-
Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
England players and selection discussion thread
- Thread starter Bijed
- Start date
ImpatientLime
International Regular
Absolutely incredible nonsense from Stokes.
Chin Music
State Captain
I don't think he's far wrong in suggesting that there should have be a bit more in it for the seamers. That would have made it more likely that the Indian top order would have nicked off. I can't help thinking that Gill in particular has felt right at home with the ball barely moving off the straight. It should be said that the very poor performances of Woakes and Tongue have helped contribute to this, but having so little help in comparison to fairly regular English pitches is a bit counter productive IMO.
Chin Music
State Captain
I thought that Bashir had bowled pretty well in the first test, although I'll admit that I didn't see much of his bowling 2nd test as I was largely away and by the time I did see things on Saturday, the game was already too far gone.
ImpatientLime
International Regular
India's seamers were vastly superior with the new ball to the junk England served up. Anything else is secondary.
ImpatientLime
International Regular
Heh
I reckon they still think there is a test class batsman in there somewhere. However everyone also knows the minute he gets dropped he is never coming back, because he is also a completely sub standard FC batsman who will never score the runs needed to get back in the side.
Still, at least we don't have to pretend he's an Indian specialist anymore.
Chin Music
State Captain
I'm
I certainly don't disagree with that, there was a vast difference. On another front, I'm glad that Pope's obvious defensive issues have been picked up and discussed. It's not like they are anything new but he's bound to fail too often in between a very fluent knock. I watched him bat when he was in his late teens, before he got picked for England and it was clear that he was a cut above talent wise than the res. It was even suggested in one newspaper column that Pope goes down the order and gets the gloves again and that Smith is promoted without the gloves, so obvious is his batting talent. I doubt they have the guts to make that call though.
ImpatientLime
International Regular
Smith is absolutely smoking it at 7 and keeping, why change that? If Pope is not fit for purpose then Bethell is good to go rather than fiddling with something that is working.
Chin Music
State Captain
The suggestion was more that Smith went into the middle order say at 6 with Stokes dropping down given his struggles and that Pope's strokeplay was more suited to a lower middle order spot than at 3. I take the point re Bethell at 3 though.
FBU
International Debutant
Smith was picked because he was good batting with the tail. Seemed more like he wanted his next hundred and the tail was not thought about. Woakes (7), Carse (38), Tongue (2) and Bashir (12) don't look like a weak tail but if playing out for a draw, Smith should have kept the strike as much as possible.
I saw Key and Terry Crawley at a golf course near Canterbury last week, so no chance (may not have happened btw).
GIMH
Norwood's on Fire
I’m not writing Woakes off yet, his figures were a bit harsh. If those Umpire’s Calls had been given out early doors his match is much better, and well the match as a whole really. Thems the breaks etc etc but he was bowling well on Day 1
I didn’t see much of the third innings but an bowler of Woakes’ vintage is going to look somewhat pedestrian when they spend 952 hours in the field.
His fourth innings dismissal was a disgrace though
I didn’t see much of the third innings but an bowler of Woakes’ vintage is going to look somewhat pedestrian when they spend 952 hours in the field.
His fourth innings dismissal was a disgrace though
LangleyburyCCPlayer
International 12th Man
Pope is such an enigma, he’s constantly under pressure, yet will score an important century to keep his head above water for the time being, I don’t think he’s the long term solution, but for the time being, I can see why he’s kept his spot considering number 3 is such a difficult position. There’s certainly no guarantee Smith would step in and be a good Test number 3 straight away, and he’s currently smashing it as a number 7, I’m in no hurry to see him move up the order!
CricAddict
International Coach
Has been better than Tongue this series while the stats say Tongue is the top wickettaker of the series.
LangleyburyCCPlayer
International 12th Man
A Gus taking a 7-fer in a club game, but not Atkinson!
ImpatientLime
International Regular
Bashir a major doubt for the fourth test due to an injured pinkie
use
useGot to be Dawson now, surely.
LangleyburyCCPlayer
International 12th Man
Nothing screams ‘we want you Liam’ more than being picked only because Bashir is injured, reckon it’s Bethell, with him and Root taking on the job of Bashir with the ball together