The Cricket Thread 2013

[Villan For Life]

We really do need to look at why our players are getting 30/40/50/60s and not going on to get big scores. You need at least one big score to build a good innings.

I'm sure they must be looking at it. They have so many support staff and analysts that they must have highlighted it. If not why are they there? Gooch needs to earn his corn as batting coach.

[curiousorange]

We really do need to look at why our players are getting 30/40/50/60s and not going on to get big scores. You need at least one big score to build a good innings.

It seems to me that England's best results seem to come when they can see a win in sight after four days. They're unused to Test cricket played at a Test cricket pace, so the opposition slow the over rate, make the batsmen fidgety and lose their concentration.

[Chris Smith]

We really do need to look at why our players are getting 30/40/50/60s and not going on to get big scores. You need at least one big score to build a good innings.

I heard someone on TMS yesterday, Vaughan I think, saying it was already playing like a fourth day pitch. I wouldn't be pressing the panic button just yet, Cook, Trott etc haven't become bad players all of a sudden.

[Villan For Life]

The new ball is due. It will be a vital passage of play. We need to see it off without losing any more wickets.

[UK Redsox]

This is not going well

[PGW]

Belly surviving that LBW review could have a major impact on outcome of this game with Bairstow going straight after. Gonna be tight - yep need another 90+ runs.

[UK Redsox]

We really do need to look at why our players are getting 30/40/50/60s and not going on to get big scores. You need at least one big score to build a good innings.

I heard someone on TMS yesterday, Vaughan I think, saying it was already playing like a fourth day pitch. I wouldn't be pressing the panic button just yet, Cook, Trott etc haven't become bad players all of a sudden.

I'm sure there was some talk that the pitch was ready last weekend. There was some reason why it was so advanced, but I can't remember why.

[PaulWinch again]

Bairstow shouldn't be playing, getting out like that is terrible.

[PaulWinch again]

Actually possibly a bit harsh, but he needs to contribute a lot more. We are massively reliant on Bell and Prior doing something now.

[paul_e]

This is why I question whether Bresnan could fill in ahead of Bairstow.  I think he'd score a similar number of runs at a similar rate but offers the opportunity to take off a poorly performing Finn, or cover for an injured Broad.

[cdbearsfan]

Am I alone in thinking that the Barmy Army's "whoooo we are", etc, chant is fucking shite?

[PGW]

This is why I question whether Bresnan could fill in ahead of Bairstow.  I think he'd score a similar number of runs at a similar rate but offers the opportunity to take off a poorly performing Finn, or cover for an injured Broad.

The England management like playing Prior at 7 if you bring Bresnan in you cant really expect him to come in at 6 - asking a bit much of him. Look at Prior already this innings speeding things up and playing some shots....i think he is happy at 7.

[paul_e]

about 70 away from a competitive score here, really need Bell to hang around now though, If he can form a couple of decent partnerships we can get into a really strong position, much over 250 and I think it'll be too much for them, the pitch is our friend right now.

[Villan For Life]

Am I alone in thinking that the Barmy Army's "whoooo we are", etc, chant is fucking shite?

Yes.

[Villan For Life]

about 70 away from a competitive score here, really need Bell to hang around now though, If he can form a couple of decent partnerships we can get into a really strong position, much over 250 and I think it'll be too much for them, the pitch is our friend right now.

The Aussies are notoriously bad at chasing down a 4th innings target. They won't fancy anything above 200. If we can eke out another 150 then it's game on.