The Cricket Thread

[Dunc2610]

The whole getting Foakes and Bairstow in the side together is a nightmare, as you're essentially going to be dropping Duckett (which I wouldn't agree with) or Crawley (which I wouldn't mind, but only for another opener). Bairstow doesn't want to open, Foakes/Root/Brook/Ali aren't openers. And yes, I know Ali has opened, but not in test or first class cricket (I don't think). So, how do you get them both in the side as the expense of an opener, because I don't think you can.

 

[midoshairband]

looking at Moeen's finger, I'm not sure we'll be seeing much more of him this series, after this match.

 

[jazz15c]

Pretty much any other spinner we replace Moeen with will weaken our batting line up, but we want the best spinner available, not one who bolsters the tail a bit.
I don't personally watch enough county cricket to know who that person is (would love Rashid to get involved!).
Play the people with the best skillset for the job. That includes Foakes, but fuck knows how to get him into the side. Nice problem to have I guess...?!

 

[jimbo]

Pretty much any other spinner we replace Moeen with will weaken our batting line up, but we want the best spinner available, not one who bolsters the tail a bit.
I don't personally watch enough county cricket to know who that person is (would love Rashid to get involved!).
Play the people with the best skillset for the job. That includes Foakes, but fuck knows how to get him into the side. Nice problem to have I guess...?!

I agree, Root can bowl well enough that we don't need a mediocre spinner who bats well - if we want a spinner it should be the best available, I'd probably go with Rehan Ahmed. The other option would be to give up on a spinner if none are up to it and pick someone like Mark Wood instead.

I think a lot will depend on what the other pitches are going to be like - I don't think England wanted such a flat track to be honest. Broad's comment to Cummins yesterday as he was walking back to his mark was pretty telling, "You'll be 5ft 5in at the end of this series Pat."

 

[Dunc2610]

From what I understand, when Baz was asked about the pitch was they wanted flat but fast, not flat and insipid!! As for the spinner option, I'd go Will Jacks, he's a bowler who I think isn't far off Ali with the bat.

 

[midoshairband]

From what I understand, when Baz was asked about the pitch was they wanted flat but fast, not flat and insipid!! As for the spinner option, I'd go Will Jacks, he's a bowler who I think isn't far off Ali with the bat.

Jacks is a great shout, as is Ahmed. either would be fine and both can bat.

 

[Dunc2610]

Jacks is a great shout, as is Ahmed. either would be fine and both can bat.

There's something about Ahmed I don't like, I'm just not sold on his temperament.

 

[LSUY]

Wouldn't be surprised if they call up Dom Bess or Liam Dawson.

 

[jazz15c]

Anyone else absolutely shitting themselves watching this?!

 

[jazz15c]

Gutsy as fuck from Root, but he now has an easy single in front of square on the off side. Class act

 

[thebenjamin]

Anyone else absolutely shitting themselves watching this?!

Completely

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

See if I jinx things ... but Root without the pressure of captaincy showing what a phenomenal player he is....

 

[dagraham]

Anyone else absolutely shitting themselves watching this?!

Still can't believe Root did that first ball of the day .

 

[LeSoupeKitchen]

Beauty from Cummins

 

[thebenjamin]

FFS.

What's the plan here, get as many as poss by 5PM and put them in?

 

[PCozzie]

Absolutely nothing you can do with that. Fine, fine bowling.

 

[LeSoupeKitchen]

Ball started to move. I hope the cameras are keeping a close eye on the Aussie hands.

 

[duffster]

See if I jinx things ... but Root without the pressure of captaincy showing what a phenomenal player he is....

He was a pretty poor captain too! Best of both worlds; get the genius player back and get a more creative and daring captain in Stokes!

 

[funkycoldmedina]

Absolutely dying to watch on my lunch break but worried I'll jinx it

 

[PCozzie]

Honestly, every time the camera cuts to the England balcony I'm expecting Stokes to be standing there waving them in.