Cricket 2010 Thread

[Dave Cooper please]

Are we that good, or are Pakistan that bad?

Both. Pakistan are bad but let's not forget that they rolled the Aussies over on a similar pitch in similar conditions.
England have finally discovered something they have been missing since Botham's time, ruthlessness. Fuck whether the opposition are in disarray and being humiliated, pile it on! The West Indies were masters of this, and then Australia honed it into a fine art, finally we have not just the players, but also the mentality to put ourselves into that sort of company.

[VillaZogmariner]

I think you make a very good point there Dave about ruthlessness.

Another thing I like about this England side though is the fact that we don't have to rely on just 1/2 players. Look at the bowlers, for example. We can see that Jimmy is in the form of his life at the moment, but should he have a day/match where he struggles we've got Broad and Swann to come in and take the pressure off. I also think Finn will become a key bowler for us over the next few years.

The same can be said with the bat. For 5/6 years now KP has been the key wicket for any opposing side, but now we're seeing the likes of Morgan, Trott and Collingwood play with a bit of confidence.

For me though, our main weakness is opening. I'm not a massive fan of Cook, and do worry sometimes that losing both him and Strauss in quick succession or early on can put a bit too much pressure on the rest of our line up. Question is though, who is there that can come in and open? I was chatting to someone about this a couple of weeks ago, and he was of the opinion that Collingwood would make a good opener alongside Strauss. I don't know if he's played that role before, but I don't think it would be too bad a shout.

[Villan For Life]

I agree to a point Bazz, but feel that Jimmy will struggle down under with the Kookabura ball.

He's a fantastic bowler when the conditions are right but tends to struggle when the sun beats down and movement through the air is non-existent.

It's the same with Mitchell Johnson for the Crims. Brilliant in Oz, awful over here.

Braod and Finn will be key bowlers.

[olaftab]

Spent a very good day at Edgbaston today. Was  very apprehensive at the start of the day about VFM for our  60 quid tickets and  at lunch time I thought it'll be home early. However dogged resistance by Pakistan 7th, 8th and 9th wicket made it a full day. Swan  bowled well and felt sorry for Haider not getting a ton.

[Monty]

So one win by 354 and one by 9 wickets, bowling out the opposition for double figures twice. Still can't shake the feeling that the four-man attack might not be enough in less favourable Aussie conditions, though.

[VillaZogmariner]

Cook gone for 6.

Someone on TMS earlier (think it was Aggers) made a very good point about how Strauss and Bell were both dropped and sent back to their counties when they were struggling as much as Cook is. I think he should've sat out this series so far and been allowed to get his confidence back at county level.

[Villan For Life]

Cook gone for 6.

Someone on TMS earlier (think it was Aggers) made a very good point about how Strauss and Bell were both dropped and sent back to their counties when they were struggling as much as Cook is. I think he should've sat out this series so far and been allowed to get his confidence back at county level.

There's not much 4 day cricket left this season where he could rebuild his confidence.

He does need to be taken out of the firing line. Move Trott up to open and whilst Bell is still unfit bring in Carberry or maybe Owais Shah.

Just don't play Shah against the Crims please Straussy......

[Drummond]

Drop Cook, are you mad?

winky man

[VillaZogmariner]

It's a good job Trott likes playing at Lords for England!

262 in his only previous innings there, and just got his century today too.

[Monty]

Brilliant knock from Trotty, showing the rest of them what you can achieve with a modicum of patience. Face-saving partnership with Broad this.

[Monty]

And now Broado's gone to his maiden century. At Lords. From no. 9. Absolutely brilliant. If he takes three wickets in both innings he'll get to 100 in tests as well. Freddie who?

[hipkiss92]

Brilliant batting from these two, 200 n.o partnership, who would have thought it when Broad came in? If only warwickshire could produce something like this. Their batting has been shocking all season.

[Villan For Life]

Brilliant batting from these two, 200 n.o partnership, who would have thought it when Broad came in? If only warwickshire could produce something like this. Their batting has been shocking all season.

Hardly surprising when their best batsmen are either in at number 3 for England or recovering from an injury sustained when playing for England.

The Bears would be in for the title with Bell and Trott in the team and scoring runs.

[VillaZogmariner]

World Record partnership at Number 9 from Broad and Trott. What a fantastic and series saving knock that was from the pair of them.

Couple of early wickets too for Broady - let's hope he can carry this over to the winter!

[Monty]

70-8. Whoops.