The International Cricket Thread

[tomd2103]

I’m not getting carried away with our prospects in the Ashes, this Aussie side is in transition but just as we dominate at home they do too, so do India. I’d love to see us win the Ashes down under but it’s unlikely.

Australia without Smith and Labuschagne look a bit soft. Both will be back for the ashes.

Smith will be back soon as it was only that finger injury keeping him out.  Labuschagne seems to have hit a bit of a wall though, but might have regained a bit of form come the winter.

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

I’m not getting carried away with our prospects in the Ashes, this Aussie side is in transition but just as we dominate at home they do too, so do India. I’d love to see us win the Ashes down under but it’s unlikely.

I think it's a good time to be playing them, their best players are the wrong side of 30, some past 35. Of course it's a huge challenge down there as always but I think we have a chance.

There's a case for making England's top 7 the best in Test cricket. 3 players in the top 10 of the ranking and 2 in the top 2. We really need Wood and Atkinson to be fit and Carse to continue to improve, if we can put out a good fast bowling attack we'll go close to winning.

[Villa Lew]

Archer named in the squad for the 2nd test.

[cdbearsfan]

FFS, Windies.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah disappointing. They let Aus get 80-100 too many.

[Villan For Life]

A good toss for Stokes to win and I’m mystified by India’s decision not to play Bumrah, he’s one of the best bowlers in the world and even though this is the second test of a five test series they really do need to win this test to stay competitive in the series. Why drop your best bowler?

[paul_e]

A good toss for Stokes to win and I’m mystified by India’s decision not to play Bumrah, he’s one of the best bowlers in the world and even though this is the second test of a five test series they really do need to win this test to stay competitive in the series. Why drop your best bowler?

He's not fit enough to play the full series after a back injury in the winter, that's why they limited his overs in the first test as well. I think the plan was only ever for him to play 3 of these matches and he's definitely not going to play this one and the next given the short turn-around so do you pick him at Edgbaston which is often hard work for the seamers or at Lords which is regarded as about the best ground in the world for seam bowling?

Honestly i'd have been surprised if they had picked him for this one and if they hadn't added another spinner.

For England I think I'd have tried to get Bethell in because after the weather we've had I think it's going to be a spinners wicket. Not sure how to fit him though, replacing Woakes would probably be fair after the first test but that feels really low in the order. Could be worth trying him opening in place of Crawley who, for me, has never really owned that spot.

[UK Redsox]

Aggers / Finny discussing that Bumrah said that he'd rest for this game, so that he can play at Lord's

[Villan For Life]

India have lost seven of their last nine tests, I get that Bumrah’s workload has to be managed but I can’t see their attack in this test taking twenty wickets. They are in danger of being out of this series before the start of the third test, they should have picked Bumrah and tried to remain competitive in this series.

[paul_e]

India have lost seven of their last nine tests, I get that Bumrah’s workload has to be managed but I can’t see their attack in this test taking twenty wickets. They are in danger of being out of this series before the start of the third test, they should have picked Bumrah and tried to remain competitive in this series.

I get the argument, but fitness matters and if he can only play here or Lords then he's more likely to win a match on his own at Lords than Edgbaston.

[Villan For Life]

India have lost seven of their last nine tests, I get that Bumrah’s workload has to be managed but I can’t see their attack in this test taking twenty wickets. They are in danger of being out of this series before the start of the third test, they should have picked Bumrah and tried to remain competitive in this series.

I get the argument, but fitness matters and if he can only play here or Lords then he's more likely to win a match on his own at Lords than Edgbaston.

Presumably England will win this test so you go to Lords 2-0 down and so does Bumrah then play the next three consecutive tests to try and keep the series alive for India? There has been a week since the first test ended whereas the 4th and 5th test are back to back. How much time do you need?

A new Indian captain and a relatively new coach will be under immense pressure from their fanatical fans/media. Something will have to change.

[paul_e]

This is a great spell from Woakes, deserves a wicket.

[paul_e]

Reverse mockers!!

[paul_e]

After 5 overs Woakes has 1 wicket, 1 boundary and 28dots, that's some bowling.

[Villan For Life]

Woakes is really fired up this morning, he could easily have three wickets. There were some very fine margins on those two umpire’s calls.