The Cricket Thread 2016

[tomd2103]

Go out in the morning and let Stokes and Tredwell take a few overs out of the ball then just go big and push for 500 by lunch, that should be doable and would be enough to win this.  It glosses over the problems at the top a little but right now we need to win some test matches whilst we can because the rest of the summer is a lot more difficult than this.

In terms of the top three, Trott got a good ball and Ballance has hardly played any cricket, so it's just a case of waiting to see with them.  There have to be real concerns about Cook though.  His technique looks all over the place and it was a pretty embarrassing dismissal.

[PaulWinch again]

Root, Bell and Stokes did really well. Although it was a typically odd decision to send in a nightwatchman. We're building a big lead and it was the last over. It was another overly cautious and unnecessary choice.

[PaulWinch again]

The real Ben Stokes, who can score quick and bowl well, is a big asset to us.

Do you reckon its a "shoot-out" between him and Jordan for the spare place as you would presume Ali would come back into the team ASAP...........I would prefer to see Rashid in for the ever dependable Tredwell

I think they'd just bring in Ali for Tredwell. I think Ali should definitely be in the team, but it's a shame they've not picked Rashid here.

[paul_e]

Go out in the morning and let Stokes and Tredwell take a few overs out of the ball then just go big and push for 500 by lunch, that should be doable and would be enough to win this.  It glosses over the problems at the top a little but right now we need to win some test matches whilst we can because the rest of the summer is a lot more difficult than this.

In terms of the top three, Trott got a good ball and Ballance has hardly played any cricket, so it's just a case of waiting to see with them.  There have to be real concerns about Cook though.  His technique looks all over the place and it was a pretty embarrassing dismissal.

See I can accept the Trott one on it's own because it was a decent delivery (I think Trott from 3-4 years ago doesn't get out to that though) but the Ballance one was absolutely his own fault, he backed himself into a corner and the only result was going to be him giving his wicket away with a loose one.  I agree though that Cook is the biggest problem, it looks to me like the pressure of being captain has got to him and he's taken his eye off the ball with his own game.  He's always had a couple of target-able weaknesses but in the past bowlers had to get it in very exact areas to exploit those, in the last 2 years that hasn't been the case, 3-4 half decent deliveries in a row and he looks all at sea.

[PaulWinch again]

I'd agree Trott wouldn't have got out to that delivery in his peak. Hopefully it's just a case of a bit of nerves, but it is a concern. Ballance is a worry at the moment as he looks horribly out of form.
I'm pretty concerned that Cook's career at the top level may be over. He'll be there for the Ashes, but if he doesn't perform then we need to move on. As good as he was for the last two years he's been a liability and he's been given more time than anyone I can remember.

[Villan For Life]

I'd agree Trott wouldn't have got out to that delivery in his peak. Hopefully it's just a case of a bit of nerves, but it is a concern. Ballance is a worry at the moment as he looks horribly out of form.
I'm pretty concerned that Cook's career at the top level may be over. He'll be there for the Ashes, but if he doesn't perform then we need to move on. As good as he was for the last two years he's been a liability and he's been given more time than anyone I can remember.

Since the last Ashes he has looked mentally shot. The mess around the England side since then cannot have helped him but I really think that for the benefit of his long term England future he needs to be relieved of the captaincy. We need a fit and firing Cook at the top of our order.

[tomd2103]

I'd agree Trott wouldn't have got out to that delivery in his peak. Hopefully it's just a case of a bit of nerves, but it is a concern. Ballance is a worry at the moment as he looks horribly out of form.
I'm pretty concerned that Cook's career at the top level may be over. He'll be there for the Ashes, but if he doesn't perform then we need to move on. As good as he was for the last two years he's been a liability and he's been given more time than anyone I can remember.

Since the last Ashes he has looked mentally shot. The mess around the England side since then cannot have helped him but I really think that for the benefit of his long term England future he needs to be relieved of the captaincy. We need a fit and firing Cook at the top of our order.

He'd been through a rollercoaster of emotions during the Indian test series and really should have been rested after that until the start of this series.  Instead, he was thrust into the one day arena (which doesn't suit his game) and then suffered the ignominy of being relieved of his duties before the World Cup. 

[tomd2103]

The real Ben Stokes, who can score quick and bowl well, is a big asset to us.

Do you reckon its a "shoot-out" between him and Jordan for the spare place as you would presume Ali would come back into the team ASAP...........I would prefer to see Rashid in for the ever dependable Tredwell

I think they'd just bring in Ali for Tredwell. I think Ali should definitely be in the team, but it's a shame they've not picked Rashid here.

I don't know if you're a Worcester fan Paul, but I just can't see what the obsession is with Ali. 

[Dave Cooper please]

I don't know if you're a Worcester fan Paul, but I just can't see what the obsession is with Ali. 

Really? I'm a Bear and I can see exactly what people see in Ali.

First class batting average of over 50, Test average of 30+ (yes I know it's only a handful of tests), has proved explosive in one-dayers and can also take wickets.
I like him a lot and I hope he's in the Test side when were back over here.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't know if you're a Worcester fan Paul, but I just can't see what the obsession is with Ali. 

Really? I'm a Bear and I can see exactly what people see in Ali.

First class batting average of over 50, Test average of 30+ (yes I know it's only a handful of tests), has proved explosive in one-dayers and can also take wickets.
I like him a lot and I hope he's in the Test side when were back over here.

I was going to say. His Test century against Sri Lanka was one of the best I've seen and showed real grit and character. Contrast that with his ODI hundreds and you have a player who has the talent and brains to play to the situation. That's before you look at his spin bowling, which has already produced 22 wickets at an average of 28. I think it would be more of a surprise if people didn't want him in the team.

[tomd2103]

I don't know if you're a Worcester fan Paul, but I just can't see what the obsession is with Ali. 

Really? I'm a Bear and I can see exactly what people see in Ali.

First class batting average of over 50, Test average of 30+ (yes I know it's only a handful of tests), has proved explosive in one-dayers and can also take wickets.
I like him a lot and I hope he's in the Test side when were back over here.

You might want to check that one, as everything I've ever seen shows a county average in the 30's.  I thought he was a revelation with the ball last summer and if he can continue and build on that form then I think he will be in the side as the number one spinner.  If he's not the number one spinner, then I can't see him getting in the side, especially if Stokes cements a place at six.  On batting alone, I think there are better options out there in domestic cricket (Taylor at Notts being one example).   

[PaulWinch again]

But that's just it it's not batting alone, he's an all rounder. His spin is very good and was unfairly derided at the start of last summer.

[PaulWinch again]

Good knock from Stokes shame he couldn't get his hundred.

[tomd2103]

But that's just it it's not batting alone, he's an all rounder. His spin is very good and was unfairly derided at the start of last summer.

Fair point Paul and his bowling was probably the highlight of last summer for me.  I really hope he can build on it and become an established bowler at international level.  Hopefully both will continue to develop and we'll have the nice headache of trying to fit Stokes and Moeen in the batting line up.   

[Dave Cooper please]

Ignore. Can't read properly!