Cricket

ToffeeTim said:
Its got to the stage where I would consider bringing back likes of Vince and Malan, even though both failed in the past.

They at least will show intent to score runs can play a forward defence without the bat coming right across the line.

Next test I'm picking something like this...

Crawley
Burns
Malan
Root
Bairstow
Buttler
Ali
Woakes- if fit
Robinson
Mahmood - assuming Wood is injured
Anderson
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I cant really argue with any of that.

Theres also a lot of lads in that 11 who are pretty lucky to be getting a gig. Bairstow, Burns in particular (especially Burns) but some realism is needed too. I'm not doing cartwheels about Crawley and Malan either, but sometimes you have to acknowledge who your best options are.

Sibley should have been punted last summer when it was clear he wasnt good enough. We are now 2 tests away from an Ashes series and they still havent done it. Genuinely appalling. Its not wise after the event either, I have been saying this for a long time.

I also said before this test, him and Hameebs selection were a "disgrace" and I stand behind that. Woeful. I'm sick of the England selectors to be honest.
 
catcherintherye said:
I cant really argue with any of that.

Theres also a lot of lads in that 11 who are pretty lucky to be getting a gig. Bairstow, Burns in particular (especially Burns) but some realism is needed too. I'm not doing cartwheels about Crawley and Malan either, but sometimes you have to acknowledge who your best options are.

Sibley should have been punted last summer when it was clear he wasnt good enough. We are now 2 tests away from an Ashes series and they still havent done it. Genuinely appalling. Its not wise after the event either, I have been saying this for a long time.

I also said before this test, him and Hameebs selection were a "disgrace" and I stand behind that. Woeful. I'm sick of the England selectors to be honest.
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I think they will stick with Hameed for more than 1 game but his technique looked quite flawed to me.

I think this side need Woakes fit asap because whilst he is obviously not Ben Stokes, he is the closest thing England have to him. He would improve the batting and bowling.

The top 3 is obviously the key issue though. You can't compete in test matches if Root is coming in with less than 25-30 on the board 90% of the time.
 
ToffeeTim said:
I think they will stick with Hameed for more than 1 game but his technique looked quite flawed to me.

I think this side need Woakes fit asap because whilst he is obviously not Ben Stokes, he is the closest thing England have to him. He would improve the batting and bowling.

The top 3 is obviously the key issue though. You can't compete in test matches if Root is coming in with less than 25-30 on the board 90% of the time.
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I avoided talking too much on Hameed, but I'm not convinced with him either. I'm not sure hes got the mountain if runs people think in the CC. They are too stubborn to admit defeat so will likely stick with him.

Curran is struggling but if there is no Woakes he may be the best option.

I'm just sick of the selectors dragging their heels when decisive action is needed.
 
catcherintherye said:
I avoided talking too much on Hameed, but I'm not convinced with him either. I'm not sure hes got the mountain if runs people think in the CC. They are too stubborn to admit defeat so will likely stick with him.

Curran is struggling but if there is no Woakes he may be the best option.

I'm just sick of the selectors dragging their heels when decisive action is needed.
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Agree about Hameed - the clamour to select him started early this season - one century that I saw was against an already weak Derby attack, who lost their two opening bowlers through injury - no relevance to test cricket whatsoever. His county coach, Peter Moores, said at the time that he shouldn't be picked by England but should be allowed to continue to rebuild his career in county cricket. He was right. overall, his average this season is lower than, for instance, Keaton Jennings.

I'd ignore the 1st innings first baller as that can happen, but it was obvious in the 2nd that his old failings were still there. However, having picked him, I'm sure they'll stick with him for at least the next game.

Burns is surviving purely due to the all too predictable failures of Sibley - to drop both openers at the same time, which I would, would be an admission of failure on the part of the selectors. I suspect they'll go in with Burns, Hameed and either Crawley or Malan at 3.
 
Methuselah said:
Sam Curran's two golden ducks must be some sort of record. England should look at the County stats for openers and choose the best two England qualified players. Even if they have never played Test cricket they can't do worse than the shower we've got.
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BigMick said:
Top county opening batsmen? I can think of Jake Libby at Worcester, booted out of Notts to make way for Hameed, who's having an excellent season, and England failure Keaton Jennings at Lancs, who's looked assured and very relaxed, almost as though he's given up on playing for England and just enjoying playing. There are one or two promising youngsters but they seem to be modern day dashers rather than solid.

I look at India and both Rohit and Rahul are converted middle-order players - perhaps England should look to do something similar although I've no idea who they could try. Crawley has opened but he looks out of touch and has had a poor season even in county cricket.
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Forgot to mention Rob Yates of Warwickshire as a promising opener - far too early for him though. He's made some excellent centuries this season but has had too many failures to suggest he's ready for test cricket. One to keep and eye on though - probably get an England Lions call up if that tour goes ahead.
 
My favourite Led Zep track is from their 1976 album Presence...it's titled 'Achilles Last Stand'.
One of it's verses lyrics:*

Days went by when you and I
Made an eternal summer’s glow
As far away and distant
Our mutual time to grow
Oh the sweet refrain
Soothes the soul and calms the pain
Oh Albion remains
Sleeping Now To Rise Again

And the point of all that preamble?

Well: us Kiwis aren't world-beaters at any sport; but we always put stock in our first cricket XI to make good...and so they have. Behind the mighty moneyed three of India, England and Aussie, we find ourselves 'knocking at the door' of the Pantheon. But it has not come easily nor readily.

Thus, my simple homily to mighty Albion...that sceptred isle of England? ...'you might sleep now, but what dreams may come....?'




*therein, I employ 'lyrics' as a verb...i.e. 'to lyric'...yes, it's unconventional, but hey, we're only here for a short time...let us lend loose leash to the bard internal within us all....and Shakespeare away!!...
 
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ToffeeTim said:
www.bbc.co.uk

England v India: Hosts recall Dawid Malan, drop Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley for third Test

Yorkshire batsman Dawid Malan recalled to the England squad for the third Test against India, with Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley both dropped from the 15-man squad.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

Sibley dropped, Dawid Malan in
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Makes sense really. Played well in Australia and probably a bit harshly dropped. Would have liked to have seen Crawley retained, but thank god we wont be seeing Sibley.
 
summerisle said:
How's he supposed to 'spend time in the middle to regain his confidence', when there's no red ball cricket, only the nonsense that is the Hundred ?
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So true. I noticed Ollie Pope batted at number 3 for Surrey the other day, perhaps in order to catch the selectors eyes and get a much needed decent score. Sadly he was out before I put the live stream on, bowled by the evergreen Rushworth for a six ball duck. No more games between now and the 3rd test! Next round of county championship not until Aug 30th.
 

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