The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

I think our attack is still undercooked, Jimmy in particular is a rhythm bowler who needs overs in his legs which his injury robbed him of. Broad thrives when the crowd is boisterous which you will not get at Lords and Robinson is a trundler who bowls the occasional Jaffa. Tongue bowled some lovely stuff and Stokes is a perpetual worry.

The forecast for tomorrow is poor so I suspect the Aussies will make the most of the conditions on Friday and run through us, their attack is good and Lyon will dominate.

Most of that I agree with. But not on Robinson, he’s short of a gallop, but he’s a very skilful bowler. His first class and Test record to date show that.

[Villan For Life]

I think our attack is still undercooked, Jimmy in particular is a rhythm bowler who needs overs in his legs which his injury robbed him of. Broad thrives when the crowd is boisterous which you will not get at Lords and Robinson is a trundler who bowls the occasional Jaffa. Tongue bowled some lovely stuff and Stokes is a perpetual worry.

The forecast for tomorrow is poor so I suspect the Aussies will make the most of the conditions on Friday and run through us, their attack is good and Lyon will dominate.

Most of that I agree with. But not on Robinson, he’s short of a gallop, but he’s a very skilful bowler. His first class and Test record to date show that.

I’m not convinced Paul, he doesn’t inspire like a Sam Curran does. Curran is an X Factor player, he makes things happen out of nowhere. Robinson is a top county bowler who is just sort of the quality needed to thrive at test level.

[paul_e]

My problem with Robinson is that no one thinks he's better than he does when the truth is that he's only been capped because Archer, Wood and Stone can't stay fit.

It's not that he's a bad bowler, he's just not as good as he thinks and it means he doesn't always put in the effort he should. On day 2 at Edgbaston he bowled some absolute tripe with long spells where he wasn't conceding many but was absolutely no threat at all. Add on the no balls and the sloppy extras and he's definitely a concern for me, despite having a very good record on paper.

[Villan For Life]

My problem with Robinson is that no one thinks he's better than he does when the truth is that he's only been capped because Archer, Wood and Stone can't stay fit.

It's not that he's a bad bowler, he's just not as good as he thinks and it means he doesn't always put in the effort he should. On day 2 at Edgbaston he bowled some absolute tripe with long spells where he wasn't conceding many but was absolutely no threat at all. Add on the no balls and the sloppy extras and he's definitely a concern for me, despite having a very good record on paper.

Perhaps his general attitude is a result of Bazzball?

[edgysatsuma89]

I heard Zaltsman mention some stat about how good Robinson is against the top 7 batsman in the world, I was only half listening though so I didn't quite catch it. I've not seen anything so far to suggest he is that good but he must have decent numbers.

[taylorsworkrate]

It annoys me to see Robinson with his really long run up only to chuck down 78mph pies

[Rory]

I haven't seen much of Robinson, but if he is indeed bowling at less than 80mph that needs to be looked at. Collingwood used to chuck them down at 70mph, and he was pretty much a sixth-choice bowler.

The only seam bowler in recent times I can think of who was successful at sub-80mph was Philander, and he was the best since McGrath for line and length.

I must confess to being thoroughly underwhelmed by our performance in this series so far.

[PaulWinch again]

It annoys me to see Robinson with his really long run up only to chuck down 78mph pies

But that’s it - when he’s on it he doesn’t do that. His normal pace is 82/83, which is fine. I think people are falling into the trap of judging him when he’s played poorly. He’s a quality bowler, his record show that - and he’s done it on really flat wickets. He’s not just a county seamer who gets wickets when it nips.

He’s playing poorly, I don’t know if it’s fitness or what. But he’s still an excellent player.

[PaulWinch again]

In any case England need a big day today. They need to try and get Australia out for less than 400-420. They then need to bat superbly - not flashy 30/40s, but big runs. That can be aggressive, but it can’t be reckless.

[Villafirst]

I don't think Stokes should be playing - 3 mediocre overs smacked for 21 runs? That is making England's bowling attack weak and unbalanced. There's no room for sentiment especially against a top side like Australia. Woakes should've been selected instead. Anderson is also ineffective - perfect conditions for his bowling but he barely threatened.

[simboy]

Bazball has very little to do with the way you bowl, it’s about batting, getting time into the game for a result. Bowling is, and always has been putting the ball in the right place with the right “action” on the ball to induce the batsman to make a mistake, induce a false shot or beat the defence  to hit the stumps.

In conditions made for the attack picked, (I’d rather had Woakes than Robinson) the bowling unit under performed, and they were not supported by their fielders when they did get it right.

[Villafirst]

Woakes has a good record bowling at Lord's. He's dug England out of a hole the bat at crucial times. A very competent all rounder.

[tomd2103]

Woakes has a good record bowling at Lord's. He's dug England out of a hole the bat at crucial times. A very competent all rounder.

He also balances the side a bit as he adds extra batting.  Sam Curran seems to have been forgotten a bit in the test set up and is another one who could fill the all-rounder spot.  Just a shame he's not a decent left arm spinner really as that would be ideal.

[PaulWinch again]

Pretty poor start. No threat from Jimmy and a fumble in the field.

[PaulWinch again]

Piss poor from Broad. Two boundaries to start.