The Cricket Thread 2016

[paul_e]

Finest of nicks ever?

[PaulWinch again]

If Hales, Root and Ali had shown the application of Bairstow and Woakes we might have won this.

[Villafirst]

If Hales, Root and Ali had shown the application of Bairstow and Woakes we might have won this.

Agree. They were reckless. No patience or application required for the job. Too many one day shots.

[PaulWinch again]

Great Test though and I think it's great that England have a proper team to play against. I think for the long term this will be good for England. You can only develop through playing strong opposition.

[Monty]

As a cricket fan, it makes me very happy to see a high-level legspinner playing so well.

[Villafirst]

Anderson & Stokes for Finn & Ball is a no brainer for the next test. We'll see how good Pakistan are when they face Anderson, Broad, Woakes & Stokes. Strengthens both the bowling & batting.

[paul_e]

Anderson & Stokes for Finn & Ball is a no brainer for the next test. We'll see how good Pakistan are when they face Anderson, Broad, Woakes & Stokes. Strengthens both the bowling & batting.

I agree, that's the same changes I'd make.  I think this test we let them score more than they should've because only Woakes and Broad really put them under pressure and we just couldn't keep that level up when we switched to the others (although Ali did ok, his batting is a much bigger worry than his bowling for me).

[UK Redsox]

Playing both Woakes and Stokes should allow space for England to pick a front line spinner rather than Moeen.

The problem, there isn't really one to pick.

On TV this morning, Mike Selvey was saying that the best spinner in county cricket is Monty but he hasn't played much.

[steffo]

If we are serious about test cricket then we need to play as many as possible county championship games in August when the pitches are dry and are prone to spin.

Will not happen though.

[paul_e]

As I say, Ali has done fine with the ball in the last year, his batting has gone backwards though.  He should be the steadying influence in the lower order that pulls us out of the fire in games like this but he's developed a worrying habit of throwing his wicket away when we ned him to hold things together and make bigger scores when we're already on top.

[Monty]

I agree Paul E. I don't think there's a better English spinner than Moeen anyway, and I think he's done well enough with the ball recently. He's losing his head while batting far too often though.

[tomd2103]

Great Test though and I think it's great that England have a proper team to play against. I think for the long term this will be good for England. You can only develop through playing strong opposition.

Agree PW and although I am disappointed that we lost, it has set the series up nicely.

[tomd2103]

Anderson & Stokes for Finn & Ball is a no brainer for the next test. We'll see how good Pakistan are when they face Anderson, Broad, Woakes & Stokes. Strengthens both the bowling & batting.

Yep.  Cook, Hales, Vince, Root, Ballance, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali, Woakes, Broad, Anderson.  The batting was not great in this test, but I would give them another chance.  I would return to Root at four to give him a bit more protection.

[PaulWinch again]

Ali needs to change his mentality, because I think the number 7 or 8 role has got him thinking too much of a quick counter attack. He needs to assess each situation on its merits. Today was about sitting in for an hour and taking the sting out of Pakistan.

[taylorsworkrate]

It proved how much of a massive loss Anderson was. No way do Pakistan get over 300 in their first innings if he played.

I hope we have a bit more pace and bounce in the other pitches also. Low and slow just plays into their hands