The Cricket Thread 2013

[Dave Cooper please]

We need to impose ourselves on the opposition, especially the Aussies, and setting that tone starts with the openers. I have nothing against Compton, but his rate of scoring just seems to slow when combined with Cook and Trott.

If you have a strike rate of 50ish as one of the opening three batsmen you are doing okay in Test cricket, both Cook and Trott have strike rates just under 50. Opening is not about taking the game to the opposition all the time, it's about seeing off the new ball and setting the game up.

I honestly think that the way the Aussies played in the 90's and 00's when they suddenly started scoring at unprecedented rates has somewhat skewed things, suddenly everyone thinks that scoring at four an over is normal! It's not, and you can't do it in every Test, especially on pitches like the one at Lords.

 We have just won a low scoring Test match by a huge margin, the batting performances can be put into perspective by the fact that four seam bowlers, two for each side, had spells where they were virtually unplayable.

[Ad@m]

Winning easily without playing particularly well is the sign of a very good team surely?

It's also the sign of a piss poor opposition.

Whilst the way we demolished their 2nd innings was fantastic there's a reason they're ranked last in the world Test rankings (I'm not counting Bangladesh as they never play).

Whilst the Lords pitch is always a bit tasty two batting collapses in two innings against New Zealand needs to be sorted so that it doesn't happen again.

[tomd2103]

I'm not only looking at that game in isolation though, we've had quite a few poor collapses over the last year or so. Also with reference to Morgan his struggles came when he completely lost his technique, which he has now rediscovered. So it might be worth looking at him again.

Agree Paul.  I'd also like to see Morgan given another chance, as he has previously scored runs at test level and is a special player when on form.  I guess Bairstow is the other option at sx if Root is moved to opener and KP comes back in.   

[PaulWinch again]

I'm not only looking at that game in isolation though, we've had quite a few poor collapses over the last year or so. Also with reference to Morgan his struggles came when he completely lost his technique, which he has now rediscovered. So it might be worth looking at him again.

Agree Paul.  I'd also like to see Morgan given another chance, as he has previously scored runs at test level and is a special player when on form.  I guess Bairstow is the other option at sx if Root is moved to opener and KP comes back in.   

I'm really not sure on Bairstow, he never looks secure at the wicket. I'm not writing him off, he's only young but he seems to have quite a lot of flaws at the moment.

[taylorsworkrate]

I think Taylor is a better long term test prospect than Bairstow

[paul_e]

I think Taylor is a better long term test prospect than Bairstow

I agree with the bat but I'm still not sure how effective we could be in the field with him and prior both starting.

[PaulWinch again]

I fear for Taylor that he seems to have been discarded by our set up. I know he captained the Lions, but that's a step down. It just seems the management don't fancy him.

[PaulWinch again]

Asad Rauf has been pulled from the Champions League by ICC after it became apparent he was being investigated by the Mumbai police. That's a bit of a concern, he's an elite umpire.

I despise anyone found guilty of the fixing that's going on, they are destroying a great game.

[bilsim]

Joe Root reminds me of Benteke. Ability beyond his years, looking comfortable at a level that he's completely new too and the world a his feet. Watching him play, much like Benteke, you feel you are watching the start of a very special talent. The positive with Joe Root, of course, is that he's ours for keeps!

[Villan For Life]

Probably a couple of wickets too many to call it England's day but it was good to see Root & Bairstow contribute with the bat. Another failure from Compton and Bell will be looking over his shoulder as he could be at risk if Root & Bairstow maintain form and KP regains fitness and scores a few for Surrey.

[Dave Cooper please]

Root bats so much like Mike Atherton it's like they cloned him.

England's day definitely given NZ's batting frailties.

[PGW]

Lost Prior early doors though ct at slip
348 / 8 should be enough

[PGW]

354 / 9
Finn B Boult

[PGW]

354 all out
Boult 5 fer
Nearly hour and half at them till lunch Ball swinging around.

[taylorsworkrate]

354 all out
Boult 5 fer
Nearly hour and half at them till lunch Ball swinging around.

Not one ball England have bowled can be described as anything other than gun barrel straight.

This pitch is a road without the prodigious swing movement the Kiwi's got.