The International Cricket Thread

[Risso]

And until the Stokes era, most of the time the tail were tasked with trying to save games after the top order were dismissed cheaply in almost every single test match. A completely different task to trying to add runs on to make a good total a great one, or acting as the foil for somebody trying to get his hundred or whatever.

[Richard]

Not sure how Crawley keeps his place, is it the Kent connection? Averaging 28 is not really good enough for an opener.

[Lsvilla]

Broad isn't a nightwatchman. He's the mystical nighthawk who goes out to play shots at the end of the day, although he did employ some standard time wasting tactics to get them to close of play.

That fits with the “Bazball” approach though. What this team will achieve will be interesting to see, they  are certainly rewriting the test match handbook.

Add in the impact it has on the opposition. The ball is doing all sorts under lights - beating (and in Duckett's case - finding) the edge regularly. All of a sudden Broad comes in swinging and they go to bouncers with fielders posted everywhere. The scoreboard keeps on moving and they are reduced to pretty much only one kind of dismissal.

[paul_e]

Not sure how Crawley keeps his place, is it the Kent connection? Averaging 28 is not really good enough for an opener.

I'm undecided on him, I've said it many times before but for me the true job of an opener is to see off 15-20 overs as often as possible, if they do that then I don't mind if their average is a bit low, softening the ball up and seeing off the openers and first change without losing wickets puts you in a very strong spot to post a big score with the rest of the top and middle order. Englands problem for years has been 3 and 4 having to go in far too early and it putting us on the back foot.

[Villan For Life]

When Stuart Broad is in “the zone” he really is one of the best in the world.

[PaulWinch again]

Yep when he gets going he’s something else.

[olaftab]

As I have said Broad and Anderson should have been unloaded years ago. They are both relics holding back young bowlers😟

[olaftab]

Not sure how Crawley keeps his place, is it the Kent connection? Averaging 28 is not really good enough for an opener.

Poor international Test match opener. Even by his own, extraordinarily low standards, that was a legendary 2 innings😳

[simboy]

Not sure how Crawley keeps his place, is it the Kent connection? Averaging 28 is not really good enough for an opener.

Poor international Test match opener. Even by his own, extraordinarily low standards, that was a legendary 2 innings😳

The selectors clearly like him, they hope he will get a big score every now and again to take the game away from the opposition and the seem to believe in his ability.

I’m not sure I agree, but then again they’re about to win 10 out of the last 11 tests so have got most things right. It’ll be interesting to see where Bairstow bats when he comes back.

[manic-road]

When Stuart Broad is in “the zone” he really is one of the best in the world.

Outstanding this morning.

[Proposition Joe]

When Stuart Broad is in “the zone” he really is one of the best in the world.

What a privilege it's been as an England fan to live through the Broad and Anderson years. To have two alltime greats play together, and for so long.

[PaulWinch again]

And until the Stokes era, most of the time the tail were tasked with trying to save games after the top order were dismissed cheaply in almost every single test match. A completely different task to trying to add runs on to make a good total a great one, or acting as the foil for somebody trying to get his hundred or whatever.

Yeah in a weird way the attacking approach is actually quite pragmatic - know your strengths and play to them

[JD]

And Jimmy cleans up. Him and Broad are now the best test wicket taking partnership ever. What a couple of legends.

[PaulWinch again]

England’s test cricket is so good at the moment, it’s an absolute joy. One of my favourite players is Foakes, he plays situations so well. He’s very much the glue that underpins the side.

[manic-road]

If England keep playing test matches in the same vein under Stokes and McCullum England fans will witness some truly memorable cricket. I thought England should have replaced Broad and Anderson a while ago but they keep producing, can't wait for the Ashes.