The International Cricket Thread

[cdbearsfan]

Good, now rearrange it for a country in a proper time zone.

[paul_e]

He might be right but I do think it makes it harder to find form and there are too many white ball matches for the top players.

There's a good piece about Hope on cricinfo that was written a few days ago.  Apparently, of all top 4 batsmen in test cricket since 2018 Hope has the worst average - 18.69 - and one 50 from 24 innings.  I know the Windies don't have great options in their top order but that's a shocking stat. 

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29467679/why-shai-hope-headingley-opus-not-sustain-much-longer

Absolutely, it's pretty amazing that he's been given so long. The problem is if they drop him he will almost certainly become a t20 specialist playing in the various franchise leagues around the world and be lost to the test team. It's the only thing I can think of which keeps him around the team in hope more than anything.

[Villan For Life]

That’s an excellent victory when you consider the amount of time lost in the game.

[Meanwood Villa]

Good stuff England. That's got to be a kick in the teeth for the Windies. Momentum with us for the decider.

[Richard]

Be interesting to see how they rotate the bowlers for the decider as the 3 in this match out performed the 3 in the last test in my opinion.

[PaulWinch again]

Good effort.

[paul_e]

Be interesting to see how they rotate the bowlers for the decider as the 3 in this match out performed the 3 in the last test in my opinion.

Bowlers are tough, I'd say there are 5 quicks that can all justify their spot (excluding Stokes who I'd pick on his batting alone regardless) after the 2 matches.

Woakes got 5 at an average of 15 and Broad got 6 at 18, dropping either of them would be insane. After that Stokes went off with an injury, even if he's ok it might be worth reducing his bowling load (or removing it completely) by bringing in another bowler but then who goes out? Buttler or Pope would be the obvious options but the former in particular creates extra problems. Either way do that and you can bring in Jimmy and then have a choice between Curran and Archer (which I really wouldn't want to make).

[UK Redsox]

Jofra has had a second negative test, so he's been allowed out of solitary and is available for the final test.


I expect to see Leach in for Bess, but I've no idea what they'll do about the rest of the bowling lineup.

[PaulWinch again]

I like Jofra in the side as it gives us variety. But no idea how I’d work it all!

Curran is always the player they look at, but he always makes an impact.

[paul_e]

As I said, dropping Woakes or Broad would be harsh given their figures and you'd expect Jimmy to get the call given where the match is being played so Jof in for Stokes and shift the order about? Seems risky but if Stokes isn't fit enough to bowl then we would need someone else in even if Stokes plays as 'just' a batsman.

I agree it's harsh on Curran but he is still pretty expensive for the amount of wickets he gets.

[taylorsworkrate]

As I said, dropping Woakes or Broad would be harsh given their figures and you'd expect Jimmy to get the call given where the match is being played so Jof in for Stokes and shift the order about? Seems risky but if Stokes isn't fit enough to bowl then we would need someone else in even if Stokes plays as 'just' a batsman.

I agree it's harsh on Curran but he is still pretty expensive for the amount of wickets he gets.

Stokes said he was fine and it was just stiffness

[UK Redsox]

Faced over 400 balls and bowled over 25 overs in the match. He's entitled to be a tad stiff.

[PaulWinch again]

Stokes plays as a batsman regardless for me.

[paul_e]

As I said, dropping Woakes or Broad would be harsh given their figures and you'd expect Jimmy to get the call given where the match is being played so Jof in for Stokes and shift the order about? Seems risky but if Stokes isn't fit enough to bowl then we would need someone else in even if Stokes plays as 'just' a batsman.

I agree it's harsh on Curran but he is still pretty expensive for the amount of wickets he gets.

Stokes said he was fine and it was just stiffness

I know, but with another 3 match series starting on the 5th and 6 ODIs to play by the start of September it's a very crowded schedule so I can see them picking him as a batsman only a couple of times, especially given he was suffering at times in this match, his batting is too important to us right now to risk over-bowling him.

[taylorsworkrate]

Stokes plays as a batsman regardless for me.

Absolutely, comfortably the best batsman in the side at the moment.