The Cricket Thread

[Deleted member 15344]

Agree with point 1 but as an exiled Yorkie, can't agree with point 2. JB is great to watch and just what the game needs

I agree that he should be in the team but not with the gloves and not in place of Foakes , would put in him to open instead of Crawley and left the rest alone. We have been down this road before with Bairstow

 

[Piece]

Yet again Foakes is the fall guy. . I understand Bairstow coming back in but surely there are others in the squad (e.g. Crawley) than should make way and not Foakes? Specialist keeper can make all the difference.

 

[Neilds]

Crawley is (supposedly) an opener which neither Foakes or Bairstow are. I agree that Crawley shouldn't be in the team but he shouldn't be replaced by either of Bairstow or Foakes

 

[Grizzly]

Hell yes (and this from the resident Yorkie). I'd have preferred to see Rob Key call Foakes and say "you know what mate, we want you in the team. but to balance the side, it would mean you open the batting. just give it your best shot."

 

[Grizzly]

Crawley is (supposedly) an opener which neither Foakes or Bairstow are. I agree that Crawley shouldn't be in the team but he shouldn't be replaced by either of Bairstow or Foakes

Supposedly is the word, eh?

How would the Aussies do it - they would pick the best XI and then make it fit.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Crawley is (supposedly) an opener which neither Foakes or Bairstow are. I agree that Crawley shouldn't be in the team but he shouldn't be replaced by either of Bairstow or Foakes

Bairstow shouldn’t be taking the gloves Imo - it’s been proved that we need a specialist guy behind the stumps and that’s Foakes. If you want Bairstow in then put him as an opener or even move Stokes to open.


Or Bairstow waits until someone drops out of form

 

[Grizzly]

Bairstow shouldn’t be taking the gloves Imo - it’s been proved that we need a specialist guy behind the stumps and that’s Foakes. If you want Bairstow in then put him as an opener or even move Stokes to open.


Or Bairstow waits until someone drops out of form

On multiple levels:
1. Foakes is just the better keeper - and if the one he makes that Jonny missed is Labuschagne on nought on a shirtfront at Lords then that difference will become stark.
2. Bairstow happens to be one of if not our best outfielder.
3. Bairstow is ageing, and has miles on the clock. He is important to England in all three formats, and not as svelte as he once was. Why shorten his career.

I only disagree on who opens. I'd bat your best players where it best fits them and ask Foakes to take one for the team in Crawley's spot.

 

[Piece]

Crawley is (supposedly) an opener which neither Foakes or Bairstow are. I agree that Crawley shouldn't be in the team but he shouldn't be replaced by either of Bairstow or Foakes

Bairstow has done a few stints at three. Given a choice between Crawley and Bairstow, I think most would agree Crawley is carrying drinks.

 

[Captainron]

Keeper is a specialist position and you need a specialist in Test matches. Foakes should be the gloveman for the Ashes. Bairstow should be your number 5 and Foakes being a solid and watchful batsman, I would ask him to open up and see what happens (despite opener being a specialist role too )

 

[sunshine]

Like everyone else, I agree Bairstow should come back in to the team, but not at the expense of Foakes.

I can only assume the selectors have made this decision based on the pitches we are going to see this series. Maybe they feel Bairstow will be ok standing back. There’s no way they would drop Foakes for a series in Sri Lanka!

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Good start to the proper T20 comp

Nice stuffing for Hampshire from the Cidermen

 

[Neilds]

First Test Match of the English summer (although only 4 days) and how much will we learn about the England side before the Ashes? Most of the team have not played much, if any, red ball ricket this season and I can't see Ireland giving us much of a test after their performances recently - and already 19-3 inside 7 overs!

 

[D-S]

Wonderful to be listening to TMS - feels like Summer is here at last -

 

[Lord Tyrion]

England's batsmen must be loving this. Runs for free, great chance to get on the Lords board and boost your test average.

 

[Fade and Die]

Just watched the highlights, why was the boundary rope 3 yards in from the real boundary? Corners even more, is it to get the score up?

 

[IanM]

As Alan Butcher said to me when I was a schoolkid, "Time in the middle is time in the middle!"

Even if its against pie chuckers on a flat pitch

 

[Lord Tyrion]

As Alan Butcher said to me when I was a schoolkid, "Time in the middle is time in the middle!"

Even if its against pie chuckers on a flat pitch

Nice name drop but it's no pathetic shark .

Wise words though

 

[IanM]

Had a bit of a senior moment today

I thought Ireland were on course to win the Test Match. I forgot we had to bat again!

 

[sunshine]

I know the result was never in doubt, but England lost a lot of initiative on the final day and it felt like they limped over the line.

What have we learned?
- Crawley looked ropey in the first innings. Australia attack will expose this.
- Ducket and Pope had a great warm up and are ready for the first test. Root too.
- Bairstow could have done with some batting practice. His keeping was fine standing back to the seamers on a flat pitch.
- Broad and Anderson are still our best seam options in England.
- Stokes isn’t fit. I can’t see him bowling, but should he even be on the pitch in this condition?
- Root bowling outside leg stump is ineffective and relying on him as 5th bowler is a big risk.
- Everyone is going to target Leach.
- A hot summer and flat pitches means the 3 seamers are going to have some tiring days. Rotation over the Ashes series is inevitable, I don’t expect Wood to stay fit for the whole series.

 

[Imurg]

Amazing stat..
First time ever in Test Cricket that the Captain of the winning side hasn't batted, bowled or kept wicket....