The International Cricket Thread 2018

[PGW]

Ireland are supposed to be commencing their first ever test match today. It's raining though (against Pakistan).

Play abandoned for the day....shame....forecast not great for them tomorrow either.

[Meanwood Villa]

Not a good start to their innings

[UK Redsox]

Annoying that Sky only showed part of the first session yesterday and today (available in low-def via red button yesterday but only on iPad today).

With Sky having so many Sports channels now, I'd have thought that there was space for full coverage

[PaulWinch again]

Buttler as a batsman? Odd.

[tomd2103]

Buttler as a batsman? Odd.

Yep.  I have thought for some time now that Bairstow should be encouraged to relinquish the gloves and be given the chance concentrate on becoming a genuine top order batsman.  This would have given the chance for another wicket keeper / batsman (like Buttler) to come into the side and bat at 7. 

[paul_e]

Buttler as a batsman? Odd.

Yep.  I have thought for some time now that Bairstow should be encouraged to relinquish the gloves and be given the chance concentrate on becoming a genuine top order batsman.  This would have given the chance for another wicket keeper / batsman (like Buttler) to come into the side and bat at 7. 

That's how i'd have gone about it, and I'd have pushed Bairstow up to open as well (and probably drop Cook down to 3).  Bairstow has shown in the short formats that he's a capable fielder I don't think I've ever seen Buttler in the field.  I guess it's not a big deal to change them around if needed though.

[PaulWinch again]

Buttler sounds like he is going to be a specialist batsman at 7.

[tomd2103]

Buttler as a batsman? Odd.

Yep.  I have thought for some time now that Bairstow should be encouraged to relinquish the gloves and be given the chance concentrate on becoming a genuine top order batsman.  This would have given the chance for another wicket keeper / batsman (like Buttler) to come into the side and bat at 7. 

That's how i'd have gone about it, and I'd have pushed Bairstow up to open as well (and probably drop Cook down to 3).  Bairstow has shown in the short formats that he's a capable fielder I don't think I've ever seen Buttler in the field.  I guess it's not a big deal to change them around if needed though.

I'd have gone that way in NZ Paul, and would have given Foakes a chance.  Not sure about Bairstow opening though - I would have him at 5 with Malan and Root moving up a place each.   

[paul_e]

Buttler as a batsman? Odd.

Yep.  I have thought for some time now that Bairstow should be encouraged to relinquish the gloves and be given the chance concentrate on becoming a genuine top order batsman.  This would have given the chance for another wicket keeper / batsman (like Buttler) to come into the side and bat at 7. 

That's how i'd have gone about it, and I'd have pushed Bairstow up to open as well (and probably drop Cook down to 3).  Bairstow has shown in the short formats that he's a capable fielder I don't think I've ever seen Buttler in the field.  I guess it's not a big deal to change them around if needed though.

I'd have gone that way in NZ Paul, and would have given Foakes a chance.  Not sure about Bairstow opening though - I would have him at 5 with Malan and Root moving up a place each.   

I like the idea of an opener who wants to smash the leather off the new ball, it won't be the right thing to do all the time but I think we should take some time to see if it's something that he would be able to do if needed.

[PGW]

Chris Woakes on his way home from RCB to join up with England.

[tomd2103]

Chris Woakes on his way home from RCB to join up with England.

After playing no red ball cricket so far this season on the back of a poor winter tour with the ball.  Big fan of his, but I think he is lucky to be included in this squad. 

[Woofles The Wonder Dog]

And hardly played for RCB after the first few games - took a few wickets but was very expensive. Hardly batted. He doesn’t quite seem the same since that side injury...confidence?

[UK Redsox]

Is Buttler heading back early as well ?

[Woofles The Wonder Dog]

Is Buttler heading back early as well ?

I think both he and Stokes played their last game for RR a couple of days ago. Buttler ended doing amazingly, Stokes was pretty abject throughout - they wondered if he was fully fit.

[Steve67]

I think I heard Nasser Hussain say today on Talk Sport that he reckons that Buttler will get the gloves and Bairstow will step up to five and field.  To be fair, Jonny B is as fast as frick and is a good fielder, not so sure about Buttler.  I quite like the line up but wish we could find a consistent opening pair.