The Cricket Thread

[Matt_]

Getting away from the team philosophy for a moment. Do you think Ballance has done enough since his dropping to warrant a recall? There are several county players that have scored more heavily and more consistently than him. It seems quite a bizarre decision imo.

I was surprised to see him selected as I thought they would have gone with Borthwick, as I said a couple of days ago I expected his chance to come again but thought him to be down the pecking order at the moment. However, looking at it in the context of wanting more experience in the middle order it does make some sense.

 

[Aber gas]

I was surprised to see him selected, as I said a couple of days ago I expected his chance to come again but thought him to be down the pecking order at the moment. However, looking at it in the context of wanting more experience in the middle order it does make some sense.

I know I go on about Hildreth but I certainly think he's a better option than Ballance atm. Taking away James I'm surprised the selectors haven't had a look at Borthwick. Considering the tours coming up I think that would have been sensible. I also disagree about Buttler who I would have as keeper leaving Bairstow to concentrate on batting. All just opinions though.

 

[Matt_]

I also disagree about Buttler who I would have as keeper leaving Bairstow to concentrate on batting. All just opinions though.

I think the selectors have now settled on Bairstow as keeper and don't want to change it again in the near future. As with Root to three I wouldn't be looking to change something which is working well at the moment.

 

[Aber gas]

I think the selectors have now settled on Bairstow as keeper and don't want to change it again in the near future. As with Root to three I wouldn't be looking to change something which is working well at the moment.

His keeping needs to seriously improve then. I was dubious about Bairstow and I was wrong. Buttler is still the better keeper though and we can't be missing chances in the subcontinent.

 

[hodge]

I don't have a problem with Ballance, with Vince, Hales and Bairstow (may be in the form of his life but returned to the side what, a year ago?) there is already some inexperience in this side, would adding Borthwick, Hildreth etc be the best call given Vince for example hasn't exactly shined in his limited opportunities? Going back to Ballance and seeing if he can perform is the right move in my opinion, his test average is hardly poor.

On Buttler, we already have aggression in the side as well, Jos averages 30 in tests.... hardly outstanding and not deserving of a place, if a batsman averaged 30 over 15 tests there would be big questions over their place. On the gloves side, Jos was hardly a great keeper when he started for England, his work with French made him the keeper he is now, give Bairstow time and I'd back his glove work to get better.

 

[Baz]

RE Borthwick he's played a test before so wouldn't be a debut. Changing a winning formula is always very risky so we'll see how they changes effect the play when it all starts.

Also Mohammed Amir to take plenty of wickets.

 

[Ciderhead]

It's going to be an intriguing series. Pakistan look a good side but it's hard to judge since, when was the last time they played outside the UAE?

Be much more of a test than Sri Lanka though, that's for sure

 

[Chasing Rainbows]

Recalling Ballance is an awful shout, whats he done to deserve a recall?!

 

[lordofthepies]

I love this Pakistan team so am pretty excited about this series. I hope for a close series, would hate to see them crushed under England's boot like Sri Lanka were.

 

[Baz]

Another T20 win, 15 points and we have 5 games to go, i'd like to think we're almost certain of making the knockout stages now. Not bad for a team expected to do allround shite this year

 

[Super_horns]

Some close games tonight - be nice if the weather holds out for the last few rounds of this.

 

[Pyeman]

Not sure what Ballance has done to earn a recall.

I think it sends out a fairly negative message to all the players who are performing better than he is and can't get a look in.

 

[RavenBish]

Ballance getting back in is a very odd move. Can only think it's someone who saw his last stint and felt like he was player who needed some time off and a move down the order - hardly like he's the in-form domestic batsman though.

Notts/Worcs at the minute should be a good 'un. Glad we got rid of Clarke nice and early, should be getting them out under par.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Weird game in Bristol last night. Almost as if neither side wanted to win, Claydon taken out of the attack for bowling 2 waist high full bungers, then Griffiths did it in the last over after replacing Claydon. On the other hand, Klinger was stumped off a wide, and Howell was run out off a free hit!!

Kent are still just about in contention for a Q/F place.

 

[RavenBish]

Should win this easy now #Wesselsmania

 

[Baz]

1st vs 2nd today, Glammy vs Glos. If we win we're almost guaranteed a quarter final place, methinks it's going to be a close one.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Get Klinger early, and you should win

 

[Baz]

Get Klinger early, and you should win

Didn't matter given how crap our batting performance was.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Didn't go well did it Baz? You should still have enough to get through though

 

[Baz]

Didn't go well did it Baz? You should still have enough to get through though

We should indeed. I think another win pretty much puts us through, but i'd like to be safe and get 2 more wins haha.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Whereas we need to win all 3 of our remaining games, two of which are against Slurrey.

 

[Aber gas]

Great Knocks from Trescothick and Trego have put Somerset in front against Middlesex. Could be a close game, hopefully the weather stays out of it.

 

[MJA]

Would it be an expensive thing for Sky to have camera's at more than one ground to allow them a backup plan should their first choice live game be affected by the weather? The live view of covers on the square doesn't make for great TV

 

[lordofthepies]

On Ballance again... Although I'm not sure that his county form alone is worthy of a recall, it's certainly way too soon to write him off as he's only 26, averages just under 50 in tests and was the quickest England player to reach 1,000 runs in modern times. All this without ever batting in his proper position in the order. Now he's getting a chance at 5, if he manages to rediscover some of his form he might even start to become a bit more expansive.

Also, anything that might harm Yorkshire is a good thing.

 

[Saddlerrad]

England lose the toss, bowling first. Sun is out and it's flat. No Anderson.

England 5/6 to win the game, looks short - worth the lay.

 

[RavenBish]

Good start from Ball. Woakes appears to have gone from someone who bowls a decent line/length but doesn't take wickets to someone who has a knack of taking wickets, despite the fact neither of his wicket-taking deliveries were anything special - amazing what adding a bit more pace can do to batsmen.

Goes without saying really but get Younus and Misbah out without them doing too much damage on this wicket and England are firmly in control.

 

[TomPNE94]

If the crowd don't no ball Aamir on his first ball I will be so disappointed.

 

[hodge]

Knowing an England crowd it will be for the entire of his first over at least. If he ever does no ball then all England fans should have fake money with them to chuck towards the pitch.

 

[RavenBish]

'Best groundsman in the country' with the best resources provides another snoozefest of a wicket. Fuck me Lords needs a boot up the arse for this sort of stuff.

 

[lordofthepies]

I'm delighted for Misbah. I've not seen any of today's play so I dunno if England will have any trouble batting on this but I hope we're gonna have a game on our hands.