The Cricket Thread

[Kendall]

218/8

 

[Kendall]

Off for rain, though it's not raining 3 miles from the stadium where I am.

I'm thinking lunch might be taken early.

 

[jazz15c]

Solid performance all round, with a little room for improvement.

Finn got some mileage in his legs and got a little bit of rhythm back. Compton doesn't fill me the greatest of confidence, have no problems whatsoever with his run rate though...the game lasts 5 days, not 2 hours.

Wonder where KP would slot back in when/if he's fit for the Ashes. Guessing that Compton could be the one to miss out, unfortunately, so then you're talking square pegs in round holes. As someone who has opened at a fairly decent level, opening the innings isn't something that can be learned overnight, it requires someone who does that and only that.

However...

Trott COULD go up to open, but think he plays towards square leg too often, and might be susceptible to early new-ball movement. Root and Bairstow are the future, and wouldn't even entertain the thought of dropping them. Bell plays spin superbly, but with the lack of a decent spinner in Aussie attack, could it be his time to drop out, leaving Compton in??

Who knows. Whatever happens though, I can't wait for the Ashes.

 

[mpickard2087]

Solid performance all round, with a little room for improvement.

Finn got some mileage in his legs and got a little bit of rhythm back. Compton doesn't fill me the greatest of confidence, have no problems whatsoever with his run rate though...the game lasts 5 days, not 2 hours.

Wonder where KP would slot back in when/if he's fit for the Ashes. Guessing that Compton could be the one to miss out, unfortunately, so then you're talking square pegs in round holes. As someone who has opened at a fairly decent level, opening the innings isn't something that can be learned overnight, it requires someone who does that and only that.

However...

Trott COULD go up to open, but think he plays towards square leg too often, and might be susceptible to early new-ball movement. Root and Bairstow are the future, and wouldn't even entertain the thought of dropping them. Bell plays spin superbly, but with the lack of a decent spinner in Aussie attack, could it be his time to drop out, leaving Compton in??

Who knows. Whatever happens though, I can't wait for the Ashes.

Compton just doesn't complement Cook and Trott's styles, which is the main problem. Both of these like to drop anchor and score on the slow-ish side, add him to the mix and you run the real risk of the innings not getting going and increasing the pressure. Someone who can add slightly more impetus and come out and take the initiative is needed.

Root opens for Yorkshire, so would be the natural replacement.

Although for the Ashes, I said previously I'd probably move Bell to open and then have the two youngsters bat either side of Pietersen to make sure we have experience throughout the batting order.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Compton just doesn't complement Cook and Trott's styles, which is the main problem. Both of these like to drop anchor and score on the slow-ish side, add him to the mix and you run the real risk of the innings not getting going and increasing the pressure. Someone who can add slightly more impetus and come out and take the initiative is needed.

Root opens for Yorkshire, so would be the natural replacement.

Although for the Ashes, I said previously I'd probably move Bell to open and then have the two youngsters bat either side of Pietersen to make sure we have experience throughout the batting order.

Bell as an opener would smell of us trying to shoehorn the batting order around to fit in players. We tried it with Robin Smith a few years ago when he opened with Atherton against the West Indies. Smith was class against the fast bowlers, but it was a terrible move for him and it lasted a couple of games before he was moved back down the order.

For me, it's Root to open, as you said he opens for Yorkshire, he's in great form, for me Compton just isn't test class, he's got an absolutely shocking technique, his heels are planted on the floor and his toes in the air, I would rip someone a new one if I saw them do that in the league that I play in!

Re the follow on/non follow on, I can see why Cook did it, and I can see why some called it a negative move. For me though the main fuck up wasn't the lack of follow on, it was the ridiculous batting of Compton and Trott on Sunday evening, that was shocking.

The Aussies will be a sterner test for obvious reasons, their bowlers are more huff and puff though than swing bowlers, and their lack of a spinner will really hurt them, especially if the tests go the distance. Swann really is a class act. Finn bowled well against the Kiwis in this test, but I expect Bresnan to come in for him in the Ashes though, and potentially Onions if he gets back fit.

For me the line up is:

Cook
Root
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Bairstow
Prior
Broad
Swann
Bresnan/Finn (Feeling they will go for Bres...)
Anderson

I think the Bell/Bairstow/Prior combination could really hurt the Aussies, all good strokemakers, if we get off to a solid start and have the Aussies on the rack, they could really punish them from that position, would be similar to the Mark Waugh/Steve Waugh/Gilchrist sort of setup that used to ruin teams.

 

[alfie103]

Bell as an opener would smell of us trying to shoehorn the batting order around to fit in players. We tried it with Robin Smith a few years ago when he opened with Atherton against the West Indies. Smith was class against the fast bowlers, but it was a terrible move for him and it lasted a couple of games before he was moved back down the order.

For me, it's Root to open, as you said he opens for Yorkshire, he's in great form, for me Compton just isn't test class, he's got an absolutely shocking technique, his heels are planted on the floor and his toes in the air, I would rip someone a new one if I saw them do that in the league that I play in!

Re the follow on/non follow on, I can see why Cook did it, and I can see why some called it a negative move. For me though the main fuck up wasn't the lack of follow on, it was the ridiculous batting of Compton and Trott on Sunday evening, that was shocking.

The Aussies will be a sterner test for obvious reasons, their bowlers are more huff and puff though than swing bowlers, and their lack of a spinner will really hurt them, especially if the tests go the distance. Swann really is a class act. Finn bowled well against the Kiwis in this test, but I expect Bresnan to come in for him in the Ashes though, and potentially Onions if he gets back fit.

For me the line up is:

Cook
Root
Trott
Pietersen
Bell
Bairstow
Prior
Broad
Swann
Bresnan/Finn (Feeling they will go for Bres...)
Anderson

I think the Bell/Bairstow/Prior combination could really hurt the Aussies, all good strokemakers, if we get off to a solid start and have the Aussies on the rack, they could really punish them from that position, would be similar to the Mark Waugh/Steve Waugh/Gilchrist sort of setup that used to ruin teams.

I have heard that since his injury, Onions has lost a couple of yards of pace. It is a big shame as he was an effect player and played some great last man standing innings in South Africa. I personally think they will stick with Finn and see how he goes. I think England needed a bowler who can bowl at high 80's at regular periods. Gives the attack more variety and they have invested a lot of time with Finn.

In Regards with Compton, i believe he bats at 4 for somerset so he is in a difficult place. Starting in test cricket in a unfamiliar position is going to be tough and he hit 2 centuries in New Zealand so I think it would be harsh to drop him but if Pietersen comes back then I think he would be the one to give way with Root going to open.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

I have heard that since his injury, Onions has lost a couple of yards of pace. It is a big shame as he was an effect player and played some great last man standing innings in South Africa. I personally think they will stick with Finn and see how he goes. I think England needed a bowler who can bowl at high 80's at regular periods. Gives the attack more variety and they have invested a lot of time with Finn.

In Regards with Compton, i believe he bats at 4 for somerset so he is in a difficult place. Starting in test cricket in a unfamiliar position is going to be tough and he hit 2 centuries in New Zealand so I think it would be harsh to drop him but if Pietersen comes back then I think he would be the one to give way with Root going to open.

He's been an opener since he joined Somerset (might have batted 3 a few times as well), but it's important not to get carried away by his 2 Test Hundreds in New Zealand, it's wrong to say 'anyone' can score a Test Hundred but when people like Ravi Bopara have one to their name...

 

[Liquidator]

I would hate to see Root open if a few failures there meant his confidence was knocked. It's really early days for his career but he clearly seems to be the real deal, and I would prefer to see him protected a little longer at this stage.

I would stick with Compton for the first test, especially if he gets a few runs for Somerset in the interim. If KP returns, I guess it's Bell or Bairstow to make room. Not at all fair on Bairstow, who I really like.

However, I should disclose an element of bias in this post might stem from a) the romance of having a Compton back in the England set-up, and b) I am a Somerset supporter.

 

[Kendall]

Root got out to the second new ball twice. Is it right to heap the pressure of opening for England on him when he's batting so well further down? I don't know if he's ready.

 

[Kendall]

I think Bell is playing really irresponsible shots at the moment, hopefully a good showing in the ODIs will benefit him.

 

[Liquidator]

I think Bell is playing really irresponsible shots at the moment, hopefully a good showing in the ODIs will benefit him.

To be fair in that last innings he was trying to belt some quick runs with plenty of runs/wickets on the board.

But that's just one innings - I absolutely agree he has given his wicket away v cheaply for some time now. Weird, because 2 years ago he was in such great nick.

 

[montylynch]

I've never quite worked out Bell, seemed to have been around forever but in my eyes has never really done it. He always looks like a lost little brother. There's no doubting his technique, but he just doesn't do it for me.

I'd stick Root into open, yes he's raw, but so will the aussie bowlers be, it's their ashes debut aswell and he'll play with no fear. I also think he has the knowledge of playing the new ball on seaming and swinging pitches over here. If pietersen comes back, then i'd leave out compton, open with cook and root, then trott, KP, Bell and Bairstow. As for bowling, we'll have to see what the weather has in store for us, horses for courses in that department. It's a good thing we have so many prime bowlers around at the moment. One thing for sure though, we have to keep Swann fit.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

Will Nick Compton come good? Grandson of a Gooner... perhaps not...

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Jos Buttler is a very, very crap wicket keeper.

This whole ODI team is incredibly average.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

He's been an opener since he joined Somerset (might have batted 3 a few times as well), but it's important not to get carried away by his 2 Test Hundreds in New Zealand, it's wrong to say 'anyone' can score a Test Hundred but when people like Ravi Bopara have one to their name...

To be fair, he's got three or four

Anyone know how Tremlett is bowling? If we lose one of Finn/Broad i'd like to see him in the reckoning........

 

[LSUY]

Well played NZ. But why do we keep selecting Dernbach? He's easy runs far too often. Would rather see the likes of Rankin or Roland-Jones get given a shot.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Well played NZ. But why do we keep selecting Dernbach? He's easy runs far too often. Would rather see the likes of Rankin or Roland-Jones get given a shot.

Dernbach is regarded as a really good 'death' bowler, but the problem is he just bowls throw downs for the rest of his spell.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

To be fair, he's got three or four

Anyone know how Tremlett is bowling? If we lose one of Finn/Broad i'd like to see him in the reckoning........

Reckon I have a chance of notching one of that's the case!

I think Tremmers might be injured again.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Well played NZ. But why do we keep selecting Dernbach? He's easy runs far too often. Would rather see the likes of Rankin or Roland-Jones get given a shot.

I think I read somewhere that he was a late call up to the squad because Finn and Broad are missing the first two games.

 

[UncleBuck]

Poor showing today, yet again batsmen getting in and not capitalising. Interesting stat though, 21 4's, 0 6's in our innings which just isn't good enough for ODI's.