Cricket fred

[Digby]

Buttler played well today. And some of the others do need time to figure this all out.

Do India have any left arm spinners, orthodox ones that is, to pick just for our openers? It's like watching KP just have no idea how to line the ball up, which seems very odd for the level but clearly there's an issue

[Stom]

Root is really channeling his inner Cook here. Superb batting

[Galfon]

His technique and application continue to be top-drawer and bountiful in these conditions - the unfortunate late dismissal will get Sri L's tails up for sure.

> next Test will be his 100th..will equal Strauss & Thorpe, 2 short of Beefy, 4 of KP, 8 of Boycs.
> just overtaken Gower's run total (8231) and is 4th in Eng. all time list.
> avge. of 49.62 is the highest of the modern era (Eng., 70's+).

Only just turned 30 , so his final stats. could be huge - the relentless Test schedules and improved pitch qualities means comparisons with by-gones are maybe a bit tenuous.

[Digby]

Back to back monster partnerships at the top for England, almost nose bleed territory

[Puja]

Sibley on 39 not out, which is a massive innings given the situation. Very impressive.

Puja

[Digby]

Got to love the field set for the Sibley onslaught

[Puja]

Got to love the field set for the Sibley onslaught

It does help Sibley's efforts that Sri Lanka are sportingly only using about 7-8 of their fielders at any time while the others are having a rest where they'll never be used.

Still, it shows enormous grit to have worked on a massive weakness in his game and turn in a crucial innings under pressure. Hopefully he can see out the runchase and then go on to back it up against India (without falling to the temptation to go slogging that he's clearly repressing )

Puja

[Digby]

And it's weirder it was being done with spin when you can attack with one slip and one close catcher. Which is just very different to wanting 3-4 slips for the seamers. Simply no idea what was inspiring those fields. That said whilst Sri Lanka faded badly, so much so you could justify just a two test series, it was a very impressive showing from England.

And, it would seem, the first time ever a side had picked up all 1st innings wickets with seamers and all 2nd innings wickets with the spinners.

[Galfon]

Excellent fighting performance after losing the toss, and pleased for Sibley. The resplendant series trophy well worth the effort!.

[Puja]

There's no doubt that our victories were achieved with ample assists from Sri Lanka, but any series victory in the subcontinent is not to be sniffed at and it's a great confidence boost for the players ahead of India.

Very impressed by Sibley's gumption. Excellent job as the backbone of the second innings.

Puja

[Big D]

I feel a little for Sibley and Crawley, they are learning on the hoof a little having to open against spinners on turning pitches. Can't be easy.

Would think it is Crawley v Lawrence for the spot as 6th batsman, perhaps even Ali. England really have lots of options for India, especially if Stokes is fit enough to bowl a few overs. Might not help, but they do have options.

Would think:

Burns
Sibley
Order TBC between:
Root
Pope (if fit)
Crawley/Lawrence
Stokes
----
Buttler
Bess
Leach
Wood/Archer
Anderson/Broad

[Digby]

We don't have much proven quality against spin there, Root, Stokes and...? Which will be interesting

[Stom]

We don't have much proven quality against spin there, Root, Stokes and...? Which will be interesting

Then we'll just have to call up Keaton Jennings

I think the team is starting to take shape.

Sibley
Burns
Crawley
Root
Stokes
Pope/Lawrence
Buttler
Bess
Archer
Wood/Broad/Leach/Ali/Woakes*
Anderson/Broad

*obvs, Ali or Woakes would bat at 8, not 10.

With Bairstow to also call on (he's an excellent fielder, better than his keeping, as shown by his poor slip fielding, too...) that's a strong lineup.

[Puja]

We don't have much proven quality against spin there, Root, Stokes and...? Which will be interesting

I would say Buttler's also a pretty good player of spin generally. It'sa shame Bairstow's not there for India as he's our other natural spin player.

Puja

[Digby]

We don't have much proven quality against spin there, Root, Stokes and...? Which will be interesting

I would say Buttler's also a pretty good player of spin generally. It'sa shame Bairstow's not there for India as he's our other natural spin player.

Puja

I'm pretty much with Nasser on this one. We wouldn't be looking to rest key players 1st game up against Oz, so why is it the time to do it for India in what's arguably the hardest series going in cricket right now

Buttler is good on offence, but he goes firmly at the ball

Interested to see how Lawrence goes, if he plays, he looks more like an Indian player than almost anyone else fresh out of England I can think of. We tend to be quite rigid and play with the spin, or try to, his technique might allow him to play more against it if he wants/can

[Lizard]

I hope the UK has a better handle on Covid before our June test series. It's a shame it's only 2 tests but better than nothing at short notice. As the No. 1 side in the World, NZ really should be playing more tests and more 3+ test series. We've played 10 series 2018-2021, 6 were 2 tests and 4 were 3 tests, and only 1 of those was against a Big 3 side (Aust). Our last 5 test series was in 1971/72 (v WI). We haven't even played 4 since England in 1999.

[Digby]

I'd back all the sides playing 5 test series. But then I'd back binning off 20/20 at international level and dropping the number of ODIs, and I've no issue with the players earning less money, so it's an easy cause for me to support, others would understandably take a different view

[Lizard]

I can understand 3 tests if there is likely to be a clear stronger team. 2 just isn't enough.

I can't believe that the WTC is to be decided by a 1-off test though. That's mad. It should be a 5 match series, 1 each at a home ground of the home team's choosing, and three iconic but different grounds around the world.

Imagine, say, NZ v Aust at Seddon Park, the MCG (or 'Gabba), Sabina Park, Eden Gardens, and Lords.

[Digby]

I can't believe there is a WTC, well I can but it's just the wrong emphasis to place on the test game for me, similar to there being test rankings. Part of the fun is an argument that's ongoing as to who the best side is, which right now would be India.

[Puja]

I can't believe there is a WTC, well I can but it's just the wrong emphasis to place on the test game for me, similar to there being test rankings. Part of the fun is an argument that's ongoing as to who the best side is, which right now would be India.

Not New Zealand? Admittedly, India did recover to win the series, but it's bold to call a side that got bowled out for 36 the best in the world.

Puja

[Digby]

I can't believe there is a WTC, well I can but it's just the wrong emphasis to place on the test game for me, similar to there being test rankings. Part of the fun is an argument that's ongoing as to who the best side is, which right now would be India.

Not New Zealand? Admittedly, India did recover to win the series, but it's bold to call a side that got bowled out for 36 the best in the world.

Puja

I'm led to believe they barely play any actual test series. Though they've done well on their decades long series of exhibition matches. And to be slightly more serious if went down the pub debate combined selection route, and it doesn't get much more serious, I'd easily be picking more Indian players.

I would concede India, like a few sides, look weakest in the top order of their batting.

[Big D]

I'm pretty much with Nasser on this one. We wouldn't be looking to rest key players 1st game up against Oz, so why is it the time to do it for India in what's arguably the hardest series going in cricket right now

These guys have been away from home and families for a long time now. i am sure is in the 200+ days since the start of the SA tour for some of them due to bio secure bubbles etc. Easy for Nas to say that at home where he gets to see his family but for the guys like Buttler the constant covid related restrictions must weigh on them at some point, especially with a nearly 2 year old at home who he will have missed a lot of time with that he would have had if not for covid.

I am sure some would argue the players should sacrifice the IPL for time at home but with the T20 world cup on the horizon it is as good a prep as some will get for it.

[Digby]

I'm pretty much with Nasser on this one. We wouldn't be looking to rest key players 1st game up against Oz, so why is it the time to do it for India in what's arguably the hardest series going in cricket right now

These guys have been away from home and families for a long time now. i am sure is in the 200+ days since the start of the SA tour for some of them due to bio secure bubbles etc. Easy for Nas to say that at home where he gets to see his family but for the guys like Buttler the constant covid related restrictions must weigh on them at some point, especially with a nearly 2 year old at home who he will have missed a lot of time with that he would have had if not for covid.

I am sure some would argue the players should sacrifice the IPL for time at home but with the T20 world cup on the horizon it is as good a prep as some will get for it.

Then rest them in the Sri Lanka tour not the India one is I suspect his point. 'twas amusing banter from Dickwella directed at Bairstow though, so there is that

[Big D]

I'm pretty much with Nasser on this one. We wouldn't be looking to rest key players 1st game up against Oz, so why is it the time to do it for India in what's arguably the hardest series going in cricket right now

These guys have been away from home and families for a long time now. i am sure is in the 200+ days since the start of the SA tour for some of them due to bio secure bubbles etc. Easy for Nas to say that at home where he gets to see his family but for the guys like Buttler the constant covid related restrictions must weigh on them at some point, especially with a nearly 2 year old at home who he will have missed a lot of time with that he would have had if not for covid.

I am sure some would argue the players should sacrifice the IPL for time at home but with the T20 world cup on the horizon it is as good a prep as some will get for it.

Then rest them in the Sri Lanka tour not the India one is I suspect his point. 'twas amusing banter from Dickwella directed at Bairstow though, so there is that

The Sibley one was the best exchange. "you going to be opening in India?" "Don't know I haven't had a very good series."

To be fair it is only really Buttler and Curran of the potential "best 11" missing for part of the India series. Bairstow* is only a bit part fixture of the test side and unlikely to be involved in the summer or ashes. Even then a case can be made for Curran and the seamers being interchangeable.

*I get that Sky and TMS has a thing for Jonny and he is decent against spin but the younger lads have come in and deserve the same chances he received. Since the start of the series in SA in 15/16, when we thought he'd kick on, he is averaging 38. Since the start of the summer 2018 he is averaging 25. A career average of 35 isn't terrible, but it doesn't merit repeated chances and the media trying to shoehorn him in ahead of younger prospects.

[Lizard]

NZ confirmed as WTC finalist.

I'll be over here drinking Big 3 Fans' Tears.