The International Cricket Thread

[Rory]

Didn't do Jonathan Trott much harm.

(Speaking of which, I have an indirect anecdote about Trott. My mate happened to be in the changing rooms at the Edgbaston Priory at the same time as him, when a bloke wearing nothing but a towel went over and said, "Mr Trott, I'm a huge fan, it would make my day if you'd sign something for me". Trott apparently said, "sure, as long as whatever you want me to sign involves you keeping your towel on".)

[PaulWinch again]

Trott was different in that his “quirks” were all pre-delivery. Whereas Pope lets it factor into the shots he plays early in his innings.

[Rory]

Granted, but Trott was far from a 'set' batsman as the ball was delivered.

[simboy]

Trott batted at 3 for both county and country. His mannerisms were developed to cope with being a three. Pope, on the other hand has not batted at 3 very much (if at all) at county level.

I rate Pope and think he will be a mainstay in the batting line up. A natural four or five in future years, but he’s learning on the job at 3. I still say if Stokes is not playing the all rounder role then 3 is where he is best suited. He’s calm, builds his scores and, apart from Root, probably the best bat in the England team.

[PaulWinch again]

Sounds like Jimmy is being ushered out. I hope they give him the opportunity for a proper send off this summer.

[Villan For Life]

Jimmy’s last test confirmed as the first test against the West Indies at Lords which starts on the 10th July. I hope that he stays fit and gets selected so he gets a fitting send off!

[PaulWinch again]

It’s weird to retire in the first game of a series.

[Villan For Life]

It’s weird to retire in the first game of a series.

Although there’s no room for sentiment in selection maybe McCullum told him that he wouldn’t get picked for the rest of the summer?

[edgysatsuma89]

It's just sentimentality, really. That shouldn't really apply at this level, but that can be the only reason.

[paul_e]

I think it being a Lords test is the most important factor.

[dcdavecollett]

I wonder if he would have preferred an Old Trafford test, bowling from his own end?

[edgysatsuma89]

I wonder if he would have preferred an Old Trafford test, bowling from his own end?

I think he would have but that would have been a few tests away. You can't say you're "building for the future" and then just whack him back in a few months down the line.

[Rory]

Yeah, giving him the Lord's Test is pretty exceptional. Nothing less than he deserves, but definitely a gesture.

[nigel]

It will be interesting if he bags a load of wickets

[PaulWinch again]

It will be interesting if he bags a load of wickets

Not sure it will in the sense I reckon in England he’s definitely still good enough to be in the first team. This decision is all about projecting forward, so his wicket haul doesn’t really matter.