The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

Woakes’ batting has gone backwards for England of late.

[simboy]

Unbalanced squad and over reliance on Stokes to stay fit has caused us to pick this side. Woakes is no more than a competent 8 and a decent 9. Really needed to have had Curran in this side with probably Jimmy or Broad out the team as I like Woakes bowling.

Curran is the best of the bowlers batting (with Bess). I don’t quite understand why he wasn’t played if they wanted a more “balanced” side.

Still think Buttler is one too high in the order if Woakes follows him at 7.

[hilts_coolerking]

Watching Broad hand out the spank is one of cricket's great delights.  5th fastest 50 for England apparently.

[Rory]

Much-needed as well. Think this is a decent score now, 350+ is almost always a competitive total in England.

[Villan For Life]

Massive runs from the tail in the context of this match and the series.

[hilts_coolerking]

369 having been 280 for 8 is a brilliant effort.

[Rory]

369 having been 280 for 8 is a brilliant effort.

Absolutely, and 122-4. Over to the bowlers now.

[paul_e]

Been out all day but this WI innings is so far backing up my thinking that 250-300 would be competitive. I suspect 100+ first innings lead now.

[paul_e]

WI all gone for 197 so England need to bat again. Same as the last match we need to put 150-200 on and get them back in. Tomorrow is supposedly a bit iffy with the weather so we need to get most of the runs we need today.

[Rory]

Yep, a lead of 370 should be more than enough. Realistically, 300 would probably be enough, but we don't want a repeat of Headingley a couple of years ago.

[hilts_coolerking]

Wallop!  Dowrich wears one in the face.  Keeping's not been easy but he's all at sea.

ETA:  Hope took over very briefly and now Da Silva has come on as sub.  First time I've seen a white guy play for the Windies.

ETA:  I'd forgotten about Brendan Nash.

[Rory]

Vaughan made a good point, I thought, about the criticism of Buttler's 'keeping. That for all that batsmen need time at the crease and bowlers need overs in their legs, having to crouch, dive and concentrate for every delivery of the day means enforced lay-offs can be especially difficult for 'keepers, who can't just hide down at fine leg when they're out of touch.

[paul_e]

Vaughan made a good point, I thought, about the criticism of Buttler's 'keeping. That for all that batsmen need time at the crease and bowlers need overs in their legs, having to crouch, dive and concentrate for every delivery of the day means enforced lay-offs can be especially difficult for 'keepers, who can't just hide down at fine leg when they're out of touch.

I agree with that, I don't think Buttler is far off with the bat or in the field and he's always been someone who looks like he needs some time in the season before he really gets going.

[Villan For Life]

We need to push on here. The forecast for tomorrow is poor and we need runs and a few sessions to bowl them out.

[paul_e]

We need to push on here. The forecast for tomorrow is poor and we need runs and a few sessions to bowl them out.

Weather looks fine for Tuesday and if tomorrow turns out as expected there will be 98 overs in the day so so we can use another 45-50 overs (today and the first 40minutes on tuesday) and still have 80+ left to bowl at them.

On that basis I'd take it easy until Tea then try to put 120+ runs on this board in the final session. Don't declare over night and then take a couple of overs on Tuesday before putting them in. I reckon you'd b looking at 375+ in that situation which would take the defeat off the table and by waiting to declare we control what roller gets used on the final morning.