Cricket

[TheGayTent]

Seems a bit of an exaggeration. Root is an opener after all...

Not at all.

In test cricket Root's failed miserably against the new ball.

He's done well when opening in Division 2 of the County Championship. Hate to tell you this, but there's a bit of a jump in quality between facing Kent's opening bowlers and the convict's opening bowlers. That's before we consider external factors such as the pressure of opening in front of 3 old pensioners in the CC and 28,000 pressure cooker environment of an Ashes test match.

[kaosmark2]

There's also a huge difference between playing to take the shine off the new ball as an opener and to be playing and comfortable against an old ball and then facing to bat against a completely different ball. And Root, as an opening batsman, will have much less experience of facing the second new ball than most middle order players.

[TheGayTent]

There's also a huge difference between playing to take the shine off the new ball as an opener and to be playing and comfortable against an old ball and then facing to bat against a completely different ball. And Root, as an opening batsman, will have much less experience of facing the second new ball than most middle order players.

Agreed.

One is harder than the other...

...no mention of complete inexperience and match knowledge....

[kaosmark2]

I do agree with you that Compton should be given more of a chance while Root develops his technique down the order, it's just I wouldn't have said promoting Root to opener is "utter lunacy", just that it's not time yet.

[TheGayTent]

I do agree with you that Compton should be given more of a chance while Root develops his technique down the order, it's just I wouldn't have said promoting Root to opener is "utter lunacy", just that it's not time yet.

I have stronger feelings about not promoting Root yet, than I do about not picking Compton.

I'm not for picking Compton necessarily, I think it's the decision that makes most sense - or maybe better described as the least non-sense. I'd rather have him there than promote Root or even Trott, and certainly than picking someone new. After all, Compton has scored more centuries for England this year than any other player...

[kaosmark2]

I think Root opening the batting for England is inevitable, and I don't think there's anyone else around that's really making a claim yet. Compton's done OK so far, and I don't think he deserves to be dropped. I do think his stay in the England team is effectively a stopgap while Root develops his technique, and it's up to him to prolong that as long as possible, and maybe make a claim for getting the no 3 position when Trott retires.

I think the centuries stat is misleading, considering that one of them was on a pitch so benign Finn got a 50 and looked comfortable. Bairstow's 95 against the Saffers attack is IMO a far greater display of technique and skill than Compton's centuries against the NZ attack on roads. But Bairstow's never going to be a top order player, and that's where we need to foster stability.

[lharris92]

looking like a poor(ish) score today, bowlers will have their work cut out.

[lharris92]

yesterdays match showed what happens when bowlers aren't on top form... and when you rely on someone to hit 20+ in the last over.

anyway onto today: essex got bowled out for 20 in their match... lost by an innings and 105 runs cause of it

[TheGayTent]

Tredders

[kaosmark2]

Quite a performance so far isn't it? Got to go for the jugular and have plenty of slips in now, particularly if Cook wants to avoid using Bopara/Root as 5th bowlers.

[pink_triangle]

I would say in terms of tournament cricket south Africa are the Jimmy White of the cricket world, but at least Jimmy White used to get to finals!

[TheGayTent]

What a game down at Canterbury !

[kaosmark2]

If the Champions Trophy is meant to matter, surely they've got to have a rainday for the final?

[TheGayTent]

If the Champions Trophy is meant to matter, surely they've got to have a rainday for the final?

Just shows too much international cricket is played.

[kaosmark2]

Just shows too much international cricket is played.

Quite, but if it's an ICC tournament, they really should emphasise its priority by having such provisions.

[lharris92]

if it was at the oval or lords would have been playing for a while already.

looking at possibly 20-25 overs each if this continues

[TheGayTent]

KP has scored a century for Surrey against Yorkshire in the CC - good news for England

[kaosmark2]

KP has scored a century for Surrey against Yorkshire in the CC - good news for England

Brilliant news.

Compton's 15's not great, but that 170 a couple of weeks ago was a bit more important.

[Gre]

Just shows too much international cricket is played.

And how worthless/unnecessary this competition is. Why not schedule the final for Saturday, reserve day Sunday?

Oh right, England have got 2 completely pointless 2020 games against New Zealand this week.

[lost]

honestly don't know how the 3rd umpire gave that out

[kaosmark2]

I don't agree with the Bell decision, but that wasn't the key moment. I really think Anderson deserves 2 slips in for his first 2 overs, which would have been a wicket in his 2nd rather than a 4, there were those overthrows, and the biggest thing for me was the powerplay: If England had been sensible and taken in in the 16th or 17th over after Bopara had hit those 6s we could have done far better. Dhoni's aggressive captaincy may have leaked a few extra runs, but it took more wickets and India won the game. The mindset throughout the England setup is too defensive, from selection, field-placements, powerplay timings, everything is defensive and by rote.

[TheGayTent]

Australia have sacked Mickey Arthur. Less than 3 weeks before the first day of the first test.

Madness

[kaosmark2]

Compton not even in the squad for England's warmup game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23033718

Madness IMO. Had 166 in one innings and got over 50 in a 4th innings chase yet isn't given any more of a chance. I'm not convinced Root's ready to open for England yet, and I can't see Compton getting another chance now. What happens if Root fails at the top? Stick with him while he develops? Drop him back down the order and bring someone else in? Bring Compton back despite the harsh drop?

Even if Root succeeds, we need depth at the top of the order. What happens is one of them get injured? Trott's 32 now as well, in great form but the selectors should be looking at who'll be at no 3 in 2-3 years time.

[TheGayTent]

Trott's 32 now as well, in great form but the selectors should be looking at who'll be at no 3 in 2-3 years time.

Why wouldn't Trott be???

[kaosmark2]

Why wouldn't Trott be???

3 years he'll be 35? He'll retire at some point. He's not even a year younger than KP, albeit less of sulk.