Cricket fred

[Mellsblue]

[Galfon]

A tadge overreacted, one might say hardly vindicated on the pitch thus far though - still should get a draw from this.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53363367

( is the 'Brian Broad' official in this Test the same as Chris Broad, Stuart's dad ?. A rare conflict of interest if so
)

[fivepointer]

Its great to have cricket back. Its a bit eerie without supporters and so far England have been underwhelming. Right now I'd settle for draw.

[Digby]

Windies have a very impressive seamer outfit

[Digby]

Archer and Wood combined for a lethal 1-115.

Almost certainly their selection and the likely rotation of Broad and maybe Anderson, and having Wood and Archer is about the tour to Oz, which isn't showing Windies all the respect we could, and for now it shows

[Big D]

Tbh it is good Broad still cares enough to be angry about it.

That should be the end for Denly for the time being. Can't consistently do that.

[Stom]

If I were to drop one bowler, it'd be Archer. I just feel he's way below where he should be and perhaps he could do with more time off to get his elbow right. Wood was unlucky, I felt, at times. Though we gave up the best weather for bowling.

We'll see if that comes back around in the 4th innings, which might be tough to bat on. Crawley is doing well, if Stokes can stick around before exploding, we could get a very good score.

[Galfon]

ffs - mini collapso sees Windies move into good position.
Another 50 for last 3 would make things interesting.
Archer's a loose cannon with willow in hand, but another chance for him.
** fast update..make that last 2, Pope's popped off.

[Galfon]

Good start Eng..the Chase still reasonable for WI.
Bess v Blackwood will be interesting.

[Digby]

Well played the Windies, easily the better side. Okay we had the worst of the batting conditions but given that was explicitly our choice it's not much of a defence.

The bowling was okay, not wonderful, but okay. Neither the seam attack nor the spin options were consistent, probably we rotate Broad in just to manage the workload on the bowlers but the bowling wasn't the problem.

The batting was business as usual, and therein lies a problem. Denly looks gone for all money, that might not be enough but it might also be all there is.

Nice to see the umpires struggle too with a return to cricket, I hope they get the chance and have better games than this

[Puja]

I think the main thing is that we've learned Stokes isn't ready for the captaincy. Batting first was universally recognised as a mistake in the conditions (and doubly so with everyone very ring-rusty), but was compounded by underbowling Bess on the final day, which was the main reward for batting first! I don't think he used himself as a bowler well enough either.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Tbf to Stokes, i think he expected the pitch to deteriorate a bit thus bringing Bess more into the game on the final day. As it turned out the pitch played pretty much the same throughout.
Its really the batsmen who have to hold their hands up for this defeat. 204 was a poor 1st innings and far too many batsmen got in, looked quite secure and then got themselves out in a lame brained way.
Denly will go and Buttler must be on some sort of final warning, surely.

[Stom]

I’d love to see Foakes get his chance but if it’s between Buttler and Barstow, I know which one I choose, and he’s not a red head.

I’m more concerned with Sibley. He’s not looked like the great accumulator... hope he comes good, though you could always move Crawley up and Pope will eventually be #3.

[Banquo]

eedjit
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53419676

The attack could look very anaemic without him, Wood and Anderson; the pitch will also likely suit the quicker bowlers.

In fact, they have their strategy arse about face so far on bowling in this series. Also, leaving out Anderson at Old Trafford seems a tad odd.

[Banquo]

I’d love to see Foakes get his chance but if it’s between Buttler and Barstow, I know which one I choose, and he’s not a red head.

I’m more concerned with Sibley. He’s not looked like the great accumulator... hope he comes good, though you could always move Crawley up and Pope will eventually be #3.

Our batting is a tad shunt it has to be said.

[Stom]

I’d love to see Foakes get his chance but if it’s between Buttler and Barstow, I know which one I choose, and he’s not a red head.

I’m more concerned with Sibley. He’s not looked like the great accumulator... hope he comes good, though you could always move Crawley up and Pope will eventually be #3.

Our batting is a tad shunt it has to be said.

I’d say it’s not too bad now, just a little green in places and without root a little shunt.

Pope, Crawley and Sibley are all newcomers, Stokes has started to put together some more consistent scores, Burns is OK, just leaves the wk, where Buttler is out of sorts, YJB isn’t as good as he thinks he is and Foakes is overlooked

[Banquo]

I’d love to see Foakes get his chance but if it’s between Buttler and Barstow, I know which one I choose, and he’s not a red head.

I’m more concerned with Sibley. He’s not looked like the great accumulator... hope he comes good, though you could always move Crawley up and Pope will eventually be #3.

Our batting is a tad shunt it has to be said.

I’d say it’s not too bad now, just a little green in places and without root a little shunt.

Pope, Crawley and Sibley are all newcomers, Stokes has started to put together some more consistent scores, Burns is OK, just leaves the wk, where Buttler is out of sorts, YJB isn’t as good as he thinks he is and Foakes is overlooked

Burns is ok, but barely averaging 34 despite being 'settled'; Sibley has had 7 starts and starts not to look the part (you expressed concern yourself); Crawley is new, and looks promising ( 5 tests at 31...) ; Root has batted poorly in the last year, and captaincy and runs look like they are incompatible; Stokes is a quality six or seven, and pulls of some remarkable innings, but still only averages 37, which is low for a 5; Pope looks good I grant you (but averages 41). The lower order still is collapso city, even when stickimng Woakes and Curran in. Fag paper between being a tad shunt (and even there, that's about collective failure rather than individuals- it was bad in the first innings and collective failed from 5-11 in the second) and 'not too bad. (based on potential rather than actual) imo.

[Banquo]

batting going to get a good test here- put in, and its 'clammy'

[Banquo]

lol...

You can't argue with today's decision by West Indies. It's as gloomy as childhood camping trip to the Lake District

[Stom]

Well, in a round score way I got my wish with archer missing out, lol. Stupid.

[Banquo]

Well, in a round score way I got my wish with archer missing out, lol. Stupid.

Given how well he bowled iin the second innings, and given what we have ended up with I'd have wanted him, we could be very pop gun if this track is as flat as they are saying at the mo.

[Banquo]

FFS

[Banquo]

Turning like a turny thing but they are soft wickets.

[Digby]

I was about to say something nice

[Banquo]

I was about to say something nice

....as I said, a tad shunt. All three uber soft dismissals.