The International Cricket Thread

[olaftab]

This will go down in history as one of the classic toss decisions.

I think  Stokes has discovered very quickly that being a Test captain is a bit more than keeping up the spirit, being supportive and full of beans. It takes an astute mind that can plan day's play, counter adversary in play and keep adapting strategy and tactics to suit the prevailing situation in the "battlefield". He was mostly inffective yesterday and by the looks of it today. I guess he needs this summer to learn  but he is not a natural Test captain.

[PaulWinch again]

That’s a good effort from Pope and Lees they need to continue it.

[UK Redsox]

Who’ll be the next to 10,000?

https://wisden.com/stories/international-cricket/the-race-to-10000-test-runs-who-will-follow-joe-root-to-the-landmark

[olaftab]

Interesting. I don't think Kohli will make it as he has "run out". Smith will get there in the most boring way possible just like  all his centuries. Out of Azam, Pant and Labuschagne my money is on the South African.....sorry I mean Australian, to get there first.

[Villan For Life]

Interesting. I don't think Kohli will make it as he has "run out". Smith will get there in the most boring way possible just like  all his centuries. Out of Azam, Pant and Labuschagne my money is on the South African.....sorry I mean Australian, to get there first.

Interesting stats, Smith will get there, he would be much closer if he hadn’t been banned for a paper based “misdemeanour”.

The test game is being marginalised by the shorter formats, it does make you question whether many more will get near that level of test runs.

[PaulWinch again]

Great stuff from Pope here.

[paul_e]

Interesting. I don't think Kohli will make it as he has "run out". Smith will get there in the most boring way possible just like  all his centuries. Out of Azam, Pant and Labuschagne my money is on the South African.....sorry I mean Australian, to get there first.

Interesting stats, Smith will get there, he would be much closer if he hadn’t been banned for a paper based “misdemeanour”.

The test game is being marginalised by the shorter formats, it does make you question whether many more will get near that level of test runs.

Kohli won't make it, I don't think he's interested in test cricket anymore.

Smith should get there if he stays fit for a few years.

Williamson has all the talent and attitude for it but I'm not convinced he'll be fit enough for it.

After that I don't see anyone else getting anywhere near in the next 5-6 years.

I'm more interested in what Root ends up with, how he's playing in the last 18months and at his age he could easily push towards the top 3-4 of the list.

[Rory]

I was surprised to see Kohli isn't there yet. India play a decent amount of test cricket and it feels like Kohli has been around forever.

[Meanwood Villa]

I recall there being talk about the "big 4" (Kohli, Smith, Williamson, Root) a few years back and thinking Root was definitely the weakest. This was around the time he wasn't converting 50s into centuries. Been proved very wrong last couple of years.

[simboy]

I recall there being talk about the "big 4" (Kohli, Smith, Williamson, Root) a few years back and thinking Root was definitely the weakest. This was around the time he wasn't converting 50s into centuries. Been proved very wrong last couple of years.

Me too. Bear in mind he’s also been the captain of the worst England team since the 90’s he’s been phenomenal

[UK Redsox]

Woakesy has grown into the commentary role as the game’s progressed.

Swann has been pretty good as well. As long as he keeps the funny voices to a minimum, he should be ok.

[paul_e]

I recall there being talk about the "big 4" (Kohli, Smith, Williamson, Root) a few years back and thinking Root was definitely the weakest. This was around the time he wasn't converting 50s into centuries. Been proved very wrong last couple of years.

I've always thought he was the best of the 4 in tests, with Kohli better in t20 and ODI. Root has, in my opinion, become a far better player since he was taken out of the t20i squad.

[PaulWinch again]

Root is a freak.

[UK Redsox]

Over-aggressive from Stokes and he’s out.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I think he got the balance wrong there.