The Cricket Thread

[Grizzly]

I do agree that there is a lot to be said for consistency of selection, but I don't think here we are talking about culling players for good so much as admitting a couple of errors and amending which XI is selected from within the core group of players. For me, Foakes has to come back in - Bairstow is not fit enough to keep and there is no point wrecking your key batsman - so one of the top three will have to make way. Whether it is Foakes, Stokes or even Ali (should he himself be fit) who perform a makeshift role in the top three, or whether everyone just moves up one spot, I don't think in the Bazball way really matters - it is simply about making sure that chances are taken.

And we did make enough chances to take 20 wickets - some of the criticism Jonny got was harsh (Foakes wouldn't have taken the one off Carey's bottom edge either) - but the fact is the missed stumping of Green was beyond routine and cost 50ish runs. Take that and keep Broads foot behind the line and it is a very different game. This will probably be the only game we go into with this attack anyway - Wood has to play at Lords because it is even more bland, and the tests now are so close together that no seamer on either side will play all four, even Cummins.

 

[Billysboots]

Nothing wrong with tweaking things though. The current bowling attack just doesn't look to have the penetration to be able to take 20 wickets. Losing Leach was a huge blow, as was the injury to Archer who seems unlikely to reach his potential owing to recurring injuries, especially as there are no obvious replacements. The seam attack is just a little too samey. Broad bowled well I thought and Anderson can still tie batsmen down and slow the flow of runs, but that attack with Stokes just dollying medium pace stuff is not going to bowl out this Australian batting line up twice in every test. I think they need to get Wood in the side, that leg side attack would have been a lot more threatening at his pace.

The first tweak I would make is no longer playing Broad and Anderson together. I get it for the first Test, but neither are going to last a five match series. Wood for one of them would be my choice.

I’d also bring Foakes in and maybe open with Bairstow in place of Duckett or Crawley.

Other than that, I’d perhaps leave things as they are. England were not miles away in this game. No need to panic.

 

[TimShady]

Correct decision for England in adding more seam options when Stokes isn’t reliably fit enough to do so and Mooen showed he isn’t up to it. I fear rain may hinder a result in this test but hopefully the conditions stay dry enough for enough overs and both teams to get movement from the ball.

 

[TimShady]

That second ball says it all.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Glad to see the JSO numpties dealt with quickly and efficiently.... could be a really good day for the bowlers.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Glad to see the JSO numpties dealt with quickly and efficiently.... could be a really good day for the bowlers.

The security seemed to be pretty sharp and effective. It is not feasible to stop these clowns, particularly if they are determined, but the staff seemed to be fairly speedy and physical and dealt with them well.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

The security seemed to be pretty sharp and effective. It is not feasible to stop these clowns, particularly if they are determined, but the staff seemed to be fairly speedy and physical and dealt with them well.

yep agreed... probably helped there were only 2 and probably didn't expect a player to carry them off like a cheap suitcase

 

[GB72]

Glad to see the JSO numpties dealt with quickly and efficiently.... could be a really good day for the bowlers.

Thing is, they have become a comedy sideshow now. There is no surprise, they are expected, they really do not get to cause much disruption and the crowd likes to have a good cheer at the stewards taking them down. They are really hurting their cause and have basically become the PC version of a streaker.

 

[GB72]

Just seen a funny post that you can say what you like about Just Stop Oil but they are damned good at getting tickets for top sporting events.

 

[TimShady]

Different conditions but can’t help but feel that Tongue would’ve been the difference in the first test. Much more likely to make something happen than Robinson on current evidence and he’s got genuine pace.

 

[Billysboots]

Different conditions but can’t help but feel that Tongue would’ve been the difference in the first test. Much more likely to make something happen than Robinson on current evidence and he’s got genuine pace.

I can’t help feeling that, Tongue aside, this England bowling attack looks very one dimensional.

 

[Rooter]

Thing is, they have become a comedy sideshow now. There is no surprise, they are expected, they really do not get to cause much disruption and the crowd likes to have a good cheer at the stewards taking them down. They are really hurting their cause and have basically become the PC version of a streaker.

Then to rub salt in, the ground staff use a petrol leaf blower to get rid of the orange dust/pigment/whatever they use!

 

[Depreston]

Been an awful day so far for England bit unlucky with loads of plays and misses

But there’s been some dross last session

No balls still an issue and Robinson bowling village speeds

 

[Piece]

This has been awful from England. Ball has being doing a bit but bowling in the wrong areas - very little has hit the stumps. Pitch it up a bit and make them play.

Robinson looks like Derek Pringle after a double triple helping of lunch.

 

[AmandaJR]

Yuk. Horrid watch today. Was so looking forward to it as new TV arrived yesterday

 

[Mudball]

the comments on the BBC website about JSO is pure gold ..

 

[Hobbit]

Poor, flat display from England. Perfect bowling conditions for England’s bowlers. Speed was down, along with accuracy. Too many overs with giveaway balls. Aussie batsmen allowed to get in and comfortable. I fancy this morning will go along way to deciding the result. Get the Aussies out cheaply and there’s a sniff but I’m already hoping the weather will lead to a lucky draw for England.

 

[TimShady]

Poor, flat display from England. Perfect bowling conditions for England’s bowlers. Speed was down, along with accuracy. Too many overs with giveaway balls. Aussie batsmen allowed to get in and comfortable. I fancy this morning will go along way to deciding the result. Get the Aussies out cheaply and there’s a sniff but I’m already hoping the weather will lead to a lucky draw for England.

Was this the series too far for Broad and Anderson as a partnership? I thought Anderson looked very good in that opening spell and Tongue moved the ball about, albeit was erratic. I missed the later afternoon play but have been told it was lacklustre at best.

 

[Billysboots]

Was this the series too far for Broad and Anderson as a partnership? I thought Anderson looked very good in that opening spell and Tongue moved the ball about, albeit was erratic. I missed the later afternoon play but have been told it was lacklustre at best.

For much of the afternoon it was like watching an average county attack. Really insipid cricket from England.

 

[TimShady]

For much of the afternoon it was like watching an average county attack. Really insipid cricket from England.

Robinson’s lack of pace is almost embarrassing given his bullish antics.