The cricket thread

Heartfeltdawn · June 2021

crunchman said:

He might have been batting well to that point, but he was never a good keeper.

Neither was the other guy in contention and the other guy wasn't batting at Bairstow's level at the time. As we were dead set on a keeper batsman, at the time he was the best candidate without being the best gloveman.

crunchman · June 2021

Is it purely the change in his technique that has caused his issues, or is it just that bowlers have worked him out? Or a bit of both?

sixstringsupplies · June 2021

Some comments from me after spending the day in the sun on Saturday and witnessing the 122-9.

It was my first test for a while, I forget, having watched so much on TV, that you get a completely different perspective watching it live.

We were sat at fine leg/mid off boundary.

I can see why they pick Crawley - he really does look an elegant batsman in the flesh. Hits it really hard without trying. Looks graceful. I said “Crawley looking good” to my mate, only to see him dismissed next ball!

The crowd were giving Bracey a hard time with his wicket keeping. When he got his first run it was the biggest cheer of the day. Sums it up really.

Oh, and some piss head on the morning train from Wolverhampton (8:45am!) with his cans of Stella, apparently, is mates with several of the Worcestershire players (academy and first team) and apparently, Ollie Robinson will never play for England while Joe Root is captain and Anderson is playing. They don’t want him anywhere near the team. Complete hearsay so take with a bunch of salt.

Personally I think England should just concentrate on playing test cricket.

Good day out though! Now hoping, depending on COVID and my partner’s holiday plans, to get tickets for Saturday at Trent Bridge vs India in early August.

Heartfeltdawn · June 2021

crunchman said:

Is it purely the change in his technique that has caused his issues, or is it just that bowlers have worked him out? Or a bit of both?

It's a chain really. The technique change has made him more vulnerable to the pitched up ball from the seamers. With media as it is now, that chink in the defence became known quickly. You also have the issue with the gloves being taken from him. Strikes me that he was given a clear brief for ODI cricket (you're a batsman) that he didn't get for Test cricket.

The shame about it for me is just what I've prattled on about before. In YJP and Buttler, we have two guys who are not outstanding keepers but are outstanding batsmen. At Test level, they should be in that side and averaging 40+ as batsmen outright. Australia got obsessed with finding an allrounder to rival Flintoff and made stupid decisions and stupid selections. Likewise, we got obsessed with having our own Gilchrist which led to us making stupid decisions.

Heartfeltdawn · June 2021

sixstringsupplies said:

Oh, and some piss head on the morning train from Wolverhampton (8:45am!) with his cans of Stella, apparently, is mates with several of the Worcestershire players (academy and first team) and apparently, Ollie Robinson will never play for England while Joe Root is captain and Anderson is playing. They don’t want him anywhere near the team. Complete hearsay so take with a bunch of salt.

if that is true, then I look forward to Ollie playing next year then after we've been caned by Australia and Root resigns the captaincy and Anderson ends his career.

Should have asked the guy if Root and co have any issues with Joe Clarke making the England squad in the future if we're gonna get all moralistic now

actually, come to think about it, Tom Kohler-Cadmore was caught up in that stuff too. Root seems to be OK with him being in the Yorkshire side.

crunchman · June 2021

At this point in time, what Anderson thinks might not matter too much. He looks like he might be done. He only took 3 wickets in 2 tests against NZ.

He might come good again, but I wouldn't put any money on it. He's living on borrowed time as a fast bowler. He's 39 next month. The only fast bowler in living memory who was still playing at a high level at that age was Hadlee, who played his last test a couple of days after his 39th birthday. Courtney Walsh didn't make it to 39, and I don't think anyone else has come close. He might sneak past Kumble on the wickets list, but I'm not sure he'll make it to the end of the India series, let alone the Ashes.

sixstringsupplies · June 2021

Heartfeltdawn said:

crunchman said:

Is it purely the change in his technique that has caused his issues, or is it just that bowlers have worked him out? Or a bit of both?

It's a chain really. The technique change has made him more vulnerable to the pitched up ball from the seamers. With media as it is now, that chink in the defence became known quickly. You also have the issue with the gloves being taken from him. Strikes me that he was given a clear brief for ODI cricket (you're a batsman) that he didn't get for Test cricket.

The shame about it for me is just what I've prattled on about before. In YJP and Buttler, we have two guys who are not outstanding keepers but are outstanding batsmen. At Test level, they should be in that side and averaging 40+ as batsmen outright. Australia got obsessed with finding an allrounder to rival Flintoff and made stupid decisions and stupid selections. Likewise, we got obsessed with having our own Gilchrist which led to us making stupid decisions.

I remember those days when Australia kept trying to find a Flintoff. In hindsight, I think they found him in Shane Watson. He was a great player.

So @Heartfeltdawn you’d have Bairstow, Buttler and Foakes in your ideal test team then?

I think they’ll give Sibley a break, bump Crawley up to open and bring back Bairstow or Malan to bat three. Personally would love Foakes to be keeper and bat 7 this summer and the Ashes but don’t think he’ll be fit and they’ll have Buttler ahead of him anyway.

Stuckfast · June 2021

crunchman said:

At this point in time, what Anderson thinks might not matter too much. He looks like he might be done. He only took 3 wickets in 2 tests against NZ.

He might come good again, but I wouldn't put any money on it. He's living on borrowed time as a fast bowler. He's 39 next month. The only fast bowler in living memory who was still playing at a high level at that age was Hadlee, who played his last test a couple of days after his 39th birthday. Courtney Walsh didn't make it to 39, and I don't think anyone else has come close. He might sneak past Kumble on the wickets list, but I'm not sure he'll make it to the end of the India series, let alone the Ashes.

Seems a bit harsh to write him off on the basis of two Tests where, although England were outplayed in all departments, it was 90 percent the batting that let us down. Anderson bowled tidily enough if a tad short of a length, and I seem to remember he and Broad bowled a superb spell in tandem in the first Test. There are a few good fast-medium bowlers knocking at the door but I don't think any of them has the skills that Jimmy does. Think back to the first Test in India and his masterclass in reverse swing... who else could have done that?

sixstringsupplies · June 2021

If I was Jimmy I’d do the Alastair Cook and announce my retirement before the final test v India.

swansong, full house, chanting his name solidly for 5 days. Deserves the same legendary send-off.

Can never write him off though.

It was concerning how New Zealand swung the ball so much more. Sky Sports had stats that it was Jimmy’s least amount of swing for several years.

Heartfeltdawn · June 2021

sixstringsupplies said:
I remember those days when Australia kept trying to find a Flintoff. In hindsight, I think they found him in Shane Watson. He was a great player.

So @Heartfeltdawn you’d have Bairstow, Buttler and Foakes in your ideal test team then?

I think they’ll give Sibley a break, bump Crawley up to open and bring back Bairstow or Malan to bat three. Personally would love Foakes to be keeper and bat 7 this summer and the Ashes but don’t think he’ll be fit and they’ll have Buttler ahead of him anyway.

Watson should have focused on batting alone. Management wanted him to bat and be a first change bowler. Ended up with a guy whose overall record was less than two wickets a Test and a mid 30s average when he'd have been a bloody marvellous 45+ batsman and more than useful part-time bowler.

I don't think YJB passes the technique evaluation for Test cricket right now. Buttler would be in there in my side as an outright batsman and I would pick Foakes.

Funny to think that Bairstow and Malan both scored tons in Australia last time in the Third Test and made a big stand. Four years on, they're being talked of as comeback Test cricketers. Keeps pointing back to our inability to develop players once they've played a few Tests.

scrumhalf · June 2021

Heartfeltdawn said:

Watson should have focused on batting alone.

With a small diversion learning about the LBW law.

Heartfeltdawn · June 2021

scrumhalf said:

Heartfeltdawn said:

Watson should have focused on batting alone.

With a small diversion learning about the LBW law.

It's quite some going for July to be the 6 year anniversary since Watto played Test cricket and he's still known as the worst DRS requester of all time (despite Stuart Broad's best attempts to take the crown).

guitars4you · June 2021

@sixstringsupplies - glad you enjoyed some live cricket - crowd sounded nice and vocal - Edgbaston and Headingly have a good reputation for the 'party vibe' - Going with 3 other mates to Leeds in August (if all goes well) - In the new main stand that backs on to the Rugby field so near 3rd man area - 1st day of the test - Staying over as well so looking forward to a 'long day' back in God's chosen county

pedalo · June 2021

guitars4you said:

@sixstringsupplies - glad you enjoyed some live cricket - crowd sounded nice and vocal - Edgbaston and Headingly have a good reputation for the 'party vibe' - Going with 3 other mates to Leeds in August (if all goes well) - In the new main stand that backs on to the Rugby field so near 3rd man area - 1st day of the test - Staying over as well so looking forward to a 'long day' back in God's chosen county

It’s a cracking view up there! Here’s a pic from Day 4 of the Sussex game I went to the other week:

https://imgur.com/a/Z0osRcd

sixstringsupplies · June 2021

guitars4you said:

@sixstringsupplies - glad you enjoyed some live cricket - crowd sounded nice and vocal - Edgbaston and Headingly have a good reputation for the 'party vibe' - Going with 3 other mates to Leeds in August (if all goes well) - In the new main stand that backs on to the Rugby field so near 3rd man area - 1st day of the test - Staying over as well so looking forward to a 'long day' back in God's chosen county

@guitars4you ;it was a great day out just a shame the cricket from England was terrible.

To be honest, as much as the Hollies stand looks fun and amazing from TV, it gets really annoying after the first couple of hours and 99th rendition of "Don't take me home". Even more so when you go a get a pint just before the interval and have to queue up behind a crowd of England football shirts. Some of whom admitted they don't like cricket they were there for the piss up.

Anyway, anybody watching the Test Championship Final tomorrow? Gunning for NZ or India? I can really see India spinners coming into it but would rather NZ won. At least they have had 2 tests to get in the groove.

sixstringsupplies · June 2021

PS this was the beer snake during the MORNING session. I think they overdid it and exhausted themselves as it got a bit tame after that. Too much beer and sun must have taken its toll.

Image: https://i.postimg.cc/bJ5ZKYzk/IMG-5932.jpg

Stuckfast · June 2021

I'd have thought NZ should be heavy favourites, India have had no preparation at all.

Heartfeltdawn · June 2021

"Eoin Morgan on BBC Two: "I would have looked to do the same had we won the toss so nothing changes. We like chasing because if we play well it suits us, but ultimately we have to play well. Jos Buttler misses out with a calf strain while Chris Woakes can't play two days in a row so Sam Billings and David Willey come in. The level of intensity in last night's win was as good as it has been for a while. We want to continue to do that in this game."

Chris Woakes bowled three whole overs last night. He's not injured otherwise it would have been announced as it has with Buttler. He can't possibly be rested because he's bowled a grand total of 14 overs across five T20 games in June and hadn't played before that since the 18th of April in the IPL prior to it being postponed.

Heartfeltdawn · June 2021

sixstringsupplies said:

@guitars4you it was a great day out just a shame the cricket from England was terrible.

To be honest, as much as the Hollies stand looks fun and amazing from TV, it gets really annoying after the first couple of hours and 99th rendition of "Don't take me home". Even more so when you go a get a pint just before the interval and have to queue up behind a crowd of England football shirts. Some of whom admitted they don't like cricket they were there for the piss up.

Anyway, anybody watching the Test Championship Final tomorrow? Gunning for NZ or India? I can really see India spinners coming into it but would rather NZ won. At least they have had 2 tests to get in the groove.

There's a few folk in this thread agreeing with you about the Hollies after the pitch invasion tonight.

https://twitter.com/GeorgeDobell1/status/1408158787077345280

sev112 · July 2021

So why is Eoin Morgan never considered for our problematic test middle order?

scrumhalf · July 2021

He's never done it at test level.

crunchman · July 2021

sev112 said:

So why is Eoin Morgan never considered for our problematic test middle order?

16 tests with a batting average of 30.

sev112 · July 2021

Sounds pretty good for me

guitars4you · July 2021

Stunning catch

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/cricket/57785924

crunchman · July 2021

Jack Leach bowling well for Somerset. 5 for 38 at the moment.

Ashwin 1 for 99 for Surrey so quite impressive from Leach. Not impressed with Surrey giving Ashwin a nice warmup for the test series though.

Heartfeltdawn · July 2021

sev112 said:

So why is Eoin Morgan never considered for our problematic test middle order?

The question to ask is: why would IPL playing England ODI and T20 captain Eoin Morgan want to play Test cricket at the age of 34? He hasn't played a first-class match since April 2019 so it's fair to say he's set his path.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-div-2-2019-1166901/middlesex-vs-lancashire-1166976/full-scorecard

Stuckfast · July 2021

I saw Morgan play for Middlesex against Northants in a County Championship game maybe three years ago. He looked like he would rather have been anywhere else and I think got a pair.

Heartfeltdawn · July 2021

crunchman said:

Jack Leach bowling well for Somerset. 5 for 38 at the moment.

Ashwin 1 for 99 for Surrey so quite impressive from Leach. Not impressed with Surrey giving Ashwin a nice warmup for the test series though.

Ashwin bowled first and bowled a bit too slow. Second innings he bowled quicker although handed some wickets with at least one dubious decisions and two fucking atrocious reverse sweeps.

Leach looked very good indeed. There's a change in his bowling again from the winter If you can imagine him at the start of his run bowling around the wicket to a right hander, then his feet are pointing to the left of the stumps. His run up begins and he runs into the stumps rather than parallel to the stumps as he was in the past. Just before the bowling crease, his body moves outwards and the back leg is straighter going through the delivery. Really was giving it a good rip and the indicator of this wasn't so much the turn he was getting as it was a helpful wicket but drift in the air.

Nitefly · July 2021

I see the Roses game at Headingley was abandoned yesterday, because of an "unsafe ground" (!) - Dom Leech apparently collided with a concrete structure.

I thought Yorks would be sanctioned for this in some way, but instead they are given a draw!

Heartfeltdawn · July 2021

Nitefly said:

I see the Roses game at Headingley was abandoned yesterday, because of an "unsafe ground" (!) - Dom Leech apparently collided with a concrete structure.

I thought Yorks would be sanctioned for this in some way, but instead they are given a draw!

I'm wondering if the HSE might get involved here as it's not a typical sports injury and I think head coach Andrew Gale's words are quite eyeopening:

"Dom's gone to hospital to get an X-ray to see what the damage is. Whether he's slipped and done something mechanical to his knee or he's hit it on the sponsorship board at the side is unsure.

"But fingers crossed, it's not too serious. He's slipped trying to flick the ball back and his leg's sort of gone underneath him and his momentum's carried him into the sponsor's board.

"I went over and Dom's a pretty touch cookie and he was in a lot of pain. He was asking for pain relief right away so we hope he'll be OK.

"That side of the ground has been a concern for a few years. The problem is the water comes up as more people stand on it.

"At the start of play, it was OK. Jordan Thompson struggled with his run up and pulled out twice and a few lads said the water was coming from underneath.

"I'm not an expert, but since that new stand was built, there's been a problem with the ground on that whole side."

I am presuming that Gale means the Emerald stand that opened in May 2019. So if water issues has been an issue for years and the stand has exacerbated that and Yorkshire knew about it, was that information conveyed to the umpires when it came to their assessment as to whether it was safe for play?

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