The International Cricket Thread

[manic-road]

Pope has had a poor series, I think that he misses the next series so an opportunity for somebody else to come into the squad with a chance to shine. Looking like this match and series is probably lost now.

[Kevin Dawson]

Yeah I think it’s over the top. We do have a problem on turning pitches, no doubt, but England aren’t going backwards.

Pope is going to come under serious pressure soon though. A number 3 who gets the odd, excellent, hundred and nothing around it just doesn’t work.

Crawley as well - if you take out his 267 against Pakistan in 2020, he averages below 30......

[PaulWinch again]

Nah if you look over the last year or so Crawley has become very consistent. He’s struggled in the last two games, but it’s the spinning pitches point. I haven’t done any analysis but I suspect his average is dragged down by the start of his career more.

[Villan For Life]

I think Smith could do a job higher up the order, he seems to have a good technique and could flourish when he’s not batting with the tail.

[PaulWinch again]

He will definitely end up moving up the order, I think the keeper spot was just the opportunity to get him in.

[tomd2103]

He will definitely end up moving up the order, I think the keeper spot was just the opportunity to get him in.

Brook could be the potential replacement for Pope at three.  Smith could then move up the order and there could be potential to bring another keeper in.

[olaftab]

He will definitely end up moving up the order, I think the keeper spot was just the opportunity to get him in.

I think Smith could do a job higher up the order, he seems to have a good technique and could flourish when he’s not batting with the tail.

I am not sure he should move up. 6/7 is good as he has to keep wicket as well. Gilchrist is finest example of top batsman/wicket keeper and he batted no higher than 6.

[olaftab]

On to tomorrow. The first two days has shown that batting gets easier in the mid afternoon to close. If Root and Brook can survive the first session I think England could still go on to win it.

[PaulWinch again]

He will definitely end up moving up the order, I think the keeper spot was just the opportunity to get him in.

I think Smith could do a job higher up the order, he seems to have a good technique and could flourish when he’s not batting with the tail.

I am not sure he should move up. 6/7 is good as he has to keep wicket as well. Gilchrist is finest example of top batsman/wicket keeper and he batted no higher than 6.

He won’t stay as keeper longer-term, or I’d be very surprised if he did.

[Villan For Life]

He will definitely end up moving up the order, I think the keeper spot was just the opportunity to get him in.

I think Smith could do a job higher up the order, he seems to have a good technique and could flourish when he’s not batting with the tail.

I am not sure he should move up. 6/7 is good as he has to keep wicket as well. Gilchrist is finest example of top batsman/wicket keeper and he batted no higher than 6.

He won’t stay as keeper longer-term, or I’d be very surprised if he did.

I’m an advocate of playing your best keeper so dropping Pope means we can move Smith up the order and play Ben Foakes. I suspect that they will stick with Pope for a while yet though.

[Steve67]

Oh dear. Should have stayed asleep. I appreciate that there is pressure but some of the rashness in the shots and decision making leaves a lot to be desired. Still, at least we’ve made them bat again! Should have given Stokes the rest of the year off.

[olaftab]

Maybe you are right about more time off for Stokes but Ben is an honourable man and probably  didn’t want to “downgrade” this tour by pulling out.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah Stokes has been excellent since coming in as captain but he’s had a terrible couple of games.

[PaulWinch again]

He has barely bowled, contributed nothing with the bat, and captained quite unlike he normally does.

[Risso]

On to tomorrow. The first two days has shown that batting gets easier in the mid afternoon to close. If Root and Brook can survive the first session I think England could still go on to win it.

Have you got the lottery numbers as well mate?!