The Cricket Thread 2016

[paul_e]

Stupid mistake to get his wicket chalked off though.  If I'm honest I'm not sure what to think of his bowling, he can be very aggressive but I don't think he's quick enough to be the type of bowler you're suggesting.

If he can sustain form with the bat, he can be the fourth seamer and maybe perform the sort of role Kallis used to do for South Africa. 

If the other 3 seamers are taking wickets and we have a spinner who is threatening then I agree.  I'm not sure we're at the point but this pitch doesn't seem to be a good measure.  I'd still prefer the strike bowler to be up at 90+ consistently to justify having someone who does 3-4 over spells.  I agree he does a decent job for Durham it's the step up to doing similar for England that I haven't seen and I think he needs to put a lot of effort in to achieve that.

[Villan For Life]

I see that Bears legend AD has left his role as the Saffers bowling coach. Given that he has an English wife I can't help but wonder if he wants the England role. Ottis Gibson is doing the job at the moment & has only been taken on for the current tour.

[tomd2103]

Stupid mistake to get his wicket chalked off though.  If I'm honest I'm not sure what to think of his bowling, he can be very aggressive but I don't think he's quick enough to be the type of bowler you're suggesting.

If he can sustain form with the bat, he can be the fourth seamer and maybe perform the sort of role Kallis used to do for South Africa. 

If the other 3 seamers are taking wickets and we have a spinner who is threatening then I agree.  I'm not sure we're at the point but this pitch doesn't seem to be a good measure.  I'd still prefer the strike bowler to be up at 90+ consistently to justify having someone who does 3-4 over spells.  I agree he does a decent job for Durham it's the step up to doing similar for England that I haven't seen and I think he needs to put a lot of effort in to achieve that.

I'm still hoping Finn can get back to those kind of speeds and be that bowler.  I wouldn't be surprised if Anderson calls it a day after the Ashes, but I think Woakes could step up and do his job (the bowler who can move it around in the opening overs).  If they can all fulfil thier pontential then a seam attack of Finn, Woakes, Jordan and Stokes doesn't look too bad on paper going forward. 

[PaulWinch again]

I like Woakes, but he's going to have to develop a lot to be on the level that Anderson is at.

[tomd2103]

I like Woakes, but he's going to have to develop a lot to be on the level that Anderson is at.

Jimmy was not at the level he has been for the last few years when he first came in.  Maybe Woakes won't reach the level of Anderson, but if he can get to the level of someone like Hoggard then he will be more than useful especially as he can also bat. 

Here's one to consider - if we make short work of the Windies tail end and have a lead of around 100, would you enforce the follow on?   

 

[Villan For Life]

I like Woakes, but he's going to have to develop a lot to be on the level that Anderson is at.

Jimmy was not at the level he has been for the last few years when he first came in.  Maybe Woakes won't reach the level of Anderson, but if he can get to the level of someone like Hoggard then he will be more than useful especially as he can also bat. 

Here's one to consider - if we make short work of the Windies tail end and have a lead of around 100, would you enforce the follow on?   

 

Isn't the follow on figure 200?

To answer your question, we are exactly half way through the test and they are 7 down and trail by 120. Assuming the follow on figure was 100 and we take the last 3 wickets before tea then I would bat and not enforce the follow on. The pitch is offering nothing to the bowlers so time to give them a rest.

[PaulWinch again]

Ali joining squad so they may as well send Rashid home.

[Villan For Life]

We were a bit toothless after lunch but pulled it back to dismiss the tail pretty quickly.

A very big session coming up for Jonathan Trott. I hope he can overcome his nerves and score big runs.

[PaulWinch again]

Time for the top three to fire.

[Villan For Life]

Ali joining squad so they may as well send Rashid home.

He proved his fitness as a batsman against Yorkshire but he didn't bowl much so he may have been called in as a batsman only.

[PaulWinch again]

Oh dear Trott.

[PaulWinch again]

And Cook fails yet again.

[spangley1812]

Such a poor shot when he needs to score big runs

[tomd2103]

Both openers look all over the place.  Someone on here mentioned that Cook's form is in terminal decline and there must be questions about him now.   

[PaulWinch again]

I firmly believe Cook needs to be dropped and have a year in county cricket. If he can regain his form there then he can come back to international cricket. At the moment keeping him in the international arena is ruining his career.