The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

Morgan and Hales won't tour Bangladesh. I think that might end Morgan's international career and possibly finish Hales Test career.

I agree Paul ..........Hameed for Hales in the test team and one of Bairstow/Duckett/Billings for Morgan on the ODI/T20 team

It shouldn't end their international careers, the ECB have shown no leadership as usual and wouldn't make a tough decision, they said it was up to the players so they should be happy with whatever decision those players have made. As head of the English and Wales cricket board the ECB should have shown some balls.

It is up to the players, and that's right. I don't think they'll be directly punished, but if someone in their role performs well they won't get back in.

[spangley1812]

Morgan and Hales won't tour Bangladesh. I think that might end Morgan's international career and possibly finish Hales Test career.

I agree Paul ..........Hameed for Hales in the test team and one of Bairstow/Duckett/Billings for Morgan on the ODI/T20 team

It shouldn't end their international careers, the ECB have shown no leadership as usual and wouldn't make a tough decision, they said it was up to the players so they should be happy with whatever decision those players have made. As head of the English and Wales cricket board the ECB should have shown some balls.

The ECB have said its safe to tour, have had it checked out by several security experts and the Foreign Office have no problems with Tourists going so its an individuals choice and if they give their place up they may have to face the consequences

[simboy]

Morgan's place as a team member is less than secure on form? If so Bairstowe coming in will strengthen the batting. If Buttler does ok as skipper then Morgan is a likely casualty.

[spangley1812]

Morgan's place as a team member is less than secure on form? If so Bairstowe coming in will strengthen the batting. If Buttler does ok as skipper then Morgan is a likely casualty.

Good point mate

[paul_e]

Are you questioning whether he's a risk? If so let me clarify things, If you look at our top order Roy, Hales, Root, Stokes and Buttler (and Bairstow as understudy with the gloves) have all won us games with the bat over the last 18 months.  Morgan hasn't done the same.  He's won us games by being a good captain but if Buttler can replicate that batting and either Bairstow or Duckett (the question is over whether you want to have 2 keepers in the field) can add the extra threat with the bat it will be very hard to justify bringing him back.  Hales on the other should walk back in because his form in that format is too good to ignore so the replacement would have to play out of their skin to put pressure on him.

In the test team Hales is under immense pressure anyway and I think he's made the decision for them, possibly preempting being dropped.

[PaulWinch again]

Interesting squad with Hameed, Duckett, Batty, Ansari and Buttler included. I quite like the balance of the squad and I'm excited by the prospect of Duckett playing.
Batty is a good selection, because even though it indicates the lack of spinning talent in the county game it does show that it's never too late.

[PGW]

Interesting squad with Hameed, Duckett, Batty, Ansari and Buttler included. I quite like the balance of the squad and I'm excited by the prospect of Duckett playing.
Batty is a good selection, because even though it indicates the lack of spinning talent in the county game it does show that it's never too late.

Leach for Batty for me...a learning thing for the youngster!!

[PaulWinch again]

I think Ansari kind of fills that role.

[PGW]

I think Ansari kind of fills that role.

Surely Ansari is more your Moeen Ali stand in a spinning batting all rounder sort of way!! Not that many wkts this summer...injured for a bit.
Leach 50+ i believe.
If this is part of maybe bringing Batty into a player/coach sort of role then i can maybe understand it but no mention of that. Too old end of!!!

[paul_e]

If we're looking for a spinner I still think they need to look at Kerrigan again, he was called up out of the blue, given 8 overs and then dumped, that's pretty shocking treatment of a player, even if those 8 overs weren't great.

[dcdavecollett]

Yep, they were poor and it's hard to protect poor bowlers in a Test match.

[Gareth]

The spinner is the one position this England side lack & I am a big fan of Mo as a cricketer, think England have been lucky that he has stepped up because since Swann has gone there has been no spinner to get anywhere past 'having potential'

Batty...can only assume Tuffers or Giles aren't fit to play? If he does play he'll be glad he hasn't got to throw down 50 overs at Lara again :-)

[PaulWinch again]

Wood and Anderson out of the Bangladesh tour. Wood's injury problems are becoming a real concern, because it's the same issues recurring.

[tomd2103]

Wood and Anderson out of the Bangladesh tour. Wood's injury problems are becoming a real concern, because it's the same issues recurring.

Agree Paul and Wood is becoming a real concern.  I guess it will mean the spot will now be open for a second spinner to join the existing attack of Broad, Woakes, Ali and Stokes. 

[PGW]

Latest score in warm up game:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO40613