The International Cricket Thread

[tomd2103]

I’m not sure I see Foakes as a 6. I also think Stokes at 3 probably significantly risks him being in very early and being exposed.

In Risso's line-up, Ali could bat 6 and Foakes at 7.  Or Ali at 3, Stokes at 6 and Foakes at 7. 

[paul_e]

I’m not sure I see Foakes as a 6. I also think Stokes at 3 probably significantly risks him being in very early and being exposed.

In Risso's line-up, Ali could bat 6 and Foakes at 7.  Or Ali at 3, Stokes at 6 and Foakes at 7.

That's how I'd go. Mo is a bit of a wild card with the bat but him at 3 means everyone below that feels right. He's liable to have a bit of a slog so isn't right for a traditional 3 but bazball means he's an option.

[TonyD]

No Ashes tests in the North in 2027, ridiculous.

I think they should alternate each Ashes series. So one time 2 tests in North, 2 in Midlands and 1 in London. Next time 2 Oop North, 1 Midlands, 2 London; then 1 North, 2 Mids and 2 London, in rotation.

But they'd never only have 1 test in London.

I'd happily not have a test at Lords, we have a crap record there after all

Edgbaston should always be an Ashes ground. 
No question.

[olaftab]

No Ashes test at Edgbaston in 2031. Ridiculous.

[TonyD]

Thought we were a gonna today needing 80 runs when Bairstow went   -   but what a great result!!!

The Bairstow question is a tricky one.

I have a feeling if he is picked he will come good. 

[PaulWinch again]

My problem with Bairstow is we’re picking him in the wrong role. He’s just not right as a wicket keeper.

[paul_e]

Squad for the next test is out, no foakes still.

It's the 11 from Leeds with Lawrence, Jimmy and Tongue. Not sure about Robinson, I can't see him being fit for it.

[PaulWinch again]

I suspect it’s the same team swapping Jimmy for Robinson. I’m largely fine with that, provided Jimmy looks a hell of a lot sharper. I would have swapped out Bairstow but they were always unlikely to do that. The one positive with him is that he had such a bad game at Headingly we’re almost inevitably going to see a net gain in performance from him.

[tomd2103]

I suspect it’s the same team swapping Jimmy for Robinson. I’m largely fine with that, provided Jimmy looks a hell of a lot sharper. I would have swapped out Bairstow but they were always unlikely to do that. The one positive with him is that he had such a bad game at Headingly we’re almost inevitably going to see a net gain in performance from him.

Yeah I agree.  Foakes must have really upset someone somewhere. They are a cliquey bunch, so I imagine that Anderson will be back in place of Robinson seeing as it is his home ground, whereas I would potentially gone for the extra pace of Tongue.  I imagine the team will be:

Crawley, Duckett, Ali, Root, Brook, Stokes, Bairstow, Woakes, Wood, Broad, Anderson.

The only question I think will be whether Ali or Bairstow bats at 3. Lawrence might be a wildcard selection to bat at 3, but that would mean either Ali or one of the seamers missing out and I just don't see that.

[LeeB]

Lawrence is an option but his bowling action irritates the fuck out of me

[PaulWinch again]

With Stokes knee I think the balance of the side has to be the same as Edgbaston.

[Beard82]

Think this will be the team, as tomd says

Crawley, Duckett, Ali, Root, Brook, Stokes, Bairstow, Woakes, Wood, Broad, Anderson.

Hopefully, Root and Bairstow can't be as Headingley, and the bowling attack is the strongest I think we have.  I would have been tempted to drop either Bairtsow for Foakes, but it was never going to happen. 

[Beard82]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66168710

also - think this can die a death surely. 

[UK Redsox]

There’s more cricket played over there than you might think.

However, that doesn’t mean that MLC will work.

[Villan For Life]

I think it will be a success, it’s backed by IPL franchises and they will throw money at it to attract the top players. Who could blame a player taking their shilling and achieving financial security? It’s exactly what we are starting to see in football with the Saudi money.