Cricket

[kaosmark2]

I'll whisper it quietly but Gary Ballance is beginning to look like a decent number 3. Far more Trottesque than Goweresque but I don't mind that if the average continues to hover around 50.

If Bell ever regains his form (largely being ignored due to Cook's woes at the minute) they could compliment each other very well.

An intriguing test match thus far - the new ball will be key.

Was about to say all of these things. I didn't like Ballanace at 3 when the order was first announced against Sri Lanka but he's played well in his 4 tests there.

Bell's form has been pretty poor. Pretty 20s and 30s, but hasn't made a score in quite a while. As you say though, ignored because of Cook, and to a lesser extent Prior both doing worse.

Poor shot from Ali to get out, but I do feel he was slightly unfortunate. I've liked the look of him so far, both as a batsman and bowler, but I don't think he's a front line spinner, more an all-rounder who's a genuine bowling option. Maybe his bowling will develop nicely.

Very early nightwatchman. Suggests to me Prior's feeling a bit scared and uncertain. I'm feeling we could just bring in a specialist wicket-keeper rather than one who bats. As you said a week ago, our top 9 all have a test century, we've got a long batting lineup and I'm not sure we necessarily need a keeper to contribute.

[TheGayTent]

Yeah Ballance is looking good

w*nker

[kaosmark2]

Scarily close. We really need a 50 partnership tomorrow to pull close to level. I think we could do it but those two wickets swing the advantage back to India.

[TheGayTent]

Think India are on top with those 2 late wickets. Think we need another 120 to be favourites and with the form Prior's in and the pressure of the situation I'm not sure the tail are capable of it.

Here's hoping.

Edited July 18, 2014 by TheGayTent

[kaosmark2]

Well Stokes, Broad and Plunkett can all bat as well, I can see us reaching 300, but I don't think we can really build a significant lead. Going to be a tense morning session.

[TheGayTent]

Well Stokes, Broad and Plunkett can all bat as well, I can see us reaching 300, but I don't think we can really build a significant lead. Going to be a tense morning session.

They can. However, those types of players usually get runs when they come in at 300-6 on a good pitch facing an old ball. Unfortunately they're coming in at 220-6 on a wicket doing something facing a new ball that's moving.

[TheGayTent]

Ducking hell - that close to lunch as well. Will have totally changed the atmosphere in the respective dressing rooms

[TheGayTent]

Didn't realise you were Mike Selvey Bazza...

[TheGayTent]

He knows his shit... and its not just him saying this stuff... Everyone is!

Well done Prior... Fucking useless....

So what do we do for the next test ? Just accept this is our team and crack on or drop them ?

Only thing that concerns me is the bowling line up. The rest will fall into place given time.

Prior has been superb for England, sad to see his career finish like this. Can't see him playing next summer so this will be his last series. Could even be his last match today.

[kaosmark2]

You can't bring KP back if both captain and coach don't want him. I think it's disgraceful the way England got rid of him, but it's a matter of practicality. I do think we need a chance in captain, but who is there? Bell's not captaincy material, Prior's in even worse form, Broad to me looks like a selfish cricketer, which is great as a bowler but not for a captain, Jimmy's got lots of pressure on him anyway and looks knackered.

You're down to giving it to one of the younger players, or bringing in someone who currently isn't in the setup. Morgan has test and captaincy experience, but I'm not convinced he's a test batsman. KP's a no go as captain definitely, and probably for selection. Root? He's got lions captaincy experience. Bring in a specialist wickie (rather than a batter) who can captain?

There's no obvious answer to the questions, which is why England are persisting with the status quo in hopes it comes good. I think they're wrong to do so, I'd make a change, but I understand why.

[TheGayTent]

Morgan even being discussed highlights the complete lack of options.

Given you've said you'd make a change what would it be?

[TheGayTent]

I am surprised Moores has managed to evade most of the criticism. I guess he is getting away with it as still in his (2nd) honeymoon period?

[kaosmark2]

Morgan even being discussed highlights the complete lack of options.

Given you've said you'd make a change what would it be?

I'd take a gamble and give captaincy to Root. It'd probably turn out badly but sometimes a young captain works (Graeme Smith comes to mind). I'd rest Jimmy for Onions next Test - Jimmy looks knackered - and bring in an experienced wickie from county cricket rather than one of the young all-rounders who are seen as the future. Probably James Foster.

I don't think we should drop Cook as a batsman yet, particularly as Essex don't have first-class games atm where he could try and get back into form.

I am surprised Moores has managed to evade most of the criticism. I guess he is getting away with it as still in his (2nd) honeymoon period?

I reckon that's why tbh. I didn't like the appointment and still don't, but I do think England are better now than we were down under (albeit not by much).

Edited July 21, 2014 by kaosmark2

[TheGayTent]

So you wouldn't drop Cook, you'd go with the same line up just made Broad captain?

[kaosmark2]

So you wouldn't drop Cook, you'd go with the same line up just made Broad captain?

I said I'd give Root the captaincy, drop Prior and rest Jimmy...

I wouldn't drop Cook yet, I'd give him the rest of the series to give him time to improve with the bat, as it's not like we have anyone ready to open and replace him. Similar with Bell.

[TheGayTent]

I said I'd give Root the captaincy, drop Prior and rest Jimmy...

Sorry, was going on your 2.21pm post. Missed your 2.37 post for some reason.

[TheGayTent]

I know you have a thing for him but at nearly 32 Onions realistically isn't going to get another test match I don't think.

[kaosmark2]

I just think India are nowhere near as good as Australia...

Players that performed in Australia:

KP

Stokes

Could stretch to Broad and Carberry

Players that have performed against SL and India:

Robson

Ballance

Root

Moeen

Plunkett

Jimmy

Could stretch to Broad.

So yes, I do think we're in better nick. No the bowling isn't as good as the Aussies had, but there's definitely been improvement. I think there should have been substantially more, but we almost always hope for that.

[kaosmark2]

I know you have a thing for him but at nearly 32 Onions realistically isn't going to get another test match I don't think.

I don't think Onions is a long-term option any more. But he can swing it, Jimmy needs a break, and I don't think there's anyone else who could come in for one or two matches in Jimmy's place and do a half-decent job without the pressure destroying them. If it does harm to Onions psychologically then that won't impact England as long-term as if they use a young bowler.

[TheGayTent]

I don't think Onions is a long-term option any more. But he can swing it, Jimmy needs a break, and I don't think there's anyone else who could come in for one or two matches in Jimmy's place and do a half-decent job without the pressure destroying them. If it does harm to Onions psychologically then that won't impact England as long-term as if they use a young bowler.

Logic works for me, just don't see it happening.

[TheGayTent]

I think his post was aimed at me...

No.

You would just repeat whatever Mike Selvey says

[kaosmark2]

Logic works for me, just don't see it happening.

Me neither. I don't think there's a chance of it.

[TheGayTent]

For the Rose Bowl I'd go with

Cook

Robson

Ballance

Bell

Root

Moeen

Prior

Broad

Plunkett

Anderson

Finn

If I had to drop Cook I'd go with the same but bring in Hales, and make Broad captain.

[kaosmark2]

For the Rose Bowl I'd go with

Finn in for Stokes is a good shout IMO. Stokes has done OK with the ball but atrociously with the bat.

I'm not sure about Hales as a test batsman myself, but then, we haven't got options...

[TheGayTent]

I'm not sure about Hales as a test batsman myself, but then, we haven't got options...

Neither am I, but I think an attacking player sandwiched between Robson and Ballance could work well. If Hales is up to it...