Cricket

[TheGayTent]

3 years he'll be 35?.

Exactly.

[TheGayTent]

Compton currently 50no against the convicts...

[kaosmark2]

Compton currently 50no against the convicts...

Quite.

[TheGayTent]

Compton out for 81

[lharris92]

not a bad score, also proving he can score against a national team (even if it is a warm up game)

[TheGayTent]

not a bad score, also proving he can score against a national team (even if it is a warm up game)

It's a virtual full strength convict bowling attack - the very same attack Arthur described as being the best in the world. Of the 6 bowlers in their touring party, 5 have bowled 10 or more overs today. Only Harris is absent.

On the flip side, Taunton is probably the best batting track in county cricket.

[kaosmark2]

the very same attack Arthur described as being the best in the world

Did anyone take that seriously though? They can bowl, but I don't think it can seriously be considered as good as ours or the Saffers'.

[TheGayTent]

Did anyone take that seriously though? They can bowl, but I don't think it can seriously be considered as good as ours or the Saffers'.

Of course.

It is significantly better than any county attack though.

[kaosmark2]

Of course.

It is significantly better than any county attack though.

Oh yeah, it's definitely a Test attack.

Guess we'll see how Root handles it.

[kaosmark2]

Oh crap....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23130488

[TheGayTent]

Don't worry, we can rely on Tredders

[kaosmark2]

Well it's Monty in Tests, who's still better than all their spinners put together. I think one of our biggest misses for Swann is as a slip, with Strauss' retirement + Swann's increasing injuries we're lacking experience there. Not convinced by Trott in the slips at all.

Edit:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23130488

Doesn't matter thankfully.

Edited July 1, 2013 by kaosmark2

[lharris92]

bresnan and swann got quality scores, even if it is a warm up match

[kaosmark2]

bresnan and swann got quality scores, even if it is a warm up match

First time Bresnan's batted well since his first spell out injured a couple of years ago. I'd like to see it in a Test match. I still think he's got a lot to do bowling-wise to get the spot for the Ashes.

Regardless, I think his average has dropped low enough that it'll be hard for him to press a claim as an all-rounder to replace a batsman and be a 4th seamer.

[TheGayTent]

First time Bresnan's batted well since his first spell out injured a couple of years ago. I'd like to see it in a Test match. I still think he's got a lot to do bowling-wise to get the spot for the Ashes.

Regardless, I think his average has dropped low enough that it'll be hard for him to press a claim as an all-rounder to replace a batsman and be a 4th seamer.

Bresnan has no chance of being chosen as an all rounder for England. His batting will get him chosen over a another bowler though if that other bowler is a proper tail ender...

...can definitely see Bresnan getting the nod over Finn for example. Their bowling averages are similar but Bresnan in the low 30s averages 20 more than Finn with the bat.

[kaosmark2]

Bresnan has no chance of being chosen as an all rounder for England. His batting will get him chosen over a another bowler though if that other bowler is a proper tail ender...

...can definitely see Bresnan getting the nod over Finn for example. Their bowling averages are similar but Bresnan in the low 30s averages 20 more than Finn with the bat.

Yeah I know. There was talk of it at one point but he's shown that he's a good no 8 rather than a potential no 7.

And sadly, I agree. I think Bresnan when he's been out of form with the ball has been given more of an opportunity because of his batting, when IMO you pick bowlers for their bowling and vice versa. If Broad and Swann were out then I wouldn't want a tail of Onions/Finn/Jimmy/Monty and would stick Bresnan in there, but with Broad and Swann playing I don't think lengthening the tail is really necessary.

[TheGayTent]

Hmm I'd happily play Bresnan at 7 if, for example, we had a specialist keeper who wasn't a batsmen. If you average more than 30 aftet playing nearly 20 test matches you've proved you're a good enough player to bat at 7. Luckily for England we already have a world class all rounder in Prior which many people forget / take for granted.

I agree with picking bowlers firstly on foremostly on their bowling ability. However, I'd also take the pitch into any decision I make if choosing between Bresnan and Finn.

[kaosmark2]

Hmm I'd happily play Bresnan at 7 if, for example, we had a specialist keeper who wasn't a batsmen. If you average more than 30 aftet playing nearly 20 test matches you've proved you're a good enough player to bat at 7. Luckily for England we already have a world class all rounder in Prior which many people forget / take for granted.

I agree with picking bowlers firstly on foremostly on their bowling ability. However, I'd also take the pitch into any decision I make if choosing between Bresnan and Finn.

Prior's keeping these past 2 years has been phenomenal. Considering he was initially picked for his batting he's really got a good claim for best 'keeper in the world before you factor that in now.

I think keepers that can bat are the trend now, I think it'll be a long while before a major nation plays a wickie who doesn't maintain a healthy batting average.

It's been a long time since I've seen England select their choice of seamers based on the pitch conditions. I agree with the idea, but they seem to decide to pick one at the beginning of a series and keep them there throughout, and over 5 Tests I'd rather see Finn bowl.

[TheGayTent]

Prior's keeping these past 2 years has been phenomenal. Considering he was initially picked for his batting he's really got a good claim for best 'keeper in the world before you factor that in now.

I think keepers that can bat are the trend now, I think it'll be a long while before a major nation plays a wickie who doesn't maintain a healthy batting average.

It's been a long time since I've seen England select their choice of seamers based on the pitch conditions. I agree with the idea, but they seem to decide to pick one at the beginning of a series and keep them there throughout, and over 5 Tests I'd rather see Finn bowl.

It has been a while since England have regularly chosen their bowling attack taking the wicket into account. They often fuck up by not playing 2 spinners on turning wickets. It's as bonkers as the obsession with choosing a wicketkeeper because they can bat without taking into account the glove work of that player and his rivals.

[kaosmark2]

It has been a while since England have regularly chosen their bowling attack taking the wicket into account. They often fuck up by not playing 2 spinners on turning wickets. It's as bonkers as the obsession with choosing a wicketkeeper because they can bat without taking into account the glove work of that player and his rivals.

Well there was Headingley against the Saffers where they left Swann out and KP was our star bowler....

But yeah, agreed absolutely.

I don't agree with this at all:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/23141491

It'd by hypocritical to say the Aussies couldn't start picking him considering Trott/KP/Prior, but I really don't agree with fast-tracking citizenship so sportsmen can play for a different country sooner.

[pink_triangle]

Shows how blessed we are in terms of batting, when I first got into cricket in late 80s/early 90s bresnans batting average was what our main batsmen were getting. In fact its similar to hick and more than ramprakash. Also its not far off watson who is opening for Australia.

Edited July 2, 2013 by pink_triangle

[TheGayTent]

Shows how blessed we are in terms of batting, when I first got into cricket in late 80s/early 90s bresnans batting average was what our main batsmen were getting. In fact its similar to jock and more than ramprakash. Also its not far off watson who is opening for Australia.

Exactly. Bresnan's batting average is better than Ramprakash's, as good as Hick's, and only slightly less than John Crawley's. He's definitely good enough to bat at 7.

What's in doubt is whether his bowling is up to it. Even then, that's only being questioned because we happen to have a number of very good bowlers at the moment. Not so long ago, a player with his bowling ability would be one of England's opening 2 bowlers.

[kaosmark2]

Also around the same as Compton's, who I still think needs another chance.

Root out for 41 and 26 in the warm-up game. Can't say that really impresses. Took wickets though.

[TheGayTent]

Also around the same as Compton's, who I still think needs another chance.

Root out for 41 and 26 in the warm-up game. Can't say that really impresses. Took wickets though.

I'm less fussed about dropping Compton as I am promoting Root.

[kaosmark2]

I'm less fussed about dropping Compton as I am promoting Root.

What other options are there?