The Cricket Thread 2016

[peter w]

There are many more bowlers that are far superior to Anderson. Although he has been one of the best English bowlers of his generation I think paul you're being slightly too English in extolling his virtues. he's mastered one art and is as good as anyone - a bit like Beckham with his ability with the ball in crossing and passing - but as good as they are in their generation that aren't anywhere near the 'greats' of the game.

[PaulWinch again]

He is one of the most skilled swing bowlers of all time. If he only has one virtue then 385 wickets and counting is pretty good.

[PaulWinch again]

Big day today Trott needs to get 50+, but Cook needs a century. I think that's the only way he can start to move on from his terrible form. It's also important from an England having a chance of winning the game that they score quote quickly, so it's going to be a challenge.

[Villan For Life]

Anderson suffers from the hype that surrounds his being the best English bowler of his generation. He is an excellent exponent of swing bowling and has continually developed this skill throughout his career. 

His record does bear out his preference for English conditions, before the start of this test he's taken 250 wickets in home tests and 136 overseas. A quick glance at Cricinfo reveals that your typically English bowlers prefer home conditions, with Trueman, Botham and Statham all taking more wickets in home tests that they took overseas.

I don't think that he's the best English bowler of all time, he's the best that we have at the moment and will probably end up with over 450 wickets by virtue of the number of tests that he is likely to play.

[Villan For Life]

I was surprised to read that this is our best opening stand since the Perth test in December 2013 when Cook and Carberry put on 85 for the first wicket. There have been an awful lot of tests since then.

Our batting has been in terminal decline for several years so we really need our openers to start building solid foundations for big totals.

[PaulWinch again]

I was surprised to read that this is our best opening stand since the Perth test in December 2013 when Cook and Carberry put on 85 for the first wicket. There have been an awful lot of tests since then.

Our batting has been in terminal decline for several years so we really need our openers to start building solid foundations for big totals.

I wasn't that surprised given that Cook's form has been dire and his partners haven't done much.

[paul_e]

There are many more bowlers that are far superior to Anderson. Although he has been one of the best English bowlers of his generation I think paul you're being slightly too English in extolling his virtues. he's mastered one art and is as good as anyone - a bit like Beckham with his ability with the ball in crossing and passing - but as good as they are in their generation that aren't anywhere near the 'greats' of the game.

It's nothing to do with being too English it's to do with credit where it's due.  Comparisons to football aren't suitable because there's no fair way to do the comparison.  All you can do is compare him to other bowlers and, as you yourself state, he is a genuine master of swing bowling who, in my opinion, will be the player coaches in any country refer to when discussing the art.  He might not be as effective as the best spinners or express quicks (largely because swing bowling doesn't attract many LBWs or catches in front of the bat) but at his form of bowling he is the equal of anyone, that makes him one of the best of all time, even if it has led to some expensive periods that have killed his average.

On top of that if people from 40 years ago are defended for less wickets by virtue of not playing as many games (which is fair) then it has to be given back that the average run rate in test cricket has increased significantly in the same timeframe so economy figures are equally incomparable.  Once you get into that you start to ignore more and more stats until it becomes a pointless exercise.

[PaulWinch again]

Cook is starting to play the shots he played when he was at his best.

[tomd2103]

We've got today and until tea tomorrow to compile a lead that could give the Windies a nervy last four sessions.  I think a lead of anything around the 270 mark could give us a chance of winning the game. 

[Villan For Life]

Graeme Swann is awful on TMS. He's been singing, he's been adopting fake West Indian accents and in general he's been oafish. Send him packing please TMS, he's spoiling a wonderful commentary/programme.

[paul_e]

We've got today and until tea tomorrow to compile a lead that could give the Windies a nervy last four sessions.  I think a lead of anything around the 270 mark could give us a chance of winning the game. 

so 550-600, I can't see us making that but 450-500 might be enough to bowl them and have 15-20 overs to knock of the remainder, it means we need 4-5 very good sessions in row though.

[tomd2103]

We've got today and until tea tomorrow to compile a lead that could give the Windies a nervy last four sessions.  I think a lead of anything around the 270 mark could give us a chance of winning the game. 

so 550-600, I can't see us making that but 450-500 might be enough to bowl them and have 15-20 overs to knock of the remainder, it means we need 4-5 very good sessions in row though.

On reflection, that is probably a more realistic aim.  Time to ditch the cautious approach for once.

[PaulWinch again]

Cook getting a century is very important. If he could get bank to his best it would be massive for England.

[PaulWinch again]

Oh dear, but Cook played like Cook used to at least.

[aj2k77]

England remind me of Villa under Lambert. Some really good players but swamped by a negativity and scared to lose playing within themselves. The scoring rate has been really poor again this morning.

Cook and Moores a very boring duo.