The Cricket Thread 2016

[Chris Jameson]

Root is arguably the best batsman in the world in all formats, let's hope his back holds up.

[DB]

What a match. We tried to c*ck it up final over but a fantastic run chase. Yeah, Topley needs to go.

[DaveD]

NRR = batting R/O - bowling R/O. All out counts as full 50 overs.

[olaftab]

Incredible win but I bet MCC members are choking in their G&T over the type of cricket played out there in Mumbai today.

[olaftab]

So did the Afrikaans bottled it again?

[cdbearsfan]

Brilliant stuff from England.

It's India v Pakistan tomorrow (twice). Would love to see India get thrashed after the disgraceful way their politicians have behaved lately. Refusing to guarantee the safety of the Pakistan team is disgusting.

[paul_e]

So did the Afrikaans bottled it again?

Not really, bowled a bit straight and Du Plessis was so scared of us hitting over them that he let us milk them for singles whenever we couldn't find gaps but the dewy ball, a brilliant opening partnership and a phenomenal performance from Root were the key things.  Dale Steyn, for example, didn't bowl any particularly bad balls (he wasn't great but he did bowl to the field he was set) but he got smashed for 35 off 2 overs.

I recommend watching the highlights though, some of the hitting from Root is beautiful, he didn't leather anything, it's all just timing and clean strikes, the ramp shot for 6 (that I think got him to 50) was just ridiculously good.

[Dave Cooper please]

I still can't get on with this T20 stuff, it's like cricket for people with no attention span.

I can appreciate the skills of the players and obviously that was a dramatic game today but it's not for me.

[peter w]

I agree. Except when England win.

[DaveD]

I still can't get on with this T20 stuff, it's like cricket for people with no attention span.

I can appreciate the skills of the players and obviously that was a dramatic game today but it's not for me.

I know what you mean Dave and I'm a Test cricket guy too but some of the shot making is truly sensational. As a bowler I'd hate to play it though.

[MoetVillan]

Test cricket by miles for me. However I loved watching that

[Villan For Life]

The Indian spinners are getting massive turn in the T20 game against Pakistan. It's making them virtually unplayable which in this form of cricket is a massive boost.

[Villafirst]

Topless is average - Woakes to replace him is a no brainer.

[paul_e]

I think Topley can become a very good bowler, and he has time on his side, but he's not ready to be playing at this level right now.  Woakes or Plunkett in for him, not bothered which really as both would be capable of delivering 4 decent overs and both are decent in the field For once their ability with the bat doesn't really matter because we bat (in T20) right down to 10 anyway.

[PaulWinch again]

Afghanistan are a proper threat and have to be in the next World Cup.