The Cricket Thread 2016

[tomd2103]

Because the West Indies don't care about tests.

There was literally no one there though, which has to be a worry really for the state of the game there.

[tomd2103]

I have wonder if they might go -

Hales
Cook
Root
Vince
Bairstow
Stokes
Ali
Woakes
Rashid
Broad
Anderson

It means rejigging the batting line up, but it's a way of getting Rashid in the team. It also protects the workload on Stokes as a bowler.

Would be the positive selection Paul, but we always tend to err on the side of caution so unless it is an absolute Bunsen, I think Rashid will miss out.

[tomd2103]

Put Root at 4.

Agree Ads.  I would like to see them be positive with Vince and put him at three and back him there.  Root is by far our best player and I do think we need to protect him a bit.

[UK Redsox]

I'm watching the first day of the first test between West Indies and India - on the TV, that is.  Can anyone explain why there are no more than a few dozen spectators in the ground?  It all seems really weird.

I watched some of that as well. There looked like less people in the ground than they have for tests in the UAE

[PaulWinch again]

Put Root at 4.

Agree Ads.  I would like to see them be positive with Vince and put him at three and back him there.  Root is by far our best player and I do think we need to protect him a bit.

I agree but they won't.

[cdbearsfan]

Because the West Indies don't care about tests.

There was literally no one there though, which has to be a worry really for the state of the game there.

Agreed. Test cricket in the West Indies is dying. More than in any of the Test nations.

[PaulWinch again]

No Rashid then. England bat first and that should be a really good toss to win.

[UK Redsox]

Victor on TMS, which is always good

[UK Redsox]

"And did those feet in ancient time......." No, no they did not

[peter w]

I get it peter, you don't and never will rate Bairstow!

He needs stats better than Bradman before I'll think he's any cop.

[AVH87]

Where are all the people now who were saying how great Hales was just because he'd scored a few runs against a sub-standard Sri Lankan attack? It was obvious from his technique he would get found out at Test level against any proper pace attack. Needs to stick to the ODIs and T20s in future. The question is whether it's too early for Bell-Drummond, in which case the selectors may have to think about giving Sam Robson another chance in a couple of Test matches time or for the series after this one.

[OzVilla]

That ball that got Hales would get far better players than him out.  Trouble is a good player would've been out LBW not cleaned up like that.

[tomd2103]

Because the West Indies don't care about tests.

There was literally no one there though, which has to be a worry really for the state of the game there.

Agreed. Test cricket in the West Indies is dying. More than in any of the Test nations.

It's a huge shame, especially when you consider how it used to be.  I just wonder how they can afford to host matches when the crowds are that low.

[PaulWinch again]

Good morning session so far.

[UK Redsox]

Rooooooot gets his 50