The Cricket Thread 2014

[Meanwood Villa]

Am I alone in thinking Anderson gets away with a lot of poor performances? People still talk about him being one of the best seamers in the world but for me he doesn't perform well enough often enough. Getting the man of the match last test was a joke, to be fair he acknowledged that, but is symptomatic of him being seemingly above criticism.

[UK Redsox]

but....... he's Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy Anderson

[tomd2103]

in my opinion I would go with:
1. Cook
2. Robson
3. Ballance
4. Bell
5 .Root
6. Ali
7. Buttler
8. Woakes
9. Jordan
10. Onions
11. Anderson

I don't think there are enough options around to make wholesale changes for the next test.  Prior has already gone, so for me it's just a case of whether they feel that Buttler is ready.  If they feel he's not, I'd rather save him until next year and bring someone like Read in as a stop gap for the next three tests.

I'd keep Cook in for the next test, but relieve him of the captaincy and give it to Bell.  If he fails again, then I'd look at Carberry or Compton for the remainder of the series.  Other than that, I would keep the same batting personnel but swap Bell and Root in the order.

If fit, I'd keep Anderson and Broad in, but they both need a few home truths told to them.  Stokes is way off the pace at the moment and I'd replace him with Jordan, who was unlucky to be dropped in the first place.  Seeing as there aren't too many other options around (we really need Finn to find some form) I'd probably keep Plunkett in, but he needs to be used better and would be the one to go if they feel it's going to turn and bring in Kerrigan.  In the absence of another spinner, Ali needs to be used as a frontline bowler and not a part-timer. 

Team to start on Sunday:

Cook (last chance)
Robson
Ballance
Root
Bell (C)
Ali
Buttler / Read
Broad
Jordan
Plunkett
Anderson   

[Hoppo]

We need to stay positive. There are some quality young players in team. Buttler coming in is a bonus. There was a time Sunday morning when we needed the spinners brought on. Cook should have made the call. Root will bowl 5 to 10 overs.
One thing who did Nick Compton fall out with? A wasted talent.

[tomd2103]

Am I alone in thinking Anderson gets away with a lot of poor performances? People still talk about him being one of the best seamers in the world but for me he doesn't perform well enough often enough. Getting the man of the match last test was a joke, to be fair he acknowledged that, but is symptomatic of him being seemingly above criticism.

He's been good for us over the years, but for a while now he's only really been a threat if the ball is swinging.  If it isn't, he tends to be pretty ineffective.

[Meanwood Villa]

Am I alone in thinking Anderson gets away with a lot of poor performances? People still talk about him being one of the best seamers in the world but for me he doesn't perform well enough often enough. Getting the man of the match last test was a joke, to be fair he acknowledged that, but is symptomatic of him being seemingly above criticism.

He's been good for us over the years, but for a while now he's only really been a threat if the ball is swinging.  If it isn't, he tends to be pretty ineffective.

The last time I questioned him was before the 10/11 Ashes so I'm hoping it has the same effect!

[paul_e]

Jimmy has spells of being completely unplayable and those save him from the brunt of the criticism he deserves for the other spells where he's more concerned with keeping scoring down than with bowling to take wickets.

[PaulWinch again]

We need to stay positive. There are some quality young players in team. Buttler coming in is a bonus. There was a time Sunday morning when we needed the spinners brought on. Cook should have made the call. Root will bowl 5 to 10 overs.
One thing who did Nick Compton fall out with? A wasted talent.

Ali is potentially a much better bowler than Root, but I agree the spinner should have been brought on on Sunday.

[PaulWinch again]

Am I alone in thinking Anderson gets away with a lot of poor performances? People still talk about him being one of the best seamers in the world but for me he doesn't perform well enough often enough. Getting the man of the match last test was a joke, to be fair he acknowledged that, but is symptomatic of him being seemingly above criticism.

I agree to an extent. He's been bowling too short, but I also think that he's poorly managed. He should be bowled in short 4-5 over spells so that he can stay fresh, but Cook bowls him for 8-10 over spells and he becomes ineffective. He does need to attack more at times as well. He's worth his place in the side though.

[taylorsworkrate]

In 4 tests this summer, Anderson has taken 21 wickets at an average of 26.90.

Whilst I agree he's been nowhere near his best, he's still performed ok, especially considering the first 3 pitches were seam bowlers graveyards. Add to that the general poor fielding off his bowling so far this summer.

He let himself down on the first morning of the last test, as all the seamers did. He does need to get back to pitching the ball up, as he can swing it both ways and be pretty unplayable at times.

[Villan For Life]

The squad for the next test has been announced.

There's one change, Buttler for Prior.

Same old same old

[taylorsworkrate]

The squad for the next test has been announced.

There's one change, Buttler for Prior.

Same old same old

Yep, only change was one that was forced on them.

I guess Stokes has to come out of the team for either Jordan or Woakes

[Ads]

Kerrigan has been left out the squad too.

[PaulWinch again]

Yep it's hardly a surprise, there are too many players coasting in that team. The worst in terms of coasting at the moment is Bell and he needs to sort his form out. I personally think Stokes should drop out for Woakes and Jordan should come in for Broad. Broad really needs to get his injury sorted.

[taylorsworkrate]

Yep, I'd agree that this is wear Broad needs to be given a break. His pace has been down so far and he's obviously not right.

Maybe Woakes could be quite handy with the new ball in the right conditions?