The Cricket Thread 2014

[paul_e]

All those saying Cook has to go, who is there to replace him?

Moeen Ali has played opener for Worcs hasn't he, he'd be worth a look maybe, then you need to decide who to bring in further down, Morgan? Bopara?

Alternatively you could go for someone like Hales and try to smash the shine off the new ball and get runs on the board early, Australia have gone for that fairly often in the last 20 years and it's generally worked ok for them.

See I took it Chris meant as captain, but could be read either way I guess. Personally I'd like Cook back to his best just as a batsman. However if dropping him completely then I'd have Ali or Vince as opener. If you use Ali, you could have Morgan in the middle order and have him as captain as well.

After talking it over at work the other option could be to just shuffle what we have.

Moeen
Robson
Ballance
Cook
Bell
Root
.
.

The advantage being that Bell has a significantly better record at 5 than 4.  It's harsh for Root to go to 6 but it seems to be the best way to use what we've got at the minute.  If not Root at 4, Cook out and Morgan at 6 as suggested.

[PaulWinch again]

I've been really impressed with Moeen since his debut, he's a classy bat and I reckon his bowling will develop if the captain uses him properly.. To be honest if anyone in the middle order has to go at the minute it should be Bell.

[PaulWinch again]

Excellent 100 from Ballance, this knock answers a lot of questions. This was the sort of pitch that people questioned his technique, and his shown real quality.

[Chris Jameson]

Yorkshire to the rescue again.

[Villan For Life]

Wonderful ton from Balance.

[PaulWinch again]

Ali out bloody hell, but he played an important part in a partnership. Up to Prior and Stokes to step up now.

[PaulWinch again]

Night watchman with 7 overs to go? really?

[Villan For Life]

Night watchman with 7 overs to go? really?

You read my mind!!

[PaulWinch again]

If Prior's form is that much of a worry he shouldn't be in the team.

[PaulWinch again]

The one thing Ali needs to iron out from his game is occasional lapses in concentration. Although I think he's a really good player and has a big future in the team. That partnership was really important.

[Chris Jameson]

Ali out bloody hell, but he played an important part in a partnership. Up to Prior and Stokes to step up now.

When was Ballance out?

[Villan For Life]

If Prior's form is that much of a worry he shouldn't be in the team.

It's either form, injury or a combination of the two. This could be his last series.

[Villan For Life]

Pity Balance got out. Well batted though

And Prior replaces him.

[PaulWinch again]

Ali out bloody hell, but he played an important part in a partnership. Up to Prior and Stokes to step up now.

When was Ballance out?

Premonition, he's out now.

[PaulWinch again]

Super innings from Ballance, well played but like Ali bad time to get out. We're struggling here, Prior and Stokes need to play well now.