The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

I'm glad to see Finn bowling well again.

[Dave Cooper please]

Excellent performance. For once wickets falling didn't phase the batsmen and make them go into their shell. Thought Rashid played a splendid innings to make sure Buttler could free his arms.

[Dave Cooper please]

Oh, and I loved Plunkett's little cameo at the end, that really pisses off a bowler when a tail-ender plonks you into the stands twice in the last over!

[Dave Cooper please]

Rashid on a hat-trick.........but will have to wait because that was the last ball of the over!

[aj2k77]

Rashid has a lovely little googly.

[Chris Jameson]

Always loved watching Rashid bowl, he's a proper all rounder as well as he's also a really good fielder. Enjoyed the cricket since I got home from work, watched the England innings whilst listening to Yorkshire get a win.

Glad the football season is well and truly over!

[PaulWinch again]

It's good to banish football.

[PaulWinch again]

Superb. I'm going on Sunday hoping for more of the same.

[Villan For Life]

Without going overboard, that was a dominant performance by England.

When they slumped to 202-6 with 20 overs to go I expected them to fold. To reach 408-9 is a remarkable achievement. Then to bowl with discipline and invention to dismiss the Kiwis with a shade under 19 overs to spare was even more remarkable.

If Rashid carries this form on then Ali will be under pressure for the Ashes.

[tomd2103]

Wow! Just came in and seen the score!

Now watch NZ knock them off with 20-odd balls to spare...

If they do then fair play, it's still the best ODI batting performance I've ever seen from England.

That said the key now is to use the buffer that such a big target gives us and actually look to take wickets rather than trying to contain as we often do.

Very good point and I thought that was definitely the case.  Finn and Rashid in particular enjoyed the luxury of not having to worry about giving away boundaries and both bowled very well.

[paul_e]

Wow! Just came in and seen the score!

Now watch NZ knock them off with 20-odd balls to spare...

If they do then fair play, it's still the best ODI batting performance I've ever seen from England.

That said the key now is to use the buffer that such a big target gives us and actually look to take wickets rather than trying to contain as we often do.

Very good point and I thought that was definitely the case.  Finn and Rashid in particular enjoyed the luxury of not having to worry about giving away boundaries and both bowled very well.

Absolutely, immense credit to Morgan for really backing the bowler and putting catcher in all through, easy to do when you've got a big lead but it's totally at odds with everything England have been for years.

Agree with the comments about Rashid, great with the bat and ball and in many games his performance would be motm but Buttler really did something special today.

[Villan For Life]

Sad to see that Monty is taking an indefinite break from the gams:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2015/content/story/885847.html

Post Ashley Giles and pre Graeme Swann he really did seem to be the best English spinner since Underwood.

Good luck fella, I hope you can sort your troubles out.

[PaulWinch again]

Good luck Monty.

[tomd2103]

Good luck Monty.

Yep, good luck Monty.  His enthusiasm for the game won him many fans around the world and I hope that this break helps him rediscover that. 

[spangley1812]

I know you never change a winning team but I would definately swop Willey for Plunkett