The Cricket Thread.

[themidlander]

Originally Posted by themidlander

There have been hints going around the England management are trying to get him to change his mind......Wicket taking bowlers are after all the priority in test cricket!

And they have!

[DB83]

A pretty controversial decision methinks.

Certainly Yorkshire are none too happy about this since if Rashid does play in Brum then he will, it seems, be unavailable for the T20 tourno, which he is contracted for.

And what are these 'unusual circumstances'. Isn't Dom Bess good enough ? Any bowler is capable of taking wickets. That is their job. Yet I do recall Rashid bowling quite a few pies in his time. Do the selectors really think that he can repeat that 'Warnie' ? Even Shane IIRC did not.

And they have bent their selection rules since they already admit that only contracted red-ball players will be considered in the future.

if he plays and gets a few wickets they may feel justified in the decision. On the other hand........

[victor meldrew]

I believe the unusual circumstances relate to he has only signed a white ball cricket contract for Yorkshire yet gets picked for the test squad. As from next year you will only get in the test team if you have a red ball contract, in reality its another slap in the face for County Cricket, yet he will still be included in the Sri Lanka and Windies tours, if your an up an coming spinner you must been thinking am I wasting my time.

It will be interesting to see if the Yorkies rip up his contract and send him on his merry way, but I doubt that will happen.

Jamie Porter's inclusion is something of a surprise as it can only be based on last years performances.


Finally fair well to John Murray Middx and England, his finest hour at the oval against the Windies. God Bless

[countjimmoriarty]

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

It will be interesting to see if the Yorkies rip up his contract and send him on his merry way, but I doubt that will happen.

Don't bet on it. He's been a disruptive influence in the dressing room for a long time. Remember, he refused to play in the 2016 Championship decider against Middlesex at Lords without ever properly explaining why.

What has annoyed many is not just that he sacked off Champo cricket this year, but that he waited until 4 weeks before the start of the season to inform the club of his intentions, giving them no time to make alternative arrangements, then spent the whole of April and half of May sitting on his backside at home.

There is no contract to rip up. He signed a white ball only contract for this year only. Another has been offered for next year, but he has not as yet signed it. And remember that it was stated yesterday that from next season, availability for Champo cricket will be a pre-requisite of selection for test cricket.

Rumour is that he wants to join his mate Moeen at Worcester. If that's the case, I'll happily contribute a couple of quid to his bus fare and he can piss off today.

[judy84]

At last back to real cricket.


I don't know as much as previous posters. Rashid does not appear to be the sharpest knife...however.


In test cricket he took 30 wickets in his last series against Bangladesh away. He wasn't picked for the ashes because Root didn't want him. Part of the reason the ashes was disastrous was because we didn't have a decent spinner.
I don't know who advises him but obviously he thought his test career was over (age 30) and thought he could go all round the world playing 1 day cricket making lots of money.
That didn't work out well did it?
England asked him to play...obviously he is going to say yes. Is it a slap in the face for county cricket? Yes but lets face it no spinner has consistently taken wickets. Bess, Crane, Leach...England even tried bringing back Batty. Would any of these be likely to get out the likes of Kohli and his mates cheaply?

I think Root is showing a lot of strength in admitting he might have been wrong. As they say in Football, maybe Rashid needs an arm round him to give him confidence and feel he belongs.
Whatever, if he does well I think he could play county cricket next year.



As previously said, I don't particularly like him, but there are a lot of players who I don't like. If they can do the job I overlook that.


England win the toss and bat.

[countjimmoriarty]

Originally Posted by judy84

At last back to real cricket.


I don't know as much as previous posters. Rashid does not appear to be the sharpest knife...however.


In test cricket he took 30 wickets in his last series against Bangladesh away. He wasn't picked for the ashes because Root didn't want him. Part of the reason the ashes was disastrous was because we didn't have a decent spinner.
I don't know who advises him but obviously he thought his test career was over (age 30) and thought he could go all round the world playing 1 day cricket making lots of money.
That didn't work out well did it?
England asked him to play...obviously he is going to say yes. Is it a slap in the face for county cricket? Yes but lets face it no spinner has consistently taken wickets. Bess, Crane, Leach...England even tried bringing back Batty. Would any of these be likely to get out the likes of Kohli and his mates cheaply?

I think Root is showing a lot of strength in admitting he might have been wrong. As they say in Football, maybe Rashid needs an arm round him to give him confidence and feel he belongs.
Whatever, if he does well I think he could play county cricket next year.



As previously said, I don't particularly like him, but there are a lot of players who I don't like. If they can do the job I overlook that.


England win the toss and bat.

Where did you get the idea that Joe Root has the final say on selection? He may possibly be consulted, but he is not on the selection panel (which consists of Ed Smith, James Taylor and Trevor Bayliss) and in the end has to go with what he is given.

He took 7 wickets in 2 tests against Bangladesh in 2016, and 23 in 5 tests against India in the series that followed straight after.

[DB83]

At last back to real cricket

The sky may be blue and the ball may be red. But the song remains the same.

Get a good start and then, in a rash moment, or a freak bit of superb play from Kohli, throw it all away.

[victor meldrew]

It was going so well until the lets build a house of cards started.

Hopefully better tomorrow with the ball, unless Curran and Anderson bat all day.

[DB83]

The 'magic' of real, or in particular test, cricket.

Just 3 questions today. Answers on a postcard sent to the usual address.

1. Did India really deserve to get within 13 of England's first innings score ?.

2. Did Kohli really deserve that 149. His highest score in blighty ?.

3. Has Ashwin already screwed up Cook's mind ?

[victor meldrew]

Has Ashwin found some willing bunnies?

Ishant steps up to the plate.

Another first Test in the series where it all goes bottoms up.

Will Mr. Smith's selection prove correct when India bat again?