The Cricket Thread 2014

[UK Redsox]

Moeeen, Moeeen, Moeen, Moeeeeeeeeen !

[aj2k77]

Missed todays play. Was it genuinely good spin bowling from Moeen or just rank batting from India?

[taylorsworkrate]

Excellent performance throughout. Senior players have finally contributed and we were a different team for it.

I think we can write off Anderson for the next test. The BCCI treat the ICC as their little plaything and I don't think Jimmy being innocent or guilty will play any part in the decision.

[Villan For Life]

I hope not, Jordan was dropped after doing well against sri lanka and the pressure to perform seems to have got to him.  I'd leave the team unchanged unless we're forced to replace Jimmy.  If we have to replace Jimmy it'll be a difficult decision who to go with, but they've at least given Woakes some time with the new ball, so I guess Woakes and Broad would open.

If they throw the book at Jimmy and give him a 4 test ban, his next test match would be the 3rd test in April 2015 against the West Indies. That's a hell of a break from test cricket.

India want blood, their influence within the ICC concerns me. Hopefully Jimmy will escape with a rap across the knuckles.

[Dave Cooper please]

Missed todays play. Was it genuinely good spin bowling from Moeen or just rank batting from India?

Bit of both, he wasn't spinning it prodigiously but he was getting a bit of turn and the Indian batsmen seemed to be playing for no turn at all.
 But he is willing to toss it up and is adding variety all the time, he's going to be a very good all rounder is our Moeen.

[ACVilla]

A shame that Woakes couldn't pick up a wicket. He has been very, very unlucky as I thought he had bowled generally very good lines and lengths.

[tomd2103]

Good performance from the team from the first session. Everyone played their part. Jordan bowled disappointingly first up but had more control yesterday and his slip catching is top notch. Buttler played well and should enjoy the success. Another day and he would have been out for a duck and the result could have been different. But, he wasn't and he made the most of it. Nothing to do with luck as Gary Ballance had none and still weighed in with 200 odd runs.

Good performance, good captaincy, and hopefully we will push on from here and win 3-1 as we lost because we were poor and not because of India. I also think that as the better team, and seeing such a crushing defeat that this was India will get nowhere near us in the next test.

They showed glimpses of falling apart in this test.  If we bat first in the next test and can put a big score on them, we might well see them capitulate the way they did the last time they were here. 

[peter w]

that's the annoying thing. they have shown the same amount of mettle as last time and have a poorer team. that it is 1-1 after 3 tests shows how badly we've performed until this test.

[tomd2103]

I hope not, Jordan was dropped after doing well against sri lanka and the pressure to perform seems to have got to him.  I'd leave the team unchanged unless we're forced to replace Jimmy.  If we have to replace Jimmy it'll be a difficult decision who to go with, but they've at least given Woakes some time with the new ball, so I guess Woakes and Broad would open.

Not Jordan is quite ready for tests just yet and is probably more suited to ODIs at this point.  Saying that, it would be pretty harsh to drop him again.  Shane Warne said in commentary that he would look to bring Finn back in for the next test, but I guess that depends on how ready he is.  If Jimmy is out, then Onions is probably the closest thing we have in terms of being able to swing the ball, but again there are fitness doubts about him.     

[tomd2103]

that's the annoying thing. they have shown the same amount of mettle as last time and have a poorer team. that it is 1-1 after 3 tests shows how badly we've performed until this test.

Think this one might be a turning point Peter.  With a bit of confidence, the batting line up is really beginning to show some promise.  Robson is struggling a bit, but there are ready made repacements in Carberry and Compton waiting in the wings should the selectors feel the need for a change.  Amongst other things, this test has shown how heavily we still rely on the form of Broad and Anderson and the need for a wicket taking spinner. 

[paul_e]

I hope not, Jordan was dropped after doing well against sri lanka and the pressure to perform seems to have got to him.  I'd leave the team unchanged unless we're forced to replace Jimmy.  If we have to replace Jimmy it'll be a difficult decision who to go with, but they've at least given Woakes some time with the new ball, so I guess Woakes and Broad would open.

Not Jordan is quite ready for tests just yet and is probably more suited to ODIs at this point.  Saying that, it would be pretty harsh to drop him again.  Shane Warne said in commentary that he would look to bring Finn back in for the next test, but I guess that depends on how ready he is.  If Jimmy is out, then Onions is probably the closest thing we have in terms of being able to swing the ball, but again there are fitness doubts about him.     

Same squad has been announced so given that it contains 2 bowling options I can't see another bowler coming in. If we do lose Jimmy I expect to see Plunkett back , meaning the only selection question is between Jordan and Stokes. Personally I would give Jordan another chance,  in the first innings he looked like he was trying to find the perfect delivery and he lost his line.

If Jimmy is out I think Woakes will take the new ball with Broad, he hasn't got the wickets yet but at times he was unplayable and just didn't get the edges he deserved.

[Villan For Life]

Jimmy has been found not guilty which is the best news I've heard all day.

[paul_e]

Jimmy has been found not guilty which is the best news I've heard all day.

yep, great news.

[taylorsworkrate]

Great news regarding Jimmy.

I'm surprised though. India tend to get their way where the ICC is concerned. Anderson must have been so not guilty that it was impossible for the ICC to overlook.

[paul_e]

Great news regarding Jimmy.

I'm surprised though. India tend to get their way where the ICC is concerned. Anderson must have been so not guilty that it was impossible for the ICC to overlook.

This is pure guesswork on my part:

There was sufficient evidence that Jimmy pushed him but it was after Jadeja got right in his face in a very aggressive way

If that's true both would have to be banned, Jadeja has been one of India's best players and they can't afford to lose him if they want to stand a chance in the series so both cases were dismissed.

If India had any say in the decision I'd guess it went that way.