The International Cricket Thread 2018

[tomd2103]

Cook has looked like a massive weight has been removed from his shoulders.  I just wonder if, after a good rest over the winter and if he has a good start next summer, his feet might start itching when the Aussies arrive.

[Drummond]

Nah, he's done.

[PaulWinch again]

The great successes from this series are Buttler and Curran. Buttler has shown he can be a Test bat and Curran is, and will develop, into a class player.

[Villan For Life]

The great successes from this series are Buttler and Curran. Buttler has shown he can be a Test bat and Curran is, and will develop, into a class player.

I’m impressed by the bold selection by Ed Smith & his selectors.

I think Stokes also deserves credit for his batting which showed a maturity & patience that’s not been in his game before.

The minuses include Bairstow, Root, Jennings, Rashid, the openers and the close catchers.

[PaulWinch again]

Rashid is a weird one, he’s just been a complete passenger. Moeen is the best spinner in English conditions.

[Villan For Life]

Rashid is a weird one, he’s just been a complete passenger. Moeen is the best spinner in English conditions.

I think half the problem with Moeen as number one spinner is actually in Moeen’s head.

[PaulWinch again]

No doubt, but then the team need to manage that. He’s such a key asset.

[OzVilla]

Rashid is a weird one, he’s just been a complete passenger. Moeen is the best spinner in English conditions.

I think half the problem with Moeen as number one spinner is actually in Moeen’s head.

Moen bowls with side spin which is fine in English conditions but on pitches that turn less but bounce more, Australia and South Africa for instance, over spin bowlers get that extra bounce. Thats why Nathan Lyon gets so many wickets in Australia but doesn’t have the same influence elsewhere.

Spinners are a complicated bunch. Gone are the days of leg spin/off spin.

[Risso]

Jennings.  Dear oh deary me.

[PaulWinch again]

Well done Cookie, stay on please!!

[paul_e]

Well done Cookie, stay on please!!

This Cook (i.e. the one who played until the last 18 months) is one of the best openers in the world and I'm sure that if he felt he was still able to play at this level regularly he wouldn't be going anywhere. I'm just glad he's going out on the back of a very good performance and with a new record in his collection.

[Steve67]

What do we need in terms of the score for the lead becomes a dangerous one?  250?  300?

Jennings just isn't quite there yet.  Fielding hasn't been great either.

[olaftab]

I didn’t think Fielding was picked for this test😊

[tomd2103]

Wowsers - just watched the Debate on SKY and Nick Compton suggested Sam Curran batting at three.

[olaftab]

Rashid is a weird one, he’s just been a complete passenger. Moeen is the best spinner in English conditions.

Rashid has had a complete laugh in this series.