We (England) don't seem to have a spinner that gets any turn, so we shouldn't play one! What we'd give for someone like Swann to compliment our seam/pace attack.
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Chris O'Connor
Player Valuation: £35m
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Chris O'Connor
Player Valuation: £35m
I didn't watch all of today's play, but I did see a stat on sky that Bess was getting about 2.6 degrees turn. Doesn't seem a lot to me, and the bits of play I did see he wasn't getting very much. I hope I'm wrong but I just don't think he's a good enough spinner to be keeping the likes of wood and curran out of the side.Wow, I must be watching a different test.
It was turning and bouncing. He was let down big style by Buttler. San twice missed on 45 off Bess only made 156.
Only a century from the keeper will possibly undo some of the damage.
Buttler is another problem at the moment. He's not our best keeper and seems to be way out of form with the bat. Hopefully his batting picks up (although selfishly I'd like to see him playing for lancs)Wow, I must be watching a different test.
It was turning and bouncing. He was let down big style by Buttler. San twice missed on 45 off Bess only made 156.
Only a century from the keeper will possibly undo some of the damage.
He should have had more wickets but for poor wicketkeeping, but he bowled too many rank bad balls as well. I would not want to be the short leg when he's bowling.
The seamers were the main problem. They bowl consistently too short and go to the short ball tactics for no reason.
Only a massive hundred from Pope can save them now.
Chris O'Connor
Player Valuation: £35m
Chris O'Connor
Player Valuation: £35m
I don't think you pick four and possibly five seamers (if Stokes could bowl in the 2nd inns) to all bowl in a similar 80 mph style. Why did Woakes have to resort to trying bumpers? That's surely what the real pace of Jofra should be doing. Jofra should be bowling in the role he was picked for, not just being yet another 80 odd mph seamer. Michael Holding really went to town on this, bowl him in three or four over bursts and bowl quickly. This was the pitch to do it but they didn't have the personnel or use him properly, whether that's Roots fault or the bowlers.
I think this afternoon was awful but so was yesterday afternoon - I certainly wouldn't be saying one more important than the other. We bowled badly at crucial periods, possibly too short, even yesterday morning but especially loose on both afternoons. We lost it as much yesterday as today.
Only a century can provide some recompense for Buttler's nightmare behind the stumps. Especially disappointing after his excellent form in the previous three tests.
The side is seriously unbalanced without Stokes bowling but we really shouldn't be dropping a batsman, that was a dreadful error and everyone having to move up a place just shows how bad an alternative to dropping a seamer. This was a mistake easily as costly as any single passage of play you could pinpoint imo, precisely because it was so self inflicted and avoidable.
The openers are in the correct positions. Root isn't a three, Stokes doesn't want to come in so early although he's capable, Buttler isn't a six, Woakes isn't a seven, Bess possibly a nine not eight. Archer too high at nine, Broad and Anderson correct at 10 and 11. So drop a batsman and make seven play out of position - what a terrible alternative. Four correct the openers and 10 and 11
We could get away with this selection against weaker opposition, everyone else recognised these were far stronger and it was a risk too far
I think this afternoon was awful but so was yesterday afternoon - I certainly wouldn't be saying one more important than the other. We bowled badly at crucial periods, possibly too short, even yesterday morning but especially loose on both afternoons. We lost it as much yesterday as today.
Only a century can provide some recompense for Buttler's nightmare behind the stumps. Especially disappointing after his excellent form in the previous three tests.
The side is seriously unbalanced without Stokes bowling but we really shouldn't be dropping a batsman, that was a dreadful error and everyone having to move up a place just shows how bad an alternative to dropping a seamer. This was a mistake easily as costly as any single passage of play you could pinpoint imo, precisely because it was so self inflicted and avoidable.
The openers are in the correct positions. Root isn't a three, Stokes doesn't want to come in so early although he's capable, Buttler isn't a six, Woakes isn't a seven, Bess possibly a nine not eight. Archer too high at nine, Broad and Anderson correct at 10 and 11. So drop a batsman and make seven play out of position - what a terrible alternative. Four correct the openers and 10 and 11
We could get away with this selection against weaker opposition, everyone else recognised these were far stronger and it was a risk too far
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To play devils advocate, Butler average 41 at 6. I think the argument is can he cosnistently average it is that position.
I don't think Engand are as far behind as people say. The ball gets softer and it does get a bit easier. These 2 looked in nice touch yesterday, and even though they are bowlers, there is a bit of batting to come. Woakes, and Bess are capable, and Archer/Broad are dangerous.
I also think, while talented outside the opening 2 bowlers they wil give you lots of scoring opportunities I much prefer Englan when they are positive and they need to be positive agaist those two lads, to put more pressure on. If they get close to Pakistan, it's an open game.
I also think, while talented outside the opening 2 bowlers they wil give you lots of scoring opportunities I much prefer Englan when they are positive and they need to be positive agaist those two lads, to put more pressure on. If they get close to Pakistan, it's an open game.
Got to get 280 minimum I think
19 runs in the first hour and the ball beating the bat fairly regularly, but most importantly no wickets. This is the key part of the test right now.
These two need to be there way past 200 for England not to be in real bother.
These two need to be there way past 200 for England not to be in real bother.
and some extra bounce does for Pope...
That's a big wicket.
That's a big wicket.