England 2012 Cricket Thread

[Dave Summers]

Trott showed how to play, but how many of our batsmen let us down. Strauss, KP, Bell and Patel. That's 4 of the top 7.

Brilliant effort this innings, I believe it's the highest fourth innings score at Galle already.

We haven't lost this game today, we have lost it in the first innings when we batted poorly and also three or four times in both Sri Lankan innings, when we haven't finished them off when we had them in bother.

It's always disappointing when people are out and we can all say bad shot etc etc, but very often it's the right shot, just poor execution.   Bell's shot this morning being the perfect example, there wasn't anyone behind square on the leg side, so there were runs to be had.   Just played the shot poorly unfortunately.

If we don't win in Colombo next week then we will lose our number 1 ranking.   On this winters efforts, you can't really say we deserve to be at the top anymore I guess.

Anyway, come on Broady.  Let's have a quickfire 50 and make it interesting !!!

[PaulWinch again]

4 defeats in a row is embarrassing. As a Test side this winter we've consistently let down by at least 4/5 of the top 6 every innings. Completely unacceptable.

[andrew08]

Be a nice turnaround for Monty to hang in for a while. He's made a bit of the difference in this test that's for sure!

[PaulWinch again]

Well that is a hell of a collapse.

[PaulWinch again]

Trott and to an extent Prior can take credit from that innings. The rest were dreadful overall.

[TheTimVilla]

As already said, those last wicket stands have hit us hard. Beefy was talking about the bowlers' pitching towards tailenders, compared to openers and how we only try to bounce them out. A bit more thinking required. Ah well, it was fun being best team in the world...

[TheTimVilla]

The last 5 wickets put on 12 runs. Their last stand was 50+

[PaulWinch again]

Patel hasn't really done anything to warrant his place. I'd switch his for Bresnan.

[Villan For Life]

FFS

[Dave Summers]

Trott and to an extent Prior can take credit from that innings. The rest were dreadful overall.

I think you are being a tad harsh Paul if I'm honest.  As i said above, we haven't lost it in this innings.   To score over 250 in the 4th innings on that pitch was good.   We were too far behind the game from the first innings to make it back up though.

Changes for the next game?.

I'd bring Bresnan in but can't make up my mind whether it would be for Monty or Patel.

[PaulWinch again]

FFS

Yep. It was a shocking, shocking collapse. I'm not sure what Patel offers, he got a couple of wickets but didn't bowl many overs and his batting was awful.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Stokes, Bairstow and Taylor to be looked at for the batting line up. The likes of Strauss, KP, Bell are not under enough pressure. I know the latter two did well last year, but this is now. They need someone in to freshen it up.

[paul_e]

I think Stokes, Bairstow and Taylor to be looked at for the batting line up. The likes of Strauss, KP, Bell are not under enough pressure. I know the latter two did well last year, but this is now. They need someone in to freshen it up.

Strauss is the real worry for me, he hasn't looked comfortable opening for a while now.

I'm also still unconvinced we can afford to play Monty regularly.  his 2 drops of Jayawardene in the first innings are just as important as anything the batsmen did wrong.  A big part of our rise to the top of the rankings was down to our excellence in the field, Monty is a very weak link in this regard.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Monty is only really an option if we are on the sub continent or Swann is injured. We don't have anyone else who can be qualified as a front line spinner.

[Dave Summers]

I'm also still unconvinced we can afford to play Monty regularly.  his 2 drops of Jayawardene in the first innings are just as important as anything the batsmen did wrong.  A big part of our rise to the top of the rankings was down to our excellence in the field, Monty is a very weak link in this regard.
[/quote]

He's out there now in the squad, but I wouldn't personally have him anywhere near it.  It's just plain embarrassing his ineptitude with both his batting and fielding.   I except he had a decent tour of UAE, but I'm not a massive fan of his bowling either.

These days, cricketers have to be able to do two out of the three disciplines well to justify there place in the team.  If they only do one, then they have to be a hell of a player to justify being in there.

Danny Briggs may well be the next England spinner, but again he is poor with the bat.   However, look how Anderson has improved with a lot of hard work and application.  Normally you can guarantee a score of over 10 from him, which is perfectly acceptable for a 10 or 11.   Prospective test bowlers need to take a good look at him and follow his example.

In terms of the batters, I would suggest that Strauss is under the most pressure, but I don't see him being dropped before India next winter.   I think that Boycott has got it right, they will all perform well this summer at home v Windies and Saffas, but we will have the same issues after that.

They are all good players, you don't average between 40 and 50 without having something.   They were all in form last summer, with the exception of Strauss and by and large have all had sticky winters together.   I don't think we can make wholesale changes in the batting department though. 

Spoken like a true ex batsman haven't I ??.  If you're struggling for runs, change the bowling attack :-)