The Cricket Thread 2014

[OzVilla]

Just a brilliant eulogy for Hughes by Clarke. Very moving.

Great strength and spirit from Clarke.

He's been superb this week. Shown what a class act he is and a real leader of men.

I never used to like him much but I have nothing but respect for him now.

It's all terribly sad though.

[PGW]

Confirmed this morning that Cook suspended for the next game...i imagine that will mean a recall for Bell,hopefully in my opinion as we still require experience in
the team which Bell provides with abundance. Morgan can feel very lucky as i imagine he will take over the captaincy for this game when he could have been dropped for
Taylor.

[PaulWinch again]

Taylor must get a game now.

[peter w]

With Cook out we'd better win well as it will hopefully show we can perform without him. Tons for the top 3 should do it. Or top 5 to make sure.

[PaulWinch again]

Absolutely brilliant knock from Taylor who shows why he must play now. Pretty poor from the rest.

[PaulWinch again]

Morgan gets an important 50. They'll drop Hales now to force Cook back into the team.

[PaulWinch again]

Another defeat but at least Taylor and Morgan played well. I have no idea what has happened to Stokes. Since he got back from Australia last year he's been atrocious. Now I still
believe he'll be a top player and has a lot of talent, but he's a million miles away from an international cricketer at the moment.

[PaulWinch again]

The doubters of Taylor because of his height are very  narrow minded. He's a quality player

[spangley1812]

He is Paul I have been stating his case for ages...........They will drop Hales again wont they, shocking and Stokes needs dropping

[OzVilla]

Much as I enjoy seeing the Australian Cricket team struggle, I don't begrudge any of Clarke, Warner or Smith getting hundreds in this Test Match.

Great character shown from all of them - respect.

[JD]

Much as I enjoy seeing the Australian Cricket team struggle, I don't begrudge any of Clarke, Warner or Smith getting hundreds in this Test Match.

Great character shown from all of them - respect.

Totally agree OzVilla, Clarke especially with his back injury has been magnificent and extremely brave, he looked in a lot of pain. When he scored his ton he looked like he was holding back the tears. He has gone up in my admiration a great deal in the past few weeks. All of them have acted in a great dignified manner.   

[paul_e]

Woakes with a 6for and SL all out for 239.  The TMS lot seem to think that's a decent score on the pitch though.  Generally you have to fancy yourself to chase less than 250 so hopefully we'll have a real go at it at least.  Hales and Ali firing from the off and giving us a real head of steam would've been a nice way to start that chase but lets hope Cook manages to carry through and do for us what sanga did for them.

[PaulWinch again]

Not good from Moeen.

[PaulWinch again]

Good from Taylor got to keep the aggression up.

[PaulWinch again]

KP is very quick to tweet criticism, but strange that he isn't addressing the fact he was wrong about Taylor.