*Official* Zimbabwe in England (One Off Test)

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

seems like more of the latter. seems he does have a nut in him. also spinners rely so much on confidence you don't believe. speaking as a spinner myself. it's hard to find a spinner that has bat-beating turn, when you do, you have to give him confidence

For all of his faults, Stokes backs his players 100%, no wonder Bashir, even if he hasn’t always thrived at international level, certainly seems to enjoy it more than being shunted around various teams in the County Championship

 

[slowfinger]

For all of his faults, Stokes backs his players 100%, no wonder Bashir, even if he hasn’t always thrived at international level, certainly seems to enjoy it more than being shunted around various teams in the County Championship

it was one of the things that really annoyed me about Moeen Ali's career as a bowler. For a bowler that has bowled Kohli numerous times his numbers were somewhat underwhelming over his career and I blame a lot of that down to the stupid situations that Root put him in to bowl

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

it was one of the things that really annoyed me about Moeen Ali's career as a bowler. For a bowler that has bowled Kohli numerous times his numbers were somewhat underwhelming over his career and I blame a lot of that down to the stupid situations that Root put him in to bowl

I dunno, his non-Test FC numbers are pretty part-timery, I think he got the most out of himself as a Test bowler, but he was definitely messed around in terms of batting

 

[kevinw]

I dunno, his non-Test FC numbers are pretty part-timery, I think he got the most out of himself as a Test bowler, but he was definitely messed around in terms of batting

Agree, that Mo took 200 wickets is remarkable really. He was a part time county bowler who made more than the most of his ability at international level. I don't think anyone should have expected more from him. His average is only 2 more than Leach.

 

[slowfinger]

I dunno, his non-Test FC numbers are pretty part-timery, I think he got the most out of himself as a Test bowler, but he was definitely messed around in terms of batting

Agree, that Mo took 200 wickets is remarkable really. He was a part time county bowler who made more than the most of his ability at international level. I don't think anyone should have expected more from him. His average is only 2 more than Leach.

if he was bowling under Stokes the whole time he'd be averaging around the 30 mark and I'd put a bet on that. Root's usage of the spinners was god awful

 

[AndrewB]

if he was bowling under Stokes the whole time he'd be averaging around the 30 mark and I'd put a bet on that. Root's usage of the spinners was god awful

FWIW his average under Root was around the 30 mark (31); 42 under Cook and 51 under Stokes.

 

[slowfinger]

FWIW his average under Root was around the 30 mark (31); 42 under Cook and 51 under Stokes.

he played 3 test matches under Stokesy though, and took crucial wickets and was bowled a lot. If he played the whole time Bazball he would have cooked. Wasn't sure how many he played under Cook but also used God awfully, given defensive fields and bowled for a handful of overs then taken off after 1 bad over so many times. Cook was equally bad

 

[reyrey]

FWIW his average under Root was around the 30 mark (31); 42 under Cook and 51 under Stokes.

Those Tests under Stokes were a last minute Ashes call up for Moeen. He couldn't handle the bowling work load. His spinning finger was cut up pretty early and he basically wasn't Test fit. In hindsight he shouldn't have been picked.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Those Tests under Stokes were a last minute Ashes call up for Moeen. He couldn't handle the bowling work load. His spinning finger was cut up pretty early and he basically wasn't Test fit. In hindsight he shouldn't have been picked.

But who would have played 3 when Pope got injured?

 

[Prince EWS]

But who would have played 3 when Pope got injured?

Bethell obviously.

 

[Chubb]

I had a lovely conversation with my 94-year-old grandad last night. He's never understood why I like Zimbabwe so much but he made a point of saying how much he'd enjoyed listening to the match (he's nearly blind), how impressed he was by how Zim played and how great their fans are.

Grandad asked me why the Zim coach didn't "tell the bowlers to bowl in the right places in England", I said the coach probably had but they didn't execute.

He asked me if Brian Bennett played overseas as he heard he'd played for "a team with a funny name with a Hill in it or something" - he meant the Mountaineers domestic side.

He then described Sean Williams, Ervine and Raza as "getting on a bit," and I had to remind him Sean is the same age as me!