The International Cricket Thread 2018

[taylorsworkrate]

Ireland gave Pakistan much more of a test than we have.

[PaulWinch again]

England are an absolute mess in Test cricket at the moment. They’re performing poorly in all aspects of the game and they look tactically clueless.

[manic-road]

England are an absolute mess in Test cricket at the moment. They’re performing poorly in all aspects of the game and they look tactically clueless.

Can't disagree with that, we look a shambles short of talent and confidence.

[olaftab]

Regardless of everything else, I really can’t understand the selection of Buttler, makes no sense at all.

I can understand Buttler being in the team but he is a wicket keeper and should fight with Bairstow for a place and not be shoehorned in as a specialist batsman at number 7 in a Test team. This is the kind of muddled up thinking England selectors have been peddling for the last few years and in the process have ruined the Test team.

[tomd2103]

Jennings in for Stoneman is the only change to the squad for Headingley.  Not sure about that one because due to his previous failings with England there is going to be a lot of pressure on Jennings from the off.  I think Woakes needs to come back in for either Wood or Broad as well, if only to strengthen the batting order.  I think Bob Willis summed it up well last night, when he said that we may as well have Ali in the side batting at 8 after seeing what Bess offered with the ball. 

[PaulWinch again]

I find it odd how Ali has been discarded. Yes he had a really poor winter, but he was exceptional in England last summer.

[tomd2103]

I find it odd how Ali has been discarded. Yes he had a really poor winter, but he was exceptional in England last summer.

There seems to be some really muddled thinking at the moment Paul.  Heard references that players need to come in to improve our away performances (which is right), but it shouldn’t be at the expense of our home form. 

[UK Redsox]

Woakes in for the injured Stokes and Sam Curran in for the dropped Wood.

Jennings in for Stoneman as previously announced

[Villan For Life]

Woakes in for the injured Stokes and Sam Curran in for the dropped Wood.

Jennings in for Stoneman as previously announced

I’d have kept Wood in the team. He offers something different to the rest of the attack who are all very similar bowlers.

Curran is an interesting selection though, it will be intriguing to see how he does.

[PGW]

Pakistan review immediately

[PGW]

Pakistan review immediately

Clearly too high...shame

[PaulWinch again]

Curran looks to bowl at a similar pace to his brother.

[UK Redsox]

Curran looks to bowl at a similar pace to his brother.

Only fast-medium but being left-arm gives variation.

If only he was a 6 to 12 inches taller

[UK Redsox]

"Are you England in disguise?"

[paul_e]

I think Woakes has shown that recalling him was the right decision. I agree that he's very similar to Broad and Jimmy but he a more effective bowler than Wood in english conditions. We need bowlers who not only offer something different but also deliver more than the people they're replacing and I'm not convinced Wood does, especially when 2-3 tests seems to break him and he has to have a month to recover.  I have the same problem with replacing Ali with Bess.

On topic I think this is the last 'proper' partnership so I'd get loads of catchers in for a few overs here.