*Official* Women's Cricket discussion thread

[kevinw]

Dunkley doing Dunkley things. Couple of nice shots, brainless dismissal.

 

[Molehill]

Knight just putting too much pressure on everyone else, needs to get going quicker. Suspect England come up 20 short.

 

[kevinw]

Is anyone coming through the system who can bat? This side is going to fall way back once NSB and Knight are properly gone.

 

[Himannv]

Ecclestone seems to have gone from world’s best bowler to about 4th best spinner in the England squad. Just not the same player at all now.

Yeah, she's been poor for a while. I read somewhere she's attributed it to mental struggles. She's still only 27 so not really past her peak - hope she turns it around.

 

[Molehill]

Just a rubbish performance all round. Bell removed both openers in the first over and then Wong produces an over of dross (27 runs FFS), although not helped by some bizarre field placements. Jones keeping was largely poor (again), there were probably 8 wides she should've stopped and a missed stumping. She did at least bat ok. Fielding was generally weak although credit to Wong for taking a screamer.....but the damage had long since been done.

Dunkley, as mentioned above, does the same innings every match. Knight showed zero intent until she got out and just let the run rate get out of hand. Kemp seems to be a one dimensional hitter who I'm not sure has a brain. Gibson just doesn't seem to be International class. This is not a good team and was made to look good I fancy by NZ by being even worse.

I'm not sure why players are being rested either, surely you play your best 11 available with just 3 games to go till the World Cup starts. If Smith opens the bowling, maybe we see a different game.

 

[Himannv]

Is anyone coming through the system who can bat?

Davina Perrin maybe.

 

[kevinw]

Davina Perrin maybe.

Well yes, she should be there tbh. After the WC, they need to move on from DWH, Bouchier and Dunkley - just not good enough. Knight and NSB may be done. Jones too. Build around Perrin and Capsey but some lean years ahead.

 

[Molehill]

After England had crawled along for 18 overs, I didn’t expect this turnaround. Superb knock from Kemp and the bowlers have done the job (Dean especially good). India choosing to retire out Bhatia backfired massively.

 

[kevinw]

Freya Kemp, what an innings.

 

[Abhay423]

Have to say Dean is an excellent captain, very good tactically and seems to command respect of her peers. One of the few across men's and women's game who understands probabilities, knows when to go for the kill and when to hold back.

 

[kevinw]

Have to say Dean is an excellent captain, very good tactically and seems to command respect of her peers. One of the few across men's and women's game who understands probabilities, knows when to go for the kill and when to hold back.

Even when NSB returns, Dean should be captain. She's far more suited to it. And can do the job for a decade.

 

[RMBolton]

Congratulations to Bates for her award in today's Honours List!

Disappointed that it's an ONZM. There was a case for a Companion at least; personally, I think there was a case for a damehood.

 

[Molehill]

I’m so done with Dunkley, it’s the same every time. And you can’t have an opener who ducks short balls either.

England getting outplayed here.

 

[kevinw]

I’m so done with Dunkley, it’s the same every time. And you can’t have an opener who ducks short balls either.

England getting outplayed here.

Well let's see how Capsey goes. But yes, the top order has been an issue for a long time and needs radical changes after this WC. DWH needs to go, Jones also. I'd be tempted to open with Villiers (going nicely at Durham) and Perrin, go with Heath or Spence as the keeper.

 

[kevinw]

Superb partnership by Knight and Capsey see England home. Let's hope Capsey kicks on, she's such a talent.

 

[Molehill]

Fantastic knocks. Didn’t see that coming.

 

[PavlovsDog]

Well let's see how Capsey goes. But yes, the top order has been an issue for a long time and needs radical changes after this WC. DWH needs to go, Jones also. I'd be tempted to open with Villiers (going nicely at Durham) and Perrin, go with Heath or Spence as the keeper.

I’m more than ready to move on from Jones. My only concern with Heath or Spence is that neither seems to be keeping wicket for their counties, so I expect one of Chathli, Southby or Threlkeld to be a placeholder.
Hugely impressed with Spence’s batting but would prefer her keeping regularly for Surrey for a while, but Chathli has that role.

 

[kevinw]

I’m more than ready to move on from Jones. My only concern with Heath or Spence is that neither seems to be keeping wicket for their counties, so I expect one of Chathli, Southby or Threlkeld to be a placeholder.
Hugely impressed with Spence’s batting but would prefer her keeping regularly for Surrey for a while, but Chathli has that role.

Chathli is the better bat of the three you've named. The latter two are definitely keepers first, batters second. I certainly think we need a keeper who can bat so would be tempted to put my Duncan Fletcher hat on and go for the batter who can keep and hope they grow into the role with enough time.

 

[Molehill]

Agreed on Jones, her keeping has become really scratchy too and she keeps missing stumpings. But given how weak the batting has been, we definitely need a keeper who is strong in that area (it's not Southby).

But two match winning knocks by Capsey across the 6 matches is a decent return for one still very young. And great to see the former skipper look in decent nick again. I'd look to move Capsey up to open, she's happy going over the infield in the powerplay and is clearly in form. Drop one of Dunkley or DWH for NSB's return. I'd previously criticised her, but thought Gibson has done ok in this series. That bowling line up is the one they should move forward with, with NSB as the 6th option when fit.

 

[Chin Music]

From what I watched last night, the fielding was a whole heap better than it has been.