The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

Excellent from Vince and Ballance just keep going.

[Chris Jameson]

Just checked in to see who you all want dropping for the next Test and who to replace them with?

If we win why change....Anderson in for Finn...maybe and a big maybe possibility of 2nd spinner at OT.

Sorry, I was being facetious PGW, tend to avoid this thread when England are having a bad spell as there are all sorts of calls for changes. Over the last couple of years I've read every single player needs dropping at some stage or isn't good enough and all sorts of names put forward. I've no idea how anybody knows how good any players from the county circuit are as  apart from yourself and a couple of others on here, not many people spend time watching the county game. As I've said before, the reason I've defended the likes of Root, Lyth, Bairstow etc is because I only ever go to watch Yorkshire!

A bit like any of the match threads things are either "disastrous" or we're world beaters depending on how the match is going with no middle ground.

[tomd2103]

Just checked in to see who you all want dropping for the next Test and who to replace them with?

If we win why change....Anderson in for Finn...maybe and a big maybe possibility of 2nd spinner at OT.

Sorry, I was being facetious PGW, tend to avoid this thread when England are having a bad spell as there are all sorts of calls for changes. Over the last couple of years I've read every single player needs dropping at some stage or isn't good enough and all sorts of names put forward. I've no idea how anybody knows how good any players from the county circuit are as  apart from yourself and a couple of others on here, not many people spend time watching the county game. As I've said before, the reason I've defended the likes of Root, Lyth, Bairstow etc is because I only ever go to watch Yorkshire!

A bit like any of the match threads things are either "disastrous" or we're world beaters depending on how the match is going with no middle ground.

It's the British way mate, we've always got to find a scapegoat!!  No matter what the result, I guess Anderson and Stokes will come back in replacing I would guess Ball and one of Vince or Ballance.  I would hope we have moved away from the chopping and changing policy of the 90's. 

[paul_e]

I think Finn has to drop out, he's been out of form for months now and that's the spot open for Jimmy who will clearly come back in.  Then you have Stokes to fit in and the obvious choices, for me, are Ballance out if we want the extra bowler or Ball out if we want the extra batting depth.  I'd go for the latter personally.  Hales and Vince need to play out the rest of this series and then review before we tour in the winter.

I think Ball and Ballance are clearly in the squad as injury cover and dropping either of them isn't making a statement against them, dropping anyone else is a recognition that they don't deserve another chance right now and Only Finn is at that point for me.

[taylorsworkrate]

I think Finn has to drop out, he's been out of form for months now and that's the spot open for Jimmy who will clearly come back in.  Then you have Stokes to fit in and the obvious choices, for me, are Ballance out if we want the extra bowler or Ball out if we want the extra batting depth.  I'd go for the latter personally.  Hales and Vince need to play out the rest of this series and then review before we tour in the winter.

I think Ball and Ballance are clearly in the squad as injury cover and dropping either of them isn't making a statement against them, dropping anyone else is a recognition that they don't deserve another chance right now and Only Finn is at that point for me.

Ballance needs to make himself undroppable by getting a big score today

[taylorsworkrate]

3 of the 4 wickets just thrown away

[PGW]

Just remember next test at Old Trafford so Borthwick should be a contender as spin option....Devils advocate!!!

[taylorsworkrate]

Just remember next test at Old Trafford so Borthwick should be a contender as spin option....Devils advocate!!!

I hope to god we aren't planning on preparing a pitch that spins???!!!

Just leave a shit load of grass on it

[PaulWinch again]

We're just playing too loosely.

[taylorsworkrate]

We're just playing too loosely.

I don't get the tactics to be honest. The pitch is still a very decent batting pitch, there's just no need to be playing the gung ho shots that we have been. Pakistan will be delighted. They've bowled 1 good ball and taken 4 wickets.

Amateurish batting effort so far.

[PaulWinch again]

Vince frustrates me because he has absolutely everything. My one question mark about him is I just can't see him scoring tough gritty runs.

[paul_e]

Vince frustrates me because he has absolutely everything. My one question mark about him is I just can't see him scoring tough gritty runs.

That's why I'd stick with him but it's also why I'm not sure if he'll make it long-term.  The technique is there for him to be a very good top 4 batsman but for whatever reason it's just not coming together for him just yet.  I see the same in Hales and Buttler and I'd really like the latter to get another shot in the test team before long.

[PaulWinch again]

He'll stay in now, Ballance hasn't done enough to take his place.

[taylorsworkrate]

Ballance was looking ok in fairness. He is one of the two players to get out where he can at least give some credit to the bowler.

I can't see Moeen sticking around too long

[taylorsworkrate]

Moeen should be dropped for that shot alone