The Cricket Thread 2013

[PaulWinch again]

Interesting squad and on balance fairly good, it's harsh on Onions though.

[PGW]

I think the only real surprise is Ballance, but an excellent season so why not. I thought they may have named Bresnan in the squad but he is at least travelling with the squad so his fitness progress can be monitored. Fair play to Ben Stokes, i didn't think they would give him a chance to atone for his behavioural issues last winter quite so soon but to be fair to the lad he has done well, at Chris Woakes expense i feel. Nick Compton's temper tantrum has certainly cost him his place to Carberry, it was a case of either or here again and Carberry has won.
I actually thought that Finn may have missed out but i imagine the Bresnan situation has saved him as i have been saying for a while i always felt that Rankin would come into the frame and get the call which i thought would be at the expense of Finn. Fair play both are going along with Monty as 2nd spinner....i'm pleased with that - tried and tested. Onions well he will feel disappointed but i'm not surprised....his record of 66 championship wickets has been excellent but he has been able to play virtually a full season whereas other 'quickies' haven't had that opportunity due to being unable to play due to ECB not letting them!!!!

[ADVILLAFAN]

Thought Onions might be picked ahead of Finn, I guess Australia's pitches helped Finn to be selected. Not too bad otherwise, hopefully some of our batsmen who didn't play that well in the Ashes here, will play well over there; such as Cook, Trott and Prior.

[paul_e]

as above, Onions for Finn is the only change really.  Stokes or Woakes as an all rounder was always going to be 1 from 2 and Stokes did well in the last couple of ODIs.  Ballance is clearly one for the future but it will do him good to get time around the squad.

Oh I think Buttler must've been close to pushing for a spot, his game has come on well in the last year, he looked a lot more responsible with the bat in the recent ODIs and his record showed it, he also did very well with the gloves given he kept for Dernbach in the T20 and some dodgy Finn spells in the ODIs he can be pretty satisfied with having kept down the extras.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Stokes has a lot more potential than Woakes, so is probably the right call. Buttler will be knocking on the door soon, especially if Prior's form doesn't pick up.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Think Woakes could end up being a good batsman, but can't see his bowling ever being good enough for Test level cricket.

[PGW]

I think Stokes has a lot more potential than Woakes, so is probably the right call. Buttler will be knocking on the door soon, especially if Prior's form doesn't pick up.

He is ahead at the moment by virtue of today's decision but overall i expect Woakes to come through as the better of the two. Woakes temperament is absolutely top draw whereas i don't have that same confidence in Stokes and i see Woakes taking over eventually. There in no doubt though that they are both highly talented young cricketers. It will be an interesting couple of years watching them develop.

[PGW]

I take back all the positive and nice things i've said about Boyd Rankin - he supports Red scouse.....i never knew that!!!!

He admitted though to having never been to Anfield....must be a 'Big armchair ' supporter!

[PaulWinch again]

I think Stoakes has a lot more natural talent than Woakes. His bowling has improved a lot already and he can get up to good pace and reverse swing it and his batting can be very destructive.

[PGW]

I think Stoakes has a lot more natural talent than Woakes. His bowling has improved a lot already and he can get up to good pace and reverse swing it and his batting can be very destructive.

On what do you base that, only on 1 day cricket i assume. Woakes believe me is a very talented player i see obviously a lot more of him as he plays for Bears, don't think that because Stokes had a decent one day series just now puts him way ahead of Woakes believe me. Stokes has done really well in that one day series but we will have to see if his temperament will stand up to a test series against Australia, i have no doubt whatsoever that Woakes would stand up to that. I hope Stokes goes on and if selected i hope he does well.
In regard to both their qualities as batsmen Woakes is an excellent batsman and on his day can be as destructive as anyone in the English game....do you remember his 6 first ball off Brett Lee at i think the MCG a few years ago when he was a kid. His ability as a batsman had forced Bears to put him ahead of Rikki Clarke at the behest of the England management in an effort to give him time at the crease.
England are lucky to have two players of a similar age and ability and all this discussion is all about opinions which makes cricket such a great game and talking point. At least today's decision hopefully means that Woakes can play at Derby tomorrow!!!!

[PaulWinch again]

I base it on the fact that Woakes has played a few international games and never once looked like he has what it takes to be a top international player. I don't say that with any joy, I hope he improves massively and is a success but I've seen more of an x-factor in Stokes.

[paul_e]

Long term woakes is a 6 who bats well and offers something with the ball if we need it and Stokes is an 8 who is there for his bowling but does the Bresnan job of scoring important runs in the tail.

[tomd2103]

Carberry and Ballance very fortunate to be in the squad.  Guess Compton's reaction to being dropped counted against him. 

[Dave Cooper please]

Carberry?
Nah, sorry, don't see what he's done to deserve a place above the likes of Chopra, James Taylor, Compton and especially Graham Onions.

[tomd2103]

Long term woakes is a 6 who bats well and offers something with the ball if we need it and Stokes is an 8 who is there for his bowling but does the Bresnan job of scoring important runs in the tail.

I say this as a Bears fan and a fan Woakes himself, but can you ever see him being a 6 at international level Paul?