The Cricket Thread

[Dr Gloom 21868]

So you have to say fair play to Pakistan for how well they bowled. Should be a good series, with the sides evenly matched - two good attacks and some dodgy batsmen in the mix on both sides

[David Kelly 1224]

We should do better the next match with Anderson and Stokes back. Finn was poor this match and Ball while OK on his debut, isn't as strong as those two. Stokes improves the batting too.

Pakistan were excellent mind and Yasir is going to cause us problems all series. It will be interesting to see how things develop.

[Alex 34954]

It's the impact on the rest of the middle order as well. He's been one of the best in the world at four so leave him there and build around him.

Aye. Created more problems rather than fixing one

[Dr Gloom 21868]

i think it shuffled the problem down the order around rather than creating new ones. Root didn't bat terribly - he made a score in the first innings and got out to two silly shots, i wouldn't say he looked vulnerable against the newer ball. but i guess we'll see how his batting average looks at the end of the series to see if the extra responsibility that comes with batting at 3 has negatively affected his game, or not.

 

the lack of middle order runs is still an issue that hasn't gone away. vince and ballance both did enough to keep the critics at bay, for now, but it's a shame neither of them could have gone on to make a really significant contribution.

 

i expect anderson and stokes back to come back in for bell and finn in the next test, which should strengthen the batting and bowling.

[Alex 34954]

Hope you're right, think you're wrong

[Dr Gloom 21868]

i think he's made to bat at three, personally, but i totally get the point about the risks that come with moving a player up the order who is settled and performing well in a certain position.

 

i think root is the obvious next captain after cook though so hope he'll puff out his chest and rise to the challenge.

[Dr Gloom 21868]

it's all set up to be a quality series though isn't it.

 

two quality bowling attacks with some batters under pressure means we'll hopefully have four results and more exciting cricket. it was an absorbing test. even though pakistan had their noses in front throughout, we were always in with a chance. hopefully we win the toss and bat first at old trafford.

 

shame it's four instead of five tests.

Edited July 18, 2016 by Dr Gloom

[Alex 34954]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-pakistan-2016/content/story/1035223.html

[Alex 34954]

Breaking news on the Beeb says Anderson, Stokes and Rashid are all in the Old Trafford squad. Think there's a good case for all 3 of them playing. Be interesting if they went with two spinners although I think Moeen Ali will be quite lucky to keep his place.

Edit:

Full squad: Cook, Hales, Root, Vince, Ballance, Stokes, Bairstow, Moeen, Rashid, Woakes, Broad, Anderson, Finn, Ball.

Edited July 18, 2016 by Alex

[Tooj 17]

Tufnell and Vaughan both saying moving Root was a mistake as you've now created two problems instead of one.

[Dr Gloom 21868]

Wasn't our lack of a number 3 already a problem?

 

I actually think Vince did alright at 4 for his 40 odd. Shame he didn't go on and make a big score. He looks tidy and compact with his stroke making, but it's no good looking the part if you can't back it up with runs. He reminds me of Ian Bell in his early England career. Lots of pretty little scores.

 

I'm still not convinced Ballance is cut out for test match cricket against the top sides because of his vulnerability around off stump, but as the selectors fancy him, I'd rather he was down at 5 than at 3

Edited July 19, 2016 by Dr Gloom

[David Kelly 1224]

Ali has contributed very little (other than that one good knock against Sri Lanka) in the last year or so. I think he's looking really vunerable now.

[Tooj 17]

Vaughan also made a good point that against Pakistan and their potency with the older ball because of the spin and reverse swing he'd want his best batter to be up against that.

[Tooj 17]

 

 

Wasn't our lack of a number 3 already a problem?

 

It was but now you've created two problems by moving somebody who doesn't want to be there to it as well as having to shuffle the pack elsewhere.

 

Agree with you regarding Ballance.

[Dr Gloom 21868]

are you sure root didn't fancy the move up? he strikes me as a very confident kid - future captain material who would probably relish the chance to take one of the most challenging roles in the batting lineup. he's got the talent to succeed there, and i suspect the temperament too.

 

moving a player up the order from a position where they've had success is always a risk and it might affect his form, though that remains to be seen. it's a bit early to say it's created a problem. it's not like he got a pair, or even failed twice. he was looking well set on 48 in the first innings till he got himself out to a stupid shot.

 

i may well end up being wrong, but i can see him making the position his own if he's given a run there, not that that will paper over the lack of runs in the middle order.

[Alex 34954]

He's wavering

[Dr Gloom 21868]

if there was a better option at 3 than root, i'd say so. i can see root captaining the test and ODI sides from that batting position in the not so distant future.

 

who would you play at 3, if not root, alex?

Edited July 19, 2016 by Dr Gloom

[Alex 34954]

Well I certainly think there was a case for trying Sam Robson, Sam Northeast, Daniel Bell-Drummond or Scott Borthwick there rather than moving Root to accomodate Ballance (who I wouldn't have picked in the squad ahead of those four).

[Dr Gloom 21868]

Yes, ballance appears to have been picked due to him making some runs early on his test career. I think he's been found out at test level since then, and he hasn't done as much as the others you mention in the county championship to suggest he should have been first in the queue.

[Dr Gloom 21868]

I'm not convinced about Robson mind. I do think Borthwick deserves a go next.

[Tooj 17]

Apparently Strauss is getting rid of the selectors at the end of the summer and it'll be a panel of him, Bayliss and Cook.

 

Also Bayliss didn't want Ballance recalled and was more in favour of Buttler.

[Tooj 17]

Before he got injured obviously.

[David Kelly 1224]

I see Ben Ducket got 160 for the lions against Pakistan A yesterday. Had a look at his county record and it looks pretty imressive.

[David Kelly 1224]

The selection system seems a bit strange to me. You would think the coach (in particular) and captain would have the biggest say. Who are the selectors currently other than Bayliss?

[Alex 34954]

I know Angus Fraser is still a selector as he often gets a mention on TMS due to it