew who he was, a large proportion of them would say no, which is a huge shame.

 

[Buggsy61]

Would anybody be shocked if he decided to continue playing through to the home ashes series next year?

I think, and really hope, he'll decide to retire after that series!

Yes I would be shocked. He has always struck me as someone true to his principles and once he makes a decision will stick to it. Almost hoping I am wrong, but I am sure he put a lot of thought into this decision and already has other plans.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

And well played Captain Root!

 

[LSUY]

Really happy to see Cook get his century, totally deserved.

England have a massive selection headache with Cooks retirement.

They'll get round to that once they've finally figured out whose replacing Strauss.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

India 2 for 3. They're the new England!

 

[markiespurs]

Anderson now level with Glenn Mcgrath as the all time leading wicket taker (fast bowler)

 

[markiespurs]

India playing like they want to go home as soon as possible

Fantastic day of Test cricket, if your English

 

[teok]

Just watching the highlights, fantastic stuff.