The Cricket Thread

[Matt_]

England annoyingly, but not unexpectedly given the team rebuilding, inconsistent. The general standard of play hasn't been too bad but the really bad sessions have to be eliminated before real progress can be made, that's what costs test matches.

Twice in this game England had the Kiwis down but failed to press home their advantage and that's what ultimately cost us the game.

Certain players now need to get plenty of county cricket under their belts before the first Ashes test to gain some all important confidence, but anything more than a bit of tweaking in terms of team selection would constitute a big knee jerk reaction. We're still heading in the right direction for the most part.

 

[Aber gas]

England annoyingly, but not unexpectedly given the team rebuilding, inconsistent. The general standard of play hasn't been too bad but the really bad sessions have to be eliminated before real progress can be made, that's what costs test matches.

Twice in this game England had the Kiwis down but failed to press home their advantage and that's what ultimately cost us the game.

Certain players now need to get plenty of county cricket under their belts before the first Ashes test to gain some all important confidence, but anything more than a bit of tweaking in terms of team selection would constitute a big knee jerk reaction. We're still heading in the right direction for the most part.

I agree with you in the most part . I think there definitely needs to be a re think with regards to moeen , I'm not sure he gets in the side as a batsman or a spinner at the moment . It's great that we've got a proper batsman coming in at 8 but I think we're losing out on the control and penetration a full time spinner can bring .

 

[spireite]

I hope they're having a good luck at Zafar Ansari, but probably after the Ashes. Blooding him against the Aussies in an Ashes cauldron wouldn't be the best of starts

 

[Saddlerrad]

The Windies are 92-6 after 31 overs after winning the toss and batting first in the 1st test vs the Aussies.

Hazelwood x3, Johnson, Starc and Lyon with the wickets.

The Windies 7-3 in 5 overs after lunch.

 

[Modernist]

Sad to see so many empty seats again at headingley for the test , why do they get given test matches when they can't get the fans to go.

 

[blademan89]

Sad to see so many empty seats again at headingley for the test , why do they get given test matches when they can't get the fans to go.

Total attendence was 45000 over the 5 days of which 38000 were the 1st 3 days. Headingley pay the ecb a set amount to host the match makes no odds to the ecb how many attend. To be honest apart from lords and the oval where actually is ever full unless its against the aussies.

 

[Matt_]

I agree with you in the most part . I think there definitely needs to be a re think with regards to moeen , I'm not sure he gets in the side as a batsman or a spinner at the moment . It's great that we've got a proper batsman coming in at 8 but I think we're losing out on the control and penetration a full time spinner can bring .

I think Moeen still warrants a start in the first Ashes test as things stand because of his performances against India last summer. I agree that his position will be under increasing levels of scrutiny though and I could see him out of the side by the third Ashes test if his bowling doesn't get back to the standards he showed last summer. It's clear that Cook also lacks confidence in him.

You refer to a full time spinner.

The problem for me is there is no obvious candidate for selection in terms of a full time spinner, I don't consider Adil Rashid to be in that category, I see him as very similar to Moeen.

One option is to go with someone like Tredwell, or heaven forbid Batty as Aggers suggested recently, to try and give some control at one end, like Giles used to do before Swann came along. Another option is to go for one of the several young untried promising full time spinners like Adam Riley. I'm not sure I'd want to throw an untried youngster into an Ashes series in such a key position though.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Tredwell is a no for me, he just doesn't take any wickets at all. England need a wicket taking spinner in my eyes. Riley? Kerrigan? Hmm, not convinced by any spinner on the block currently, which is why we and the ECB are clearly struggling to pick one.

The Aussies are actually struggling in the Windies. 156-6 currently with Voges and Johnson at the crease. Rogers nowhere to be seen and Clarke/Watson (batting at 6), Haddin and Smith all gone cheaply. Bishoo has 4 wickets and it's ragging square on only the second morning.

 

[hodge]

England will go with Ali but I'd be tempted to go for Rashid, yes a lack of test experience, but one of if not the best spinner on the county circuit, and has been for a while. A perfectly capable bat at 8 as well.

 

[Matt_]

In terms of specialist spinners Panesar is still by far the best option for me, but I don't think the England selectors will go anywhere near him.

 

[Aber gas]

In terms of specialist spinners Panesar is still by far the best option for me, but I don't think the England selectors will go anywhere near him.

Definitely, not sure he's mentally strong enough at the moment but I would hope the ecb are in touch if not for a recall just to see if he's ok

 

[Saddlerrad]

The fact that Rashid didn't play one of the test matches in the Carribean suggests to me that he may never get his chance, which would be unfair IMO. Especially considering far lesser spinners (IMO) in Ali, Tredwell and Kerrigan have had a game for England in recentish years.

England won't go near Panesar ever again, unless he takes like a HUGE amount of first class wickets and finishes near the top of the tree AND the current England spinner takes an almighty battering over a long period of time. Not impossible, but very unlikely IMO.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Craig Kieswetter forced to retire due to his eye injury. Bit of a shocker that. Good luck to the bloke.

 

[hodge]

Gutted about Kieswetter retiring, very unfortunate injury to have caused it as he still had a lot to offer at county level if not still potential for internationals. Dread to think the carnage he'll cause if he decides he wants to play club cricket in Somerset

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

Total attendence was 45000 over the 5 days of which 38000 were the 1st 3 days. Headingley pay the ecb a set amount to host the match makes no odds to the ecb how many attend. To be honest apart from lords and the oval where actually is ever full unless its against the aussies.

Edgbaston is the 2nd largest cricket ground (Lords at No1) and that has near enough sold out already for days 1, 2 & 3, with only single seats left. Remember Ticket Tout websites buy up huge amounts of tickets and sell them for inflated prices.

 

[blademan89]

Edgbaston is the 2nd largest cricket ground (Lords at No1) and that has near enough sold out already for days 1, 2 & 3, with only single seats left. Remember Ticket Tout websites buy up huge amounts of tickets and sell them for inflated prices.

Your point?

 

[.V.]

My God that Yorkshire chant is incredibly annoying!

 

[Super_horns]

Another big knock for Gayle....

 

[EricSabin]

Worcestershire playing at Northants tonight. No wicketkeeper for part of the game!

 

[.V.]

Cracking finish at Headingley. Great knock by Buttler.

 

[Destruction]

Cracking finish at Headingley. Great knock by Buttler.

Wow what a game.

Going to the return at OT next month, hope it's half as good as that.

 

[Pyeman]

Jos Buttler [emoji7]

 

[Skinner]

When Kent lose, they lose big

 

[JJH]

Really enjoyable game that - inspired by Jos Buttler with a fantastic match winning innings.

On the subject of the Ashes - I've managed to get day 5 tickets for both Edgebaston and Cardiff for around £25. Result!

 

[Skinner]

This place is full of northerners

 

[hodge]

My God that Yorkshire chant is incredibly annoying!

YORKSHIRE! YORKSHIRE! YORKSHIRE!

 

[.V.]

YORKSHIRE! YORKSHIRE! YORKSHIRE!

Bellend

 

[DarkSithLord]

Am I the only one who fears this ODI series against NZ could end up being a whitewash?

 

[Skinner]

I quite like our squad, so I'm not too pessimistic about it.

 

[Super_horns]

The squad have been taking tips from Dermot Reeve - remember him?

Anyone/thing that helps us improve must be a good thing.