Cricket fred

[Banquo]

Stuart Broad out for 9 after 2 boundaries. Wish I could say I was a prophet, but I feel it'd be cheating to claim that as a mystical prediction. He's just not a good enough batsman to play as high as number 8 - he might've been able to get there at one point, but at this stage in his career, he doesn't seem wiling to do anything other than swish, swish, edge, bye and that's number 10 or 11 behaviour.

Puja

broad took a bad knock on the head (2014?)- was averaging 28 at that point- and has clearly not fancied facing test pace since. Shame as he has batting talent, but 8 is at least 4 places too high

still has nearly 3500 runs and 540 wickets which is decent

Yeah Broad was a decent batter until that really nasty smack in the head. Occasionally puts some on the board now but really could have been a more consistent batsman but for that.

Yep its a shame- still a decent all round record ish, but he could have been averaging 30 with the bat and have 5000 runs and 500 wickets!

[Banquo]

I'm starting to wonder about Leach...I mean, I thought he was OKish before, but now I'm starting to think he's actually pretty poor.

Maybe I simply misremember, it was a long time ago, but the King of Spain was better than this, wasn't he?

But who the hell is there? Parkinson looked OKish first test.

I think Giles was quite badly underrated, tbh. Suffered by being in an era of truly great spin bowlers like Warne and Muralitharan, and the comparisons were never going to be kind, but he did a decent job with what he had, probably better than he deserved to based just on his natural talent. He was a hell of a lot better than any of our current spin options.

Maybe it's worthwhile accepting that we just don't have a spinner that's worth our time currently and look at another seamer? Or hells, get Moeen back - at least he'd reduce the tail and mostly hold down an end.

Puja

Moeen has said there were discussions with McCallum so wouldn't be too surprised if he comes back in.

I think Giles understood his role in the team. Keep an end quiet and let the pace lads loose at the other end then when it spins then have a rip. Leach just isn't very good (for this level).

agreed - leach tries hard, but his struggles at test level emphasise how low the standard in county cricket has become. See also opening batsmen!

[Banquo]

great test

[Banquo]

(who said we shouldnt have put them in??? Mitchell gets190 and 62 no, losing side and probs not motm).

great batting from yjb and stokes.

test cricket at its best

[Big D]

Great afternoons entertainment. This type of approach will help get people invested in test matches. Free entry was also a good move.

Well done to YJB, I'm a critic of his but well played.

England are still missing some pieces (3 injured quicks that any one of would make a difference, find a spinner and an opener) but with this approach they'll win more than they have.

[Banquo]

Great afternoons entertainment. This type of approach will help get people invested in test matches. Free entry was also a good move.

Well done to YJB, I'm a critic of his but well played.

If England are still missing some pieces (3 injured quicks that any one of would make a difference, find a spinner and an opener) but with this approach they'll win more than they have.

ditto on yjb, probably shows the benefit of definitively not being the keeper and a fixed batting spot.

[Banquo]

nice interview from yjb. very measured and actually quite punchy in defending Root.

[Galfon]

McCullum/Stokes - no messin.
Good toss to win..

[fivepointer]

Great test match and an outstanding win.

[Galfon]

Roy bowled by his cousin Snater in the 2nd over of the ODI in Amstaedam...what odds eh !
Anyhoo, Salt & Malin breezing along and possible not all of Eng super-tonkers will get a look in.
First of 3, part of new ICC 1-day super league apparently.

(u/d: k.o.d. Salt now back in the cellar )

[Galfon]

Admittedly not Oz or Ind, but Buttler bit of a One-day Wun-da innit.
Phookinell...

[Banquo]

Admittedly not Oz or Ind, but Buttler bit of a One-day Wun-da innit.
Phookinell...

498!!!!...and a 1st ball duck for Morgan

Livingston and Buttler are just brilliant ODI batsmen. Salt looks promising too!


198 runs in the last 12 overs....

[Galfon]

..and a 1st ball duck for Morgan

He just announced he would be limiting his playing time for Eng. this summer - I hope this type of thing is not included..hmmph.

[Galfon]

What.. 2 consecutive ducks ?..
The knives will be out.
Some depth in hit-worthies he has at his disposal, that's for sure.
(series won)

[Banquo]

bad habits still there- drops and collapses

[Galfon]

top order, bottom marks.
ffs just protect your wicket.Bit of a fight back now, looks like 3 figures will be reached..

[Banquo]

hats off to YJB, I thought his test career was finished.

[Banquo]

Very pleased for him!

And hats off to Which who iirc tipped Jamie Overton a few years ago- albeit as a bowler, which he also did well.

[Big D]

hats off to YJB, I thought his test career was finished.

Being asked/allowed to play a style he is good at. Fair play to him for taking full advantage.

England being committed to this style if play will cause a few hammerings but will be entertaining as anything.

[Puja]

top order, bottom marks.
ffs just protect your wicket.Bit of a fight back now, looks like 3 figures will be reached..

In fairness, Lees, Pope, and Crawley all got ridiculously good balls fom Boult who was on fire in his first spell. Swinging late, going both ways, and taking just the top of the stumps. You could argue that Lees could've taken a better step forward, or Pope should've moved his feet so his pad was next to his bat, but that would've just ended up with them nicking it and being LBW respectively. With bowling that good, it becomes a matter of luck if you get your bat in the right place or not.

A bit of credit needs to go to Stokes - the stats may suggest that he got out cheaply throwing his bat at the ball, but that counterattack knocked Boult off his stride (he was looking on for just bowling until England were all out for <50 until Stokes started smacking him around) and changed the momentum of the innings from being all-New-Zealand.

Puja

[Galfon]

top order, bottom marks.
ffs just protect your wicket.Bit of a fight back now, looks like 3 figures will be reached..

In fairness, Lees, Pope, and Crawley all got ridiculously good balls fom Boult who was on fire in his first spell. Swinging late, going both ways, and taking just the top of the stumps. You could argue that Lees could've taken a better step forward, or Pope should've moved his feet so his pad was next to his bat, but that would've just ended up with them nicking it and being LBW respectively. With bowling that good, it becomes a matter of luck if you get your bat in the right place or not.

A bit of credit needs to go to Stokes - the stats may suggest that he got out cheaply throwing his bat at the ball, but that counterattack knocked Boult off his stride (he was looking on for just bowling until England were all out for <50 until Stokes started smacking him around) and changed the momentum of the innings from being all-New-Zealand.

Puja

I'd let Lees off as the ball moved late and sharply off the pitch, his technique was ok but maybe he could have been more forward quicker.Pope & Crawley are new style where bat/pad defence is a rarity - this is Headingley, and the risk of lbw is still better than the open door airy-wafts. Root just seem to get his angle wrong, but no excuses for Stokes - he's a rare talent but his buddies have bailed him out on this occasion.

[Banquo]

great knock but got to feel for Overton.

[Galfon]

2 5'fers for Leach! ..10 for 266, 72 overs or so.
Wouldn't have predicted that; another wee positive for his Stokeship.Interesting final day again.
Tests are boss..

u/d: ffs.( Lees left stranded..)

[Banquo]

2 5'fers for Leach! ..10 for 266, 72 overs or so.
Wouldn't have predicted that; another wee positive for his Stokeship.Interesting final day again.
Tests are boss..

u/d: ffs.( Lees left stranded..)

Stokes is a very good skipper, esp as he has only one red ball game under his belt. If we could catch and review properly, this game would have been won already.

Leach has turned into a test bowler thanks to Ben'n' Bren, and Potts is a really great selection- he's like a squat angus fraser.

[Galfon]

Potts looks well set for a long Test career - good control and doesn't like coming 2nd best. Not sure why Headingley less than half-full on D4 at weekend. Some good cricket already this year.