Cricket

[summerisle]

It's the Aussies. Never say never.

I wonder if any of the England team supports Everton ?

 

[BigMick]

Yes I was referring to his county batting form of last season, not his whole first class career. Over his whole career his batting isn't that bad at all but unfortunately he suffered a real dip last season. One season's poor returns aren't really enough to drop his career average that much but does point to an enduring lack of confidence as he never recovered form at any time.

Maybe, and I feel certain he'll tour and very likely play, he will make runs in Sri Lanka, good memories and favourite grounds do affect cricketers too and he's bound to feel right at home on those wickets. A few scores and confidence improved could well lead to a longer spell in the side although with balance in mind I suspect the probability is that Buttler and Bairstow will be exerting maximum pressure if they can make early season championship runs and will be preferred.

The Wanderers wicket for the fourth test will give no guide whatsoever for Sri Lanka, standing back to the seamers is not something Jos would be doing a lot of in Sri Lanka if selected in fact quite the opposite.

So although no guide whatsoever for Sri Lanka, the fourth test wicket is likely to suit Jos far more and he's much better with the far easier task of standing back. So his keeping ability standing back is good enough whereas standing up he falls well short off the mark. Runs will help his cause but he himself may also well decide that his future could lie in taking over the one day side captaincy after Eoin Morgan calls it a day, possibly after the two world T20 tournaments that are on the horizon.

Be amazed (and delighted) if the lesser-spotted Jos makes early Championship runs for Lancs - pretty sure he'll be playing for Rajastan Royals until late May. I think Bairstow is also in the IPL.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Yep the West Indies series starts Monday 8th June

With the IPL stretching to the date of the final on Sunday 24th May

If Buttler's back early possibly after being knocked out then Lancs fixture starting on the Friday 22nd May until the 25th at the Ageas Bowl Hampshire is a possibility but that's extremely dependent on his availability, so a big IF.

Similarly for Jonny (Sunrisers Hyderabad) with Yorkshire's game at Northampton also starting on the 22nd May until the 25th.

This all may be good for Ben Foakes especially if he bats well in Sri Lanka but facing West Indies seamers is so totally different that any batting form in Sri Lanka may even be sensibly disregarded.

The best balanced team usually means a batter who can keep competently in England with standing back to seam the only skill to be conquered and usually the batsman keeper is competent enough.

If Buttler even got his batting confidence back in the white ball game he is possibly more likely to be on duty this summer whether or not he's first choice in Sri Lanka. A Championship game and runs would cement it but may not be possible.

 

[Toast]

Left handed batsmen to make a 100 in an international last year ?
Was just a question on Pointless.

Was a lot harder than I thought as the obvious ones didn't hit Tons.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Rain delayed the start at rainy cold 'Durham' South Africa.

Apparently Wood rested and won't play back to back tests, Archer and Woakes in, Bess drops out.

 

[Billy Dean]

Left handed batsmen to make a 100 in an international last year ?
Was just a question on Pointless.

Was a lot harder than I thought as the obvious ones didn't hit Tons.

Burns? Stokes?

 

[Billy Dean]

Rain delayed the start at rainy cold 'Durham' South Africa.

Apparently Wood rested and won't play back to back tests, Archer and Woakes in, Bess drops out.

Is that confirmed? Still nothing on BBC about it

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Is that confirmed? Still nothing on BBC about it

Not official at all but Atherton observing practice thought very likely.

Today now threatening a complete washout as the weather more like the Lake District, or even worse rain magnet Manchester on a wet day than Durham.

Another day's rest and a four day test at best (possibly two and a bit days according to the forecast - Michael Vaughan will be pleased ) makes all this speculation pretty redundant - plenty of time for them to revise their plans completely.

Won't get any price now for England winning the series as this one looks set for what could be an all too typical four day (two and a half day) draw - if four day tests are the future of test cricket they can keep it.

 

[Connor]

Could be looking at a half 11 start but apparently Archer has done something in warm-ups and has been ruled out

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Could be looking at a half 11 start but apparently Archer has done something in warm-ups and has been ruled out

Sad for Jofra but great news they're actually playing and hopefully the rain stays away.

Mark Wood, drafted in for Archer, extremely happy Root elected to bat to give him another day's valuable rest, so Wood replaces Archer and Woakes for Bess.

37-0 after 9, Crawley 24, Sibley 13

 

[summerisle]

42-0, Sibley caught off a no ball. Is it my imagination that this is happening more frequently : wickets off a no ball ?

 

[Chris O'Connor]

50 up but Philander getting plenty of movement. The bowlers haven't taken full advantage - there is more than enough in it for them.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Crawley first test fifty

81-0 Crawley 50, Sibley 28

 

[Billy Dean]

Good to see Crawley doing well

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Crawley hit firmly on the helmet trying to hook but playing through the shot and the ball whacking him full on the cranium - a nasty blow