The International Cricket Thread

[taylorsworkrate]

I know he's only just come into the team, but why has Curran just played his innings like its the last 5 overs of an ODI?

This is fucking Blues again from England.

[Risso]

Bowled in the same way as he has been a few times in the series.

Not moving his feet and stuck in the crease. Makes the ball look a lot better than it actually is.

Root looks shot mentally. Should have been out 3 times before he was. Captaincy has to be taken away from him.

It moved a bit, but the way he stared and banged the pitch, you'd have thought it had hit a brick and pinged off at a right angle.  You're right, he looks absolutely drained.  it would almost be a kindness to relieve him of the burden.

[paul_e]

I know he's only just come into the team, but why has Curran just played his innings like its the last 5 overs of an ODI?

This is fucking Blues again from England.

That's how Curran plays and he'd normally be coming in at 8 so I have no great problem with him trying to put some quick runs on.

[PaulWinch again]

This is dross. Rubbish.

[taylorsworkrate]

Yep, he's an aggressive player, but given the match situation he could have at least tried to play himself in before teeing off.

Unfair to have too much of a go at him though. Top and middle order have played like utter ****** yet again. Would be even worse if Australia hadn't been so poor with their catching.

[hilts_coolerking]

Middle order fuckery once again.  They've been so poor that the top three is no longer the weak link.  Stokes is not a Test number 4 and on current form Bairstow is not a number 5.  Trouble is that those two plus Buttler (if he was keeping wicket) are natural number 7s for me, coming in behind 6 specialist batsmen, followed by the four bowlers.  Stokes could job a job at 6 I suppose but I'd prefer him lurking at 7.

I'd go

1. Burns
2. Sibley
3. ? (I'd try Ballance here but I know some of you disagree)
4. Root
5. Pope
6. Foakes / Stokes
7. Stokes / Foakes
8. Curran / Woakes
9. Archer
10. Leach
11. Broad

[PaulWinch again]

There is something chronically wrong with the batting in this team, has been for a long time. They really need to go back to the drawing board. I think Foakes as keeper instantly helps, he’s a good bat.

[Villa Lew]

Dross is a good description on what is a good wicket. Have been impressed with Mitchell Marsh, coming in for Travis Head, surprised he's hasn't been picked before, in this series.

[Villan For Life]

I’d run a mile from Ballance, he’s had far too many chances already and does not seem to have fixed his technical issues which have been exposed countless times at test level.

For the winter tours I expect to see Crawley, Pope and Sibley in the squad along with Foakes behind the stumps. There also seems to be a H&V collective right off of Jimmy. He’s not done yet!

[manic-road]

Buttler is in one day mode now hitting two sixes on the trot, hope he can stay around till the end of the days play.

[PaulWinch again]

I wish some of our batsmen had as much grit and determination as Leach.

[PaulWinch again]

My impression is we are about 75-100 short of par on this pitch at the moment.

[PaulWinch again]

Buttler has done well, but we need him and Leach to crack on. Leach is admirable, our batsmen should look at him and think about the price they put on their wicket.

[Steve67]

Ask Andrew Strauss to take over as Coach.  Jimmy as bowling coach. 

[taylorsworkrate]

Still think Jimmy has 2-3 good years left in him as a bowler.

His injuries this year haven't been due to age or lack of fitness.