The Cricket Thread 2014

[PaulWinch again]

The difference between Woakes and Jordan is that when Jordan gets it right he's much more threatening. I like Woakes, but his movement when he's bowling comes too much from the arm rather than further down the pitch so he's easier to play.

[ACVilla]

Agreed, but Jordan got a fair few wickets with rank bad balls.

Don't get me wrong, I like Jordan, a lot, but overall I think he has bowled very averagely most of this series.

[ACVilla]

I remember thinking Freddie was a very unlucky bowler when he broke through and he turned out not bad.

[PaulWinch again]

Freddie was a different type of bowler, as I say I like Woakes but he just doesn't seem to carry a massive threat a lot of the time. I think he'll be one of those players who comes in and out of the side.

[ACVilla]

I hope he doesn't, I think he can make it, I also think that his batting could eventually outweigh his bowling.

Time will tell. I wouldn't drop him for anyone at the moment, Finn included.

[PaulWinch again]

I hope he does well, but I just have a feeling on that. Finn will be one of our best and will be the leader of the attack in a couple of years.

[paul_e]

Woakes is a perfect 4th seamer, he's good enough to get a few wickets, he's a good fielder, he's a very good batsman and he's willing to listen to criticism and work on it (got called up, got called too slow, went away and added 4-5mph to his pace).

I'd be very upset if they don't stick with him for a while, he's a perfect choice for the role he's playing.

[PaulWinch again]

I still think Stokes is going to be the long term choice and Woakes will cover for him if he's injured.

[Dave Cooper please]

Bloody rubbish Root. You're a lucky chap, you should walk anyway...

A no-ball is a no-ball, it's an illegal delivery, why should he walk?

Broad is in T20 mode.

I wasn't being serious Dave.

Oh right! Sorry!

[tomd2103]

Right then, that's Test matches out of the way until next April and the countdown to the World Cup begins.  Something tells me that India are going to be a bit of a different proposition in the shorter forms of the game, so it should be a good series. 

I personally wouldn't have Cook in the ODI side and would give him a rest until the next test series (though I think they will play him).  Broad needs an operation on his knee, so I would get that done as soon as possible so he is fully fit for the winter.  I'd also consider resting Jimmy for this series with the World Cup in mind. 

I'd probably go with something like:

Hales
Bell
Ballance
Root
Morgan (C)
Bopara
Buttler
Woakes
Jordan
Tredwell
Finn

The other option would be to use Moeen as the spinner instead of Tredwell and fit him somewhere in the batting line up (instead of Bopara maybe) with another bowler being added. 

[paul_e]

I think I'd go with Stokes instead of Woakes in the ODI team, his game is well suited to the shorter formats and he needs to get used to international standard bowling.

[tomd2103]

I think I'd go with Stokes instead of Woakes in the ODI team, his game is well suited to the shorter formats and he needs to get used to international standard bowling.

Wouldn't be opposed to that to be honest.  He looked way off the pace earlier in the summer, but hopefully will come back with a point to prove.  To be fair there are some decent options out there who probably all need a chance before the World Cup. 

[PaulWinch again]

I'd go with Stokes as well, also come the World Cup he'll have good memories of Australia.

[cheltenhamlion]

Gavaskar wasn't mincing his words yesterday was he. Quite fairly so as well.

[PaulWinch again]

Glad Hales is in ODI squad, but I'm frustrated that Taylor and Vince aren't involved and confused as to why Bopara's gone.