Cricket

[ToffeeTim]

Yes I was thinking Curran replaced Stokes and Crawley had to then come in for 5 batters, a keeper, Woakes Curran

That leaves three positions, if one is Archer or Wood and one is Broad, your saying go without a spinner, I wouldn't mind that either tbh but it just looks so obvious it's not going to happen. They will pick Bess whether we want him or not I think.

Given that, which I think is highly probable tbf, the only way Anderson gets in is not picking Archer or Wood or not picking Curran. Either is possible but Root said he wants a man with the capability of bowling very quickly which means Curran or Anderson in effect for one place. It's why I think without arguably their best batsman, they have to have a mind to batting strength too and give Anderson a rest, picking Curran.

They can't go in with only four batters and Buttler, without Stokes you can see just how he balances the side being a batter and bowler and it's just not possible to replace him.

I expect them to pick Bess. I always want a spinner but not sure any of the current options are really good enough.

Assuming they want a spinner, my team would be

Burns
Sibley
Crawley
Root
Pope
Buttler
Woakes
Curran
Bess
Broad
Archer/Wood

 

[BigMick]

Lancs close on 284 - 9, built around a fine 75 from Josh Bohannon, who was eventually bowled by Salisbury, playing all around one that seemed to nip back. Luke Wood showed what a good signing he could be with a bright 46, until he was also bowled by Salisbury. I was always was bewildered by Notts reluctance to play him in the Championship.

Always liked Bohannon since his debut under the floodlights at Surrey a couple of seasons ago. He treats the bowling with respect, defends the good balls and puts away the bad ones. This innings was not as good as some he played last season but considering it was only the third innings of the season it was a good effort.

The pitch is typical Durham - slow and seaming. They haven't bothered with a spinner while Livingstone bowled just a handful for Lancs towards the end of their innings.

Lancs a handy 104 ahead, will be hoping Bailey can get them past 300 and extend the lead to about 120.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

I expect them to pick Bess. I always want a spinner but not sure any of the current options are really good enough.

Assuming they want a spinner, my team would be

Burns
Sibley
Crawley
Root
Pope
Buttler
Woakes
Curran
Bess
Broad
Archer/Wood

Looks exactly right with Jofra likely to start as Mark Wood is carrying a slight thigh injury.

Nick Hoult writes ...

'In Stokes’s absence, England are likely to recall Zak Crawley to bat at four and possibly bring in Sam Curran, to lengthen the batting, for James Anderson, who looks in need of a rest.

Ollie Robinson, the uncapped Sussex bowler, was added to the squad on Saturday as cover for Mark Wood, who is carrying a slight injury.'

He has in the past always been accurate, however like most of the media was wide of the mark in the test they dropped Crawley with only five batters when Stokes couldn't bowl (the third test vs the Windies). Like most he said same again this time if Stokes couldn't bowl, and it would have been Anderson or Woakes dropped if he could.

He's very reliable though and barring a late injury scare your team looks certain to be it with Archer playing not Wood.

I'd disregard the bat at 4 stuff on Crawley as a typo from him.

 

[catcherintherye]

I would pick Curran every time in England and probably anywhere except the subcontinent.

Its not a decision for me regarding Broad and Anderson. Theres no need for then to rotate. Broad is by far the better bowler on current form and Anderson doesn't make the strongest 11. The only difficult decisions are Archer vs Wood and whether to play a spinner. Woakes can't be left out in any circumstances at home.

I tend to favour Archer although he has to bowl quicker than this last test. Ideally I want Moeen back in my team as spinner but I think that ship may have sailed. Bess is extremely inconsistent on finding the right length.

Good points here.

Curran is really unlucky. In truth Curran, Woakes , Anderson, Broad and Archer should all play in England when you look at their records. The issue is you can only really get 3-maximum 4 in in any single game. However Curran having a coiuple of games here will not do anyone any harm.

It's a fair enough point re Broad/Anderson, I just disagree. Over the last 3 games, yes Broad has been better (bolstered by getting tail enders out in fabourable bowling conditions) but cross a longer view there is little between them, and in truth Anderson has the superior record. As recently as the last winter series Anderson got his wickets at 19, whereas Broad got them at closer to 25. Again not worlds apart but I don't see eitehr as substantially superior at this point, albeit with the cavaet of Broad in better form. I also think-ultimately you have to look after them both and so rotating them for certain games will help that.

I like Archer, and I thonk Wood tends to suit foreign conditions more (his natural length is just a bit shorter) but if Archer needs a break or freshen up, which it seems he may then Wood is a good replacement.

I couldn't agree more re Moeen. I always feel he's been a bit shafted by England. When he bowls well people criticise his batting and vice versa. His numbers are fantastic really. 29 with the bat and 37 with the ball is very strong. In England, even stronger 35 with the bat and 32 with the ball. These are seriously good figures.

I also think in all honesty he's the "package" England need as a spin player currently, namely he is a very capable number 7 batsman who wins England games in the 4th innings.

The issue with Moeen, as with Woakes and to a degree Curran is that their away record in substantially inferior. I am not sure they can go to Australia with those 3 in the side being 3 of the 5 bowlers. Thats kind of the dilemma the selectors have currently. To what extent to they just play sides who win in England, against playing sides who are able to be competitive around the world.

 

[catcherintherye]

Looks exactly right with Jofra likely to start as Mark Wood is carrying a slight thigh injury.

Nick Hoult writes ...

'In Stokes’s absence, England are likely to recall Zak Crawley to bat at four and possibly bring in Sam Curran, to lengthen the batting, for James Anderson, who looks in need of a rest.

Ollie Robinson, the uncapped Sussex bowler, was added to the squad on Saturday as cover for Mark Wood, who is carrying a slight injury.'

He has in the past always been accurate, however like most of the media was wide of the mark in the test they dropped Crawley with only five batters when Stokes couldn't bowl (the third test vs the Windies). Like most he said same again this time if Stokes couldn't bowl, and it would have been Anderson or Woakes dropped if he could.

He's very reliable though and barring a late injury scare your team looks certain to be it with Archer playing not Wood.

I'd disregard the bat at 4 stuff on Crawley as a typo from him.

It might mean Root fancies batting at 3 going forward. It would be an odd decision though.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

It might mean Root fancies batting at 3 going forward. It would be an odd decision though.

It's almost certainly a 'typing' error - or slip in his report, can't think he meant it.

 

[summerisle]

Handy last wicket partnership for Lancashire of 32, finished on 308 leading by Bailey122, 38 n.o.
Durham 3-1, Bailey with the wicket.

 

[Eggs]

Handy last wicket partnership for Lancashire of 32, finished on 308 leading by Bailey122, 38 n.o.
Durham 3-1, Bailey with the wicket.

....sitting in the back garden listening to it, a good 30mins and a shame it’s been interrupted by rain.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

....sitting in the back garden listening to it, a good 30mins and a shame it’s been interrupted by rain.

You would think we're disadvantaged enough having to having to play home matches in Manchester without getting even more on our travels, Lancs must be cursed.

 

[summerisle]

Wicket last ball before Lunch, Durham 21-4.
Kent going well, 503-1. Second wicket partnership of 396.

 

[arminisgod]

We're going through an era where so many teams have so much quality bowling available to them, there's rarely been an era where batting has been as tough, not just against one dominant team but nearly every side you play.

Australia can rotate theirs as they did in last year's ashes, India now have world class seamers and extreme pace as well as their traditional strength of spin. Pakistan are well covered and seem to have a factory producing good young quick bowlers, plus their leg spinners West Indies although not able to rotate can field a first class seam attack of real pace and South Africa although temporarily weakened due to retirements have Philander a master of control and movement and Ribada.

It's a tough time atm to be a batsman and these things go in cycles where the batsmen or bowlers are dominant comparing eras is fraught with difficulty and very rarely like with like situations

eh? There is literally 1 or 2 good bowling attacks in the world (Aussies, India and us at a push). Jesus the attacks in the late 90's early 00's were FAR better

 

[Eggs]

Wicket last ball before Lunch, Durham 21-4.
Kent going well, 503-1. Second wicket partnership of 396.

...turned the commentary off when they went off for rain, pleasantly surprised when I just checked the scoreboard.

 

[BigMick]

Desperate Durham 21-4 at lunch. Bailey and Wood bowling beautifully. Lees bowled by an inswinging Bailey yorker, Dickson edged a Bailey outswinger to Davies, first ball after a rain break. Wood beat Steel with a fine outswinger, then followed it up with a full inswinger to trap him lbw. Finally, Harte edged Wood to Croft at slip to leave Durham in disarray with weather their only hope.

Elsewhere young England wicketkeeper. batsman Jordan Cox has hit an unbeaten 223 for Kent against hapless Sussex, and ex-Yorkie Leaning 208. Sad to see Stuart Meaker take some hammer, most of the other bowlers being youngsters, apart from Claydon. Big gulf between 2xi and 1st team!

 

[summerisle]

Durham 75-7, 53 behind.

 

[catcherintherye]

Durham 75-7, 53 behind.

Lancs full choice attack at this level is superb. Gleeson and Bailey are fantastic.

As a slight aside, a 19 year old has just scored 200+ not out for Kent as an opener. Certainlyone to keep an eye out for.