The Cricket Thread

[blademan89]

Superb from west Indies, outplayed us from the start basically. If they'd took a couple more catches we'd of had no hope anyway. Fair play to them on a cracking turnaround from last week. Takes some doing after that loss.

 

[RavenBish]

Credit to the West Indies but that is embarrassing for England. Not good enough with bat or ball

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

All over 324-5.

Well played West Indies. Can't fault root for his deceleration or the bowlers efforts. The fielding was a bismal however, but full credit to the tourists. Even if we batted better in the first innings, we could have salvaged a draw

 

[blademan89]

Credit to the West Indies but that is embarrassing for England. Not good enough with bat or ball

the favourite doesn't win every time, it's not embarrassing I don't think. I think you have to give credit to the opposition on this performance. We had a bad 1st innings and they've performed basically to the best of there ability. If we played them 10 times wed probably lose no more than two but i certainly dont think its embarrassing they are still an international cricket team. Would you say it was embarrassing for Australia losing to us in 2005 because there team was absolutely far superior but it's sport , upsers happen that's why we love it.

 

[kieran_vale]

Just have to take your hat off to the Windies. Can't help but be pleased for them and hope they can use this to move forward long term.

England batted poorly first innings and that's what cost them. I just hope this doesn't spook Joe Root about making sporting declarations in the future. Absolutely the right decision to do it just ran in to two batsmen who played incredibly.

 

[Super_horns]

Credit to the West Indies - particularly Shai Hope.

1st man to get a century in both innings at Leeds!

 

[SMH]

Very happy for the West Indies. International cricket needs an exciting Windies team and it's even better that they've done with a group of young players without those horrible old T20 mercenaries like Samuels, Gayle and the Bravo brothers. England lost it because they didn't bowl well enough and dropped crucial catches.

The batting is a difficult problem really. We've been spoiled in terms of some of the batting we've got and are realising how lucky we were to have the likes of Strauss, Trott and Bell and how hard it is to replace them. Of course it would help in my opinion if Joe Root would swallow his pride and bat at three. I like Malan but he's frustrated me getting out when he's set to go on and get a big score.

But the standard of county cricket is a big worry and the well is running dry. Westley averages 57 in the last three years but is struggling to step up to international level after initially looking really good. Livingstone hit 200 today for Lancs at three but I can't see him doing any better than Westley. Ballance averages 100 odd in county but can't do it for England. Hales is smashing it everywhere but struggled in test match cricket last time out. Hameed can't even buy a run in any sort of cricket at the moment. God help us when Cook gets bored and calls it a day.

 

[blademan89]

Bangladesh beat the Aussies by 20 runs , brilliant stuff

 

[Super_horns]

Essex moving closer to the title?

Serious stuff at the Oval with an incident involving an arrow being fired stopping play and armed police called!

 

[lordofthepies]

Essex moving closer to the title?

Serious stuff at the Oval with an incident involving an arrow being fired stopping play and armed police called!

They're playing Lancashire at Old Trafford next week and if we beat them, the gap will be reduced quite dramatically...

 

[Aber gas]

They're playing Lancashire at Old Trafford next week and if we beat them, the gap will be reduced quite dramatically...

I'd like to apologise for Somerset's absolutely pathetic attempt at batting today. I've had sturdier shits.

 

[lordofthepies]

I'd like to apologise for Somerset's absolutely pathetic attempt at batting today. I've had sturdier shits.

It's the hope that kills. I was so excited during the first day but infuriated by what happened.

 

[RavenBish]

Outlaws leaving out Broad is a big statement and a commendable one too - he's been fucking garbage in T20 for us in recent years but Moores will cop a bit if Gurney gets smacked around.

 

[Dave]

Hales

I was expecting a couple of big innings from him today to take Notts to victory.

 

[Super_horns]

All Midlands final then..

 

[Dave]

That was some shit running from Pollock.

Surely Notts will win this now.

 

[RavenBish]

The lads.

Didn't think I'd ever like an overseas player as much as David Hussey but Christian is right up there.

Awesome season so far and 30 points clear in the Championship as well.

 

[RavenBish]

How does Willey keep getting in the ODI squad? He's not a good enough bowler - I can see the T20 pick as his form with the bat is good and he can give you 2 good overs early with the new ball.

Dawson ahead of Crane in the T20 too. Christ.

 

[blademan89]

Shocking from the Windies again after playing so well at headingley. On another note Yorkshire might actually get relegated this season, that would be one big collapse after near domination for 3,4 years.

 

[blademan89]

Maybe it wasn't that bad from windies England 25-4

 

[Saddlerrad]

Interesting day of test cricket, proper bowling day with some questionable shots in there.

Get equal and then aim for 250. Only worry is that it will flatten out if the sun comes out on Saturday and become the standard Lords batting paradise.

We CANNOT lose a home test series to this Windies side.

 

[blademan89]

Interesting day of test cricket, proper bowling day with some questionable shots in there.

Get equal and then aim for 250. Only worry is that it will flatten out if the sun comes out on Saturday and become the standard Lords batting paradise.

We CANNOT lose a home test series to this Windies side.

Test cricket seems to becoming much more evenly balanced between all nations to the point where anyone can beat anyone. Bangladesh have beaten us and the Aussies in the last year. We beat India quite easy at home but get hammered away. Aussies don't have real consistency but can be exceptional at times. South Africa the same. If South Africa hadn't been in England so long the series would of more than likely been 2-2 than 3-1.

 

[Super_horns]

Well fair to say the bowlers were the winners!

Won't last 3 days at this rate...

Westley must be think will he make the Ashes?

 

[kieran_vale]

500 Test wickets for Jimmy now. Fantastic achievement for an incredible bowler.

Very interestingly poised match. Think those runs for the last wicket partnership between Broad and Jimmy could prove decisive.

 

[RavenBish]

Anderson is phenomenal.

Stoneman can book his place in the Ashes with a red inker here

 

[kieran_vale]

Hope this isn't the kiss of death on them but like what I've seen from Westley and Stoneman in this run chase. Looked very composed. Stoneman while he has yet to get the eye-catching score looks like he belongs at Test level.

Nice and well deserved ovation there for Blowers whose now retiring from TMS.

 

[Super_horns]

As you were for the Ashes..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/41213905

Clearly going to need more from the top order as not sure we'd get away with losing so many early wickets.

 

[SMH]

I'm assuming it's 16 places available on the plane for the Ashes? The actual team won't be decided until we see how everyone does in the warm up games. My 16 would probably as as follows:

Cook
Root (C)
Stokes
Bairstow (W)
Ali
Jimmy
Broad
Woakes
Roland-Jones
Crane
Stoneman
Hameed
Westley
Hales
Wood
Malan

If I was allowed to take one more player then I'd have Foakes as backup keeper. No seats available on my plane for Ballance, Jennings and Finn. Sorry!

 

[Aber gas]

No jack Leach?

 

[SMH]

No jack Leach?

Can't see that happening. The selectors love Crane to bits.