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Already raining apparently
Yeah it does feel like that flurry of runs was crucial. Really eaten into the target.
Just been listening to DK interview Virat. Seriously fantastic listen. My respect for his cricketing ability was always present. However, listening to him today my respect for Virat the person has gone up many folds.
PS: DK has been a brilliant addition to the commentary team. Really love his involvement.
Hey, That's not cricket old chap!Why don’t they have reserve days for tests in England?
Why don’t they have reserve days for tests in England?
I think they need ICC ratification for that. It has been done recently in the world test match championship which was again washed out after 5 days but in order to have a resolution they added the extra day and NZ won.TV mainly
I think they need ICC ratification for that. It has been done recently in the world test match championship which was again washed out after 5 days but in order to have a resolution they added the extra day and NZ won.
I'm not sure they couldn't agree on an extra day but that is the problem with the red ball v white ball game right now and the increasing popularity with the latter among young players.
Right call by England to call up Mo but just shows a lack of planning once again from the management
England got the balance wrong last test match IMO, Curran isn’t good enough to be one of your 4 bowlers in this team l. I am hoping that Mo will come in as a 5th choice bowler and bat at 7 . My worry is that England will pick him either in place of Curran or in place of one of the three fast bowlers because they have no confidence in their batting
Yeah the lack of faith in the batting means we're padding the lower order with all rounders. Ironically Curran's runs probably saved us/gave us half a chance in the 1st test (and the rain, more importantly!)
Curran and Moeen plus 3 bowlers might be a compromise. Don't think England could afford Moeen + four out and out seamers. Wood and Robinson can hold a bat but an extra 30 or so runs from Curran could be vital to getting a half decent score on the board.
England are so screwed now with Anderson injured as well,fast bowling resources are good but don’t think they are good enough to manage without arguably the 4 best fast bowlers
Yep this is the way to go. Curran has been effective before in English conditions and needs to play for his batting as well. Anderson looking a doubt as well so struggling with the bowling. Struggling for a number 3 so might as well play Ali there as Root doesn't want to and not sure who else to play. Everyone else has been rubbish. The best would be something as follows:
Burns
Hameed
Ali
Root
Bairstow
Pope
Buttler
Curran
Robinson
Wood
Anderson/Mahmood
Yeah Broad and Anderson out is a game changer. Overton is another option, and might allow for Jack Leach as Overton, Wood and Robinson are all decent enough with that bat. Always felt Bess was only getting games over Leach as a tail fo Leach, Broad and Anderson was too fragile. Something like:
Burns
Sibley
Hameed
Root
Bairstow
Buttler
Curran
Overton
Robinson
Wood
Leach
Basically, Leach + Overton, or Ali + Mahmood, either provides a balance.
Not sure about Ali at 3, we really just need someone there who can dig in and see off the new ball if needed so Root isn't coming in at 20-2 after 10 overs. Also puts a lot of pressure on Ali when he's been in and out of form and the side for a couple years now. But it does mean fitting in all of Pope, Bairstow and Buttler at 5-7.
Personally not sure how much longer the Buttler experiment can last, might be better off just giving Bairstow the gloves and letting him bash it about at 6 or 7, and bring in Pope at 5.
Think Mahmood will do well. But yeah, crazy run of injuries!!Massive problems. Hopefully Mahmood if he comes in can have a good game.
Yeah Overton just looks like a generic English seamer atm. Needs to put on some paceSibley seems to be struggling at the moment and hasn't had a decent score in a while. I would drop him. Bess has actually been playing well for Yorkshire. I think Pope needs to play as he's one of the better batsmen and we are struggling there so there will need to be some movement. Buttler does need to start consistently scoring. Very hit and miss in the longer form at the moment. Only reason I said Ali is because every other option seems to have failed and Root doesn't want to bat there so may be best just putting Ali there as can't do any worse. I'm not sold on Overton, not been impressed with him when I've seen him.
Yeah I'd probably go with something similar, but doubt the selectors will make so many changes in one go.Burns
Hameed
Pope
Root
Bairstow
Buttler
Ali
Curran
Robinson
Wood
Mahmood
Pope at 3 is the big risk but Crawley needs to be taken out of the team for his own sake right now and Ali is in the side as an all rounder
Anderson is 39 though isn't he, and there's no guarantee he'll play in the Ashes (or that the Ashes will even go ahead). We may as well get every last drop out of him now. There's plenty of time for Mahmood.I think Mahmood should have been picked anyway. He looked different class when bowling in the ODI's and we are in desperate need of looking for breakout bowlers to replace Anderson and Broad. He looked worthy of a go in this series regardless of injuries to me.
You won the toss for the second test in India.Eight consecutive toss loss against England in tests. Incredibly unlucky
Anderson is 39 though isn't he, and there's no guarantee he'll play in the Ashes (or that the Ashes will even go ahead). We may as well get every last drop out of him now. There's plenty of time for Mahmood.
Wood coming in for Broad gives the attack a better balance anyway.
Agree with all that you say.I don't think that's a reason to not try people who look very good though. Also, I have a real problem with selection if we're going to go to Australia with an attack lead by Anderson and Broad. It hasn't worked multiple times before and it definitely won't work when they're slightly passed their best. I'm not saying to drop them permanently but Mahmood looked real class in the ODI with good rhythm so giving him a bit of a go before the ashes to test him out was a no-brainer for me.
I agree about Wood, and he will be vital in Australian conditions.
In these conditions England really should be bowling India out for under 135
Its the right decision to drop Sibley too. There is sometimes merit in digging in and seeing off the new ball but he has too few shots to ever put pressure on the bowlers or kick on when the ball is old or the pitch is flat. There's no point just occupying the crease for 20-50 when you're trying to win games.