The Cricket Thread 2013

[PaulWinch again]

I thought we didn't look quite right with Root at the top and Bairstow at 6. The latter is nothing more than one-day player with little or no technique for test-match level. 

This is one of the few occasions where I'm fairly confident I've seen far more of a player to be able to state quite confidently that Bairstow is not merely a 'one-day player'. He's played some brilliant Innings in the County Championship when he's been allowed to play, he came into this Test having not played any cricket whatsoever for 35 days for some bizarre reason. Too early to judge Root and Cook as openers after one Test.

Agreed.

[paul_e]

I thought we didn't look quite right with Root at the top and Bairstow at 6. The latter is nothing more than one-day player with little or no technique for test-match level. 

This is one of the few occasions where I'm fairly confident I've seen far more of a player to be able to state quite confidently that Bairstow is not merely a 'one-day player'. He's played some brilliant Innings in the County Championship when he's been allowed to play, he came into this Test having not played any cricket whatsoever for 35 days for some bizarre reason. Too early to judge Root and Cook as openers after one Test.

Agreed.

I like Bairstow but I don't think he's ready for test cricket yet.  He doesn't rotate the strike well enough for me.  If he's allowed to swing he's fine but when he has to stick around he gets frustrated too quickly because he's not scoring.

[peter w]

Hence the lack of technique that I mentioned. its one thing being a flat-track bully around the County Championship circuit and quite a different thing doing it at teast level. As has been said, if he is given license to free his arms then he can produce some goods. Its when he isn't givne that freedom that he struggles and isn't good enough to stick around and build an innings.

[Chris Jameson]

As has been said, if he is given license to free his arms then he can produce some goods. Its when he isn't givne that freedom that he struggles and isn't good enough to stick around and build an innings.

I've seen him stick around and build an innings when Yorkshire have been struggling, far from a 'flat-track bully'.

[peter w]

Against a county attack. Huge step up. i'm not doubting he has ability but not for test level.

[Chris Jameson]

Against a county attack. Huge step up. i'm not doubting he has ability but not for test level.

He's only played in 9 Test matches and hardly disgraced himself, the only reason I'm commenting on his batting ability is because I've watched him quite a lot, I have no idea what any of his rivals for the number 6 spot are like as I don't have SKY and don't watch any other counties but there don't seem to be many outstanding candidates. Garry Balance can't half hit a ball a long way, he's a fat lad but happy for him to continue to so it for the White Rose! Root opens for Yorkshire so it makes sense to have him open for England, he'll still be opening for them in 10 years.

[PaulWinch again]

I think it's too early to judge Bairstow either way and he needs to be given an opportunity. Number 6 is not an easy position to come in and he's performed well a couple of times in his Test career. More importantly I think we need to look at the preparation he's afforded. In NZ he was dropped into the final Test having played no cricket and the 1st Test against Australia, he'd barely played in the previous month. It's not really fair on him to expect him to play at the highest standard with no preparation.

[peter w]

I agree its not fair on him to drop him in and expect a wealth of runs. But his technique does not suggest that he is going to progress much further. But I'm more than hopeful that I'm wrong and I haven't seen as much of him as you have Chris, admittedly.

[paul_e]

I think Bairstow will become a decent test player, but he's in 2-3 years too soon as far as I'm concerned.

[Villan For Life]

Tremlett, Panesar & Stokes are training with the Squad at Lords.

Finn Under Pressure?

[Villan For Life]

Mickey Arthur their old coach is suing Cricket Australia for unfair dismissal and the details have been leaked:

All is not well in the Crims World!

[PaulWinch again]

Interesting that they have Tremlett training with the squad.

[andyaston]

Lords tomorrow. Will Finn keep his place I wonder?

Aussies got a good record at HQ but we broke the spell in 2009.

[Monty]

I don't think he will.  I agree with PWA that it's interesting that Tremlett has joined up - Lords suits pace and bounce so it would be useful to have a look at Tremlett, just in case, as he's the best like-for-like replacement for Finn who, while the right kind of bowler, has obviously lost form fairly dramatically.

[paul_e]

England don't really have form from dropping  people after 1 bad performance though, I think Finn will play but I think the call ups were very much with an eye on scaring him into a better performance.