England Cricket Thread 2018

[Slacking student]

A very close second to Scousers in the arrogance stakes are Indian cricket fans...About as humble as well

[aaronhammer]

So Root 2 Kohli 0 but at least Kohli leads the individual run scoring charts with over double what Root has scored, that’s what matters isn’t it? :lol:

Some superb performances in that test but ultimately the toss was key with the conditions the way they were.

As for the Home vs Away argument, I think one thing which should be changed is that the ball should be the same all over the world. Wickets can be prepared however the home team want as far as I’m concerned, that’s part and parcel of playing away for me.

[steps]

Think the ICC are toying with the idea of scrapping the toss and giving the touring side an auto pick of batting / fielding every Test to try and even things up a bit.

I don’t really like it to be honest, opposing teams should be able to work out how to play in foreign conditions and effectively adapt to wherever they’re playing. Saying that though it’s not really happening at the moment.

[DasNutNock]

the ball should be the same all over the world

Complete agreement. The Dukes should be used around the world. Our sport, our kit, our rules.

[aaronhammer]

So the big question is, what’s your team for the 3rd test? Stokes is available and back in the squad but surely Woakes has to play.

[sendô]

Jennings will probably go. In truth Cook could easily go.

[westhamgardner]

Who would you have open though, Bairstow?

[sendô]

Does it matter? Just draw lots and see who gets the dreaded number 2.

[aaronhammer]

Lots of people out there who don’t want Stokes in on principle - despite the unanimous not guilty verdict. I can understand those who say no because there’s no place for him based on Woakes and Curran, but for me the case is over, he’s not guilty, so is rightly available for selection in the squad.

[smuts]

Same team as before unless it's a complete non turner of a pitch in which case Rashid might have to make way for Stokes.

[steps]

I think Pope will make way. They can’t leave out Woakes or Curran, both can probably be considered as allrounders anyway as both are chipping in with runs as much as wickets in this series. Agree that Jennings should be dropped although not sure who’ll bat at no2. It’s a problem we’ve had for years now, we’ve not had any sort of decent opening partnership since Strauss retired.

I think it would be unwise to go into a Test without a spinner regardless of the wicket, it is meant to be warm and dry for the next few days so day four and five we might need one.

Why is this one starting on a Saturday btw? Stupid day to start a Test match.

[westham,eggyandchips]

They can’t leave out Woakes or Curran .

It seems they have.

What does that do to the young lads' confidence?

Poor management that.

[smuts]

Sorry but that is a joke of a decision. Even if Stokes had missed a match due to an injury Curran should have stayed in.

Good weather for the weekend. Team should have stayed the same.

[steps]

It seems they have.

What does that do to the young lads' confidence?

Poor management that.

Piss poor decision.

Jennings, Pope or Buttler should of been dropped. Even perhaps Rashid (who I wouldn’t personally agree with dropping, but would probably make sense due to Trent Bridge being a swing and seam paradise.)

They should of put Curran in at 2 I’m sure he would of done a better judge than walking wicket Jennings

[aaronhammer]

Shocking decision really to drop Curran. As posted previously, I'm not against Stokes return to the team - I do think he should be there - but a shame they couldn't have tweaked the batting order to fit him in.

As others have mentioned too, I'd like to see Bairstow open with Cook, then a middle order of Root, Pope, Stokes, Buttler, Woakes, Curran, and Broad, Rashid, Anderson making the tail. I think it's been said they don't want Bairstow (or anybody) opening and keeping for some reason, so I'd then give Buttler (who I think is the better keeper) the gloves.

Not sure how Jennings is still being picked, take out the 2 matches when he played in India in 2016, and he's averaging 18.08 in England from 7 matches (12 innings)!

[smuts]

Probably last chance saloon for Jennings. He was only recalled due to the complete failure of everyone else we've tried there.

[smuts]

India put into bat by England.

Looks okay for batting out there to me.

[Monkey Mike]

India put into bat by England.

Looks okay for batting out there to me.

Yep. Poor decision. They're batting themselves into confidence. 41 without loss.

[smuts]

Woakes undoing all of India's good work. 2 quick wickets.

[wolf359]

Pujara falls into the oldest trap in the game 82-3 and England's session.