The International Cricket Thread

[UK Redsox]

With the players England have available at the moment (or are willing to select), Cricket needs to be a 12-a-side game in order to get the balance right

[olaftab]

Surprised that Robinson has kept his place rather than Tongue

Yes, Tongue was far more effective in one match than Robinson has ever been in any Test match he has played.

Sorry Aftab, but that’s absolute nonsense. Tongue did well, but a couple of sub par games doesn’t change the fact that Robinson had had an exceptional Test career to date.

OK, so in 35 innings where he has bowled he has picked up 5 wickets on 3 occasions and 4 in 4 innings. That's 7 out 35 where as a strike bowler he was reasonably effective. That's ok but not exceptional.

[PaulWinch again]

His ratio of games to five fors is basically the same as Jimmy. He’s got 70 odd wickets in 17 games at an average of less than 22 - including playing a series on the flattest wickets possible in Pakistan. He’s been under par, but he has an exceptional record.

[Risso]

It's still odd on current form though. Tongue did everything expected of him, and Robinson really hasn't, and really has just looked a bit of a trundler. It might be that he's not fully fit, in which case why not rest him and stick with Tongue?

[PaulWinch again]

I suspect it’s about Tongue not having played much first cricket, coming off an incredibly heavy game, and maybe not making the three day turnaround in terms of fitness. Also Robinson had an injury lay off so it could be he’s needed to get up to speed.

I get the point, but there’s some proper revisionism going on saying that Robinson is hopeless on the back of two sub par games. Also even in those games, he took wickets and bowled an exceptional spell after lunch in the second innings.

[tomd2103]

Surprised that Robinson has kept his place rather than Tongue

Yes, Tongue was far more effective in one match than Robinson has ever been in any Test match he has played.

Sorry Aftab, but that’s absolute nonsense. Tongue did well, but a couple of sub par games doesn’t change the fact that Robinson had had an exceptional Test career to date.

Plus, as others have said, Tongue might not have been physically able to play two tests in such a short space of time. 

The bowling order will be interesting.  Hope Woakes gets a chance with the new ball rather than having a bit-part role.

Really looking forward to this test.  Will probably come back to bite me massively, but they haven't really got away from the bat with us yet and just think that if we can bat first tomorrow and manage to get a decent first innings lead, then we can try and put them under pressure for the first time this series. 

Will be interesting to see their spinner now that Lyon is out.  He's only young, so again we might have to try and exert pressure on him.  Knowing our luck though, he'll be a new Shame Warne who will torment us for the next decade!!

[olaftab]

England will field. Wrong decision IMO. To win this match take control by batting first.

[taylorsworkrate]

England will field. Wrong decision IMO. To win this match take control by batting first.

I disagree. The pitch is in favour of bowling first. England just have to bowl a hell of a lot better than the shitshow they served up 1st day at Lords.

[Monty]

Ultimately as well they like to chase.

[Paul.S]

Pleased for Woakes and glad Wood is back.
There must be a reason why Tongue isn’t in but this bowling attack looks decent. We’ll win this one.

[German James]

Not the worst start!

[Monty]

Well that's some pace.

[LeeB]

Christ, if we could just have Wood and Archer fully fit what a difference it would make

[Monty]

Splat! A beauty.

[olaftab]

Well done Woody😆