The Cricket Thread 2014

[tomd2103]

Too many I think.

Especially considering we're going to be 10 for 1 or thereabouts.

Only got ourselves to blame for that.  Our bowling at the tail enders was terrible in both innings and we blew the chance to get a decent lead when we were batting. Saying that, if we can finish tonight needing 160 with five or six wickets in hand you never know!

Oh well!!

[PaulWinch again]

That is most probably that, and Cook fails again. Also an all too common collapse again.

[paul_e]

we really needed to get to the end of the day with 8+ wickets in hand and about 2000 to chase, losing Ballance, Bell and Cook for 2 runs has pretty much removed the slim chance of us getting an unlikely win here.  That said we do still have 2 guys there who have the ability to bat out a full day, these 2 have to survive the day and then bat until around Lunch tomorrow though.

[Villan For Life]

we really needed to get to the end of the day with 8+ wickets in hand and about 2000 to chase, losing Ballance, Bell and Cook for 2 runs has pretty much removed the slim chance of us getting an unlikely win here.  That said we do still have 2 guys there who have the ability to bat out a full day, these 2 have to survive the day and then bat until around Lunch tomorrow though.

Even I they do bat until lunch tomorrow I really can't see them getting 2000......

[PaulWinch again]

Thing is we're consistently making the same mistakes. We have bowled too short in every game of the summer, we have collapsed in every game and we've dropped catches. There seems to be no capacity to learn in our side. Also it's very obvious that it's mainly the senior players that are letting us down as they did in the winter -

Cook - Not getting any runs
Bell - Not getting any runs
Prior - Not getting runs(except one innings and dropping a lot of catches)
Anderson - Getting some wickets, but bowling too short and wasting the new ball
Broad - Bowling too short and erratically.

[SoccerHQ]

How long can Cook last realistically before he falls on his sword?

On a personal and team level he is failing. At least in the past when the likes of Vaughan and Strauss have been struggling to get runs the team have at least been winning to compensate for that.

Cook, poor form and no win in the last year as captain. What is the alternative though, is Anderson or Broad proper test captain material?

[PaulWinch again]

Well Root and Ali survive, I'll say one thing they're going to have to get proactive against the spinners tomorrow.

[tomd2103]

How long can Cook last realistically before he falls on his sword?

On a personal and team level he is failing. At least in the past when the likes of Vaughan and Strauss have been struggling to get runs the team have at least been winning to compensate for that.

Cook, poor form and no win in the last year as captain. What is the alternative though, is Anderson or Broad proper test captain material?

There really aren't many options in the current side.  It would be a very bold move, but bringing in someone from outside to captain the team might be just what is needed.  The one who stands out for me at the moment is Eoin Morgan, as he already captains the ODI side and is familiar with the players.  This current malaise can't go on.   

[Villan For Life]

Cook has to stand down as captain now and work on the technical side of his game. He needs the rest of the summer off and he's not a strong enough character to be captain.

For me the long term choice is Root but he's still learning his game at this level. We need a short term solution whilst Root is given time to develop. After the end of this series on 19 August our next test is against the West Indies in April 2015 and then before you know it we have a home Ashes series.

I would have gone with Bell but he's struggling with the bat so Eoin Morgan for me. Cook has to go as does Prior. The team looks rudderless and bereft of ideas and that must be down to a Captain who does not know which way to turn.

[PaulWinch again]

The thing is we have 5 senior players in the team, and they're all under performing to varying degrees. Cook, Bell and Prior are performing terribly, Broad poorly and Anderson is below par. They haven't recovered from the winter and frankly it's pointless carrying on with them all.
In Cook's case he has to go as captain, because it's not like he's a brilliant leader but I believe he can get his batting back. Bell is borderline, but if anyone in the middle order has to go it should be him. I think Prior is probably done, he can't handle the short ball anymore and his keeping has been very poor. Broad needs to go away get whatever injury is hampering him properly sorted and come back fit. Anderson can stay but he has to start performing with the new ball.

[Villan For Life]

The thing is we have 5 senior players in the team, and they're all under performing to varying degrees. Cook, Bell and Prior are performing terribly, Broad poorly and Anderson is below par. They haven't recovered from the winter and frankly it's pointless carrying on with them all.
In Cook's case he has to go as captain, because it's not like he's a brilliant leader but I believe he can get his batting back. Bell is borderline, but if anyone in the middle order has to go it should be him. I think Prior is probably done, he can't handle the short ball anymore and his keeping has been very poor. Broad needs to go away get whatever injury is hampering him properly sorted and come back fit. Anderson can stay but he has to start performing with the new ball.

So who is your choice as Captain Paul?

[PaulWinch again]

I'd go with Root, I know he's young but they're going to keep in the side. He's in the middle order which protects him. I think he's the only real choice at the moment.

[paul_e]

How long can Cook last realistically before he falls on his sword?

On a personal and team level he is failing. At least in the past when the likes of Vaughan and Strauss have been struggling to get runs the team have at least been winning to compensate for that.

Cook, poor form and no win in the last year as captain. What is the alternative though, is Anderson or Broad proper test captain material?

There really aren't many options in the current side.  It would be a very bold move, but bringing in someone from outside to captain the team might be just what is needed.  The one who stands out for me at the moment is Eoin Morgan, as he already captains the ODI side and is familiar with the players.  This current malaise can't go on.   

The difficulty there is that Morgan hasn't played well for England for a while himself.

It's an awful situation to be in where the only senior player who genuinely deserves to stay in the team is Jimmy Anderson and an opening bowler as the captain would be a terrible decision.

[Villan For Life]

I'd go with Root, I know he's young but they're going to keep in the side. He's in the middle order which protects him. I think he's the only real choice at the moment.

Let's hope he starts his fledgling captaincy with a captain-in-waiting innings tomorrow!

[paul_e]

I  think I'm with 'other Paul' on this one, Root is the best choice, if Bell could get some runs I'd prefer him but you can't reward him for his current form.

I'd drop Prior for good, Buttler is a better option and young enough to be a long term choice.
I'd rest Cook for the summer, he's a great batsman but needs time, I'd bring in a slogger.
I'd promote Moeen to 4.
I'd rest Broad who looks like he's carrying an injury, and bring Jordan back.
I'd be tempted to give stokes 1 more match to get something with the bat and then leave him out for Woakes or Kerrigan if he fails.