The Cricket Thread. - Page 578

**scoundrel** · February 12th, 2019, 09:04 PM

On this occasion the West Indies have not been able to make a decent fist of their fourth innings and England didn't need much more than two sessions to get them all out. After being 10 - 3 their final score of 252 flatters them a bit; after being given a life by a dropped catch from Joss Buttler, who is usually pretty good at taking and holding catches, Shai Chase made a pretty decent 102 not out. No one really supported him though except Roach and Joseph at 8 and 9, who made 29 and 34 respectively. Hetmayr stuck around for 70 minutes for his 19, then managed to run himself out, which never looks good and especially not when your team is fighting to save the game.

This game has gone just about as well for England as it could have and they are entitled to be pleased, but only middling pleased, because too much has gone wrong on the tour and too much remains undecided.

Who is our number three? I think it will have to be Jonny Bairstow, as soon as Foakes can keep wicket again. Not because Bairstow isn't a very good test match keeper, but because he is a capable and experienced test match batsman with a pretty decent technique and apart from Joe Root he is easily the one best qualified to do this difficult job.
Who are our openers? Unless there is someone out there I haven't heard of who is pushing at the door to be selected, I reckon we're stuck with Jennings and Burns (or Denly). If we even get one 50 innings out of these three against Australia I shall be quite surprised.
More positively, we have some good spinners to choose from. I have a sneaking suspicion that Moeen Ali was carrying an injury last time in Australia, where he didn't look like he could turn a key in a door. But he's bowling a lot more like himself and Adil Rashid has bowled very well against Sri Lanka, and Lynch and Bess have both done enough to prove they can most definitely take good wickets on good batting pitches at test level.
It's great that we have Mark Wood match fit again and full of beans. How are we planning to look after him and prevent further injuries?
Who is waiting in the wings to replace Anderson and Broad? They have been our new ball attack for a very long time indeed. If it wasn't for Anderson playing cricket in bright sunlight I would have started to suspect him of being Undead, he has lasted so long.

Now we are hosting the World Cup, and I still reckon we have Buckley's Chance of winning the thing.

**DB83** · February 14th, 2019, 10:31 PM

Well I read today that already Bairstow is being tipped to hold on to the gloves for The Ashes with Foakes being considered as a specialist batsman (as long as he gets the runs)

No opinion from me since as long as they can field their best side which they hardly did until this last game.

**Motorboater** · February 16th, 2019, 10:43 AM

I can't believe that Curtly Ambrose is going to be on Dancing With The Stars here in Australia! I might even watch the show when I otherwise wouldn't.

Something else I don't get is the treatment of the smaller teams with scheduling. Sri Lanka get a a two week tour of Australia, which was nothing other than an afterthought for Cricket Australia, then gave to play South Africa a week later???

They're treated like they're the first class team cobbled together as a practice game for touring sides. Ridiculous.

**countjimmoriarty** · February 16th, 2019, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorboater

Something else I don't get is the treatment of the smaller teams with scheduling. Sri Lanka get a a two week tour of Australia, which was nothing other than an afterthought for Cricket Australia, then gave to play South Africa a week later???

They're treated like they're the first class team cobbled together as a practice game for touring sides. Ridiculous.

Simple. The richer nations treat the poorer with contempt because they can.

**victor meldrew** · February 16th, 2019, 01:58 PM

Sri Lanka take the Saffers by surprise, Perera in particular, add in a tenth wicket stand of 78 to win the test, watery beer time for Faf du Plessis & co.

For me this is far better than any T20 pyjama slog fest, long may test cricket continue.

Congratulations Sri Lanka.

**DB83** · February 16th, 2019, 05:41 PM

Reported today that Farbrace is to leave the England coaching staff at the end of the current series to join Warwickshire.

Maybe a smart move on his part. Remember when Ashley Giles was tipped for the top role but was replaced after a disaster some years back. At least he does not hang around to see if Giles does the same after the WC.

Hikarufan · February 17th, 2019, 07:17 AM

I was not a happy camper for 30 overs during the BBL final today, but now I am!

Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory Stars!

**old alal** · February 20th, 2019, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DB83

Reported today that Farbrace is to leave the England coaching staff at the end of the current series to join Warwickshire.

Maybe a smart move on his part. Remember when Ashley Giles was tipped for the top role but was replaced after a disaster some years back. At least he does not hang around to see if Giles does the same after the WC.

I think Farbrace is the better of the two coaches we have. He started the possitive revolution before Bayliss arrived. He will be missed.

I'm sure he wouldn't want it, as he has a nice little earner of a no pressure job at the moment, but if he could coach as well as he talks (tactically) I'd give the job to Nasser.

Disappointing test series really, but looking forward to the one dayers

**buttsie** · February 21st, 2019, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikarufan

I was not a happy camper for 30 overs during the BBL final today, but now I am!

Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory Stars!

Bizarre fact - that 145 was the highest score on that ground

So the meltdown wasnt unexpected even after getting to 0/93 after 13

Its been a bowlers wicket all BBL

Going forward they really need to shorten the season so the competition doesnt lose high profile players to other leagues before & during the BBL - double headers would seem to be the answer

Going back to the original formula which was it ends when school holidays is about to finish

Almost as much as they need reliable wickets

**victor meldrew** · February 22nd, 2019, 02:51 PM

Windies 54-0 (11 overs) as Chris Gayle moves into second gear. Meanwhile in South Africa 31 back in the hutch at the close on day two, will it make lunch on day three?

February 12th, 2019, 09:04 PM	#5771
scoundrel Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 26,239 Thanks: 162,401 Thanked 278,546 Times in 26,184 Posts	On this occasion the West Indies have not been able to make a decent fist of their fourth innings and England didn't need much more than two sessions to get them all out. After being 10 - 3 their final score of 252 flatters them a bit; after being given a life by a dropped catch from Joss Buttler, who is usually pretty good at taking and holding catches, Shai Chase made a pretty decent 102 not out. No one really supported him though except Roach and Joseph at 8 and 9, who made 29 and 34 respectively. Hetmayr stuck around for 70 minutes for his 19, then managed to run himself out, which never looks good and especially not when your team is fighting to save the game. This game has gone just about as well for England as it could have and they are entitled to be pleased, but only middling pleased, because too much has gone wrong on the tour and too much remains undecided. Who is our number three? I think it will have to be Jonny Bairstow, as soon as Foakes can keep wicket again. Not because Bairstow isn't a very good test match keeper, but because he is a capable and experienced test match batsman with a pretty decent technique and apart from Joe Root he is easily the one best qualified to do this difficult job. Who are our openers? Unless there is someone out there I haven't heard of who is pushing at the door to be selected, I reckon we're stuck with Jennings and Burns (or Denly). If we even get one 50 innings out of these three against Australia I shall be quite surprised. More positively, we have some good spinners to choose from. I have a sneaking suspicion that Moeen Ali was carrying an injury last time in Australia, where he didn't look like he could turn a key in a door. But he's bowling a lot more like himself and Adil Rashid has bowled very well against Sri Lanka, and Lynch and Bess have both done enough to prove they can most definitely take good wickets on good batting pitches at test level. It's great that we have Mark Wood match fit again and full of beans. How are we planning to look after him and prevent further injuries? Who is waiting in the wings to replace Anderson and Broad? They have been our new ball attack for a very long time indeed. If it wasn't for Anderson playing cricket in bright sunlight I would have started to suspect him of being Undead, he has lasted so long. Now we are hosting the World Cup, and I still reckon we have Buckley's Chance of winning the thing. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

February 14th, 2019, 10:31 PM	#5772
DB83 Vintage Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,472 Thanks: 1,948 Thanked 12,019 Times in 1,458 Posts	Well I read today that already Bairstow is being tipped to hold on to the gloves for The Ashes with Foakes being considered as a specialist batsman (as long as he gets the runs) No opinion from me since as long as they can field their best side which they hardly did until this last game.

February 16th, 2019, 10:43 AM	#5773
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,325 Thanks: 41,500 Thanked 38,254 Times in 4,299 Posts	I can't believe that Curtly Ambrose is going to be on Dancing With The Stars here in Australia! I might even watch the show when I otherwise wouldn't. Something else I don't get is the treatment of the smaller teams with scheduling. Sri Lanka get a a two week tour of Australia, which was nothing other than an afterthought for Cricket Australia, then gave to play South Africa a week later??? They're treated like they're the first class team cobbled together as a practice game for touring sides. Ridiculous.

February 16th, 2019, 01:58 PM	#5775
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,778 Thanks: 531,920 Thanked 180,035 Times in 15,766 Posts	Sri Lanka take the Saffers by surprise, Perera in particular, add in a tenth wicket stand of 78 to win the test, watery beer time for Faf du Plessis & co. For me this is far better than any T20 pyjama slog fest, long may test cricket continue. Congratulations Sri Lanka.

February 16th, 2019, 05:41 PM	#5776
DB83 Vintage Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,472 Thanks: 1,948 Thanked 12,019 Times in 1,458 Posts	Reported today that Farbrace is to leave the England coaching staff at the end of the current series to join Warwickshire. Maybe a smart move on his part. Remember when Ashley Giles was tipped for the top role but was replaced after a disaster some years back. At least he does not hang around to see if Giles does the same after the WC.

February 17th, 2019, 07:17 AM	#5777
Hikarufan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Down under Posts: 399 Thanks: 68 Thanked 4,200 Times in 395 Posts	I was not a happy camper for 30 overs during the BBL final today, but now I am! Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory Stars!

February 22nd, 2019, 02:51 PM	#5780
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,778 Thanks: 531,920 Thanked 180,035 Times in 15,766 Posts	Windies 54-0 (11 overs) as Chris Gayle moves into second gear. Meanwhile in South Africa 31 back in the hutch at the close on day two, will it make lunch on day three?