The Cricket Thread 2017

[Villan For Life]

In other cricket news, Alex Hales will not face any charges following the incident in Bristol back in September. Hopefully they will now be able to resolve the Stokes situation once and for all. It's been dragging on long enough.

[PaulWinch again]

It's frustrating that we couldn't show this intent on the first day. Basically to have any chance we need to get them out for less than 110-120. Then we need the batsmen to show some grit, determination and brains.

[paul_e]

Wish England had players who could stick around, got plenty who can come in and hit a few boundaries, shame the young lad from Lancashire had a poor season that wasn't helped by injury.

Is Root being written off again?

Root not being written off, just a realisation that whilst he's a wonderfully talented player, he doesn't possess the mindset that the best like Smith and Kohli have. He should really be making big scores much more consistently with his ability. Too many times he gets to 50/60 playing beautifully, then gives it away.

I think this is just a case of having a more complete view of Root compared to the others but there are a few things to remember:

Root is 18 months younger than Smith and 2 years younger than Kohli, given he's nearly 27 he's just about reaching his physical peak, they've both been there for a while, that will have an effect.
Root has made 50+ more often than either of them but has got out in the 80s and 90s too often, a problem he's open about but his top score is better than both so he can bat long.
Root doesn't travel as well which is the problem I spoke about a couple of days ago.  Smith has played IPL and for Worcestershire and even though it's only t20 it does make a difference.

I personally think there's not much between Root and Kohli and Smith is a step ahead currently, largely because people haven't worked out how to bowl at him because he's so unusual at the crease.

[olaftab]

I am annoyed, very annoyed, at Cook, Root, Moeen and Bairstow. They are the senior experienced players and it is/was their job to stand up and be counted but they have been abysmal. May be Root, Moeen and Baistow are not as good as we thought and Cook has left it all behind. All is all it's looking very bleak.

[PaulWinch again]

Root's problem is his balance is off at the moment. He keeps on falling over to the offside.

[tomd2103]

Wish England had players who could stick around, got plenty who can come in and hit a few boundaries, shame the young lad from Lancashire had a poor season that wasn't helped by injury.

Is Root being written off again?

Root not being written off, just a realisation that whilst he's a wonderfully talented player, he doesn't possess the mindset that the best like Smith and Kohli have. He should really be making big scores much more consistently with his ability. Too many times he gets to 50/60 playing beautifully, then gives it away.

I think this is just a case of having a more complete view of Root compared to the others but there are a few things to remember:

Root is 18 months younger than Smith and 2 years younger than Kohli, given he's nearly 27 he's just about reaching his physical peak, they've both been there for a while, that will have an effect.
Root has made 50+ more often than either of them but has got out in the 80s and 90s too often, a problem he's open about but his top score is better than both so he can bat long.
Root doesn't travel as well which is the problem I spoke about a couple of days ago.  Smith has played IPL and for Worcestershire and even though it's only t20 it does make a difference.

I personally think there's not much between Root and Kohli and Smith is a step ahead currently, largely because people haven't worked out how to bowl at him because he's so unusual at the crease.

Interesting points Paul, but Smith struggled badly the last time the Aussies were up here.   

[olaftab]

Whilst Smith, Pujara, Root and Williamson are neck and neck as the top 4 batsmen in the ICC ranking Kohli is way ahead all of them and at the moment only Amla comes close to him in terms of top drawer Test batters. 

[olaftab]

Root's problem is his balance is off at the moment. He keeps on falling over to the offside.

You mean a bit like Heskey?

[PaulWinch again]

Whilst Smith, Pujara, Root and Williamson are neck and neck as the top 4 batsmen in the ICC ranking Kohli is way ahead all of them and at the moment only Amla comes close to him in terms of top drawer Test batters. 

Kohli isn't better than Smith.

[olaftab]

Well ok we will have to disagree on this. If Smith is the best his country shouldn't be messing around as the 5th ranked Test nation. Kohli and Pujara are delivering for the team when and where it matters. 

[PaulWinch again]

Well that's not really a reflection on him as a batsman though is it? he's averaging over 60 and is having to carry a much weaker batting unit.

[Risso]

I am annoyed, very annoyed, at Cook, Root, Moeen and Bairstow. They are the senior experienced players and it is/was their job to stand up and be counted but they have been abysmal. May be Root, Moeen and Baistow are not as good as we thought and Cook has left it all behind. All is all it's looking very bleak.

I think it boils down to the fact that both England and Australia are both very good when playing in home conditions, but neither deal with being in the other country very well, usually.

That said, the way the top order has played has been criminally stupid.  No attempt to see off the new ball and get themselves in, and then start to pick off the loose balls.  Just about every dismissal has been avoidable.  I suppose that should give some hope, as it's not like they're being done by unplayable balls, but none of them seen to learn from innings to the next.

[paul_e]

I am annoyed, very annoyed, at Cook, Root, Moeen and Bairstow. They are the senior experienced players and it is/was their job to stand up and be counted but they have been abysmal. May be Root, Moeen and Baistow are not as good as we thought and Cook has left it all behind. All is all it's looking very bleak.

I think it boils down to the fact that both England and Australia are both very good when playing in home conditions, but neither deal with being in the other country very well, usually.

That said, the way the top order has played has been criminally stupid.  No attempt to see off the new ball and get themselves in, and then start to pick off the loose balls.  Just about every dismissal has been avoidable.  I suppose that should give some hope, as it's not like they're being done by unplayable balls, but none of them seen to learn from innings to the next.

A big part of that is the match situation I think, our 2 really poor performances in the top order have been when they've had the tail wag so the lower order come out to bowl with their confidence up.  If we could skittle the last 4-5 for 30-40 runs I think we'd see a very different attitude from both sides.

[PaulWinch again]

You'd hope so, we really need to hit them hard tomorrow.

[olaftab]

Yes Risso agreed home advantage works usually for all countries. India for example are swotting everyone like flies in India but I bet you they won’t be that brilliant here in about 6 months time. Australian bowling is not all that but as you have said there has been neglect of duty by England top order and I also think bowling has been rubbish absolutely wrong length for pitches out there and you would think that’s a simple thing to get right for a professional outfit.