Cricket

[mjsell]

He got a big hundred less than 3 months back. Basically he's had one bad (2 match) series against New Zealand. Far too early to be thinking about dropping him. IMO obviously, but as I've said before, opinions are like arseholes...

 

That's fair enough, he has had 9 innings since that hundred against west indies and has averaged 6.22. Out of interest how many innings would you give him at that average?

[TheGayTent]

That's fair enough, he has had 9 innings since that hundred against west indies and has averaged 6.22. Out of interest how many innings would you give him at that average?

Well put it this way, Cook went almost two years, 19 tests and 36 innings without scoring a century...I'll agree to disagree with you!

Edited July 9, 2015 by TheGayTent

[kaosmark2]

I'm not a big fan of Bell, I buy into the idea that he turns good scores into great scores as opposed to rescuing games. Also disappointed that, for all his experience, when he and Root have been a saving partnership, it's been Root setting the tempo and reassuring Bell rather than vice versa.

 

Still, he's earned the right to play himself back into form, and given how few players have Ashes experience, let alone 100+ Tests, dropping him now would just cause problems. Whatever your opinion on KP (I'm a fan, but he threw the chance to get back in ever with his book), he won't play for England again. Do you move Root up from a position where he averages over 80? Do you bring back Bairstow or James Taylor or someone else who had half-chances? Move Ali up and play another specialist bowler? The side is playing well, and Bell's been a key part of success and has come back from failures before.

 

Regarding Lyth, I'm not convinced he's any better than Robson or Compton, nor any worse. I'm generally of the opinion that we should stick with an opener for more than just 2 series bursts though. Give them time to settle and prove themselves, and give Cook a chance to develop a partnership with them.

[kaosmark2]

I think Bell has to be there from an experience prospective.  The only realistic replacement would be KP but that isn't happening....  So we really do have to stick with Bell.  

 

I like him as a player, and I agree he has earn't the right for a bit of space to play himself back into form, but unless his form does pick up soon he should probably be dropped going forward.

I don't think Bell plays like he's our msot experienced player. But yeah, he's earned a good period of grace.

[TheGayTent]

I don't think Bell plays like he's our msot experienced player. But yeah, he's earned a good period of grace.

He doesn't, but that isn't his role. He's a stroke maker, he isn't and never will play in a Ballance like manner. Nor should he just because he happens to be a senior member of the team.

For sure, if he continues in the same vein for another 10 tests, he'll get dropped and rightly so. Equally, with no one outside of the squad making it impossible not to pick them, and his very good recent record against the convicts, he's going to be given the benefit of the doubt. Again, rightly so I think. This guy averages nearly 44 and has scored 22 test centuries...the most recent of which just 3 months ago. He's also been our best batsmen in an ashes series as recently as 2 years ago, scoring 3 centuries and averaging over 60.

Talk of dropping him is hugely premature.

In other news, Wood gets better and better with every viewing. Looking forward to seeing him and the rest of the boys at Edgbaston and the Oval in the next few weeks

[kaosmark2]

He doesn't, but that isn't his role. He's a stroke maker, he isn't and never will play in a Ballance like manner. Nor should he just because he happens to be a senior member of the team.

For sure, if he continues in the same vein for another 10 tests, he'll get dropped and rightly so. Equally, with no one outside of the squad making it impossible not to pick them, and his very good recent record against the convicts, he's going to be given the benefit of the doubt. Again, rightly so I think. This guy averages nearly 44 and has scored 22 test centuries...the most recent of which just 3 months ago. He's also been our best batsmen in an ashes series as recently as 2 years ago, scoring 3 centuries and averaging over 60.

Talk of dropping him is hugely premature.

In other news, Wood gets better and better with every viewing. Looking forward to seeing him and the rest of the boys at Edgbaston and the Oval in the next few weeks

Agree with all that. That said, Root is a stroke maker and he adjusts his game and tempo to the situation, reassuring other players. Still, while I'd like to see more of that from Bell, the important thing is his batting, and he definitely deserves a period of grace over this summer and probably most of the winter.

 

 

I've got the C5 highlights on now, haven't seen much of Wood yet today but what I have I've liked. I thought his figures against NZ weren't as good as his bowling warranted.

 

Broad also looks back in form, respectable with the bat and good with the ball - even if he didn't get a wicket.

[TheGayTent]

Agree re Broad. Funnily enough, he along with Bell, are the two england players that I think often get overly criticised. Where as others, particularly Jimmy, get away with it a lot.

[pink_triangle]

In other news, Wood gets better and better with every viewing. Looking forward to seeing him and the rest of the boys at Edgbaston and the Oval in the next few weeks

I have tickets for Trent bridg!

[kaosmark2]

Agree re Broad. Funnily enough, he along with Bell, are the two england players that I think often get overly criticised. Where as others, particularly Jimmy, get away with it a lot.

 

I think it's partially because of the differing nature of their unstoppable spells. Jimmy at his very best exploits the conditions, the ball, the swing and pries wickets out with incredible craft. This isn't to dismiss Broad's ability to use conditions, but his unstoppable spells look more like they could be done in any circumstances, particularly as they happen in different situations, so people get frustrated at their infrequency. When things go wrong for Jimmy there seem to be more reasons why, so people make excuses on his behalf.

 

Still, 5 bowlers that looked good yesterday, and a good score on the board. Reasons for optimism and seems a nice balance in the England team atm.

[kaosmark2]

I don't disagree but I was thinking more about in the dressing room, training etc...

In which case why did you compare him to KP as an experienced influence?

[TheGayTent]

I have tickets for Trent bridg!

Saw 2 days of the last ashes test match at trent bridge...I hope you get as lucky with the level of entertainment (I saw all of Agar's record breaking knock, and most of Bell's century - his partnership with Broad that day was as good as anything I've seen live given the significance of the match and the game situation at the time).

Edited July 10, 2015 by TheGayTent

[pink_triangle]

Saw 2 days of the last ashes test match at trent bridge...I hope you get as lucky with the level of entertainment (I saw all of Agar's record breaking knock, and most of Bell's century - his partnership with Broad that day was as good as anything I've seen live given the significance of the match and the game situation at the time).

I always seem to see something interesting in Trent Bridge, I saw Broad get a hat trick against India a few years back. I also love the atmosphere, shits all over old Trafford (my previous nearest test ground) in my view.

[TheGayTent]

I always seem to see something interesting in Trent Bridge, I saw Broad get a hat trick against India a few years back. I also love the atmosphere, shits all over old Trafford (my previous nearest test ground) in my view.

OT is one of the few I haven't done. Edgbaston has the best atmosphere of any English test ground for me.

[TheGayTent]

Ha I've just realised - I have done OT, it's Headingley I haven't !

Probably because the 2nd day was a wash out and I got far too drunk on pedigree...

Excellent morning. It'd be really helpful if Lyth and Bell got some runs in the 2nd innings

[kaosmark2]

I really enjoyed my time at Headingley vs Sri Lanka last year. Only non-5th day I've ever been to of Test cricket (money).

 

And yeah, great way to clean up a tail in a morning. I'm not too concerned about Bell, even if he doesn't score this innings I'm sure he will soon enough. I'd prefer another half-century from Ballance for him to really cement a return to form. Lyth getting a score would be massive though. Lots of our post-Strauss openers got one century, none really cemented their place though and the situation needs solving.

[TheGayTent]

Lots of our post-Strauss openers got one century, none really cemented their place though and the situation needs solving.

Just Robson no?

[kaosmark2]

Just Robson no?

Root only got one as an opener, before the dropping back down, dropping completely, then ridiculous awesomeness.

 

I'd been about to say Compton, but he got 2, albeit on roads where even Finn got a 50.

[TheGayTent]

Forgot about Root. Don't think Carberry or Trott got any

[kaosmark2]

Fucks sake.

[TheGayTent]

157-2. I'm not concerned.

Yet !

[kaosmark2]

I had faith in our middle order, but losing 2/3 wickets cheaply early every Test is getting frustrating.

[lharris92]

I had faith in our middle order, but losing 2/3 wickets cheaply early every innings Test is getting frustrating.

fify

[TheGayTent]

Just remember the early 90s and be ecstatic

[TheGayTent]

A half century good enough for you...?

[kaosmark2]

From the sound of it, lots of them went cheap.

 

A 400 lead should be enough, but it feels like there was an excessive sense of urgency. I'm just worried this could be thrown.