**Official Ireland in England 2020**

[Bijed]

If every batsman just played percentage cricket because it was the sensible thing to do, we probably wouldn't bother watching cricket at all..

Test Cricket would become a bit less enjoyable to watch but I think I'd still enjoy the contest immensely. Limited overs would still be fine because 'exciting' cricket and percentage cricket intersect more in those formats anyway.

And loads of sports which (imo) are visually uninteresting still get perfectly good followings and viewings so it's not a given.

I assume you weren't being 100% literal though

 

[honestbharani]

I think it lies in the diversity of the types of players who play cricket. If everyone were to play one way it would be boring. I suppose for every guy who loves to play the cover drive, there will be another who can rein it in and that is what makes this sport a great one to watch and follow.

 

[vcs]

^^ Exactly, variety of styles is what makes cricket so fascinating

I do have a soft spot for the more attacking and elegant players though and allow them more leeway if they aren't producing the goods.

 

[Uppercut]

If every batsman just played percentage cricket because it was the sensible thing to do, we probably wouldn't bother watching cricket at all..

OK, but if people kept getting out playing the backhand smash you'd still be like "uh maybe they should not play that shot".

 

[vcs]

It's definitely a low percentage shot in England/SA and in general against the new ball. There are even lower percentage shots though, like the hook. You can definitely succeed without them, but being able to play them well adds a big dimension to a batsman's game.

 

[Uppercut]

I disagree that percentage cricket would be dull. I think a lot of attacking shots are great percentage options, especially in Australia and the subcontinent. If anything they aren't played as often as they should be because there's a culture of criticising players much more heavily (and also kind of more personally) when they get out attacking than when they get out defending.

 

[honestbharani]

I disagree that percentage cricket would be dull. I think a lot of attacking shots are great percentage options, especially in Australia and the subcontinent. If anything they aren't played as often as they should be because there's a culture of criticising players much more heavily (and also kind of more personally) when they get out attacking than when they get out defending.

Well, when you put percentage cricket that way, you can also say many attacking players play shots knowing they are more likely to succeed with those shots than they are with defense. I just meant if every player approached batting in certain conditions the same way, the game would be boring to watch. An appreciation of Pujara's defence need not mean a lack of appreciation for lets' say the strokeplay of a Rohit.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Ed Smith and his mob of merry men probably still think Denly can do a job with the ball.





He can't

 

[BoyBrumby]

Someone needs to tell Ed that Hain attended Tonbridge School or drinks nothing but Bishop's Finger.

 

[ImpatientLime]

That cover drive man, that cover drive, even if he nicks it to slip.

its not even that ****ing good

you'd think we were watching vvs or michael vaughan the way some commentators lose their minds over it

 

[honestbharani]

its not even that ****ing good

you'd think we were watching vvs or michael vaughan the way some commentators lose their minds over it

Yeah but most of the current lot are not as aesthetically pleasing as the previous generations, so I can kinda understand why they lose their **** about it.

 

[Chubb]

Does anyone know if Cricket Australia will be streaming these games for free, as they did the West Indies tests? I can't find any info about it.

 

[Flem274*]

not playing the cover drive until he's seeing it like a beach ball is probably the biggest differentiator between smith and the other fabbies in how they all play.

individuals put it away for a time (kane on test debut, sangakkara in nz, blundell's 2nd innings at melbourne) but smith is one of the few to shelve it every time he begins his innings unless it's declaration time.

 

[Howe_zat]

I've just been reminded that today is the start of the Super League. Deets here: https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1744528

 

[Howe_zat]

Morgan wins the toss and wants to chase.

Ireland leaving out their most experienced players, no Porterfield and no Rankin.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

I've just been reminded that today is the start of the Super League. Deets here: https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1744528

Over/under on this Super League tournament getting even half the scheduled fixtures in?

 

[superkingdave]

Meh, was hoping we would bat first.

 

[Bijed]

Interested to see how Mahmood goes. Did pretty well against SA IIRC (although only 1 match) but was really expensive in the T20s he's played.

Curious to see if Willey's tweaked action means better results at all too

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Bijed is back in the England team, keeping wix

 

[Howe_zat]

Interested to see how Mahmood goes. Did pretty well against SA IIRC (although only 1 match) but was really expensive in the T20s he's played.

This summer I've been waiting to see why Mahmood is the young fast bowler they've picked out as the next man in, tbh. Didn't do especially well in the streamed warmups they played and has generally not taken multiple wickets for ages.



His 50-over cricket for Lancashire has been pretty good, but hasn't done better than his contemporaries in the various Lions and tour match outings they all get.