The International Cricket Thread

[Villan For Life]

It’s pretty stupid behaviour from Hales and he knew the consequences when he took whatever recreational drug he used. The ECB appear to have acted badly but Giles has done the right thing in banning Hales.

They have stated aims of being both the best and most respected teams in the world and making an example of Hales fits in with that.

[Villan For Life]

Hales is an idiot. Why put your lucrative career at risk. What kind of hangers on does he mix with?

As a white ball only player he has too much time on his hands.

The Royal London Cup finishes this month and the Blast doesn’t start until mid-July, he’s going to be twiddling his thumbs for a few weeks!

[UK Redsox]

It’s pretty stupid behaviour from Hales and he knew the consequences when he took whatever recreational drug he used. The ECB appear to have acted badly but Giles has done the right thing in banning Hales.

They have stated aims of being both the best and most respected teams in the world and making an example of Hales fits in with that.

Seems like if news of the ban hadn't been leaked, Hales would still be in the squad.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48136883

[UK Redsox]

Ian Bell on TMS

We know England have got the best chance of winning a World Cup, ever. And Alex Hales could be sat there watching his mates lift with the World Cup. And that's when this situation will really sink in

It's only when you come out of the other side of international cricket that you realise these are the best days of your life, so while you're there, it's important to make those sacrifices.

Yes, have a good time, but be sensible. The real good teams are the ones that live those words of team culture, and they're not just words on the wall.

[Villan For Life]

Jofra Archer’s first ball in international cricket went for 4 runs.

[UK Redsox]

Jofra Archer’s first ball in international cricket went for 4 runs.

Wasn't a bad ball per Aggers

We now have an all Villa supporting TMS commentary team with Ian Bell and Michael McNamee

[paul_e]

Archer hasn't lit things up but you can see the potential, after the world cup he'll be a massive part of this squad and getting 6 games in before the world cup will be a good way of getting him settled. If he starts to spark then the world cup squad questions comes back but I'd personally be looking beyond that for him.

[paul_e]

So Archer got his debut wicket with a beauty of a yorker as well as looking like he's loved being out there and taking a decent catch.

Ireland in the death throes of their innings now and have, in truth, been totally out-classed so far.

Plunkett and Tom Curran have both bowled very well.

[Dazvillain]

England 66 - 5 v Ireland !

[cdbearsfan]

Lucky they aren't playing a top side like Scotland or they could be in real trouble.

[Villan For Life]

Very sensible batting by the lower middle order won us that match.

Foakes showed great promise but he’s unlikely to be in the CWC squad. Archer showed promise in his second spell but unless he’s tears Pakistan apart in the ODI series then he’s one for the future.

Either way both players showed maturity which bodes well for the future.

[Steve67]

Is Jofra Archer likely to be part of the test squad?  Wouldn't be too shabby a replacement for Jimmy would he?  Different types of bowlers but Jimmy can't go on for ever and I fancy the Ashes series will be his last for England.

[PaulWinch again]

He will be in time I’m sure.

[taylorsworkrate]

Archer is a shoe in for the WC squad for me, regardless of his performance in the ODI series against Pakistan.

He clearly has that x factor the rest of the attack (Mark Wood potentially aside) lacks. He's shown in big tournaments like the Big Bash and the IPL that he has the talent and the temperament to perform in high pressure situations against top international batsmen. I know Plunkett bowled well against Ireland, but he has been regressing over the last year and I see Archer as a far more potent weapon.

He was excellent today. Far and away the best bowler on show.

[taylorsworkrate]

Is Jofra Archer likely to be part of the test squad?  Wouldn't be too shabby a replacement for Jimmy would he?  Different types of bowlers but Jimmy can't go on for ever and I fancy the Ashes series will be his last for England.

I'm not too sure that this will be his last series.

Yes Jimmy is 36, but his fitness levels are still easily comparable to bowlers 10 years his junior. There has been no drop off in his performance levels over the last couple of years either. He's still a world class operator.

Maybe if he wants to go out on a high he might consider it, but it certainly won't be a case of his body or ability letting him down.