The Cricket Thread 2016

[tomd2103]

Despite getting a nasty blow on the arm, Woakesy is batting well here.  Could well go on and get a decent score by the looks of it.

[tomd2103]

I'd leave them both in for the rest of the series and then review things.

Vince needs to be given a chance to settle, I don't like the idea of dropping someone if they fail in 2-3 tests, I just don't think you'll ever get a settled and functional team if you do that.  Bringing someone in for a one off match to cover injuries (like Ball) is fine but if you've picked someone with a view of them being a regular then they need a fair chance.

For Hales I think he can take no shame from today, the delivery that got him was an absolute snorter that few batsman would've been able to deal with.  Overall his record is below par but a decent series against SL means he deserves to see this one out.

Agree with that Paul.  I think we have to view this and the following few series in the context of building towards the Ashes next winter.  We have a pretty solid lower order in place which looks like:

Stokes
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Broad
Anderson

There are also decent options outside that line up, with Buttler able to replace Bairstow, Rashid as another spinner and the likes of Finn, Wood and Ball as back up bowlers.  Injuries notwithstanding, that lower order has the potential to develop into a very solid unit by the time we head down under.

The top five, however, is a bit more of a concern with only Cook and Root really being cemented in the side.  I'm really not sure that Hales is going to be the answer at opener in the future and although I would give him the rest of the series, I would be looking at other options.  If we are just looking at the next 18 months and problems persist, it might be worth bringing Bell back in at five, although it might seem a retrograde step.  I don't think there is any need for changes in the rest of this series though. 

[UK Redsox]

Great commentary by Gower, along the lines of.... "Woakes reaches 50 and receives the ultimate accolade of being applauded by the Cookie Monster"

[cdbearsfan]

He could've legitimately shouted "Cookie!" throughout the captain's innings.

[cheltenhamlion]

I hope we come out T20 after tea.

[PaulWinch again]

Excellent from Root this.

[cheltenhamlion]

Be nice to get 2 or 3 tonight.

[paul_e]

Be nice to get 2 or 3 tonight.

Woakes agrees it appears, great c&b to get Ali for his 2nd.

[paul_e]

Brilliant day for England and, again, Chris Woakes who surely is the best possible example that giving someone the time to make an impression is worth it.

[tomd2103]

Brilliant day for England and, again, Chris Woakes who surely is the best possible example that giving someone the time to make an impression is worth it.

Agree Paul.  Got to rank right up there with our best days in test cricket.

[PaulWinch again]

Excellent day. I think Woakes is an example of picking players who are in form.

[KevinGage]

Superb stuff from Woakes.

Not a huge amount of assistance from the pitch so having them 4 down before the close is good going.

[paul_e]

Excellent day. I think Woakes is an example of picking players who are in form.

That as well but if you look at the stats alone it would've been easy to over look him but the consistency in selection meant he was always top of the list when Stokes got injured and the good form just made the decision easier.

[peter w]

Brilliant day for England and, again, Chris Woakes who surely is the best possible example that giving someone the time to make an impression is worth it.

Or, the best possible example that dropping someone rather than giving someone time to make a terminal bad impression is worth it.

[PaulWinch again]

Thing is I don't think there's a uniform approach that works. I think they need to assess it all on the individual. Some players are crushed when they're dropped and never recover, others grow from it. I think Finn's form, for example, will benefit from going back to County cricket. At his best he can be one of the best in the world.