The Cricket Thread 2013

[andyaston]

Now the Ashes have been retained we need to look at other options. Taylor, Tremlett and Onions deserve to be give a game or two at Durham and the Oval.

Trott has not a such a poor scoring run in the England set up so he deserves our patience. Bairstow just doesn't convince yet and may go the way of Morgan and Bopara. Broad has bowled better than his figures show but he, Bresnan and Finn need to improve. Swann is the best spinner we've had in decades and Prior as a wicket keeper batsman does the job well. Cook and Root need to establish a good understanding. I'm still not convinced Root is an opener but he is definately a test class batsman.

[The Left Side]

Well done England

[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?

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.

Yeah I imagine that they'll continue with the opening partnership for the remainder of the series, my main concern with it is that I don't want it to damage Root's development. Trott needs to start performing definitely, as exposing KP early generally isn't in our best interest. I think Tremlett and Onions should come in, because we need to have several options available.

[Dave Cooper please]

Yeah I imagine that they'll continue with the opening partnership for the remainder of the series, my main concern with it is that I don't want it to damage Root's development.

I don't think it will, he has shown a lot of maturity so far. He's had a couple of poor innings but has bounced back immediately, openers will always get out cheaply now and again, they are facing the new ball against fresh bowlers remember.

[Steve R]

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.

I'd disagree with the bowling being not a problem. A four man attack should be just that, Broad is more perception than delivery and Bresnan doesn't take big hauls regularly enough either. The only mitigation would be the team tactic of digging the ball in short rather than bowling a length more appropriate to the wicket.

We still have the problem that we can look very ordinary on a less than helpful track. I'd still argue that Australia has a better all round attack.

[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.

I'd disagree with the bowling being not a problem. A four man attack should be just that, Broad is more perception than delivery and Bresnan doesn't take big hauls regularly enough either. The only mitigation would be the team tactic of digging the ball in short rather than bowling a length more appropriate to the wicket.

We still have the problem that we can look very ordinary on a less than helpful track. I'd still argue that Australia has a better all round attack.

I disagree completely on the last point.  Australia have got over 300 once in 6 innings.  If that was England we'd be slating th batsmen and lauding their attack.  We were piss poor in the first innings at Old Trafford, that's plain to see but in the other 5 we've taken 47 wickets at an average of just over 23.6 - that's a phenomenal bowling record against anyone.  Even with the first innings at OT included we average just over 30 as a team.  On top of that they're been just as reliant on Siddle and Harris as we have on Anderson and Swann.  For info their team wide bowling average is 34, even after this match, so we're still average around 40runs a innings more than them.

Bresnan has been fine, 7 wickets in 2 matches as the 4th bowler is perfectly acceptable.

Broad is the toughie, he needs more wickets but he's bowled some really good spells and has been on the wrong end of a few iffy decisions that have damaged his average quite significantly.  He's the one who should be under pressure though, however he's provided a lot of very important runs down the bottom so far (he's averaging 38.5 for the series) and given the bowling is generally working he's probably safe for Durham, he needs some wickets there though.

Final point, I'm getting pretty fed up of the amount of times I've read we're over-reliant on Swann and Jimmy, we have 2 of the top 5 bowlers in the world, what do people expect of them other than to bowl well and win us matches?

[tomd2103]

Now the Ashes have been retained we need to look at other options. Taylor, Tremlett and Onions deserve to be give a game or two at Durham and the Oval.

Trott has not a such a poor scoring run in the England set up so he deserves our patience. Bairstow just doesn't convince yet and may go the way of Morgan and Bopara. Broad has bowled better than his figures show but he, Bresnan and Finn need to improve. Swann is the best spinner we've had in decades and Prior as a wicket keeper batsman does the job well. Cook and Root need to establish a good understanding. I'm still not convinced Root is an opener but he is definately a test class batsman.

Not sure about that Andy.  We want to win the Ashes outright and I would only begin to look at other options if we are going into the final test 3-1 up.  Compton seems to be out of the picture, but I think we were stronger with him opening and Root batting at 6.

[tomd2103]

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.

I'd disagree with the bowling being not a problem. A four man attack should be just that, Broad is more perception than delivery and Bresnan doesn't take big hauls regularly enough either. The only mitigation would be the team tactic of digging the ball in short rather than bowling a length more appropriate to the wicket.

We still have the problem that we can look very ordinary on a less than helpful track. I'd still argue that Australia has a better all round attack.

I disagree completely on the last point.  Australia have got over 300 once in 6 innings.  If that was England we'd be slating th batsmen and lauding their attack.  We were piss poor in the first innings at Old Trafford, that's plain to see but in the other 5 we've taken 47 wickets at an average of just over 23.6 - that's a phenomenal bowling record against anyone.  Even with the first innings at OT included we average just over 30 as a team.  On top of that they're been just as reliant on Siddle and Harris as we have on Anderson and Swann.  For info their team wide bowling average is 34, even after this match, so we're still average around 40runs a innings more than them.

Bresnan has been fine, 7 wickets in 2 matches as the 4th bowler is perfectly acceptable.

Broad is the toughie, he needs more wickets but he's bowled some really good spells and has been on the wrong end of a few iffy decisions that have damaged his average quite significantly.  He's the one who should be under pressure though, however he's provided a lot of very important runs down the bottom so far (he's averaging 38.5 for the series) and given the bowling is generally working he's probably safe for Durham, he needs some wickets there though.
Final point, I'm getting pretty fed up of the amount of times I've read we're over-reliant on Swann and Jimmy, we have 2 of the top 5 bowlers in the world, what do people expect of them other than to bowl well and win us matches?

For me, it should be a choice between Broad or Bresnan and probably not both.  I'd personally like to see Tremlett given another go with an eye on the return series in a few months time.

[Dave Cooper please]

I disagree completely on the last point.  Australia have got over 300 once in 6 innings.  If that was England we'd be slating th batsmen and lauding their attack.  We were piss poor in the first innings at Old Trafford, that's plain to see but in the other 5 we've taken 47 wickets at an average of just over 23.6 - that's a phenomenal bowling record against anyone.  Even with the first innings at OT included we average just over 30 as a team.  On top of that they're been just as reliant on Siddle and Harris as we have on Anderson and Swann.  For info their team wide bowling average is 34, even after this match, so we're still average around 40runs a innings more than them.

Bresnan has been fine, 7 wickets in 2 matches as the 4th bowler is perfectly acceptable.

Broad is the toughie, he needs more wickets but he's bowled some really good spells and has been on the wrong end of a few iffy decisions that have damaged his average quite significantly.  He's the one who should be under pressure though, however he's provided a lot of very important runs down the bottom so far (he's averaging 38.5 for the series) and given the bowling is generally working he's probably safe for Durham, he needs some wickets there though.

Final point, I'm getting pretty fed up of the amount of times I've read we're over-reliant on Swann and Jimmy, we have 2 of the top 5 bowlers in the world, what do people expect of them other than to bowl well and win us matches?

Yep.

[olaftab]

Now the Ashes have been retained we need to look at other options.

I am not so hooked on this "ashes retention" business. It's of no value in a stand alone test series that England need to win. So no experimenting etc and go for a win in the 4th to secure the series.

[PaulWinch again]

Well Lehmann has said that Australia have 'exposed the cracks' in the England batting line up. That should be the perfect motivation for our batsmen to perform now.

[andyaston]

Now the Ashes have been retained we need to look at other options. Taylor, Tremlett and Onions deserve to be give a game or two at Durham and the Oval.

Trott has not a such a poor scoring run in the England set up so he deserves our patience. Bairstow just doesn't convince yet and may go the way of Morgan and Bopara. Broad has bowled better than his figures show but he, Bresnan and Finn need to improve. Swann is the best spinner we've had in decades and Prior as a wicket keeper batsman does the job well. Cook and Root need to establish a good understanding. I'm still not convinced Root is an opener but he is definately a test class batsman.

Not sure about that Andy.  We want to win the Ashes outright and I would only begin to look at other options if we are going into the final test 3-1 up.  Compton seems to be out of the picture, but I think we were stronger with him opening and Root batting at 6.

Yes Root is better off further down the order away from the new cherry. I agree with you that we want to win the series outright, but we should at least look at Tremlett at the Oval and Onions at Durham due to the bowling condtions at those venues suiting their styles of bowling. Taylor has been left out for Friday so, Bairstow has been given another chance to shine by the looks of it.

[peter w]

They'll give Bairstow a chance and let hi play the series. However,he'sout of his depth. Just like every yorkshireman ever.

[PaulWinch again]

I think there's a chance they'll play Onions in this game and then Tremlett at the Oval. I'd be inclined to play both, they're both excellent bowlers and we need to cultivate options.

[fredm]

They'll give Bairstow a chance and let hi play the series. However,he'sout of his depth. Just like every yorkshireman ever.

Ha, ha, split my sides laughing.