RugbyRebels

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 10:46 am I don't see how we can persist with Crawley though. I do see why they have - he's definitely got something under there and they've done well out of trusting players and giving them time so far. However, I just don't see it coming out regularly enough.

Problem is that, while we'll have a log-jam of middle-order batsmen waiting for a space when Bairstow comes back, I don't rightly know who we'd bring in to open if we do ditch Crawley.

Puja

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:37 am another great day. Nothing left to say re Anderson, but Leach may be 'turning' a corner

Isle of Man were dismissed for 10 - the lowest score in men's Twenty20 history - as they were beaten by Spain in the final game of their tour on Sunday.

Spain won the toss and chose to bowl, and Isle of Man were all out within 8.4 overs. Seven players were dismissed without scoring and Joseph Burrows top-scored with four.
...

Spain needed just two legitimate deliveries to chase the target. The first ball was a no-ball before right-handed batter Awais Ahmed hit the next two for six.

Galfon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 26, 2023 4:11 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:37 am another great day. Nothing left to say re Anderson, but Leach may be 'turning' a corner

Few more turns, few more corners!
Another chance tomorrow.Good resilience, NZ.

Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 11:49 am

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 10:46 am I don't see how we can persist with Crawley though. I do see why they have - he's definitely got something under there and they've done well out of trusting players and giving them time so far. However, I just don't see it coming out regularly enough.

Problem is that, while we'll have a log-jam of middle-order batsmen waiting for a space when Bairstow comes back, I don't rightly know who we'd bring in to open if we do ditch Crawley.

Puja

Hear what you say, but he does have a ton and a fifty in his last 5 tests and a 40. BUT his overall f/c average is only 30, and his test average only 28 after 32 (!) tests....so tricky. When he gets in, he tends to score well, as it were.

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Feb 27, 2023 9:07 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 11:49 am

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Feb 24, 2023 10:46 am I don't see how we can persist with Crawley though. I do see why they have - he's definitely got something under there and they've done well out of trusting players and giving them time so far. However, I just don't see it coming out regularly enough.

Problem is that, while we'll have a log-jam of middle-order batsmen waiting for a space when Bairstow comes back, I don't rightly know who we'd bring in to open if we do ditch Crawley.

Puja

Hear what you say, but he does have a ton and a fifty in his last 5 tests and a 40. BUT his overall f/c average is only 30, and his test average only 28 after 32 (!) tests....so tricky. When he gets in, he tends to score well, as it were.

Have any of those scores been under any kind of pressure though? It just always seems like, whenever we've got a run chase to do, first wicket is Crawley, with some lazy shot or defence. Same again this time.

Puja

Galfon wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2023 12:13 am Root the lynchpin as Eng stutter towards the line.
Just about favourites at this juncture, but plenty drama already..

Banquo wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2023 7:34 am Great finish! Great for the game.

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2023 12:01 pm Crawley, under enormous pressure, facing the first ball of the Ashes, against Australia's captain opening the bowling, decides to step forward and drive it beautifully for 4. Absolutely glorious shot and statement definitely made.

England are now 60-1 after just 12 overs and Australia are already setting defensive fields. So far, so good, although another wicket would change that perception drastically. Crawley's answering a few questions here - 31 off 37 balls against a quality attack without a chance or a streaky shot amongst it - but he needs to make 50+ and preferably 100+ from this position. So far I'm thrilled that he looks to be proving me wrong.

Puja

ETA 66-1 after 13 (Crawley on 35 from 38). It's drinks, which hopefully won't result in a loss of momentum/concentration. If we can have a morning of pelting the Aussies around in the baking sunshine, it'll knock a great deal of the stuffing out of them for the rest of the test, maybe even the series.