The International Cricket Thread

[paul_e]

I think part of the problem is that Buttler is in the form of his life, which makes all bowlers look pretty average. Today he never look like he was really going after anyone and never really took any risks, you could see that if he'd needed to score 20-30 more he'd have just tee'd off a little earlier whereas he never needed to get get to this target.

I get the arguments against Buttler in the test team but watching an innings like this one I think the transferable skills are all there.

[hilts_coolerking]

I think part of the problem is that Buttler is in the form of his life, which makes all bowlers look pretty average.

Far be it from me to defend the Aussies but it's a very tough ask for their bowlers - as good as some of them are - to come in off no competitive cricket in 5 months against someone like Buttler whose form has been getting better and better over two solid months of cricket.

[tomd2103]

Supreme innings from Buttler 77 from 54 with a fucking huge 6 to seal the win. Also credit to Moeen with the 6 and 4 earlier in the over to take all the pressure off, exactly the sort of batting he's there to bring late in the innings.

Yep, when Zampa came on in the penultimate over you just knew that Buttler and Ali woukd go after him big time.

[paul_e]

I think part of the problem is that Buttler is in the form of his life, which makes all bowlers look pretty average.

Far be it from me to defend the Aussies but it's a very tough ask for their bowlers - as good as some of them are - to come in off no competitive cricket in 5 months against someone like Buttler whose form has been getting better and better over two solid months of cricket.

Yeah that's what I was getting at, any bowler would struggle against Buttler playing like he did today, for a bunch who've not played much competitive Cricket for such a long time he must've been a nightmare. The over where he hit a 4 through cover and then when they moved the fielder he hit the next one through point where he'd come from was the clearest sign you'll see of a batsman in complete control. Stoinis was stood on the rope looking like he wanted a hole to open under his feet and Agar just looked lost as to where to bowl next.

[hilts_coolerking]

The over where he hit a 4 through cover and then when they moved the fielder he hit the next one through point where he'd come from was the clearest sign you'll see of a batsman in complete control. Stoinis was stood on the rope looking like he wanted a hole to open under his feet and Agar just looked lost as to where to bowl next.

The best batsman I ever saw in the flesh was Lara and for much the same reason you describe there: his placement was phenomenal - it was almost as if there weren't any fielders there at all.

[PaulWinch again]

We’ve done really well. Although I think this series shows how important Stokes is to the balance of the side. We’re really really reliant on the top 6 with the team as it is at the moment. If the team set up as it is got off to a bad start we’d massively struggle.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Have to say that I've always thought Zampa is rubbish. McGill must wish he'd have been playing nowadays, rather than when Warne was in his pomp.

[paul_e]

Have to say that I've always thought Zampa is rubbish. McGill must wish he'd have been playing nowadays, rather than when Warne was in his pomp.

Agreed, I'm glad Ali and Buttler showed him the contempt his bowling deserved in the last over.

[tomd2103]

g

We’ve done really well. Although I think this series shows how important Stokes is to the balance of the side. We’re really really reliant on the top 6 with the team as it is at the moment. If the team set up as it is got off to a bad start we’d massively struggle.

In T20 Paul?  Think Stokes would probably have to come in at 3 in that format. 

[PaulWinch again]

Yep I think the side is too lopsided at the moment. Curran at 7 is too high.

[paul_e]

Yep I think the side is too lopsided at the moment. Curran at 7 is too high.

I think it depends on what you're trying to do.

Right now my team for the world cup would be:
Roy, Buttler, Malan, Morgan, Stokes, Ali, Willey, Jordan, Rashid, Archer, Wood

I like Willey for the powerplay and Jordan for the death as 'specialists' and both of them are sloggers who can get you some big runs to finish an innings so we can carry them at 7 and 8 and even Rashid and Archer can offer a bit. It does mean we're relying on 1-2 of the top 6 settling in for a long spell but from that group you really should be able to expect that, there's some world class batsmen in there.

[UK Redsox]

If Stokes is fit enough to bowl, only one of Jordan, Curran or Willey needs to play (I'd pick Jordan for his death bowling) and an extra batsman can be selected

[hilts_coolerking]

Bit disappointing tonight, although very proud that Mo got to captain his country.  Australia weren't quite so rusty and their changes improved their team, while ours didn't.

[paul_e]

Bit disappointing tonight, although very proud that Mo got to captain his country.  Australia weren't quite so rusty and their changes improved their team, while ours didn't.

We played like a team missing a few key players and knowing that the series was won. Sam Billings though has probably destroyed any chance he had of breaking in to the team, awful shot selection when he just needed to take a few more singles and settle himself.

Credit though to Rashid for the delivery to get Finch, top drawer bit of bowling.

[hilts_coolerking]

Bit disappointing tonight, although very proud that Mo got to captain his country.  Australia weren't quite so rusty and their changes improved their team, while ours didn't.

We played like a team missing a few key players and knowing that the series was won. Sam Billings though has probably destroyed any chance he had of breaking in to the team, awful shot selection when he just needed to take a few more singles and settle himself.

Credit though to Rashid for the delivery to get Finch, top drawer bit of bowling.

Yeah that was a belter, especially to a batsman well set.  It's always nice to see The Big Show die on his arse too.