The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

His bowling is average? If you look at his performances in the World Cup and in the Tests last summer I don't think anyone would call that average. Ali's bowling constantly gets overlooked, because he was perceived as a part timer when he came into the side. His record since he became an international completely go against that view. Also he is a free spirit batsman, which we need. He had a problem with the short ball, but I imagine he's worked to address it.

[Villan For Life]

Mohammed Riaz is in the middle of a hostile spell against the crims. It's fascinating stuff. Pity Pakistan didn't get another 100 runs because even with 3 down I think the crims will win comfortably.

[passitsideways]

Pakistan have played like they're on the take. Some brainless batting to get out and now two simple catches have gone down.

[pooligan]

You must be a Pear PaulWinch again. His bowling in ODI does not work out even at a wicket a match.As for his batting he has one good innings in about every ten. All a matter of opinion of course

[paul_e]

You must be a Pear PaulWinch again. His bowling in ODI does not work out even at a wicket a match.As for his batting he has one good innings in about every ten. All a matter of opinion of course

We're talking about tests not ODI so his ODI record doesn't mean anything.  You're judging him on his ODI performances from the last few months.  In the Test side he's been a very good bowler, his batting hasn't really settled yet but I think he deserves the chance to stake a claim.

[PaulWinch again]

You must be a Pear PaulWinch again. His bowling in ODI does not work out even at a wicket a match.As for his batting he has one good innings in about every ten. All a matter of opinion of course

We're talking about tests not ODI so his ODI record doesn't mean anything.  You're judging him on his ODI performances from the last few months.  In the Test side he's been a very good bowler, his batting hasn't really settled yet but I think he deserves the chance to stake a claim.

Also in the World Cup he bowled pretty economically and if you're bowling the overs he does in ODIs then that's what you want.
As you say in Test cricket he has done excellently and pretty much won us the series against India. His batting talent is definitely there and as you say it's a case of settling. Ali, Ballance, Buttler, Root and to an extent Woakes are the only players to perform well on a fairly consistent basis over the last year.

[tomd2103]

His bowling is average? If you look at his performances in the World Cup and in the Tests last summer I don't think anyone would call that average. Ali's bowling constantly gets overlooked, because he was perceived as a part timer when he came into the side. His record since he became an international completely go against that view. Also he is a free spirit batsman, which we need. He had a problem with the short ball, but I imagine he's worked to address it.

I think it is his bowling that will get him in the side.  Purely as a batsman, I think there are better around on the county scene.  If he can continue to bowl the way he did last summer against India then he will be in the side, with his batting being a bonus.  Again, I really think it all depends on how Rashid does if he gets his chance.  I've wanted to see Rashid feature for England for sometime now, as I think he is a class act with ball and bat.       

[Villan For Life]

Alastair Cook is playing for the MCC against Yorkshire which starts on Sunday. The top three includes Carberry and Compton who Cook had jettisoned from the test side. That should make for some interesting between overs chats out in the middle!

[pooligan]

Regarding Ali,he was playing against a dreadful India side,who any cricket follower knows do not travel very well. Even England managed to thrash them.

[paul_e]

Regarding Ali,he was playing against a dreadful India side,who any cricket follower knows do not travel very well. Even England managed to thrash them.

It was also the best spinner performance against India outside of India for about 30 years, by any nation.  That's excellent bowling and he was rightly praised for it at the time.

[PaulWinch again]

Regarding Ali,he was playing against a dreadful India side,who any cricket follower knows do not travel very well. Even England managed to thrash them.

It was also the best spinner performance against India outside of India for about 30 years, by any nation.  That's excellent bowling and he was rightly praised for it at the time.

Precisely it was outstanding bowling. Also I think his batting gets overlooked. He's generally asked to do a job of upping the tempo and plays unselfishly. He has the ability, his brilliant century against Sri Lanka shows that.

[tomd2103]

Regarding Ali,he was playing against a dreadful India side,who any cricket follower knows do not travel very well. Even England managed to thrash them.

It was also the best spinner performance against India outside of India for about 30 years, by any nation.  That's excellent bowling and he was rightly praised for it at the time.

Precisely it was outstanding bowling. Also I think his batting gets overlooked. He's generally asked to do a job of upping the tempo and plays unselfishly. He has the ability, his brilliant century against Sri Lanka shows that.

Yes his bowling performance against India was superb and hopefully he can build on that and become a good all-rounder.  Producing top form, he could make that position at six his own, allowing four seamers to be picked as well.  At the risk of repeating myself, I think Rashid will get a chance in the Carribean  and if he does well, Ali might struggle to get back in

[paul_e]

Regarding Ali,he was playing against a dreadful India side,who any cricket follower knows do not travel very well. Even England managed to thrash them.

It was also the best spinner performance against India outside of India for about 30 years, by any nation.  That's excellent bowling and he was rightly praised for it at the time.

Precisely it was outstanding bowling. Also I think his batting gets overlooked. He's generally asked to do a job of upping the tempo and plays unselfishly. He has the ability, his brilliant century against Sri Lanka shows that.

Yes his bowling performance against India was superb and hopefully he can build on that and become a good all-rounder.  Producing top form, he could make that position at six his own, allowing four seamers to be picked as well.  At the risk of repeating myself, I think Rashid will get a chance in the Carribean  and if he does well, Ali might struggle to get back in

Given the lack of a clear opening partner for Cook I'd still like to see him get a run at the top of the order.

[PaulWinch again]

Me too actually, we need a more positive approach at the top of the order. Moeen could be slightly more judicious in Test cricket, but still add some flair.

[tomd2103]

Regarding Ali,he was playing against a dreadful India side,who any cricket follower knows do not travel very well. Even England managed to thrash them.

It was also the best spinner performance against India outside of India for about 30 years, by any nation.  That's excellent bowling and he was rightly praised for it at the time.

Precisely it was outstanding bowling. Also I think his batting gets overlooked. He's generally asked to do a job of upping the tempo and plays unselfishly. He has the ability, his brilliant century against Sri Lanka shows that.

Yes his bowling performance against India was superb and hopefully he can build on that and become a good all-rounder.  Producing top form, he could make that position at six his own, allowing four seamers to be picked as well.  At the risk of repeating myself, I think Rashid will get a chance in the Carribean  and if he does well, Ali might struggle to get back in

Given the lack of a clear opening partner for Cook I'd still like to see him get a run at the top of the order.

Ooh, I'm really not sure about that.  There are still major questions about his playing of the short ball and that's not great for an opener.  Besides, it looks like Trott and Lyth will be battling it out to open with Cook.