The Cricket Thread

[hodge]

Well, quite. Hildreth would have been a far better choice than Ballance. Better player of spin, better record. I could go on ...
I'm not quite sure why Ballance is in the side. Surely Hameed opens and Duckett comes in at 4?

Surprised you haven't tbh....

Your suggestion is what I was expecting for the first test.

 

[Matt_]

The problem is Duckett's technique against spin also looks decidedly dodgy. I'd be happy for him to have a run in the side at four, but I fear the Indian spinners particularly Ashwin will have him on toast where ever he bats in the order.

I was surprised Hameed didn't get the nod for this game. The selectors have now made something of a rod for their own back as I very much doubt they will move Duckett down the order after just one game. Hameed therefore may get now chucked in at the deep end in the Indian series.

I could sort of understand Ballance's initial selection last summer on the basis of his experience in an otherwise inexperienced middle order, but I think he'll get one more test match at most to keep his place in the side.

 

[Aber gas]

The problem is Duckett's technique against spin also looks decidedly dodgy. I'd be happy for him to have a run in the side at four, but I fear the Indian spinners particularly Ashwin will have win on toast where ever he bats in the order.

I was surprised Hameed didn't get the nod for this game. The selectors have now made something of a rod for their own back as I very much doubt they will move Duckett down the order after just one game. Hameed therefore may get now chucked in at the deep end in the Indian series.

I could sort of understand Ballance's initial selection last summer on the basis of his experience in an otherwise inexperienced middle order, but I think he'll get one more test match at most to keep his place in the side.

The selectors will have to do something. Ballance looks completely bewildered against some fairly moderate spin bowling ( at least compared to what India have) He's not got an idea which way it's turning and his confidence and technique are all over the place. He's not the only one but he's got very little credit in the bank tbh.

 

[RavenBish]

putting forward my man Sam Billings for the England middle order, plays spin very well (Duckett does generally too) - his lack of FC red ball cricket is bemusing, it's not like he doesn't have the technique or aptitude for it.

Hameed to open and Duckett at 4 just seems the blindingly obvious starting point though.

 

[lordofthepies]

I hope he proves me wrong this morning but Batty really doesn't look good enough for this.

 

[lordofthepies]

I hope he proves me wrong this morning but Batty really doesn't look good enough for this.

And almost immediately, Batty gets a wicket.

 

[lordofthepies]

And another one!

 

[blademan89]

Cracking game this is, I thought we had more than enough tbh but if bangladesh chase it down then fair play to them

 

[RavenBish]

And almost immediately, Batty gets a wicket.

He still doesn't look good enough, you could see when they started to target him a bit at the end of the session - he got a wicket off one that misbehaved a bit but on a turning wicket, the fact he couldn't actually get it gripping and moving sideways like Ali has is worrying for a Number 11 spin option. It's a very ordinary decision to take him when you could've taken Leach (or even done a Hameed and taken someone like Mason Crane) instead for a prolonged tour of the subcontinent. Batty shouldn't be in the side for the 2nd test.

It was covered extensively by the pundits this morning but it's clear as day Cook doesn't rate his spin options and even on that surface prefers his seamers to mop up the lower order. He's got a big decision tomorrow morning to either let Broad, Woakes and Stokes try and pitch the ball up and get it moving or trust his spinners to get the most out of the conditions in their favour.

 

[blademan89]

He still doesn't look good enough, you could see when they started to target him a bit at the end of the session - he got a wicket off one that misbehaved a bit but on a turning wicket, the fact he couldn't actually get it gripping and moving sideways like Ali has is worrying for a Number 11 spin option. It's a very ordinary decision to take him when you could've taken Leach (or even done a Hameed and taken someone like Mason Crane) instead for a prolonged tour of the subcontinent. Batty shouldn't be in the side for the 2nd test.

It was covered extensively by the pundits this morning but it's clear as day Cook doesn't rate his spin options and even on that surface prefers his seamers to mop up the lower order. He's got a big decision tomorrow morning to either let Broad, Woakes and Stokes try and pitch the ball up and get it moving or trust his spinners to get the most out of the conditions in their favour.

It's completely pointless bringing a 39 year old into the side anyway however good he is, we have nothing to benefit by doing it, we learn fuck all about the quality of another spinner who could potentially be there for years and years.

 

[JonBCFC]

There's a number of spinners that would of been better to take over batty, rayner would of been a better option too.

 

[Aber gas]

Our spinners have been awful. We might well win this but letting Bangladesh get this close on a 4th day Bunsen is poor. The Batty selection is ludicrous and Jack Leach is becoming a better bowler with every pathetic Batty over.

 

[Ciderhead]

Get up early to catch the end of this before work, only to find Sky move it to SS4, which we don't have with BT, in favour of some shitty american sport. What's worse, it's 2 shitty teams who can't even play the fucking thing, both missed field goals within 20 yards to win in overtime. Fuck Sky

 

[Ciderhead]

Wonder who's getting MOTM here?

 

[Super_horns]

Great win - lead by Stokes.

 

[lordofthepies]

He still doesn't look good enough, you could see when they started to target him a bit at the end of the session - he got a wicket off one that misbehaved a bit but on a turning wicket, the fact he couldn't actually get it gripping and moving sideways like Ali has is worrying for a Number 11 spin option. It's a very ordinary decision to take him when you could've taken Leach (or even done a Hameed and taken someone like Mason Crane) instead for a prolonged tour of the subcontinent. Batty shouldn't be in the side for the 2nd test.

It's completely pointless bringing a 39 year old into the side anyway however good he is, we have nothing to benefit by doing it, we learn fuck all about the quality of another spinner who could potentially be there for years and years.

I have no problem with picking the best team to win any individual match, even if it includes some old guys. I just don't think Gareth Batty has ever been good enough for test cricket.

 

[lordofthepies]

He still doesn't look good enough, you could see when they started to target him a bit at the end of the session - he got a wicket off one that misbehaved a bit but on a turning wicket, the fact he couldn't actually get it gripping and moving sideways like Ali has is worrying for a Number 11 spin option. It's a very ordinary decision to take him when you could've taken Leach (or even done a Hameed and taken someone like Mason Crane) instead for a prolonged tour of the subcontinent. Batty shouldn't be in the side for the 2nd test.

Totally agree, you'd hope he'd take a few wickets on that pitch but from the bit I saw (I didn't see any of the first innings) he just looked like pretty mediocre, even when he took a couple of wickets close together.

Absolutely cracking test match by the way. I feel a bit sorry for Bangladesh, they fought very well in that second innings.

 

[Matt_]

This was definitely an exciting test match, but England performed poorly and really got out of jail. A defeat to Bangladesh would have been embarrassing in the extreme, much better is expected in the second test for sure.

 

[blademan89]

Sat in the bar in Birmingham airport now waiting to board. Have absolutely no idea what to expect a couple of lads out there have found a few bars which I'm pleased about. Was hoping there might be something near the cricket ground as I don't think a full days test cricket with no ale will put me in the finest of moods , but I ain't expecting anything and these places have to be visited it's all part of the experience. Come on england.

 

[RavenBish]

Ansari replacing Batty and Finn/Ball replacing Broad it seems.

I will be disappointed if Ballance retains his place. Last Test match before India - perfect chance to give Hameed a go

 

[blademan89]

Ansari replacing Batty and Finn/Ball replacing Broad it seems.

I will be disappointed if Ballance retains his place. Last Test match before India - perfect chance to give Hameed a go

England's selectors love taking players away for weeks/months and not giving them a chance. I agree perfect chance to give him a go. I think there concerned things would move too slow with those two opening but at the end of the day wed be better off with two slow openers who don't get out than being 30-3 every match. The rest of the side bat quick so it doesn't bother me.

 

[Super_horns]

I did read Hameed had to be warned about his future behaviour a couple of times before the 1st test - maybe they are just making sure he fits in well within the squad before giving him a go?

 

[RavenBish]

I did read Hameed had to be warned about his future behaviour a couple of times before the 1st test - maybe they are just making sure he fits in well within the squad before giving him a go?

He was 10 minutes late for the team coach. That would be the definition of cutting your nose off to spite your face.

Crikey, the bowling this morning has been putrid.

 

[Skinner]

Uphill task already I think.

 

[Skinner]

Two big wickets from Ali, hopefully we can grind them down now and not let a partnership build.

 

[Skinner]

What a session, momentum changing.

I think I'm in love with Ben Stokes.

 

[appletablepenny]

5 wickets for 34 in the last 40 minutes

 

[Skinner]

5fer for Mo, 220 ao.

Let's see if our top order can stick around until stumps, not that I mind seeing Mo, Bairstow and Stokes winning games for us.

England must be so demoralising to play against.

 

[RavenBish]

what in fucks name has happened here?! They were 190-3 last time I checked

 

[Skinner]

Great bowling happened, especially from Mo and the best all-rounder in the world right now.

Duckett gone, Root basically playing as an opener again. Will probably see Hameed debut in India now, which isn't ideal. Would still rather see Duckett in place of Ballance though.