The Cricket Thread 2016

[Villan For Life]

Unfortunate news for Tymal Mills.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/879411.html

He was being talked up as the next fast bowling prodigy but it looks as though a back problem will curtail his career.

[tomd2103]

Yet again we have been caught cold at the start of a series.  The New Zealanders have two warm up games against county sides in the build up to the series, but our players haven't played since the series in the West Indies finished.   

[Villan For Life]

Yet again we have been caught cold at the start of a series.  The New Zealanders have two warm up games against county sides in the build up to the series, but our players haven't played since the series in the West Indies finished.   

I disagree. It was as much about a good toss to win for the Kiwis. I reckon they'd have struggled in the first hour if we'd have won the toss and put them in.

[PaulWinch again]

But it's not about individual decisions it's about leadership. If players shouldn't be going for a net on the first morning that should be communicated to all of them. If they're allowed to go then there should be sufficient communication in place to ensure you don't miss when you should be going out to bat.

It's as much about Ali and his professionalism as Cook and a lack of leadership.

I don't know how we can judge Ali without knowing the rules in place. Surely if a player isn't meant to go the nets on the first morning there must be a rule in place?

That's just it we don't know the rules.

I would doubt that on day one of a test, as an opener and a captain that it is Cook's responsibility. It would possibly fall under the remit of an assistant coach, which at this moment we don't have.

A reasonable recovery led by Root and Stokes. We've a long way to get back into this test though.

I wasn't really referring to Cook to be honest, he was still batting when Ali should have been ready. I think this comes down to the back room staff.

[PaulWinch again]

This is really good from Root and Stokes and it also shows the value of scoring quickly and not getting bogged down, which is a problem England teams tend to suffer from.

[PaulWinch again]

Unfortunate news for Tymal Mills.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/879411.html

He was being talked up as the next fast bowling prodigy but it looks as though a back problem will curtail his career.

Yes very sad news.

[PaulWinch again]

This sort of innings from Stokes is why I think he has a massive future. We need someone who can counter down the order.

[Villan For Life]

Remarkable scoring rate for the game situation, 4.55 per over.

[PaulWinch again]

Root is doing brilliantly, but this is stunning from Stokes. This is exactly what he is about. He is a modern day Test cricketer, which is what England need.

[paul_e]

This sort of innings from Stokes is why I think he has a massive future. We need someone who can counter down the order.

I agree, it's only the 2nd time he's done this since the ashes though, and the rest of his career so far has seen a lot of 0-25 scores which are where my worry about him not being mentally ready comes into it because a lot of those wickets have come from him playing stupid shots that weren't needed at that point.  His ability to counter-attack and being aggressive is important for this England team, but it has to come with an acceptance that sometimes you have to ride things out for a few overs.

I'm not worried about the Ali thing, he wanted time in the nets, he wouldn't have expected 4 wickets in half an hour and I'm sure he had permission to be there so it's just a case of no one thinking quickly enough to give him a shout when Ballance went.

I'm getting very worried about Bell now, it sounds like he was beaten by an absolute doozy today so as a standalone wicket I'm not concerned but he's getting out for very little too often, and it almost always happens after a bit of collapse which is the point where you want a guy who's one of our most experienced batsmen to stand up.

[PaulWinch again]

I think Stokes got a lot of poor scores when he was going through a bad patch of form, but his scores have been on an upward curve for a while. His bowling is also quick and if it can be refined a bit he's a hell of an asset.

Bell is becoming a big concern, his form has been really poor and his level has dropped off a lot.

[Chris Jameson]

I'm getting very worried about Bell now, it sounds like he was beaten by an absolute doozy today so as a standalone wicket I'm not concerned but he's getting out for very little too often, and it almost always happens after a bit of collapse which is the point where you want a guy who's one of our most experienced batsmen to stand up.

Wonder if he's got a cup final ticket and is hoping to be dropped for the Headingley Test?

[paul_e]

I think Stokes got a lot of poor scores when he was going through a bad patch of form, but his scores have been on an upward curve for a while. His bowling is also quick and if it can be refined a bit he's a hell of an asset.

Bell is becoming a big concern, his form has been really poor and his level has dropped off a lot.

I think Stokes will definitely be a good player for us in a couple of years, I'm still not sure he's best served being in the squad this summer though, I guess we'll have to see, I'll be very happy if he proves me wrong and this type of innings with the bat is a good start to doing that.

[PaulWinch again]

See I understand your view, but I kind of think the opposite. I'm hoping Stokes' attitude is exactly what we need to counter Australia this summer.

[Villan For Life]

Stokes out to an arm ball. A very important innings of 92, but a good ball that got him.