The Cricket Thread 2016

[Villan For Life]

It was disappointing that we couldn't finish them off but I think that was a really good test match.

Credit to the Windies for a stoic performance in the 4th innings. Jason Holder batted sensibly
and saw his side through.

During the last 15 overs I felt we bowled too many nothing balls, we did not apply enough pressure. That said there are a lot of positives to take from the test with the only negatives the failure of both openers in both innings.

Jimmy deserves his record and I think he will play on for a few more years yet. I did wonder if he would retire after this summer's Ashes but I think he will play on and easily hit 450 test wickets.

Maybe things aren't as bad as we think. Sort the openers out and who knows?

[paul_e]

I'd suggest we put too much reliance on Tredwell and he showed why he'd never before moved from the ODI squad into the test squad, he's not a bad bowler but if people aren't trying to hit him out of the ground he doesn't create enough pressure, Root was much more threatening.

I also thought we were too passive for big parts of this match, not overly negative but not really forcing the issue, which is pretty much my biggest criticism of Cook as captain, he's too willing to let games drift waiting for something to happen rather than trying to force things.

The other thing is, this is a weak West Indies side so we're probably exactly where people think, we have nothing at the top but lots of runs at 3, 4 and 5 and then we have the most exciting wk/batsman in world cricket and we have an attack that looks like it's missing a top class spinner (but Moeen could well fix that) and an express strike bowler.

[PaulWinch again]

Great to see Jimmy get the record. Shame we couldn't get the win, but well played Jason Holder. Cook and Trott need to be looked at and I'd bring Ali in because he's a more attacking bowler than Tredwell.

[villan from luton]

How many West Indians are in the IPL, quite a few I would suggest, so not sure a draw there is a decent result.

[tomd2103]

How many West Indians are in the IPL, quite a few I would suggest, so not sure a draw there is a decent result.

The pitch was pretty dead so a draw was always likely, if a little disappointing.  As others have said, there are definitely some positives going forward. 

[villan from luton]

If the pitch was so dead, what were the positives? I am not sure that even the test team is going in the right direction.

[Villan For Life]

If the pitch was so dead, what were the positives? I am not sure that even the test team is going in the right direction.

we took 17 wickets

We never looked liked losing

The middle order is looking good

Broad is getting back to his best with the ball

Sure there are negatives but a dead pitch really does hinder things.

This was a test match that was still alive going into the last hour. That is what test cricket is about.

[olaftab]

Poor captaining by Cook. He batted too long and then failed to exert the necessary pressure on Windies.

[Villan For Life]

Poor captaining by Cook. He batted too long and then failed to exert the necessary pressure on Windies.

I don't think the timing of the declaration is an issue. He declared with more than 4 sessions in which to take 10 wickets. We started well and a dead pitch plus stoic batting from the likes of Jason Holder held us off.

I felt we didn't put them under pressure in the last hour. Too many balls were bowled that were just too comfortable for the batsman. There was nothing in the corridor of uncertainty to induce edges to the slips or the keeper.

Cook had a reasonable game as captain, piss poor as an opener mind, and his attack let him down.

[PaulWinch again]

Cook didn't captain badly and the declaration was early enough. Overall I think we played quite well, but the batting of Cook and Trott is a big concern. On an aside I really like Jason Holder he's got a lot of talent and has great character. He's the sort of player West Indies needs to be build around.

[Villan For Life]

Cook didn't captain badly and the declaration was early enough. Overall I think we played quite well, but the batting of Cook and Trott is a big concern. On an aside I really like Jason Holder he's got a lot of talent and has great character. He's the sort of player West Indies needs to be build around.

From what Tony Cozier said on TMS they are doing just that. He said, and he's not one to exaggerate, that they have some players coming through which could make the Windies challenge again. They won't return to the highs of the 70s and 80s but they will prove to be a tougher opposition.

[Dave Cooper please]

Poor captaining by Cook. He batted too long and then failed to exert the necessary pressure on Windies.

Don't agree.. He could have dangled a carrot but you saw how dead that wicket was, 400 was chaseable of the likes of Chanderpaul had got going.
I think it was more down to some average bowling from the seamers towards the end, the fields were set okay but they barely induced a chance.

[PaulWinch again]

People always bang on about Jimmy's average, but it's below 30 now and if it hadn't been for his first 20 Tests, when they messed his action about, he'd probably have an average of about 26. He's an excellent bowler.

[PaulWinch again]

I do find it weird that Moores said Trott has earned his chance. Well what about Lyth? Could anyone do anymore!

[PaulWinch again]

It sounds like the pitch is a slow turner. So Ali should be in for Trewdwell and if they have anything about them they should pick Rashid to replace one of the seamers. There's no point in him being there if he's not going to play in this situation.