The International Cricket Thread

[Paul.S]

Again there is a whole lot between “passive” and slogging it directly into a telegraphed plan.

and that only really applies to Root and Duckett. Pope just didn't strike the ball cleanly and Brook spliced it.

Either way I'm much more worried by what we're doing with the ball/in the field, we're in very good bowling conditions again right now and we're not really doing anything with them. Tongue looks a threat and Broad has been ok, Robinson and Jimmy have bowled poorly again.

Is Woakes injured or just not fancied?
I know they’ve said Wood isn’t ready for this test match but if Woakes is fit I’d have definitely had him in. He can bat a bit, is quicker than some and is proven at this level.

[UK Redsox]

Woakes has been on field quite a bit as a sub fielder

[paul_e]

Just not fancied, which for this test is a mistake, especially given how Robinson is 3-4mph down and offering very little threat right now and Anderson is looking totally out of rhythm.

[UK Redsox]

Unfortunately, I think that we might be getting near the end of Sir Jimmy

[Risso]

And with Stokes seemingly unable to bowl more than a handful of overs, and generally being tonked when he does, we're really weak in the bowling department.  Is this a series too far with Anderson? He's had what used to be good conditions for him in a few sessions now, but just isn't getting anything going.

[UK Redsox]

....I do worry when I start to think the same things as Risso ....

[PaulWinch again]

The team in general looks completely undercooked/unprepared.

[paul_e]

And with Stokes seemingly unable to bowl more than a handful of overs, and generally being tonked when he does, we're really weak in the bowling department.  Is this a series too far with Anderson? He's had what used to be good conditions for him in a few sessions now, but just isn't getting anything going.

I'm not sure, it might be that he's done at this level or it might be that he needs more time at county level to find his form but either way it's not really helping anyone having him struggle like this.

[paul_e]

There was a good delivery from Robinson there that got really big on Warner, that's more where he needs to be bowling, it's been too easy for them to leave him so far.

[Paul.S]

Just not fancied, which for this test is a mistake, especially given how Robinson is 3-4mph down and offering very little threat right now and Anderson is looking totally out of rhythm.

Big mistake then. I’d have Woakes over Robinson any day of the week. We are carrying an unfit Anderson and Robinson and an injured Stokes. I think with Anderson it’s a lack of preparation but Robinson has had ankle issues so maybe we are carrying 2 injured bowlers which would be some mistake.Tongue looks a huge prospect though.

[Brazilian Villain]

....I do worry when I start to think the same things as Risso ....

You'll always have jazz.

[paul_e]

The team in general looks completely undercooked/unprepared.

I agree, I think that's why I'm so at odds with everyone over the attitude/approach thing, I think the problems are a bit more complex than that and come down to the 1 test against Ireland not really being enough preparation.


The current status with Australia is why I'm happier with how we play now than the past, they've done pretty well to stay in the game for 25-26 overs but with Warner gone and Labuschagne very close to joining him the slow scoring means they're not really pulling the game away from us. a couple of good overs right now and the game could turn again whereas if they'd been playing a few more shots they might be another wicket down but with a 220-230 lead already in the bag.

[olaftab]

With hindsight it's easy to say we were wrong but if we'd just ducked and dodged and not taken it on we'd have just guaranteed that every single test match going forward would've seen us facing fuckloads of short stuff.

NO. By ducking and dodging we would have wasted their energy and 20 overs later their quickies would have been far too knackered to revert back to their disciplined line and length. That's the time to smash em out of the ground. It's called Test cricket, time to wait and enough time left to strike. However England have behaved like an amateur village team that wanted to get the game over with and nip off to the pub.

[olaftab]

Unfortunately, I think that we might be getting near the end of Sir Jimmy

Couple of seasons too late IMO.

[paul_e]

With hindsight it's easy to say we were wrong but if we'd just ducked and dodged and not taken it on we'd have just guaranteed that every single test match going forward would've seen us facing fuckloads of short stuff.

NO. By ducking and dodging we would have wasted their energy and 20 overs later their quickies would have been far too knackered to revert back to their disciplined line and length. That's the time to smash em out of the ground. It's called Test cricket, time to wait and enough time left to strike. However England have behaved like an amateur village team that wanted to get the game over with and nip off to the pub.

That's pure guesswork but there's no point arguing about it any more, you all clearly disagree with me. I just suspect you'll all have the same complaints every time we lose under this approach.