The Cricket Thread 2013

[UK Redsox]

Eurythmics time

[paul_e]

It will be a bit of a shame if this ends up as a draw because of the rain but it shouldn't be a surprise.  I called it as a draw at the start because the weather foecast always made 5 days unlikely.  I think we've been pretty lucky to have not had more disruptions so far.

Before the series i suggested 4-0 with the weather causing a draw, I didn't expect the aussies to be the ones missing out because of the weather but I hold to that prediction.  We've learned a lot more about this aussie team from this match than we did in the first 2, the main thing being that despite us being better in all areas they've got enough spirit and raw ability to make us work for it.  I think the first 2 tests left us a little bit unprepared for them to turn up in Manchester with some backbone.

[PaulWinch again]

To be honest Paul, I'm not sure how much better we are. They're bowling as a unit looks better and they're the only team to have put on a big score in a first innings. Our batsmen have good stats behind them, but other than Bell none of them are performing anywhere near consistently enough.

Additionally they are far more positive than us, we seem negative and lack inspiration a lot of the time.

[paul_e]

We won the 2nd test by 347 runs despite some slightly ropey batting - that's the gap.

First test was closer than it should've been because we bowled badly to the tail but they needed 2 mammoth 10th wicket stands to make a game of it.

As for the bowling units comment I think they're as reliant on Siddle and Harris as we are on Jimmy and Swann, if not more so.  Broad has been pretty unlucky so far for me and has deserved more wickets than he has and Bresnan bowled really well in the 2nd test and rightly earned his place.  1st Innings here the team as a whole misjudged the pitch and bowled too short, I don't think you can blame the individual bowlers for it though as it was clearly the plan.

[Brend'Watkins]

It's always raining in Manchester it has more days of rain than any other English city.  Makes you wonder why it's even considered as a test venue. 

[MoetVillan]

I would imagine because its one of the best selling grounds, has one of the best atmospheres and some of the best games there.

[Brend'Watkins]

All very true.  I just like having a pop at Manchester for being a piss soaked paradise for umbrella salesmen.

[PaulWinch again]

We should survive here, but I think the batting order needs to be looked at.

[MoetVillan]

Bren'd that made me laugh....except if its raining in manx, its fecking raining in crewe too! 

Ashes retained.  Pretty impressed how Australia have battled in this test.  Shame they didnt show it a bit more when they could have had more influence (ie test one and test two).  Mind you, i know and work with a lot of Aussies.  This is sweet.

[TheTimVilla]

Onions and Tremlett in at Durham? Drop Bresnan, rest Jimmy. Give Taylor the last two matches at 6? Something has to change. Mind you, how different it would have been had we batted first, in the best batting conditions...

[PaulWinch again]

Well firstly it's great to retain the Ashes, but there are a lot of questions that have been raised. Are Root and Cook a good opening partnership? at the moment it doesn't look like it. Should Trott be under more pressure for his place? possibly. Is Bairstow good enough at this stage? Not sure really. Is the bowling unit performing well enough together? probably not.

I'm a little disappointed that Taylor has dropped out of the squad for Durham, it just seems the batsmen are under no pressure to perform(which as a unit they're not) but the bowlers can be dropped after one bad game. Since 2012 we have scored over 400 in 8 out of 44 innings, that is not a good stat. It suggests that all is not well in that unit, and it must improve. I think I'd be inclined to play Onions and Tremlett at Durham, as our bowlers need freshening up. Australia's attack looked fresh in this game and much more threatening. I also think our team needs a bit of work on PR, they always seem scratchy and irritable with the press and it doesn't help.

Still if you'd offered me retaining the Ashes in the 3rd Test back in the 90's I'd have bitten your hand off!

[paul_e]

Well firstly it's great to retain the Ashes, but there are a lot of questions that have been raised. Are Root and Cook a good opening partnership? at the moment it doesn't look like it. Should Trott be under more pressure for his place? possibly. Is Bairstow good enough at this stage? Not sure really. Is the bowling unit performing well enough together? probably not.

I'm a little disappointed that Taylor has dropped out of the squad for Durham, it just seems the batsmen are under no pressure to perform(which as a unit they're not) but the bowlers can be dropped after one bad game. Since 2012 we have scored over 400 in 8 out of 44 innings, that is not a good stat. It suggests that all is not well in that unit, and it must improve. I think I'd be inclined to play Onions and Tremlett at Durham, as our bowlers need freshening up. Australia's attack looked fresh in this game and much more threatening. I also think our team needs a bit of work on PR, they always seem scratchy and irritable with the press and it doesn't help.

Still if you'd offered me retaining the Ashes in the 3rd Test back in the 90's I'd have bitten your hand off!

The last line is the important bit.  We've retained the ashes as the earliest possible point in the tour, that needs to be considered before any snap judgements on the team.

[Dave Cooper please]

Well firstly it's great to retain the Ashes, but there are a lot of questions that have been raised. Are Root and Cook a good opening partnership?

Opening partnerships take time to develop, both are talented openers, Cook has proved it at Test level, Root is a tremendous prospect, I'd stick with this right through both Ashes series and see where they are then.

Should Trott be under more pressure for his place?

Yes. A series of poor displays now, I'd rest him and Bairstow and see what players like Ballance and Taylor can do.

Is the bowling unit performing well enough together?

Yes. We won the first two tests because of the bowling (and Ian Bell), Australia just took advantage of a lovely pitch and a rare Anderson off day. Not to say that Onions or Tremlett shouldn't be given a go but there's not much wrong here.

[Chris Jameson]

I also think our team needs a bit of work on PR, they always seem scratchy and irritable with the press and it doesn't help.

Granted I only have access to TMS, the highlights on 5 and interviews in The Guardian and Observer but I'm not sure what you mean by this. Seems like another stick to beat them with to me!

[paul_e]

Well firstly it's great to retain the Ashes, but there are a lot of questions that have been raised. Are Root and Cook a good opening partnership?

Opening partnerships take time to develop, both are talented openers, Cook has proved it at Test level, Root is a tremendous prospect, I'd stick with this right through both Ashes series and see where they are then.

Should Trott be under more pressure for his place?

Yes. A series of poor displays now, I'd rest him and Bairstow and see what players like Ballance and Taylor can do.

Is the bowling unit performing well enough together?

Yes. We won the first two tests because of the bowling (and Ian Bell), Australia just took advantage of a lovely pitch and a rare Anderson off day. Not to say that Onions or Tremlett shouldn't be given a go but there's not much wrong here.

Agree X3

Very good summing up of the situation, the 2 changes mentioned are the 2 I'd consider, although trott staying and Taylor in at 6 would probably be my choice.  I've said all along that I don't think Bairstow is ready and nothing has changed my opinion on that.  We're going to ruin him if we persist when he's mentally unable to cope with the pressure of an ashes series.

I'm happy with the bowlers but I think Onions should be in with a good shout for the next match given it's his county ground.  It really depends on who takes the blame for the first innings in this test.  As I've said all along I think the plan was wrong but that the bowlers did what they were asked, in which case it's harsh for any of them to drop out.