The Cricket Thread 2013

[PaulWinch again]

KP out for 49.

[PaulWinch again]

Bell gone, 172-5 not an amazing batting display.

[eastie]

Interesting to see andy flower confirm that joe root will open the batting in the ashes and Compton will not be in the team .

[PaulWinch again]

When did he say that? This is quite a relaxed game, but we shouldn't get knocked over and it's important for Bairstow to have time.

[eastie]

He sees root as an opener and he has the slot - Said root will start the ashes because they believe he will score more runs - but door open for Compton at some stage maybe - all he can do is score runs and impress-

He might do, but it will take some time. Australia have a plethora of selection dilemmas, while England have already made their one tricky decision by dropping Nick Compton as opener.
Not that Compton is completely out of the picture. He will play for Worcestershire against Australia this week. “I would not write off Compton’s chances of taking part in the Ashes,” says Flower. “A lot can happen. His only option at the moment is to score as many runs as he can so that he is viewed as being in excellent form if we wanted to call on another batsman.”
But why was he dropped? “Because in our judgment Joe Root will score more runs than anyone else competing for the opening spot. He’s an opening batsman and we believe he has the game and the mental make up to be successful in that role.”

[eastie]

Root is the man they feel will be best as opener but of course if he fails then maybe Compton could get a recall at some stage in the series - i think root will be fine.

[PaulWinch again]

Cheers eastie, yeah I'm happy enough for Root to be there.

[PaulWinch again]

This is ridiculous both Bresnan and Swann have been injured this morning by fast deleveries, hopefully not serious but should we be risking this.

[eastie]

This is ridiculous both Bresnan and Swann have been injured this morning by fast deleveries, hopefully not serious but should we be risking this.

Come now winchy, get yourself over to the tennis for the afternoon - save your analysis for the ashes my friend .

[PaulWinch again]

Nah I don't mind the tennis, but the cricket is the most important. Bres getting a century will certainly help his claims though, Finn's bowling is very important now.

[eastie]

When the ashes begins i agree - but I'd rather take in Laura robson and andy Murray today than a pointless friendly against a team who were bowled all out for 19 only a fortnight ago.

[PaulWinch again]

Although it becomes important if we pick up injuries, and Swann hasn't taken the field for the reply.

[Dave Cooper please]

This is ridiculous both Bresnan and Swann have been injured this morning by fast deleveries, hopefully not serious but should we be risking this.

Well yes, the players definitely need a game to get the sharpness up before The Ashes. It would be nice if Essex could just throw down a load of pies but they'll get a lot more of the short stuff from the Aussies.

[PaulWinch again]

This is ridiculous both Bresnan and Swann have been injured this morning by fast deleveries, hopefully not serious but should we be risking this.

Well yes, the players definitely need a game to get the sharpness up before The Ashes. It would be nice if Essex could just throw down a load of pies but they'll get a lot more of the short stuff from the Aussies.

I get that for the batsmen, but as well as Swann and Bresnan played they're principally there to bowl so them getting hammered by fast bowling isn't ideal. Swann's potential injury being a case in point.

[PaulWinch again]

Interesting Lehmann has confirmed Watson and Rogers will open the batting in the first Test. I assumed Rogers would bat 3 to stablise the line up, but clearly not.