The Cricket Thread. - Page 557

**DB83** · August 23rd, 2018, 06:36 PM

Some weeks ago I raised a Q. of the availability of test-selected players for their counties in any form (ok the Q. was not exactly worded such).

Methinks I see the answer to that today inasmuch that Buttler, for example, not having any immediate commitments being selected for the PJ-bash against Kent.

Which, for me atleast, raises another Q.. Is it somewhat unfair on some counties to have their opponent's test-selected players unavailable for some games but available at other times. Would it not be fairer to have such players locked out ?

On another 'planet' I see James Vince joining the squad as 'cover' for Bairstow in the event that he can not atleast play as a specialist batsman. Ok. He has good averages at county level this year but everyone coming in to the side is selected on form. It is just that on two previous occasions that Vince, overall, has not proved his worth. Does he deserve another chance ? And, frankly, does Jennings too ?

**scoundrel** · August 23rd, 2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DB83

On another 'planet' I see James Vince joining the squad as 'cover' for Bairstow in the event that he can not atleast play as a specialist batsman. Ok. He has good averages at county level this year but everyone coming in to the side is selected on form. It is just that on two previous occasions that Vince, overall, has not proved his worth. Does he deserve another chance ? And, frankly, does Jennings too ?

To some extent the answer depends on who is out there instead of Vince. James Vince has played well in domestic cricket this season, so is there someone else who has made their case for selection? I suspect not.

As regards Keaton Jennings, I am not convinced either. In the matter of England's number 2 opener I can think of several potential alternatives, but the one I would really like to see is not currently playing well enough - young Hasib Hameed, presently in dreadful, rotten bad form. Alex Hales perhaps...

**victor meldrew** · August 23rd, 2018, 11:17 PM

Some believe Sam Curran will one day be a better batsman than bowler, perhaps now is an opportunity for him.

It will not be long before we are looking for an opening pair of batsman, once Cook calls it a day.

**DB83** · August 29th, 2018, 08:53 PM

The consequence of the defeat in the 3rd test has, it seems, affected the selection for the 4th.

Whilst is is good to see Curran back in the 11 (not that he should have been dropped in the first place), it is not so good to see Ollie Pope jettisoned for Moeen. The 'excuse' is that he is needed as cover for Stokes who might not be able to bowl much.

That with Bairstow who surely has not fully recovered with his pinkie and will obviously be targeted represents several gambles by the selectors.

Let play commence and hope the weather holds.

**victor meldrew** · August 30th, 2018, 11:46 AM

A nice big hole to dig ourselves out of.

**DB83** · August 30th, 2018, 06:08 PM

I have not seen any live footage today.

Do tell me that what was called 'England's best test side' in today's mail has redeemed itself and posted a competitive total and even been in at the close of play.

LMFAO

In truth I had family commitments today which kept away from the play. But thank god for Sam Curran without who England would be in deeper shite than Cook cleans off his farm.

Still a good idea to drop him from the last test ?

**haroldeye** · August 30th, 2018, 08:49 PM

Good to hear Geoffrey back in the commentators box.

**DB83** · August 30th, 2018, 09:11 PM

Good to read that Boycott is back.

What did he make of today ?. Do try and keep it clean

**scoundrel** · August 30th, 2018, 09:56 PM

After reducing England to 86-6, India will be aware that they seriously missed a trick in allowing the last 4 wickets to add 160 runs. But only three England scores passed the 30 mark and one of these three was Extras.

These top order collapses are happening too regularly for it to be a coincidence. Cook is out of form and has been for a while; and we are seeing how his previous excellent performances were disguising weakness in the others. I feel sympathy for Oliver Pope, who should not have been dropped. Keaton Jennings on the other hand has not made his case to be opening for England; we should already be trying someone else. Since Adam Lyth showed himself to be fatally addicted to chasing the wide deliveries and Haseeb Hameed is in very poor form at county level, I reckon that leave Mark Stoneman as the obvious next candidate.

Meanwhile the middle order has not performed. Oliver Pope has been dropped I think because more experienced players are under-performing and a new boy cannot be carried. Jonny Bairstow has an injury and IMHO probably should not be in the team until this injury is properly healed. If he can't keep wicket because his hand is not well enough, that means he shouldn't be batting either. Joe Root and Ben Stokes aren't injured, unless it's brain damage. If any of these men were seeing the ball properly and making centuries, Oliver Pope would almost certainly be playing in this test.

**buttsie** · August 30th, 2018, 11:23 PM

I dont expect test batting lineups will ever match the quality ones from the past

The cricket calendar is so cluttered very few teams ever get enough quality games to acclimatise or get into the right frame of mind before tests - locals or visitors.

You only need revisit the 2010/11 Australian tour 1-3 win to see what
decent lead in games can do for a team.

Today you see it it all too often

T20 cash cow games as a lead in to a test series
instead of 4 day games against strong teams

They wonder why batsmen dont have patience like they once had

August 30th, 2018, 09:56 PM	#5569
scoundrel Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 26,267 Thanks: 162,484 Thanked 278,838 Times in 26,212 Posts	After reducing England to 86-6, India will be aware that they seriously missed a trick in allowing the last 4 wickets to add 160 runs. But only three England scores passed the 30 mark and one of these three was Extras. These top order collapses are happening too regularly for it to be a coincidence. Cook is out of form and has been for a while; and we are seeing how his previous excellent performances were disguising weakness in the others. I feel sympathy for Oliver Pope, who should not have been dropped. Keaton Jennings on the other hand has not made his case to be opening for England; we should already be trying someone else. Since Adam Lyth showed himself to be fatally addicted to chasing the wide deliveries and Haseeb Hameed is in very poor form at county level, I reckon that leave Mark Stoneman as the obvious next candidate. Meanwhile the middle order has not performed. Oliver Pope has been dropped I think because more experienced players are under-performing and a new boy cannot be carried. Jonny Bairstow has an injury and IMHO probably should not be in the team until this injury is properly healed. If he can't keep wicket because his hand is not well enough, that means he shouldn't be batting either. Joe Root and Ben Stokes aren't injured, unless it's brain damage. If any of these men were seeing the ball properly and making centuries, Oliver Pope would almost certainly be playing in this test. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

August 23rd, 2018, 06:36 PM	#5561
DB83 Vintage Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,472 Thanks: 1,948 Thanked 12,019 Times in 1,458 Posts	Some weeks ago I raised a Q. of the availability of test-selected players for their counties in any form (ok the Q. was not exactly worded such). Methinks I see the answer to that today inasmuch that Buttler, for example, not having any immediate commitments being selected for the PJ-bash against Kent. Which, for me atleast, raises another Q.. Is it somewhat unfair on some counties to have their opponent's test-selected players unavailable for some games but available at other times. Would it not be fairer to have such players locked out ? On another 'planet' I see James Vince joining the squad as 'cover' for Bairstow in the event that he can not atleast play as a specialist batsman. Ok. He has good averages at county level this year but everyone coming in to the side is selected on form. It is just that on two previous occasions that Vince, overall, has not proved his worth. Does he deserve another chance ? And, frankly, does Jennings too ?

August 23rd, 2018, 11:17 PM	#5563
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,788 Thanks: 532,101 Thanked 180,381 Times in 15,776 Posts	Some believe Sam Curran will one day be a better batsman than bowler, perhaps now is an opportunity for him. It will not be long before we are looking for an opening pair of batsman, once Cook calls it a day.

August 29th, 2018, 08:53 PM	#5564
DB83 Vintage Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,472 Thanks: 1,948 Thanked 12,019 Times in 1,458 Posts	The consequence of the defeat in the 3rd test has, it seems, affected the selection for the 4th. Whilst is is good to see Curran back in the 11 (not that he should have been dropped in the first place), it is not so good to see Ollie Pope jettisoned for Moeen. The 'excuse' is that he is needed as cover for Stokes who might not be able to bowl much. That with Bairstow who surely has not fully recovered with his pinkie and will obviously be targeted represents several gambles by the selectors. Let play commence and hope the weather holds.

August 30th, 2018, 11:46 AM	#5565
victor meldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: At the bottom of an empty glass Posts: 15,788 Thanks: 532,101 Thanked 180,381 Times in 15,776 Posts	A nice big hole to dig ourselves out of.

August 30th, 2018, 06:08 PM	#5566
DB83 Vintage Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,472 Thanks: 1,948 Thanked 12,019 Times in 1,458 Posts	I have not seen any live footage today. Do tell me that what was called 'England's best test side' in today's mail has redeemed itself and posted a competitive total and even been in at the close of play. LMFAO In truth I had family commitments today which kept away from the play. But thank god for Sam Curran without who England would be in deeper shite than Cook cleans off his farm. Still a good idea to drop him from the last test ?

August 30th, 2018, 08:49 PM	#5567
haroldeye Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Halfwitistan Posts: 5,716 Thanks: 113,598 Thanked 59,984 Times in 5,708 Posts	Good to hear Geoffrey back in the commentators box.

August 30th, 2018, 09:11 PM	#5568
DB83 Vintage Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,472 Thanks: 1,948 Thanked 12,019 Times in 1,458 Posts	Good to read that Boycott is back. What did he make of today ?. Do try and keep it clean

August 30th, 2018, 11:23 PM	#5570
buttsie Porn Archeologist Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: earth Posts: 12,714 Thanks: 92,252 Thanked 241,331 Times in 12,746 Posts	I dont expect test batting lineups will ever match the quality ones from the past The cricket calendar is so cluttered very few teams ever get enough quality games to acclimatise or get into the right frame of mind before tests - locals or visitors. You only need revisit the 2010/11 Australian tour 1-3 win to see what decent lead in games can do for a team. Today you see it it all too often T20 cash cow games as a lead in to a test series instead of 4 day games against strong teams They wonder why batsmen dont have patience like they once had