The International Cricket Thread 2018

[taylorsworkrate]

In very English conditions, Pakistan (ranked 7th in the world and recently struggled for large portions of a match against Ireland) have comprehensively outbatted and outbowled us. Its been an embarrasing performance so far, on the back of a pathetic winter. Bayliss is adding nothing to the test team, so should be relieved of that duty to focus on the white ball stuff.

Ed Smith has come in as selector, and responded to the woes of the winter by picking a one day player as a specialist batsman, and a young spinner who has played a handful of first class matches.

The whole thing is a fucking shambles.

[PaulWinch again]

We look like a very poor side at the moment. We look a bit aimless.

[tomd2103]

We look like a very poor side at the moment. We look a bit aimless.

On the flip side, Pakistan have looked a decent outfit on this showing.  I think the fact that they have played a number of games over here in preparation showed their intent, whereas a number of our top players haven’t played much red ball cricket at all. 

They have had their critics, but in early summer conditions in England I think leaving Woakes and Ali out is a bit of a mistake.  The tail looks really fragile without them and although we need to look at other spinning options, I am not sure how effective any of our spinners are going to be in current conditions, so the batting should surely come into account.

[taylorsworkrate]

Yet another hideous batting collapse.

[Chris Jameson]

Regardless of everything else, I really can’t understand the selection of Buttler, makes no sense at all.

[PaulWinch again]

Dismal stuff. Lack of batting application, lack of bowling potency, lack of tactical nous, and lack of intensity in the field.

[paul_e]

Regardless of everything else, I really can’t understand the selection of Buttler, makes no sense at all.

I completely disagree, I think he's a very good player (he's not a t20 slogger as many think, his technique is actually pretty solid).  The problem is that he was called in having not played red ball cricket for 8-9 months, if they'd planned things better I suspect he'd have got a county game or 2 under his belt.

[Gareth]

Regardless of everything else, I really can’t understand the selection of Buttler, makes no sense at all.

I completely disagree, I think he's a very good player (he's not a t20 slogger as many think, his technique is actually pretty solid).  The problem is that he was called in having not played red ball cricket for 8-9 months, if they'd planned things better I suspect he'd have got a county game or 2 under his belt.

Thing is he probably wasn’t on the radar until his run of half centuries in IPL a fortnight back. 

[PaulWinch again]

Poor from Buttler.

[PaulWinch again]

Solid effort from the tail in support of Bess...

[PaulWinch again]

England have been fucking dismal yet again.

[Villan For Life]

Since 2014 we have handed debuts to 10 top order batsmen. The majority have been given at least five tests to prove themselves. Their combined average is just 26.

We have won 20 of our last 50 tests and have reached 400 just 6 times in the last 29 innings. Our batting is dire and we badly need someone to step up and take responsibility otherwise we are in for several years in the cricketing wilderness.

[Steve67]

I really don't know why we are sticking with Bayliss.  Clearly, we are getting worse as a test side.  So many small things going wrong, they all add up and make is easy to play against. 

[Villan For Life]

I really don't know why we are sticking with Bayliss.  Clearly, we are getting worse as a test side.  So many small things going wrong, they all add up and make is easy to play against. 

I suspect that they have focused too heavily on white ball Cricket to the detriment of red ball Cricket. Time for a new coach for the test team but miracle workers are thin on the ground.

[aj2k77]

The shithouse fannys lasted 3 overs. Great fight.