Cricket

Cool_Blue said:
When he had to take over at short notice after sandpapergate, I thought he was one of the good guys (for an Aussie), but it turns out he’s an absolute scumbag
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Particularly when it comes to cricket, Australia has a win at any cost mentality. They are very good at the game, but are also incorrigible 'hit below the belt' opponents, permanently crossing the line between playing hard and playing dirty.
A thoroughly dislikeable outfit.
 
ToffeeTim said:
I was wondering why he had been recalled but now I get it. I didn't realise they were without Burns Pope & Stokes. To be fair, Bairstow is probably somewhere round about there in the pecking order.

Anyway, going pretty well so far, just need the last one to wrap this up for hopefully under 150.
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I'll be honest I pick Bairstow. Partly because there's a lack of quality at the top of the innings. He would have to be more of a Warner style opener, and I would encourage him to play his natural game. But for me he's in our 6 best batsman so he should play.
 
All in all, a good first day. Early fall of Sibley and Crawley the only downside, but Root and Bairstow have looked very assured and steadied the ship when it wouldn’t have been surprising to see the collapse continue and gift Sri Lanka a way back into the game, especially when they batted as poorly as they did in their innings.
 
Broad the main man with the ball - he now knows how to bowl on all pitches including where cutters and pace variation is key, his bowling set the tone. Great balance to the attack with Wood's real pace and the contrast of Curran's left armers adding to Broad's expertise.

Jack Leach was the better spinner by some way tbh, although Dom Bess took the wickets. Dom didn't bowl at his best but will take the hugely flattering returns, as other days he really will bowl well and deserve them but take none.

Sri Lanka's batting was just abysmal in the end it was as if they were trying to get out in more and more bizarre ways, no shot selection, outrageous risks and record breaking incompetency was their formula.

Bairstow and Root showed how it should be done with the century partnership not just steadying the ship but way, way beyond that, putting England into an almost impregnable position.

As first days go it was perfection for England belying their usual reputation as slow starters
 
Chris O'Connor said:
Broad the main man with the ball - he now knows how to bowl on all pitches including where cutters and pace variation is key, his bowling set the tone. Great balance to the attack with Wood's real pace and the contrast of Curran's left armers adding to Broad's expertise.

Jack Leach was the better spinner by some way tbh, although Dom Bess took the wickets. Dom didn't bowl at his best but will take the hugely flattering returns, as other days he really will bowl well and deserve them but take none.

Sri Lanka's batting was just abysmal in the end it was as if they were trying to get out in more and more bizarre ways, no shot selection, outrageous risks and record breaking incompetency was their formula.

Bairstow and Root showed how it should be done with the century partnership not just steadying the ship but way, way beyond that, putting England into an almost impregnable position.

As first days go it was perfection for England belying their usual reputation as slow starters
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Very good day for England. In fairness this is not a stellar Sri Lanka team, but any game away from home these days gives problems. They have 2 or 3 spinners who ask questions of you.

I thought Bairstow and Root were excellent for England. Crawley will be a bit frustrated but we will have to accept sometimes he will get out trying to be positive, there is no point curbing it. I'd said about getting Bairstow back into the team this summer, and he did himself no harm at all today. Seems to be far more compact and exposing his stumps yet. There are questions marks over him, but also over Burns and Sibley, so he has a chance to push his way in.

Big opportunity for Lawrence too tomorrow. Half an eye on the Ashes where he scored a lot of runs for England A, he will not get a better chance to bat and make a mark. We know when you go to Australia you want 6 strong batsman to put pressure on, so a good audition tomorrow.

With the ball I agree. Broad excellent. I agreed with Hussain atm the end, we need to cherish him and Anderson and keep them going as long as possible, even if it means rotating them away from home. They remind me of Ambrose and Walsh at the end for the West Indies, they may lose a yard of pace, but they give the captain such control with the ball. You know with both of them, with the new ball, you are going to examine the opponents.

Very pleased for young Bess too. I actually agree with you re Leach, who bowled very tidily. Bess was a bit unlucky last summer, so it comes and goes. I've set throughout England will want him to develop his batting too, but hecould become a very useful allround cricketer for England if he can do that,alongside his bowling.

A great day for England. The sort of day they haven't probably had enough of under Root away from home, but they look far and away the stronger side. A big oportunity for Bairstow tomorrow to make a big score and really put himself at the forefront of selector minds going forward. Lets be fair here, Stokes and Pope will come back into this team. Crawley will stay, as willRoot and Butler. Outside of that though, there are places up for grabs and Lawrence/Bairstow can make a big play for them.
 

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