The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

Here we go!

[Oooh_andy]

Moeen gets lots of criticism, but he is absolutely vital to England. He is and should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

That coward spineless Swann strike rate was  60. Moeen,s is 62. He's a top cricketer

[PaulWinch again]

Coward spineless Swann? Bit harsh and odd.

England are going to have to bowl a hell of a lot better tomorrow and the top order are going to have to get some runs if we're going to win.

[OzVilla]

I think it was a bit cowardly yes (assuming that was what the poster was referring to)

I loved Swann as an England Cricketer but the manner in which he left the ill fated Ashes Tour in 13/14 was appalling - MONesque. Fucked off to the commentary box mid series while we were getting panned and we had to call up some lad playing grade cricket in Sydney.

I've still not properly forgiven him for that in my mind.

[paul_e]

The defence I'd offer to Swann is that he was physically fucked and probably should've retired before the tour.  If you watch the first 3 matches back now it's pretty clear that he wasn't anywhere near 100% and it's hard to understand why England felt it right to stick with him as they must've seen in the training and warm up matches that he was done.

It's a sour end to his career but 255 wickets is an immense return from someone who was 28/29 when he made his debut and when you add the sheer number of wickets at the start of a spell he was, for a few years, the absolute perfect spinner and shouldn't be remembered just for his retirement, it's not fair at all.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah it wasn't a great end, but I wouldn't define him on that one failing.

[manic-road]

England have it all to do to chase 273 runs to win on a pitch that is giving plenty to the bowlers.

[hipkiss92]

Swann was physically unable to bowl anymore on that tour, not like he left and retired to county cricket. Flower also told him he couldn't stay on the tour if he wasn't playing.

[tomd2103]

Duckett in one day mode here and playing some great shots. 

[tomd2103]

Moeen gets lots of criticism, but he is absolutely vital to England. He is and should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

I've said it before on here, but I'm sure you're his agent!  I wouldn't go as far as saying he is one of the first names on the team sheet, (Cook, Root, Stokes, Broad, Anderson would be), but he has become a fixture in the side. 

[KevinGage]

Young Duckett looks like he's nailed his place for India.

He's played with aggression without being reckless. Had a bit of luck, but he's earned it. 

Cricket changes but some things stay the same. Stay in your bunker and let the spinners build up with pressure with men around the bat and you generally don't get far. Take the calculated gamble when an opportunity presents itself, open up the field and you then start to ask questions of the bowler.

[PaulWinch again]

Excellent start from Duckett and Cook and it's given England a chance.

[PaulWinch again]

Here comes the collapse!

[aev]

Marvellous Test match so far. Big innings for Ballance otherwise i reckon he is off back to the broad acres.

Off that, I guess he is off to India irrespective of what happens here.

[Lsvilla]

So Cook not out LBW but the leg bye he and Ballance ran is not scored ?