The Cricket Thread 2017

[PaulWinch again]

If Stokes doesn't go, which unfortunately looks likely and he needs to learn from this. I think I'd go with Plunkett as a replacement, we don't have anyone like Stokes and I think Plunkett is best option to balance the side. Team would be something like:

Cook
Stoneman
Vince
Root
Malan
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Plunkett
Broad
Anderson

Plunkett offers us something different with the ball that we don't have and his batting is useful. We can't replace Stokes, but I think that's the best we can do.

[aev]

The big question for me is who would have won in a Botham Stokes biff up?

I think i'd go with Botham.

[tomd2103]

If Stokes doesn't go, which unfortunately looks likely and he needs to learn from this. I think I'd go with Plunkett as a replacement, we don't have anyone like Stokes and I think Plunkett is best option to balance the side. Team would be something like:

Cook
Stoneman
Vince
Root
Malan
Bairstow
Ali
Woakes
Plunkett
Broad
Anderson

Plunkett offers us something different with the ball that we don't have and his batting is useful. We can't replace Stokes, but I think that's the best we can do.

I do think we need a bit of extra pace in the bowling attack and if Stokes misses out then that is what I would go with.  If Stokes is available then for this series alone I would rejig the batting order and go with at top five of:

Cook, Stoneman, Root, Malan, Bairstow

Stokes, Ali, Woakes, Broad and Anderson would make up the bowling attack which would leave one spot.  Again maybe just for the Ashes, we could let Bairstow concentrate on his batting and bat Foakes at seven.  In all likelihood though, I think the line up for the first test will be:

Cook, Stoneman, Vince, Root, Malan / Ballance, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali, Woakes, Broad, Anderson

[Colhint]

When David Warner smacked Joe Root at 3 in the morning, the Aussies banned him for a period which ended 4 days before the start of the Ashes

[aev]

When David Warner smacked Joe Root at 3 in the morning, the Aussies banned him for a period which ended 4 days before the start of the Ashes

I think Warner clipped Root on the chin. Having seen the Stokes video it would appear a long way from that.

[Colhint]

I haven,t seen the clip so can't comment.

[olaftab]

Self defence appears to be a popular line but a few too many punches for me to consider that.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

Given how important hands are to a cricketer I find it staggering that one would be thick enough to go round punching things. I'd be ruling out embroidery, playing the harp and building flat pack furniture if it was me. Surely you have to regard yourself as a professional pianist would - you never see Alfred Brendel lamping arseholes in the early hours, do you? He's got too much respect for his profession.

[Villan For Life]

I wonder if the case could be delayed until mid-January? Perhaps a Cricket-loving solicitor in the CPS could put the case file at the bottom of their in tray?

That aside I think the Aussies at home in front of a partisan crowd will be too strong for our inconsistent batting. Hopefully it won't be as bad as 2013 but I think we will struggle.

[tomd2103]

Self defence appears to be a popular line but a few too many punches for me to consider that.

Just seen the video.  To be honest, if someone got caught doing that on Witton Lane before or after the match on Saturday, then they would be looking at a charge and a possible prison sentence.  If it was who I think it was in the video, then Hales was involved far more than is being reported as well and again would be looking at similar punishment.     

[PaulWinch again]

If he is charged and found guilty logically the best type of sentence would be community service. Him coaching youngsters would be of much greater value than a prison sentence.

It will be a terrible blow for our hopes if he is out of the Ashes. In future I hope he reviews the activities he undertakes socially. He should never have been in the position to react like that.

[OzVilla]

The video looks like 2 drunken idiots flailing at each other, handbags until the last 5 seconds.

I'd be surprised if there wasn't some serious provercation but that last punch and the fact that he put himself in that position just cannot be excused.

[olaftab]

I wonder if the case could be delayed until mid-January? Perhaps a Cricket-loving solicitor in the CPS could put the case file at the bottom of their in tray?

That aside I think the Aussies at home in front of a partisan crowd will be too strong for our inconsistent batting. Hopefully it won't be as bad as 2013 but I think we will struggle.

CPS=MCC they all wear the tie
On tour itself I am hoping England are still in the series by the time Melbourne test  starts rather than 3-0 down otherwise my appearance  in the MCG is going to be spoilt.

[TheTimVilla]

I wonder if the case could be delayed until mid-January? Perhaps a Cricket-loving solicitor in the CPS could put the case file at the bottom of their in tray?

That aside I think the Aussies at home in front of a partisan crowd will be too strong for our inconsistent batting. Hopefully it won't be as bad as 2013 but I think we will struggle.

CPS=MCC they all wear the tie
On tour itself I am hoping England are still in the series by the time Melbourne test  starts rather than 3-0 down otherwise my appearance  in the MCG is going to be spoilt.

Can you bat 5?

[olaftab]

Haha...no I am an Opener and will move to 3 to help the team  but no lower.