The Cricket Thread 2013

[PaulWinch again]

Looking at this pitch, I have no idea why our start was so bad.

[Steve R]

Broad is fast becoming my Mark Kinsella. Standing there hands on hips glaring at fielders after another fruitless chase to the boundary.

There's always the option of not chucking pies you dimwit.

I'm going to enjoy the Champions Trophy. These things are always better if you have a half decent scapegoat.

[PaulWinch again]

Good delivery Tredwell, Guptill gone.

[Villan For Life]

Two crucial wickets from Tredwell, first Guptill then McCullum.

[PGW]

Are we gonna win this - get Taylor then no problem.....104 off 84 but 7 wkts down 184 - 7

[paul_e]

This just serves to prove how important momentum is in cricket, we went in the field knowing we had a good total and we've been much more dangerous.  The Morgan/Bopara partnership set us going and Buttler just pushed us over the edge.  After that despite NZ coming out swinging we looked confident that we were only a wicket or 2 away from being on top, as soon as guptill went we looked like winning and we've done the best possible thing in taking regular wickets.

[paul_e]

I may have posted that slightly too soon, as we often do England are making tail-end sloggers look better than they really are.

[paul_e]

and back to my earlier post.

[PGW]

I may have posted that slightly too soon, as we often do England are making tail-end sloggers look better than they really are.

I was about to say the same when Finn pulls off his quick thinking to get rid of Taylor - if that had been another 6 could well have been in trouble.

[olaftab]

I predict NZ to be all out by the time you read this!

[TheTimVilla]

A question from Radio just asked i dont currently no answer!
Which former Test Cricketer born in 1973 went to school in Guildford area won a cricket version of 'The Weakest Link' back in 2005

The answer was apparently Ashley Giles!!!

So I was right. Yay, me!
 
Just about held on there. At least it makes things a bit clearer for Saturday, with Anderson and Swann to return...

[tomd2103]

Better today, but the batting line up still looks a little disjointed.  Along with KP, I'd still like to see Prior in the line up, but Morgan and Buttler were impressive today.

[Villan For Life]

Better today, but the batting line up still looks a little disjointed.  Along with KP, I'd still like to see Prior in the line up, but Morgan and Buttler were impressive today.

The match situation when Buttler went in was ideal for him. Only a few overs left and he was able to open his arms and swing the bat. It's almost as if when he goes in earlier he doesn't know what to do.

Yet again we approach a major international tournament and have no idea of what our best side is. Prior is probably the best wicketkeeper batsman in the world; certainly the best since Gilchrist yet he doesn't even get in the squad.

[PaulWinch again]

Buttler was impressive, but if he is to be a long term option he needs to learn how to construct an innings if he comes in in say the 30th over. He has the ability to be devestating over a short period, but he needs to be able to do it over a longer period.

[paul_e]

Better today, but the batting line up still looks a little disjointed.  Along with KP, I'd still like to see Prior in the line up, but Morgan and Buttler were impressive today.

The match situation when Buttler went in was ideal for him. Only a few overs left and he was able to open his arms and swing the bat. It's almost as if when he goes in earlier he doesn't know what to do.

Yet again we approach a major international tournament and have no idea of what our best side is. Prior is probably the best wicketkeeper batsman in the world; certainly the best since Gilchrist yet he doesn't even get in the squad.

It all comes down to the top order doing their job.  We're only going to pick 1 of Buttler or Prior.  If we regularly need that player to face 40-50 deliveries then Prior should start.  If we can arrange it so they need to face 15-20 and can slog then Buttler is explosive and has to play.

KP coming back will help not sure who for though.  If we want to go with 4 frontline bowlers to give us a fuller batting line up then we're looking for 10 overs from the top order.  Root and Bopara both look capable of 5-6overs.  If either of them are left out do we think Trott, Bell and KP can make up the difference, all 3 have had a few overs here and there at test level but I don't know about any of them in ODIs.