The Cricket Thread

[southlondonyiddo]

I’m ready to concede that the ball that done Root was decent.





He’s still a useless **** though.

He ain’t no captain and his inability to turn 50's into 100's is frustrating but he averages over 48 in test cricket and only 6 Englishman that have played a decent amount of test matches have a better average

He’s quality and were it not for the fact that he’s captain + the fact that for the most part the rest of our batting is hopeless and all this puts too much pressure on him, he’d be averaging over 50

Unfortunately Smith is a freak and is making Root look well below average

Has been a useless **** on occasion but for the most part he’s the best we’ve got

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

He ain’t no captain and his inability to turn 50's into 100's is frustrating but he averages over 48 in test cricket and only 6 Englishman that have played a decent amount of test matches have a better average

He’s quality and were it not for the fact that he’s captain + the fact that for the most part the rest of our batting is hopeless and all this puts too much pressure on him, he’d be averaging over 50

Unfortunately Smith is a freak and is making Root look well below average

Has been a useless **** on occasion but for the most part he’s the best we’ve got

I think that’s it, really.

People quickly grouped him in with Smith, Williamson and Kohli as the best batsmen in the world and at one point Root was well justified to be in amongst that group but there’s no doubt they’ve all jumped up a level from him and he’s stagnated.

What frustrates me the most is how predictable Root is. You dread him getting to 50 as he almost always soon departs and you dread when there’s a break in play because, for whatever reason, he just cant reset himself.

Personally I’m very excited for the upcoming winter tour. I want to see players break into this England side and I’m convinced Foakes and Curran will cement their places in the team this winter.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

You are such a wind up ?

I assume you say it’s a wind up because of my Anderson comment? By no means am I saying Anderson should replace Root lol. I’m just speculating that, assuming we rest our World Cup players this winter, Root included, Anderson would be in with a shout of being captain for the winter tour, no?

Weirder shit has happened on winter tours. I know you remember Batty being recalled after 12 or so years.

 

[midoshairband]

I think that’s it, really.

People quickly grouped him in with Smith, Williamson and Kohli as the best batsmen in the world and at one point Root was well justified to be in amongst that group but there’s no doubt they’ve all jumped up a level from him and he’s stagnated.

What frustrates me the most is how predictable Root is. You dread him getting to 50 as he almost always soon departs and you dread when there’s a break in play because, for whatever reason, he just cant reset himself.

Personally I’m very excited for the upcoming winter tour. I want to see players break into this England side and I’m convinced Foakes and Curran will cement their places in the team this winter.

the treatment of Foakes has been nothing short of shocking. best gloveman in the country. but even if you wamt to stick with Bairstow as keeper, Foakes should be in as a batsman.

As for Curran - a real surprise he’s not been involved after last summer.

those 2, plus the likes of Hain, Crawley, Sibley should all get a decent go now.

I also think the time is coming to chose between Bairstow and Buttler as the keeper/No 7 (assuming Foakes won’t keep). when they both play, one always ends up batting too high.

 

[JimmyG2]

Oh dear, another boring, tedious day of Test Match cricket ahead.

 

[dondo]

I’ve said it all along that England have too many no 6/7 batsmen dasher types Buttler, Bairstow, Roy, Ali, Curran, Pope, Foakes all trying to get 2 spots.
Ed smith the main selector has to take a lot of the blame for this.
He did an interview last summer saying he picks the best players available in County cricket and it’s Root and the coaches job to fit them into the team, which is completely ridiculous and why we have such an unbalanced batting lineup.
Buttler has to go for me as much as I like him as a one day player he is just not cutting it a test level. Bairstow keeps the gloves and bats at 7.
No 6 should be one of our dashers and the rest upwards should be test match style players

 

[southlondonyiddo]

I’ve said it all along that England have too many no 6/7 batsmen dasher types Buttler, Bairstow, Roy, Ali, Curran, Pope, Foakes all trying to get 2 spots.
Ed smith the main selector has to take a lot of the blame for this.
He did an interview last summer saying he picks the best players available in County cricket and it’s Root and the coaches job to fit them into the team, which is completely ridiculous and why we have such an unbalanced batting lineup.
Buttler has to go for me as much as I like him as a one day player he is just not cutting it a test level. Bairstow keeps the gloves and bats at 7.
No 6 should be one of our dashers and the rest upwards should be test match style players

I agree with a lot of that. To pick all your best players and try and make an XI rarely works especially when it’s so unbalanced

BUT I’ve always had a problem with the wicket keeping conundrum
I was always told and believe you play your best wicket keeper. That is Foakes

Also more qualified judges than me say Bairstow is a far better batsman than a late middle order man that bats with the tail. So I would read Bairstow the riot act, take his gloves away from him and get him to knuckle down with the bat

If we had an amazing batting lineup then Bairstow could fuck about with the gloves and bat down the order but we don’t. England need him to bat higher, end of

 

[Yid-ol]

Have we lost our 8 wickets yet? Play has been on for 10 minutes now.

 

[JCRD]

So i think we should go all guns blazing on their asses. No way* will we hold out till end of the day so may as well go down fighting and have a chance of getting the total...

* never say never though

 

[dondo]

I agree with a lot of that. To pick all your best players and try and make an XI rarely works especially when it’s so unbalanced

BUT I’ve always had a problem with the wicket keeping conundrum
I was always told and believe you play your best wicket keeper. That is Foakes

Also more qualified judges than me say Bairstow is a far better batsman than a late middle order man that bats with the tail. So I would read Bairstow the riot act, take his gloves away from him and get him to knuckle down with the bat

If we had an amazing batting lineup then Bairstow could fuck about with the gloves and bat down the order but we don’t. England need him to bat higher, end of

Not against Foakes taking the gloves it’s 60/40 for Bairstow in my mind.
I’m against Bairstow playing as a batsman alone I don’t think he is good enough he has proven in the past when batting as a batsman alone he doesn’t get the runs.
He averages 35 in 68 test matches that’s not good enough and it’s getting worse not better

 

[Buggsy61]

Wonder if that’s the end of Roys test career. He did at least show a little more application this innings but it just feels like this is not the arena for him.
3 or 4 changes are definitely need for the oval. Denley is definitely playing for a place too. Pope and Sibley should definitely be given a go

 

[mpickard2087]

Wonder if that’s the end of Roys test career. He did at least show a little more application this innings but it just feels like this is not the arena for him.
3 or 4 changes are definitely need for the oval. Denley is definitely playing for a place too. Pope and Sibley should definitely be given a go

I wouldn't be surprised if they stick with him, I doubt they'll make changes with one test match to go, and after that I can well imagine them saying "well we pitched him against the Aussies, lets give him a bit longer and see how he does against other, possibly weaker, teams."

With his natural aggression there will be no doubt days where he makes contributions, and to be fair on Indian/Asian pitches where you can hit through the line of the ball with confidence more I suspect he'd look a lot better (against pace at least), but when you a) have such basic footwork, b) throw your hands at the ball, and c) the most defensive shot in your locker is the big booming drive well you're going to be in big trouble anywhere in the world where the ball nips about.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Wonder if that’s the end of Roys test career. He did at least show a little more application this innings but it just feels like this is not the arena for him.
3 or 4 changes are definitely need for the oval. Denley is definitely playing for a place too. Pope and Sibley should definitely be given a go

Usually when players are getting out the same way constantly, it highlights a problem in their game. Roy is constantly getting castled by deliveries at a good length. Sky highlighted the fact he’s reaching for the ball when he should be allowing the ball onto the bat as well.

Personally I think he needs to put a lid on test cricket otherwise it’ll start to affect his form in white ball cricket, which we don’t want as he’s (imo) the best opener in the world in that form.

 

[Buggsy61]

I wouldn't be surprised if they stick with him, I doubt they'll make changes with one test match to go, and after that I can well imagine them saying "well we pitched him against the Aussies, lets give him a bit longer and see how he does against other, possibly weaker, teams."

With his natural aggression there will be no doubt days where he makes contributions, and to be fair on Indian/Asian pitches where you can hit through the line of the ball with confidence more I suspect he'd look a lot better (against pace at least), but when you a) have such basic footwork, b) throw your hands at the ball, and c) the most defensive shot in your locker is the big booming drive well you're going to be in big trouble anywhere in the world where the ball nips about.

I think 4 games is a good enough trial. Like you say there are glaring gaps in his technique that need major surgery before he can be thrown back in again and I was one of those calling for him to be given a chance during the euphoria of the World Cup.

 

[Wsussexspur]

you guys must be so sick of the sight of Smith

Steve Smith Ruined this ashes for me!

To be fair he will probably go down as greatest batsman of this era. Got admire his dedication to batting. For any young batsman coming into the game they may not be able to copy smiths technique but they should be copying his dedication to batting

 

[JimmyG2]

Stokes walks
A player and a gentleman.
Proper cricket, proper attitudes.
True hero in every way.

 

[mpickard2087]

I think 4 games is a good enough trial. Like you say there are glaring gaps in his technique that need major surgery before he can be thrown back in again and I was one of those calling for him to be given a chance during the euphoria of the World Cup.

For this series I just don't see them just giving someone a solitary test match at the end (injuries permitting), they'll stick with Roy now. If they were going to make changes it would have been for this match, where Roy and Buttler couldn't have complained if they got the chop.

As for beyond, who knows. Personally I'd have never selected him in the first place because I think his struggles were entirely predictable, but we've seen England just continue with the likes of Jennings, Vince, Ballance, Moeen etc. beyond all sane logic. I can well see them giving him a run in the middle order to see if that's where they can get something out of him.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

That is such a frustrating session. Held it together without the loss of a wicket for an hour and a half then lose two quick wickets with Stokes gone.

If England stand any real chance, we need a flawless middle session. Unfortunately Bairstow just does not have the temperament to dig in.

 

[Wsussexspur]

That is such a frustrating session. Held it together without the loss of a wicket for an hour and a half then lose two quick wickets with Stokes gone.

If England stand any real chance, we need a flawless middle session. Unfortunately Bairstow just does not have the temperament to dig in.

Surely this has to be it for Bairstow and Buttler need to stand up and be counted in this innings otherwise I’m not sure how they can justify their selection.

 

[JimmyG2]

For this series I just don't see them just giving someone a solitary test match at the end (injuries permitting), they'll stick with Roy now. If they were going to make changes it would have been for this match, where Roy and Buttler couldn't have complained if they got the chop.

As for beyond, who knows. Personally I'd have never selected him in the first place because I think his struggles were entirely predictable, but we've seen England just continue with the likes of Jennings, Vince, Ballance, Moeen etc. beyond all sane logic. I can well see them giving him a run in the middle order to see if that's where they can get something out of him.

Depends whether there's anything on the last Test,
If the Ashes are already lost then why not.
I'm not sure what all the clamour was about for Roy to play.
Clearly unsuited in attitude for the long form.