The International Cricket Thread 2018

[olaftab]

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

Current or Ali at number 3 is a misnomer. The Test match cricket lacks credibility when a team thrashing the current number one team in the world lacks a second decent opener and no one who can own  number 3 position.

[Villan For Life]

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

Current or Ali at number 3 is a misnomer. The Test match cricket lacks credibility when a team thrashing the current number one team in the world lacks a second decent opener and no one who can own  number 3 position.

That’s as much about home advantage though.

Home advantage is huge in test cricket right now. It will be interesting to see where England are in the rankings on the first morning of our next home test, a four day test against Ireland at Lords on 24 July 2019.

[Ads]

Be surprised if we didn't beat the Windies.

[tomd2103]

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

Current or Ali at number 3 is a misnomer. The Test match cricket lacks credibility when a team thrashing the current number one team in the world lacks a second decent opener and no one who can own  number 3 position.

Not sure that we've thrashed them.  It's never really felt comfortable throughout the series until the Indians have had their last pair at the crease needing 50 or more to win.  Up to that point in most of the tests, it's been in the balance and we've seen again that Anderson and Broad with help from a few others are superb in home conditions. 

[paul_e]

I think what this series has shown is that home advantage is huge in Test cricket. I think it's hard to see much beyond that.

I think Ali should be at 3 for now, lets not forget that he's a top order batsman at county level. He probably wasn't ready for England (either as a batsman or a bowler) when he got the call but the complete lack of viable spinners meant they had to go with him and that's caused him to be bounced around the order a lot more than is fair. A solid 50 in the first innings and a hard fought 20 to see off the new ball completely today is him doing the job I want from a 3 when you have an opener struggling like Jennings has.

Moeen has a similar problem to Buttler for me (as a batsman) people have him down as a bit of a one day specialist and both of them came into the test side at the wrong time. I'd back Moeen to have a similar impact to Buttler (who's been our best batsman this summer) if he gets a proper run at a place where he can build a proper innings.

[tomd2103]

I think what this series has shown is that home advantage is huge in Test cricket. I think it's hard to see much beyond that.

I think Ali should be at 3 for now, lets not forget that he's a top order batsman at county level. He probably wasn't ready for England (either as a batsman or a bowler) when he got the call but the complete lack of viable spinners meant they had to go with him and that's caused him to be bounced around the order a lot more than is fair. A solid 50 in the first innings and a hard fought 20 to see off the new ball completely today is him doing the job I want from a 3 when you have an opener struggling like Jennings has.

Moeen has a similar problem to Buttler for me (as a batsman) people have him down as a bit of a one day specialist and both of them came into the test side at the wrong time. I'd back Moeen to have a similar impact to Buttler (who's been our best batsman this summer) if he gets a proper run at a place where he can build a proper innings.

I would also add that it has shown what we already knew going into it - our bowling attack are very strong in our home conditions and unless Cook and Root score runs, the top order offer very little.  It's been that way for some time now and when our attack is blunted in away conditions, we really struggle.   

As for Ali, I think he will probably stay at three for the Sri Lanka series and we will have to see how it goes from there.  I have my doubts about him as a number three going forward, but as you say he does bat at the top of the order for Worcester and having him there does help balance the side and allow for a second spinner to be played without too much disruption. 

[paul_e]

I agree, Ali might not work out but I think trying him there is the right thing for him and for the team right now.

I'd give him until after the ashes if I'm honest, not much point giving him Sri Lanka and then changing things up again (unless he completely bombs). As I said, sorting out the openers, working out what we do with the quicks (This one is a good problem because one is going to have to left out or we have to rotate) and making a decision on Rashid/2nd spinner are the 3 big questions that need to be answered this winter.

For me, Burns and Jennings for Sri Lanka with Gubbins along as the alternative, rotate the seamers (giving Woakes a chance to open in a game or 2) and Jack Leach (career best match figures in his last game, career best innings figures in the previous home game, 22 wickets in the 2 games, in spinning conditions) back in would be my answers by the way.

[paul_e]

On topic, I'd let things slide until Cook either gets 100 or out but after that the aim should be to get the lead up to at least 300 by the middle of the evening session so we can have a 10-12 spell at them tonight and then all day tomorrow to push for a result. If, however, letting Cook take his time and get his century costs us the chance of a victory I'd be ok with it, the series is done and he deserves to go out on a high if he can.

[tomd2103]

Everything crossed here for Cookie, he's getting close!!

[Villan For Life]

Everything crossed here for Cookie, he's getting close!!

Same here. If he gets a ton he will become only the 5th player in the history of tests to score a century in his first and last test.

[tomd2103]

I agree, Ali might not work out but I think trying him there is the right thing for him and for the team right now.

I'd give him until after the ashes if I'm honest, not much point giving him Sri Lanka and then changing things up again (unless he completely bombs). As I said, sorting out the openers, working out what we do with the quicks (This one is a good problem because one is going to have to left out or we have to rotate) and making a decision on Rashid/2nd spinner are the 3 big questions that need to be answered this winter.

For me, Burns and Jennings for Sri Lanka with Gubbins along as the alternative, rotate the seamers (giving Woakes a chance to open in a game or 2) and Jack Leach (career best match figures in his last game, career best innings figures in the previous home game, 22 wickets in the 2 games, in spinning conditions) back in would be my answers by the way.

Agree with pretty much all of that Paul.  I also think Jennings will be retained for the series against Sri Lanka and that Ali will start at number three.  I'm guessing that Burns will be given, but I've heard it mentioned a few times now that there are some concerns in high circles regarding his technique.  Vince is still around the squad, but I agree that Gubbins and Pope should probably go as back up if there are enough squad places.  I imagine Broad and Anderson will be rested at times over the winter, which is not a bad thing as it will give us a chance to have a look at some other new ball options.       

[Holte132]

Congratulations Cook!

[paul_e]

Get in there, massive congratulations Chef, well deserved.

[Villan For Life]

What a marvellous reception for Cook’s century. What a player, what an achievement, what a career.

[dave shelley]

Another of those iconic sporting moments that makes you glad you were around to see it, either live or on TV.  Well done Cookie.