The International Cricket Thread

[taylorsworkrate]

Disappointing from Woakes again.

He's not be at his best or close to it since the first day of the series.

Maybe he has been carrying a knock, or just ineffective when there is a lack of movement. His test record abroad in flatter conditions probably suggests the latter.

[taylorsworkrate]

Well it looks as though we won't be getting Smith out, so need to go ultra aggressive against the other batsmen.

Interesting stat that Smiths lowest score of the series is only 1 run less than Warner has got in the whole series.

[hilts_coolerking]

Disappointing from Woakes again.

He's not be at his best or close to it since the first day of the series.

Maybe he has been carrying a knock, or just ineffective when there is a lack of movement. His test record abroad in flatter conditions probably suggests the latter.

Yes I think it's a bit of both.  He was unplayable against Ireland but since then has been mediocre at best.  He's suffered more than anyone from the general lack of swing this series, which make you wonder how well Anderson would have done.

[Richard]

The pitches have had very little grass on them either which has not helped

[taylorsworkrate]

Disappointing from Woakes again.

He's not be at his best or close to it since the first day of the series.

Maybe he has been carrying a knock, or just ineffective when there is a lack of movement. His test record abroad in flatter conditions probably suggests the latter.

Yes I think it's a bit of both.  He was unplayable against Ireland but since then has been mediocre at best.  He's suffered more than anyone from the general lack of swing this series, which make you wonder how well Anderson would have done.

Anderson has become a bowler for all conditions though. He was excellent last time down under, and the very least he will offer is impeccable control when its not swinging.

[hilts_coolerking]

Anderson has become a bowler for all conditions though. He was excellent last time down under, and the very least he will offer is impeccable control when its not swinging.

True.

[paul_e]

On the sky commentary earlier they were saying, if it doesn't swing you need to focus on line and length rather than trying to search for some movement. If you're going to get swing you'll see it on a good length anyway so just be patient. I think Woakes is suffering for form and trying to make something happen that just isn't on. I think we should've left him out again but they expected more movement here and didn't want to be left without a frontline swing bowler in swinging conditions. Him and curran would've got loads of swing out of the conditions yesterday but with the wind dropping and the drop in cloud cover it's just not offered as much today.

[paul_e]

Just to roll back on some comments earlier in the thread, that shot from Marsh just would've had some people on here absolutely furious from an England player in the same situation and all of their wickets today have been pretty average cricket.  Smith is the one player from either team that has been able to just dig it out and score regular runs. What we've failed at, more than anything else, is to find a way to ask meaningful questions of him. All the other issues are there but they're just not unique to England.

[paul_e]

That's a really poor drop from Root, you've got to do better than that when Smith gives you chance. It wasn't easy but an international slip fielder getting a hand to that has to hold on to it.

[PeterWithesShin]

Despite missing the 3rd test, Smith has scored a third of Australia's runs this series according to interweb.

[taylorsworkrate]

Think Stokes going for it put Root off to be fair.

With Smith the lack of pressure from the change bowlers has certainly made life easier for him once Broad and Archer have been seen off. Woakes has been below average, Stokes ordinary, Overton not test standard etc.

Big difference in the quality of those bowlers compared to Australia bringing on Pattinson, Starc or Siddle as the change bowler.

In fairness, Curran has bowled really well in this innings. If nothing else he has a bit of fight about him.

[PaulWinch again]

I love Curran. It’s fucking bonkers that he hasn’t played before this.

[paul_e]

Curran has definitely shown that he should be a regular from now on. I can understand him missing the first 3 but Overton ahead of him in the last match was a terrible decision.

[taylorsworkrate]

I think its where you want Curran to bat in the line up thats the issue. At 8 then fair enough play aggressively. When he's in at 7, he should be more circumspect to start. He certainly has enough ability to adapt to that.

[Steve67]

Curran has a touch of the Anderson swing about him.