The International Cricket Thread

[Gareth]

I’d disagree on that one, think Lyon is still a high quality bowler, certainly better than Murphy currently.

[paul_e]

I’d disagree on that one, think Lyon is still a high quality bowler, certainly better than Murphy currently.

I agree them losing Lyon had an impact but us losing Leach was nearly as big a blow because Mo clearly wasn't ready for that first test and his figures really hurt us.

[PeterWithesShin]

It was a cracking series, England were the better side but too many mistakes in the first 2 tests cost them the series win.

[Rory]

Brilliant series, great effort to come back from 0-2 down.

I do still think the declaration at Edgbaston was a bit of bravado that we could've done without. Overall, a series we could've won 3-1 or 4-1 quite easily, but them's the breaks. 2-2 flatters Aus.

Crawley, Brook, Woakes, Mo & Wood were all very good. I think there has been a slight overreaction to Jimmy.

Yes, he had a quiet series, but I don't think he's bowled badly, he just wasn't in the wickets, which can happen. I think he'll continue, and rightly so, in my opinion, if he feels up to it. He's still an all-time great, even if he's just had four duff performances.

[Villan For Life]

So happy with that win, think 2-2 is fair -

For me it all turned on Lyon getting injured.

No, honestly 2-2 is NOT fair. Their only fair win was at Lords.
And I think Lyon injury was not that big a factor. He wasn’t exactly prime Warne before his injury. Just a slightly above average player, nothing more.

495 test wickets suggests otherwise, Lyon is a quality bowler and as much as I like Jack Leach, I know who I’d rather have in my side.

The declaration at Edgbaston didn’t cost us that test sloppy fielding did. We’ve dropped too many catches right through the series and if we’d have held on to a few of them then the series result would have been different.

The field malaise spread to the Aussies too, in the first innings of the Oval test they dropped 6 catches which is very un-Aussie-like. It must really frustrate the bowlers, you have to create 16 chances to take 10 wickets.

[PaulWinch again]

On to other things, where are the bowlers going to come from.  Stone seems to be permanently injured, as does Archer.  I hadn't realised that Villa's Chris Woakes is 34 either.  Wood is 32.  Potts hasn't had a look in this summer.  Is Tongue going to make the grade?

Potts will come again. He only needs to make some slight tweaks and could be very effective in lots of conditions.

[PaulWinch again]

So happy with that win, think 2-2 is fair -

For me it all turned on Lyon getting injured.

No, honestly 2-2 is NOT fair. Their only fair win was at Lords.
And I think Lyon injury was not that big a factor. He wasn’t exactly prime Warne before his injury. Just a slightly above average player, nothing more.

Sorry Aftab that’s nonsense. Lyon is a quality bowler, with a brilliant record, and is a massive player for them. The Edgbaston win was fair as well - we had the opportunity to win, and didn’t take it. They took their opportunity.

[London Villan]

Dropped catches are part of the game - but the declaration was under our control, it seemed brave at the time and another 20-30 runs would have added to the pressure on the Aussies. It also impacted the declaration decision in Manchester which was probably 2 hours too late.

As for Jimmy - without looking up the stats, but I'd guess this was one of his lowest wicket-taking series performances? Sentiment got in the way there.

However to battle back to 2-2, play like we did, always on the front foot was brilliant to see.

[Holte132]

What was the award to Joe Root for?

[Risso]

England "Player of the Summer". Including the Ireland game I guess.

[Holte132]

England "Player of the Summer". Including the Ireland game I guess.

Ah, thanks!

[Richard E]

We need a sixth and deciding test. I’m not ready for this to be over.

[tomd2103]

We need a sixth and deciding test. I’m not ready for this to be over.

Yes and make it a timeless one as well!'

I was reading a stat about one of those from the 1930's.  England batted first and got over 900 from just over 330 overs.  Imagine how many we would get off that many overs playing Bazball.

[Gareth]

We need a sixth and deciding test. I’m not ready for this to be over.

Not allowed….the real cricket starts today!  Feckin ECB suited imbeciles

[Richard E]

At lunchtime yesterday the BBC Sport app said Australia had won by 7 wickets.