The Cricket Thread 2014

[PaulWinch again]

Ali is fast becoming an absolute certain pick regardless of the format. His development over the last 6 months is brilliant and he's quality cricketer.

[Villan For Life]

Hope Phil Hughes is soon back at the crease. Doesn't look good though.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30189066

[PaulWinch again]

Good luck Phil.

[OzVilla]

Just reported here as "Gravely ill" and "on life support".

Just terrible.

[bertlambshank]

That is just sickening.

[PaulWinch again]

It's absolutely horrible.

[cdbearsfan]

Jesus. That's horrendous. Hope he pulls through.

[Lizz]

Awful. Feel for Sean Abbott as well.

[taylorsworkrate]

Fucking hell. Just goes to show the bravery required to be a batsmen at the highest level of the sport, even in this day and age of advanced protection.

Good luck Phil

[tomd2103]

Sounds horrendous.  Wish him all the best. 

[taylorsworkrate]

I don't for a moment doubt Brett Lee's sincerity in wishing Hughes all the best, or even his sympathy for the mindset of Sean Abbott at the moment.

However, I found his interview on SSN a little bit rich considering that exhibition over he bowled at Piers Morgan during the last ashes series. His series of fast bouncers at a bloke (who don't get me wrong, is a twat of the highest order) who was clearly in no position to be able to protect himself was dangerous and completely unedifying

As I say, I generally think Lee comes across as a very decent chap. I wonder if he's now thinking back on that incident a bit.

[PaulWinch again]

I like Ali playing up the top of the order, but I'm disappointed that we seem to have ditched Hales.

[spangley1812]

I like Ali playing up the top of the order, but I'm disappointed that we seem to have ditched Hales.

Its an inevitable thing to happen when Cook is playing and captain, team would be better with Hales and Ali opening with Morgan as captain

What do u make of Gurney Paul? I am not convinced, I know he is a left armer and adds variety 

[PaulWinch again]

I'm not convinced by Gurney at all. His bowling his reasonable, but I wouldn't say it's anything particularly special. He's a complete liability in the field and with the bat. His catching in the deep has been woeful.

[PGW]

Match started - Ali & Cook openers- no Hales, but are bowling SL37-0 7 overs, Woakes 4 0- 22 and Gurney 3 0-13,
a little bit wayward.
Finn not fit to play.