The Cricket Thread 2013

[PaulWinch again]

Joe Root is a cracking player.

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Batting first, you have to be scoring 300+ to stand any chance on these pitches and with these small boundaries.

Root is looking very good, but the early wickets from Jimmy had a massive influence too.

[paul_e]

Yup, excellent bowling from Jimmy 5 for 33 on a small pitch where 290 would've been par is a great performance.

Root played his role to perfection and escalated the run rate exactly as you'd want from a top order batsman at that point, he is going to be a special talent for us.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I only saw a couple of overs, but was surprised to  hear the Kiwi commentator saying that Root and Trott look very similar paced. I think Root has quite a lot of ability as a 'hitter' as well.

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Yeah I only saw a couple of overs, but was surprised to  hear the Kiwi commentator saying that Root and Trott look very similar paced. I think Root has quite a lot of ability as a 'hitter' as well.

He was saying Broad has lost a yard of pace too which I completely disagree with.

Root has a massive variety of shots, where as Trott bats the same way come what may. That's not a criticism, as his strike rate was up aroun 90 today.

[OCD]

Trotty has a lot of critics but I think it helps a strike partner (Root in this case) to have someone alongside them who is solid.

Root did very well, especially for someone so early into their international career but he should have been out twice. Good to see him given the chance (Morgan could have been elevated) and taking it though. Given that Petersen or Bairstow aren't playing, there could be one or two selection dilemmas at some point.

[Dave Cooper please]

Nothing wrong with Trott, his strike rate in ODIs is 75, that compares well with most batting in the top three and, as showed today, having someone who you know will knudge and knurdle and keep the scoreboard ticking without getting out allows others to free their arms, Root will have loved having Trott opposite him today.

It's a fine balance though, if NZ had got the 300+ they should have got on that pitch and ground, would we have been better promoting Morgan or Buttler up the order?

[JD]

I think if NZ had scored more then Morgan and Buttler might have got a chance as England would have taken more risks. As it was, they didn't have to take any real risks and they chased down the target very sensibly and easily.

So to Auckland on Saturday for the decider. 

[tomd2103]

Joe Root is a cracking player.

Heard Alec Stewart on the radio earlier talking about the competition between Root and Compton to open with Cook in the test matches.  I think Root is the long term option at opener and I would like to see us be positive and open with him and give someone else a chance at six (wouldn't mind giving Morgan another opportunity).  I can see Compton opening though and Root being at six.  I would say the rest of the team picks itself.

[Villan For Life]

Steven Finn's knee/stump problem is being addressed by a change to the laws:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/mcc/content/current/story/605852.html

Seems a sensible step but he needs to sort out his technique!

[PaulWinch again]

I'm looking at India's bowling woes, what the hell happened to Praveen Kumar? He was really good when they toured England in 2011.

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Some real poor shots from the Aussies today. Clarke showed them how to play spin down there.

You wouldn't mind if it was an Ajmal or Swann, but I think the India spin attack is very ordinary.

[Dave Cooper please]

Steven Finn's knee/stump problem is being addressed by a change to the laws:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/mcc/content/current/story/605852.html

Seems a sensible step but he needs to sort out his technique!

Fair one, no balling it will stop the anomalies where some umpires let it go with a warning and others dead ball it. Finn is doing it less no but this will finally force him into cutting it out altogether.

[OCD]

From what I can gather, he's been putting a lot of time into correcting it but still occasionally does them. It shows its a real problem for him and he'll still get caught out when the rules change. It's just something we've got to put up with until he's totally got it out of his system.

[rutski]

Steven Finn's knee/stump problem is being addressed by a change to the laws:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/mcc/content/current/story/605852.html

Seems a sensible step but he needs to sort out his technique!

Fair one, no balling it will stop the anomalies where some umpires let it go with a warning and others dead ball it. Finn is doing it less no but this will finally force him into cutting it out altogether.

he has to cut it out altogether, yes he runs very centrally but not only the no ball proposition negative for the bowler but positive for the batter, he is surely risking injury if he continues. if you had a bowler clipping the stump with their finger you would advise move away a little bit.