The Cricket Thread 2013

[PaulWinch again]

Well done Buttler great effort, still the balance of the team was completely wrong. Really glad Carberry got his runs though.

[taylorsworkrate]

Great knock from Buttler, who finally seems to be making something of his talent.

[paul_e]

Brilliant from Buttler in the end, he's growing into a very good player, and he's looked excellent behind the stumps this summer as well.  I'd drop Bopara for Jordan for the last one, we looked a bowler short again which let them back in when we could've been looking at chasing less than 200.

[TheTimVilla]

Swann and Broad too tired to play for England but can play in YB40 final.

I don't see the problem, Swann doesn't play ODIs anyway and Broad has played a hell of a lot of games for England across all formats in the last year or so.

Aside from that we need to look at other options, if Jimmy and Broad were playing would Rankin have got much game time, for example?

They never asked to be rested by England - this is notts first final in over 20 years so having served the county for years they fully deserve the chance to play in the final.

One 40 over game is a lot different to 5 one day games - its a one off huge occassion for notts - let the lads enjoy it .
Other players have been given the same privilege to play in finals in recent years as well.

I take your points especially about Rankin but Swann isn't playing, to protect his elbow and Broad may even end up as ODI captain so should be playing if fit. After all, the ECB pay their wages. Also, it's got to be tough on the two Notts players who got them to the final who will be dropped.

[paul_e]

Swann and Broad too tired to play for England but can play in YB40 final.

I don't see the problem, Swann doesn't play ODIs anyway and Broad has played a hell of a lot of games for England across all formats in the last year or so.

Aside from that we need to look at other options, if Jimmy and Broad were playing would Rankin have got much game time, for example?

They never asked to be rested by England - this is notts first final in over 20 years so having served the county for years they fully deserve the chance to play in the final.

One 40 over game is a lot different to 5 one day games - its a one off huge occassion for notts - let the lads enjoy it .
Other players have been given the same privilege to play in finals in recent years as well.

I take your points especially about Rankin but Swann isn't playing, to protect his elbow and Broad may even end up as ODI captain so should be playing if fit. After all, the ECB pay their wages. Also, it's got to be tough on the two Notts players who got them to the final who will be dropped.

Swann hasn't played ODIs for a while so he's not being rested for this, whatever the reason Tredwell is the spinner in the ODI squad.  So the rested bowlers are Broad and Anderson.  Anderson looked like he needed a rest in the last couple of tests and Broad has played a lot of international cricket so deserves the chance to play a few county games.  I agree it's tough on the guys who played earlier in the tournament but I'm sure they'll understand and will know they played an important role.

[PaulWinch again]

Disappointed we've gone with the same balance again, but good to see Jordan get his chance and also Trott is out.

[PaulWinch again]

Early wicket for Jordan!

[PaulWinch again]

Stokes two wickets in two balls, he's developing quickly. I think he's got a good chance of playing 6 in the Ashes. He's an excellent fielder as well.

[paul_e]

Disappointed we've gone with the same balance again, but good to see Jordan get his chance and also Trott is out.

I'm happier with this balance, Wright for Trott gives us a seam alternative which was clearly missing, Bopara out for Finn and Stokes up to 6 would've been better though.

[PGW]

Finn has not been left out he is injured - a side strain. Trott also injured suffered a back spasm 5-10 minutes before toss. Yes tough Trott's demise gives England a bowling option.

[PaulWinch again]

Disappointed we've gone with the same balance again, but good to see Jordan get his chance and also Trott is out.

I'm happier with this balance, Wright for Trott gives us a seam alternative which was clearly missing, Bopara out for Finn and Stokes up to 6 would've been better though.

That's true, it is a bit better balanced. I'm really starting to think Stokes is going to be a very good player.

[paul_e]

Disappointed we've gone with the same balance again, but good to see Jordan get his chance and also Trott is out.

I'm happier with this balance, Wright for Trott gives us a seam alternative which was clearly missing, Bopara out for Finn and Stokes up to 6 would've been better though.

That's true, it is a bit better balanced. I'm really starting to think Stokes is going to be a very good player.

I think Stokes has the ability to be an excellent all-rounder in all formats, his bowling isn't quite there yet as he's not confident enough to hold a line and length yet but the raw pace and natural action he has are enough to work with, I can see why they want him getting time in the middle as the 3rd seamer.

Jordan looks like he could be a very good bowler as well, expensive so far but he's a quickie making his debut on a very good batting track.  The delivery that got the wicket was great, just cramped Hughes for space and made him play a nothing shot into the air.

[paul_e]

There you go, as I was typing Stokes throws down a few pies and goes for 12, is those bad overs he needs to get rid of.

[PaulWinch again]

I've jinxed Stokes there, but I'm very hopeful that he'll develop very well.

[PaulWinch again]

Watson is slaughtering us here.