The International Cricket Thread

[dcdavecollett]

Bazball has been a shot in the arm for cricket.

Still, that doesn't mean hooking Aussie fast bowlers and getting caught in the deep (repeat) didn't cost us the series last summer.

[taylorsworkrate]

I don’t think “Bazball” is a problem, this team is miles better than it was 18 months ago. They just played poorly, but they shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Exactly, there's got to come a point where we don't follow every loss with a conversation of whether bazball is a problem. We managed to get there with the 'fannying around at the back' under Emery and the same needs to happen with England Cricket.

I agree, but the term, or the style of play shouldn't be used as some sort of shield when the performance is unacceptable in the way it was the 3rd morning of the last test with the bat

[PaulWinch again]

Robinson and Bashir in for Wood and Rehan.

[taylorsworkrate]

That Stokes dismissal on the first morning of a test match......

It's not acceptable for a pitch to be doing that

[Villan For Life]

That Stokes dismissal on the first morning of a test match......

It's not acceptable for a pitch to be doing that

Stokes commented a couple of days ago that he had no idea about what the pitch would do, it really looks to be sub-standard for test cricket. I’d be surprised if this test gets as far as day three.

[taylorsworkrate]

The pitch has definitely lost a lot of its bite now. Looks like the morning session will be the hardest time to bat

[PaulWinch again]

Hard to know what a good score is really, but really we need to be getting up around 300 I think.

[taylorsworkrate]

Root and Foakes have been very good. They've assessed conditions and state of the innings and have reigned it in.

[simboy]

Anything over 250, said Sir Chef at 4 down. I tend to think anything over 275 is par seeing how Root and Foakes have played. The low bounce is a real factor, on day 1 so who knows if the ball will get off the pitch at all on day 3 - if we make it that far.

[taylorsworkrate]

300+ as a minimum

[Villafirst]

Terrible pitch, simply not acceptable for international cricket. Stokes got such a low ball! Bairstow was reckless playing across the line again just when he looked good. Root and Foakes have led a good recovery. Need a ton from Joe!

[simboy]

Need both sides to bat on it to really know how good a pitch it is. India have by far the better bowlers to exploit this track. Prepared knowing Bumrah was rested? Or am I being overly cynical.

[taylorsworkrate]

Need both sides to bat on it to really know how good a pitch it is. India have by far the better bowlers to exploit this track. Prepared knowing Bumrah was rested? Or am I being overly cynical.

Agreed, but balls should not be rolling along the ground on the first morning of a test

[Villan For Life]

Good to see Joe Root back in the runs, class really is permanent

[manic-road]

Great knock from Root