The International Cricket Thread 2018

[aj2k77]

New Zealand lower order showing our fannies how to tough it out.

[KevinGage]

From the subcontinet tour at the back end of 2016 to now, 400+ scores have been a rarity.

Then, on the odd occasion when the batsmen have turned up, the bowling has lacked variety or cutting edge. It's a rare talent to be able to post 400+ first up and still lose by an innings.

And today, with the opposition down and a chance to go for the throat in the last session, the tail enders weren't made to play enough.

Can't post big scores, can't get 20 wickets. That's going to be a problem for any side.

[UK Redsox]

[Risso]

Test cricket is broken.

[tomd2103]

Like a number of our recent test series against New Zealand, the reduced number of matches means it is over just as it was beginning to get interesting.   It really should be a full tour against them, particularly down there. 

As for the test itself, a little more encouraging and we got the better of the draw there.  We'll have to see how the county season starts, but I would suggest the bowling unit of Anderson, Broad, Wood and Leach (with Stokes as the all -rounder) has a good chance of starting the first test against Pakistan next month, even if it leaves us with a fairly lengthy tail. 

That leaves the batting line up and unless someone really starts the season well, I can't see too many changes there either.  Swann on TMS this morning said he thinks they will persist with Vince at three, but that Stoneman's place might not be a secure.  I would be looking at Bairstow becoming a genuine top order batsman in the test arena and would therefore encourage him to relinquish the gloves and give Foakes a chance at seven.     

[Chris Jameson]

The criticism levelled at the young lad from Lancashire was that he didn't keep the scoreboard ticking over. I'd like to see him given a few matches and told to play his natural game, would be great to have an opener who can bat all day without throwing his wicket away.

[Richard]

I'd rather have Woakes than Wood in English conditions

[PaulWinch again]

The criticism levelled at the young lad from Lancashire was that he didn't keep the scoreboard ticking over. I'd like to see him given a few matches and told to play his natural game, would be great to have an opener who can bat all day without throwing his wicket away.

I think he's still the one who has been earmarked for the long-term. He's shown he can hack it at Test level, he just had a year where he went backwards which can happen when you're a young player. He'll come back strong.

[tomd2103]

I'd rather have Woakes than Wood in English conditions

The problem with Woakes is that what he offers in an attack is similar to what Anderson and Stokes offer (and Broad when his pace is down).  We really need a bit of variety in there and as Swann said on TMS this morning, we are crying out for a quick left arm bowler to offer something different.  Woakes obviously offers a lot with the bat lower down the order, but the attack looks too one dimensional when all the above are bowling.  Broad and Anderson have probably done enough to continue their new ball partnership this summer and Stokes is cemented in as the all-rounder, but the first change seamer spot is up for grabs (I wouldn't rule Plunkett out as he can bat a bit as well). 

One of the questions I would ask going forward is whether Malan could be an option at 3.  A top seven of something like Cook, Stoneman, Malan, Root, Bairstow, Stokes and Foakes has some semblance balance to it.

[Richard]

Just watching the highlights from NZ the barmy army can f right off with their shit songs

[Chris Jameson]

Just watching the highlights from NZ the barmy army can f right off with their shit songs

The only thing I hate about cricket is them and the boorish pissed up fancy dress brigade that make an appearance at one day games and Test matches. Worst book I've ever read was by a member of the self styled Barmy Army, fuck me, they are full of their own self importance. I bought it for 20 pence and thought I'd give it a go, see if I was being a bit unfair on them. I wasn't.

[UK Redsox]

I think because of the small crowd for this test, the idiots were more noticeable.

The songs/chants, the trumpet, the “four more”. All bloody annoying.

“And did those feet.......” no they fecking didn’t, so piss off

[tomd2103]

Oh dear, the 'Debate' show on SKY last night was a bit bleak.  Angus Fraser, with his national selector's hat on, basically said that the cupboard is pretty much bare in terms of replacements for the current incumbents and that many of those who are deemed next in line struggled on the recent Lions tour of the West Indies.   

[UK Redsox]

This is terrible news. TalkSport's football commentaries are unlistenable for me because of their contact banging on about odds and betting in general. Given the greater number of breaks in play during a cricket match, their coverage has potential to be horrendous

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/apr/18/talksport-outbids-bbc-to-secure-rights-for-forthcoming-england-cricket-tours

TalkSport has announced a major coup late Tuesday after outbidding the BBC to secure the free-to-air radio broadcast rights for England’s forthcoming tours of Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

[UK Redsox]

The 'Word-Smith' to become National Selector

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/43806734