The Cricket Thread 2016

[Villan For Life]

So we're batting first. Trott opens, Stokes at 6 and Tredwell instead of Rashid. The latter choice seems to sum up English cricket nicely. Tredwell is perfectly steady and decent in ODIs, but he struggles to get in his county side of 4 day cricket. But England pick him, because he's solid rather than going for a guy who will take wickets..

"If Tredwell can play for England then so can I".

FFS what a meaningless selection.

It is totally pointless in every meaning of the word. Even if he does well he won't stay in the team.

Who picks the team these days? Is it Moores and the chairman of selectors? Or does Cook get involved? I need to know so I know who to blame!

[tomd2103]

Well that's a pretty disastrous start to Trotty's return.

Yep not a great start at all.  Can't complain about the selection on the whole, but I think there must be a problem with Rashid, as the selection of Tredwell over him is baffling.

[Villan For Life]

Trott's comeback was ended in 3 balls. Very disappointing.

ffs....that should of been two down....

I've got TMS on and Aggers reckons that it didn't carry. For some reason they don't have a TV monitor to confirm, so are Sky saying otherwise?

you are right, I'm listening at work too

I'm working from home and being very conscientious and not watching Sky yet. Of course being on here and listening to TMS does not count.

[PaulWinch again]

Well that's a pretty disastrous start to Trotty's return.

Yep not a great start at all.  Can't complain about the selection on the whole, but I think there must be a problem with Rashid, as the selection of Tredwell over him is baffling.

Rashid should definitely have played. I also think that Plunkett or Wood should have played.

[tomd2103]

So we're batting first. Trott opens, Stokes at 6 and Tredwell instead of Rashid. The latter choice seems to sum up English cricket nicely. Tredwell is perfectly steady and decent in ODIs, but he struggles to get in his county side of 4 day cricket. But England pick him, because he's solid rather than going for a guy who will take wickets..

Sums up English sport nicely Paul.  It's why we see Danny Welbeck being chosen over Harry Kane, it's always the safety first option. 

[PGW]

Cook b 11, he has failed again, full delivery inside edge and bowled.
22-2
Belly in

[Villan For Life]

Another failure for Cook. It's been an awful long time since he scored significant test runs.

[PaulWinch again]

Cook's 2 year run of appalling form continues.

[PaulWinch again]

I think the selection of Tredwell and also to some extent Broad has shown we haven't learned from our World Cup mistakes. I know it's a different format, but it's the same issue around not being bold enough. Tredwell just isn't a Test spinner and never has been. Rashid might not be, but he's got a lot more potential. I would have understood Ali playing if he'd been fit, because he had an excellent year. But to choose Tredwell over Rashid in a straight choice is shocking. In Broads case he's not been in form or fit and we have 3 other bowlers bowling at a similar pace. Plunkett or Wood would have offered something different to the attack. But no we go with the predictable and what is perceived safe choice. Whoever is selecting the team needs to go.

[Chris Jameson]

Much as I love TMS and Viv Richards, the two don't go together. He's terrible on the radio.

[Villan For Life]

Ballance gone. This really is an abysmal start to the test.

[Villan For Life]

It's starting to rain too.

[tomd2103]

I think the selection of Tredwell and also to some extent Broad has shown we haven't learned from our World Cup mistakes. I know it's a different format, but it's the same issue around not being bold enough. Tredwell just isn't a Test spinner and never has been. Rashid might not be, but he's got a lot more potential. I would have understood Ali playing if he'd been fit, because he had an excellent year. But to choose Tredwell over Rashid in a straight choice is shocking. In Broads case he's not been in form or fit and we have 3 other bowlers bowling at a similar pace. Plunkett or Wood would have offered something different to the attack. But no we go with the predictable and what is perceived safe choice. Whoever is selecting the team needs to go.

Totally agree.  As it stands, I think Mo Ali is the first choice spinner and batting at six, he offers a nice balance to the side.  Theuy surely know what Tredwell can do, so this was the perfect opportuinity to have a look at Rashid.  As you say though, we go safety first.  Broad has admitted himself that his confidence has been shaken and we could have rested him and let him play a bit of county cricket before the home tests.  Again we could have had a look at other options.  Nope, safety first.  As you say, it is time for a clean sweep, including Cook as captain for me.   

[PaulWinch again]

Utter dross first session from England. As usual we allow the opposition to bowl at us and don't try any aggression to take them off their game. If you have no one batting with tempo this is what happens. You can occupy the crease for a while but when you get out you've gone nowhere. It's the same old problems repeating themselves.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

It's as if the last 20 years of Test cricket has never happened for this side. The West Indies are not a bad bowling side, and we're short of relevant cricket, but that was abject.