3rd Test (Lord’s) - 10 July to 14 July

[Whistler]

This win is all down to the toss and Stokes doing the right thing by batting first for once. This whole, “we’ll have a chase” is a statistically terrible decision in Test cricket. England might be good enough to pull it off every now and then but it’s not the right way to play in the long run. If England compete by playing tried and tested strategies, they will get more wins.

 

[Whistler]

Root as the sole frontline spinner instead of Bashir is a big no no, Root and Bethell together fulfilling the role of one player with the ball? That might work? Would be surprised if Dawson or Leach play, but I suppose Dawson did play against the Windies in the white ball stuff the other day

Bethell should come in for Crawley. I’ve never seen a composed innings from him where he doesn’t look like always giving a chance to the opposition.

 

[CartyDurham]

Just heard on skysports news that bashir has a broken finger and is unlikely to play in the rest of the series

it will be interesting if they go Liam Dawson or Jack leech or some other spinner

 

[slowfinger]

Just heard on skysports news that bashir has a broken finger and is unlikely to play in the rest of the series

it will be interesting if they go Liam Dawson or Jack leech or some other spinner

Anybody but Rehan at this stage, who is getting swatted all around the place in the County Championship

There are some more-than-able replacements in the offing if England can get it right.

 

[Johan]

Just heard on skysports news that bashir has a broken finger and is unlikely to play in the rest of the series

it will be interesting if they go Liam Dawson or Jack leech or some other spinner

just get in Tongue for tail enders or no, 5 man pace attack.

 

[sledger]

Nah... in this case, I think it does. This rearguard may well have an impact on the rest of the series with how these guys bowl going forward etc. Stokes already looks pretty cooked and had Siraj defended that last ball properly, he may have had to will himself on for one more spell. I do think it worked very well.

Haha maybe, I guess we'll never know. Like I say, I don't necessarily disagree with your overall point, but ultimately (for whatever reason) it categorically didn't succeed, even if it may have done another day on another occasion under other conditions. With this being the case, it feels weird to me that someone adopting a strategy that failed is something that should shield them from criticism in any way.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

What about…
Crawley
Duckett
Bethell
Root
Brook
Pope
Stokes
Smith
(Take your pick of the bowlers)

Is 8 too low for Smith to make a real difference? Can Bethell continue to do a job at #3? Can he and Root do the job of Bashir together?

 

[sledger]

Haha maybe, I guess we'll never know. Like I say, I don't necessarily disagree with your overall point, but ultimately (for whatever reason) it categorically didn't succeed, even if it may have done another day on another occasion under other conditions. With this being the case, it feels weird to me that someone adopting a strategy that failed is something that should shield them from criticism in any way.

Ftr I'm not necessarily saying he deserves criticism either. But it seems he's almost being judged (and receiving praise, no less) based on hypothetical scenarios rather than...what actually happened.

 

[Johan]

Bashir ruled out of the series fully, huge blow for India.

 

[CartyDurham]

Bashir ruled out of the series fully, huge blow for India.

1-10 I agree but he’s a demon to number 11

 

[CartyDurham]

What about…
Crawley
Duckett
Bethell
Root
Brook
Pope
Stokes
Smith
(Take your pick of the bowlers)

Is 8 too low for Smith to make a real difference? Can Bethell continue to do a job at #3? Can he and Root do the job of Bashir together?

I think pope needs a rest but I agree with that top 7

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

I think pope needs a rest but I agree with that top 7

It’s a strong batting lineup, nobody can say otherwise!

 

[kevinw]

Root as the sole frontline spinner instead of Bashir is a big no no, Root and Bethell together fulfilling the role of one player with the ball? That might work? Would be surprised if Dawson or Leach play, but I suppose Dawson did play against the Windies in the white ball stuff the other day

Root and Bethell make half a bowler still. I think you need a spinner. And what if Bashir is injured in Australia, you need a backup. If they're not arsed with Leach then Dawson has to come in.

 

[CartyDurham]

I’m thinking they will go to Dawson for he can bat a bit as well over leech

pope possibly replaced by bethell

Woakes by Atkinson

though this may change when we have the fallout for stokes and archer known

they won’t drop Crawley as he’s untouchable outside of being injured and they’ve proved that over and over

 

[Calm_profit]

I’m thinking they will go to Dawson for he can bat a bit as well over leech

pope possibly replaced by bethell

Woakes by Atkinson

though this may change when we have the fallout for stokes and archer known

they won’t drop Crawley as he’s untouchable outside of being injured and they’ve proved that over and over

No chance in hell they will drop vice captain

 

[CartyDurham]

No chance in hell they will drop vice captain

I think you maybe correct but we shall see

I think he looks very tired and keeps falling over his front leg and getting bowled and lbw

 

[jaydesh]

Do you guys think India will play Bumrah, given they're 2-1 down? Of course, the record of their fast bowlers without him is something else.

 

[CartyDurham]

Do you guys think India will play Bumrah, given they're 2-1 down? Of course, the record of their fast bowlers without him is something else.

13 days with his feet up. I’ll be amazed if India chose not to play Bumrah

 

[jaydesh]

13 days with his feet up. I’ll be amazed if India chose not to play Bumrah

True that. Akash also looked a bit soar, and Siraj took some hits while batting. In worst case, they have Arshdeep Singh waiting.

 

[CartyDurham]

True that. Akash also looked a bit soar, and Siraj took some hits while batting. In worst case, they have Arshdeep Singh waiting.

What’s your opinion on Reddy?