The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

Yes no doubt, but if your benchmark is arguably the greatest team(s) ever - acknowledging the Windies would have a strong case - then it’s an impossible standard. I’d say Head would be a decent middle order player for most.

[Monty]

True, very true. Though it does say something about their relative situation that Head is not just a steady player and a good option, but basically the fourth best batsman in the country.

[olaftab]

Talking about top players Kane Williamson now head and shoulders above others as the best batter in the world. Scored another hundred last night when his team was in a tough situation.

[Monty]

Barring a really extraordinary turnaround I think it's quite plain that Steve Smith is greatest player of his generation, and by a distance.

[OzVilla]

Yes no doubt, but if your benchmark is arguably the greatest team(s) ever - acknowledging the Windies would have a strong case - then it’s an impossible standard. I’d say Head would be a decent middle order player for most.

I’m talking about a decent portion of time 1993ish to 2013. Remember when they had a home one day series and included Australia A, around 97/98, players like Langer, Hayden, Ponting, Blewitt, Lehmann played for that A side and not even getting a look I were Martin Love, DeVenuto, Hodge, Elliott, Maher, Law, Cox, Siddons, Symonds and Haddin. These players scored shed loads of Sheffield Shield runs. Along with Micheal Beven none of those guys could make their Test team such was their strength in-depth. They’ve got nothing like that now.

[olaftab]

Barring a really extraordinary turnaround I think it's quite plain that Steve Smith is greatest player of his generation, and by a distance.

Maybe the greatest batsman but he has very obvious shortcomings in other aspects of the game.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Keep your eyes peeled for the new England Physio in Sri Lanka. Ben Davies. He’s my mate’s son, Villa season ticket holder and all round nice fella will no doubt be spreading the Villa gospel to the test team.

[PGW]

Keep your eyes peeled for the new England Physio in Sri Lanka. Ben Davies. He’s my mate’s son, Villa season ticket holder and all round nice fella will no doubt be spreading the Villa gospel to the test team.

At least he'll have Chris Woakes as some support!!!

[Rory]

Barring a really extraordinary turnaround I think it's quite plain that Steve Smith is greatest player of his generation, and by a distance.

Maybe the greatest batsman but he has very obvious shortcomings in other aspects of the game.

For me, the 'great' players are ones who not only have the record but who people also love watching. That's why there are so few of them.

Smith is an incredible accumulator of runs, but I find both Williamson and Kohli much better to watch.

[dcdavecollett]

They are.

[manic-road]

Barring a really extraordinary turnaround I think it's quite plain that Steve Smith is greatest player of his generation, and by a distance.

Maybe the greatest batsman but he has very obvious shortcomings in other aspects of the game.

Smith is a very good player but as seen yet again in the latest match against India his sportsmanship is dubious to say the least. Just seen viseos of him scuffing up Rishabh Pant crease in the latest test. Before you know it he will be bawling in front of the cameras again.

[UK Redsox]

Great second innings performance by India to hold out for the draw.

[Rory]

Great second innings performance by India to hold out for the draw.

Yep, with the likes of Bumrah they're becoming a very well-balanced team. They seem to be remedying that lack of quicks that has held them back overseas for years.

I remember the early 2000s when they had that ridiculous top order (Sehwag, Dravid, Ganguly, Tendulkar, Laxman etc) and the tail felt like it didn't start until about number 9. Their approach seemed to be to get as close to 1000 runs as possible in the first innings then hope that the opposition lost 20 wickets through scoreboard pressure.

[PaulWinch again]

I see the great new era of sportsmanship in Australian cricket started to creak today when things didn’t go their way.

[Villan For Life]

I see the great new era of sportsmanship in Australian cricket started to creak today when things didn’t go their way.

Same old Aussies, always cheating