The CRICKET Thread, Finally!

[Iceman]

I've never been and for some reason going has never even crossed my mind (have only been to see international cricket). I would love to see what the games are like live.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

If Hameed and Jennings (or any other potential openers) hit big, do you think it would be a good idea for Cook to drop down to number 3, since he's getting on a bit and his reflexes would probably be on the wane?

 

[regwec]

I think he should be dropped altogether if he is on the wane. He is in danger of becoming another Ian Bell: a fading titan who can only score zero-pressure runs in the sunshine. That just isn't good enough to justify the role of opening bat for England. I don't think it has come to that yet (and the guy is only 32), but I think he should take a look at himself and recognise that he has to take the responsibility of being the senior batsman in the side. Admittedly, I think he would be helped enormously by a solid No.2, who could rotate the strike and ease the pressure. It's not yet clear whether Jennings can do that consistently.

I'm afraid to say I am just as worried about Jimmy Anderson. He's a legend in English (and, far more importantly, Lancashire) cricket, but he is bowling less and less outside tests and putting less and less pressure on opposition batsmen inside tests. Clearly his pace has dropped as he's got older, which is inevitable, and now he is more or less a pure swing specialist. Therefore he can still pick up five-fers when the conditions are right. But he looks toothless against set batsmen on true pitches in clear conditions. And what are we going to get in the Ashes in Australia? Pitches like a bowling ally under blazing sunshine. I think he will wilt, and I think Chris Woakes is going to be able to do Jimmy's thing better than Jimmy in those conditions. The team may well be better served by an additional specialist spinner, an express fast bowler, or another useful all rounder taking the spot. Mason Crane, either of the Overton brothers, the ever-useful Liam Plunkett, or even an old hand like Tim Bresnan (who averages 48 with the bat and 31 with ball in first class cricket) are just a few contenders that could be useful.

I should make clear that I hate saying all this, and I hope I will be proven wrong. But there shouldn't be any sacred cows - it was the refusal to consider dropping the old guard that led to England losing 5-0 in Australia and then a test series at home to Bangladesh before having to rebuild almost completely.

 

[regwec]

On another note: this test match is a huge opportunity for the junior England players. If Wood or Dawson can take 5/40, or if Jennings or Ballance can grind out a two-day century at a strike rate of 20, they will have earned themselves a huge amount of respect and a secure place in the side for the foreseeable future.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

^It's like you're actively jinxing your players.

 

[regwec]

Not at all, I listed the players who were under the most pressure because the flip side of that is an opportunity to prove themselves. It is no surprise to anyone that they failed to do so.

 

[Iceman]

Wow, total collapse by England. Congrats to SA and hope we've sorted ourselves out before the next match.

 

[Iceman]

In case anyone is interested in women's cricket, England just beat SA to get to the World Cup Final.

 

[regwec]

It seems Gary Ballance has what might be termed a "diplomatic broken finger". He won't be picked for the test side again, I don't think. Mark Stoneman appears to be in the frame, perhaps taking the no.2 spot with Jennings slipping down to 3.

Trevor Bayliss's comments that picking more all-rounders just shows a lack of faith in the top order has some validity, but I don't think it is altogether reflective of England's situation. Adil Rashid is a better batsman than Liam Dawson, but he is a spinner far more likely to take wickets, too. Not only is Chris Woakes a resilient, classic batsman, but he is also the most effective seamer that England have. There may be good reasons not to pick any of these guys at any time, such as their form, the pitch, or the anticipated conditions, but not picking them because they bat and bowl is madness.

 

[Iceman]

This is it. Some of the bowlers who have a claim to be in the side just happen to be able to do something with the bat too (which is a good thing). I don't think madness quite covers this idiocy.

 

[Iceman]

3rd Test England 95-2, Cook on 44.

Looks like some new names in the lineup. Jennings, Westley and Malan in the top 6.

 

[Iceman]

149 - 4 but rain stopped play.

 

[regwec]

Jennings has been opening fir a while now.

Cook really showed his class today. It's a pity we can't have him cloned.

 

[Iceman]

Oh don't know why I put Jennings in that post haha!

259-6 now and nice from Stokes too, 64 n.o. at the moment.

 

[Iceman]

353 all out (Stokes 112!). SA 18-1 now.

 

[regwec]

F*** me, Toby Roland-Jones...imagine taking 4-f*** all on debut, including Hashim Amla...

 

[Iceman]

Awesome debut yeah.

England had a big first innings lead 353 - 175. 210 for 5 now in the 2nd innings. Not far off a 400 target for SA.

 

[Iceman]

England declare on 313-8 and set a target of 491. Get it done!

 

[Iceman]

SA have 3 wickets left to defend but hopefully will be a formality finishing them off.

 

[regwec]

Moeen Ali hat trick!

 

[Iceman]

Awesome way to finish off a great performance from England.

 

[Iceman]

England 141-3 batting first.

 

[Iceman]

England finished on 362. 99 for Bairstow! SA closed on 220-9.

 

[regwec]

Trying to decide whether the shot that nearly got Jimmy Anderson trapped lbw or the shot that dismissed Hashim Amla was worse. It says something that one is one of the world's best fast bowlers and the other is one of the world's top batsmen.

 

[Iceman]

Yeah I saw the Amla one, missed the Anderson one.

Btw is Roland Jones a good batsman too? (coming in above Moeen in the order) Our lineup goes deep at the moment with Bairstow getting 99, and then Moeen and Broad to come. Will also be interesting to see who eventually replaces Anderson as we could potentially field a lineup that bats to 11!