Cricket

[Chris O'Connor]

On David Willey's ommision...

"It is of course extremely disappointing from David's point of view," said Smith. "He's playing good cricket and still has ambitions to be in all the England white-ball sides. But that's one of the unfortunate consequences of having a lot of strength in depth.

"Sometimes players who've done very well even recently, still can't find a place in the squad and that's the situation with David. Everything he achieved against Ireland has been noted, his performances over a number of years of course are well understood by the selectors. But in this instance, we are giving opportunities to other people."

 

[ToffeeTim]

Can someone explain to me how Denly can be included in the 20 over squad in place of Joe Root?

Other than that, good to see Jofra and Buttler back as well as Joe and Woakes for the ODIs. Should be a good series.

 

[BigMick]

Livingstone one of the subs - does this mean he has to remain in the bubble, getting yet more splinters in his backside rather than playing?

Perhaps he'll get a game against Pakistan, preferably playing as an all-rounder. His mixture of off-spin and leg-spin could eventually be very useful, providing he has the confidence to bowl his leggies, which he's not going to get sitting on the sidelines. As we know, even absolute filth, especially when bowled by a leg-spinner, can be very effective in T20. Would probably be better off playing for Lancs.

Good to see Arron Lilley doing well for Leicester. Never pretty to watch - ungainly but effective at county level.

 

[Billy Dean]

Yeah fairbrother would be up there with Botham and pietersen imo. Tbf there's not an awful lot of competition, but everything about Morgan is class.

Buttler might be considered by the time his career ends.

 

[summerisle]

Won the toss and are batting against Derbyshire

 

[summerisle]

Lancashire off to a good start : 36-0, 5 overs.

 

[Eggs]

Lancashire off to a good start : 36-0, 5 overs.

....nice to watch it live on Sky.

 

[summerisle]

Derbyshire need 11 off 4 balls.

 

[Connor]

Ain't nobody, like Al Davies

 

[summerisle]

Derbyshire need 6 off 1 ball.

 

[summerisle]

Win by 4 runs.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

When he hit that six I was thinking back to the final over in the last T20 World Cup final and Ben Stokes' nightmare. Thank goodness no repeat here.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

How unlucky can you be?

Claim of the month

When something apparently good turns out to have a nasty sting, Irish cricket star batsman Kevin O'Brien hit a six into the back window of his own car, and will now perhaps have to try to explain to the insurance company that yes, although he is responsible for the damage, and that yes, although it was completely deliberate, and fine, he might have even initially celebrated, it would be totally unreasonable for them to have him foot the bill.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

An unchanged England chose to chase again in the third of these. Interesting Cricinfo (David Millar) highlighting possibly our biggest problem

In the spotlight
What is to be done with Moeen Ali? He's been out of sorts before, and generally come storming back with a sweetly timed mow for six to trigger another torrent of runs. But his slumps in form at England level have rarely been as long and lasting as this current one. Despite a lengthy break from action after the World Cup last summer - during which he lost his starting berth - he's simply not yet found his mojo with bat or ball alike. Four innings this summer, including the ODIs against Ireland, have yielded 10 runs from 17 balls; and he's yet to claim a single wicket in 26 overs. At the age of 33, time is not on his side either

 

[tsubaki]

An unchanged England chose to chase again in the third of these. Interesting Cricinfo (David Millar) highlighting possibly our biggest problem

In the spotlight
What is to be done with Moeen Ali? He's been out of sorts before, and generally come storming back with a sweetly timed mow for six to trigger another torrent of runs. But his slumps in form at England level have rarely been as long and lasting as this current one. Despite a lengthy break from action after the World Cup last summer - during which he lost his starting berth - he's simply not yet found his mojo with bat or ball alike. Four innings this summer, including the ODIs against Ireland, have yielded 10 runs from 17 balls; and he's yet to claim a single wicket in 26 overs. At the age of 33, time is not on his side either

2m ago 18:06

WICKET! Fakhar b Moeen 1 (Pakistan 2-1)

Fakhar Zaman’s hapless and very brief innings comes to an end as he completely misjudges Moeen’s first delivery and loses a couple of stumps!