The Cricket Thread

[toonotl 2916]

Rashid's 27 though. I know that he could still have a good few years left but he's not what you'd call a youngster. I know what you're saying though and I agree if there is someone out there. I don't know enough about the county players but from what the comentators were saying yesterday there's not much in the way of options.

 

I still think Rashid should have been given a go in the West Indies and this series but from what they seem to be saying I'm not convinced he's the answer.

 

Sorry I didn't realise he was 27. Like I said, I know nothing about him. But my point remains that they need to give someone a go. A specialist spinner.

 

Despite what Athers has said, and I think he is a very good commentator mind you, I still think there has to be someone in the county system who looks promising. Australia picked Agar, an 18 year-old left arm orthodox, during the last Ashes in England after he'd only played a handful of first class games. Sure it didn't come off. But Shane Warne was selected for Australia from nowhere after a handful of games for Victoria. He wasn't all that impressive early on but looked what happened. NZ picked Dan Vettori as an 18 year old after a similar no. of first class games purely on talent. Same story.

 

The answer to not having a recognisable spin option waiting in the wings is not to just give up, say, 'fuck it' and pick another batsmen. Selectors should be identifying talent from amongst the first class ranks. They shouldn't be just picking from the pool of players right in front of them and then crying poor when that pool of players doesn't include a world class spin bowler.

[toonotl 2916]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/881539.html

 

A book extract posted on cricinfo about the '05 Edgbaston Test.

[Kitman 2204]

It doesnt bode well for the Ashes when Englands attack can be dismantled by NZs tail end.

[Kitman 2204]

Yeah. I only saw the remnants of that NZ team play when I was really young so I don't remember it too well. But I know we had a decent side back then. Crowe was the only legitimate world class batsmen we'd ever had until recently. Andrew Jones was a decent batsmen too on his day. John Wright was a proper old school grafter. He'd be up there with the likes of Boycott in terms of dour batsmenship. Ian Smith was a quality keeper too. Have you seen him lately? He'd still do a job because he's about as wide as a house. Nothing would get past him.

 

Hadlee was brilliant though. He had the purest rhythm to his bowling. I always thought Shane Bond's action was similar to Hadlee's although Bond wasn't quite as spindly as Hadlee. And there wasn't that effortlessness to Bond that Hadlee seemed to have.

re class NZ batsmen, what about Stephen Fleming?

[toonotl 2916]

re class NZ batsmen, what about Stephen Fleming?

 

Yeah. He was a great batsmen. Always had more ability than he showed at Test level though. Never made anywhere near the no. of centuries that he should have made for a player of his class.

[Kitman 2204]

 

Yeah. He was a great batsmen. Always had more ability than he showed at Test level though. Never made anywhere near the no. of centuries that he should have made for a player of his class.

I never saw him play but his test stats are pretty good iirc. He now advertises heat pumps on TV.....I assume he wasnt that wooden as a batsman

[toonotl 2916]

 

Far from it. Fleming was a very elegant batsmen. Probably the left-handed version of Martin Crowe in that respect. Just wasn't on the same level as Crowe. Crowe averaged 45. Fleming averaged 40. Plus Crowe played the last 5 years of his career on one leg because his knees were shot.

[Dr Gloom 21760]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/881539.html

 

A book extract posted on cricinfo about the '05 Edgbaston Test.

 

i was at the final day of that test match. only got a session's play - we considered not even bothering getting the train up from london the night before as the game seemed to be over and could have been wrapped up in a few overs. Instead we had a nail biter that went to the wire. what a session of cricket, and the ensuing pissup in brum afterwards. marvellous.

 

i'll never forget being among the crowd in the eric hollies stand, chanting "you should have batted first" at ponting while he was being interviewed by atherton then athers taking it as his cue to ask punter "some say you should have batted first", which was of course met with massive cheers of approval from the stands.

Edited June 2, 2015 by Dr Gloom

[toonotl 2916]

 

That's brilliant.

[David Kelly 1217]

Sorry I didn't realise he was 27. Like I said, I know nothing about him. But my point remains that they need to give someone a go. A specialist spinner.

 

Despite what Athers has said, and I think he is a very good commentator mind you, I still think there has to be someone in the county system who looks promising. Australia picked Agar, an 18 year-old left arm orthodox, during the last Ashes in England after he'd only played a handful of first class games. Sure it didn't come off. But Shane Warne was selected for Australia from nowhere after a handful of games for Victoria. He wasn't all that impressive early on but looked what happened. NZ picked Dan Vettori as an 18 year old after a similar no. of first class games purely on talent. Same story.

 

The answer to not having a recognisable spin option waiting in the wings is not to just give up, say, 'fuck it' and pick another batsmen. Selectors should be identifying talent from amongst the first class ranks. They shouldn't be just picking from the pool of players right in front of them and then crying poor when that pool of players doesn't include a world class spin bowler.

Maybe. I was thinking about Agar as an example of what you're talking about but I've no idea if there's anyone remotely similar we could try. We should have certainly tried something by now though.

 

Looks today like we need to learn to bat against spin though. A draw looks a long way off at the minute!

[toonotl 2916]

Yeah. You'd have to back NZ to roll through England here. They'll do well to survive from here.

[David Kelly 1217]

We do love a good collapse!

[Dr Gloom 21760]

bell and ballance both look in terrible nick going into the ashes. ideally you want your number three and four to look like they know which end of the bat to hold.

 

bell must be in danger of losing his place. look at his scores since antuiga ffs - 11, 1, 0, 0, 1, 29, 12, 1.

[David Kelly 1217]

Aye Bell has looked particularly bad this year. At least balance got a centure in the West Indies so it's only really this series that's been a shocker. Not great timing like obviously!

[Dr Gloom 21760]

But who else do we have waiting in the sidelines who could slot in at number 4???

 

New Zealand thoroughly deserve at least a draw in the series for their aggressive approach. England have disappointed in this match but fair play tot he Kiwis for attacking the game. Cook, please take note against the Aussies!

Edited June 2, 2015 by Dr Gloom

[Alex 34725]

But who else do we have waiting in the sidelines who could slot in at number 4???

 

 

KP

[Dr Gloom 21760]

KP

 

[Alex 34725]

Shame it's a only a two test series like.

[David Kelly 1217]

We've been thrashed this second innings to be fair but we have certainly contributed to two cracking tests. It, as you say, a shame it's just a two game series.

[Dr Gloom 21760]

yup. all set up for the decider, and the chance to give another player a chance before the ashes. oh, wait.

[Dr Gloom 21760]

for the ashes, i would drop bell for rashid, or recall panesar, and play moeen higher up the order as a specialist batter/part time bowler. the batting line up is long enough already.

 

if ballance continues to struggle like he has done recently, i expect the selectors to consider throwing in alex hayles a couple of tests in - particularly if they're going to continue to ignore pietersen.

 

root is good enough to move up the order and play at three or four.

[toonotl 2916]

Very enjoyable series and a fair result I think. England deserved the first Test after Cook's and especially Stokes' performances.

Bell does look horribly out of nick based on his run of scores. I think if England had have lost the series then Bell's place would be up for grabs. Having drawn the series I think he'll start in the side for the first Ashes Test. He may not last much past that though if he continues to struggle.

Bring on the Ashes.

[Kitman 2204]

Ian Bell always makes me think of Warne calling him The Shermanator whenever he faced him

[toonotl 2916]

[RobinRobin 11093]

Aye Bell has looked particularly bad this year. At least balance got a centure in the West Indies so it's only really this series that's been a shocker. Not great timing like obviously!

 

Bell got a century in the WI, as well