The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

The Ballance thing isn't that he hasn't had time to correct the flaw it's that he's said he doesn't need to correct, as his technique has worked before. That's a very worrying attitude, because I suspect his technique had never been tested against high quality fast bowling prior to last summer.

[PaulWinch again]

Finn has fully staked his claim today.

[tomd2103]

The Ballance thing isn't that he hasn't had time to correct the flaw it's that he's said he doesn't need to correct, as his technique has worked before. That's a very worrying attitude, because I suspect his technique had never been tested against high quality fast bowling prior to last summer.

Can't see Ballance playing to be honest.  Think the top three will be Cook, Hales and Compton, and I think Taylor will bat at five.

Agree about Finn.  I think he will start the first test along with Broad and Anderson.

[ACVilla]

Without wishing to revisit old ground, KP is in sensational form.

I know he's a grade A in the c**t stakes but boy is he some batsman. I reckon he would be a shoe in for any other country even allowing for his personality.

[tomd2103]

Without wishing to revisit old ground, KP is in sensational form.

I know he's a grade A in the c**t stakes but boy is he some batsman. I reckon he would be a shoe in for any other country even allowing for his personality.

The only possible argument for his inclusion at the moment would be in the T20 side with the World Cup in that format coming up.  A T20 3,4,5 and 6 line up of Pietersen, Root, Morgan and Buttler would be well worth watching, but his ship has sailed in the other two formats of the game.   

[PaulWinch again]

Sounds like Jimmy is probably out of the first Test, that'd be a blow.

[Dr Butler]

Sounds like Jimmy is probably out of the first Test, that'd be a blow.

shame if it happens, but it will give one of the "fringe" bowlers a go

UTV
The Doc

[tomd2103]

Sounds like Jimmy is probably out of the first Test, that'd be a blow.

shame if it happens, but it will give one of the "fringe" bowlers a go

UTV
The Doc

Woakes would bed the likely replacement I would think.  Woakes, Broad and Finn likely to be the seamers supported by Stokes and Ali.

[paul_e]

Sounds like Jimmy is probably out of the first Test, that'd be a blow.

shame if it happens, but it will give one of the "fringe" bowlers a go

UTV
The Doc

Woakes would bed the likely replacement I would think.  Woakes, Broad and Finn likely to be the seamers supported by Stokes and Ali.

I'd agree with that, I hope they don't try to force footitt in ahead of him purely because he's a left-armer and seen as 'different'.

[Dave Cooper please]

Woakes was the one doing bowling practice today with Footit doing catching pratice with the other "squad" players, so looks like Woakes and Finn to back up Broad.

[manic-road]

It's now confirmed that Woakes will replace Jimmy. Hope he has a good test.

[adrenachrome]

Best of luck, Chris.

From a selfish point of view as a Bears' member, I was not happy when he was told to speed up his delivery, or when he opened the bowling for us, both of which I believe were suggested by the England camp.

Anyway, he has proved that he is an intelligent all rounder who can adapt and think on his feet.  And with the departure of Bell, we still have a Villa fan in the test side.

[hipkiss92]

Best of luck, Chris.

From a selfish point of view as a Bears' member, I was not happy when he was told to speed up his delivery, or when he opened the bowling for us, both of which I believe were suggested by the England camp.

Anyway, he has proved that he is an intelligent all rounder who can adapt and think on his feet.  And with the departure of Bell, we still have a Villa fan in the test side.

Always seemed a natural opening bowler to me, considering he's a natural swing bowler with a good repeatable action. He was always going to have to speed up if he wanted to play Internationak cricket. It's not as if he's had his action ruined at Loughborough like many before him either.

He also seems to have developed into a high quality death bowler in one day games, which means he'll be a part of the England set up for a long time now.

And as you say, a Villa fan in the side is always positive

[PaulWinch again]

Oh Skip, that's an annoying start.

[Proposition Joe]

Always bad news when Cook out early/cheaply. Usually means collapse ahoy.