Can't think of too many bowlers I'd rather have in the ENG team than Shaheen Afridi.
English cricket thread
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran are here to talk about a frustrating 2 points dropped at Crystal Palace. They then discuss the regeneration of Old Trafford. Finally, Nik is joined by special guest Michael Statham from the Football Oranje podcast - who gives us a more in depth look at our EL opposition FC Twente, and then runs through the (many) Dutch connections currently at United.
Root's comments on Archer yesterday were, again, interesting. It's very very clear they want him bowling fast and this pitch looks slow.
Great delivery, good catch. Got the early breakthrough.
Burns poor form continues pitch isn’t doing much so he needs to do much better
Yeah big time. Fair play to Shan for saying he wasn't sure though.
Btw - why do Pakistanis always go with the first part of their name, and not the second? Is the first part the surname?
I hope he doesn't turn into one of those enigmatic talents that were mismanaged and never fullfilled their potential.
No, I don’t think so. Think it’s just personal choice.
Once Sibley faces 20 deliveries I expect him to face 80+
Crawley looks in good touch. Played some lovely shots.
He looks the best of our three openers to me. Best technique, best variety of shots.
I don't know why this is such a big deal. Have we ever seen someone ever make such a fuss about some other bowler?
What England want is Jofra Archer to bowl well and take wickets. If they think he's going to do that for a given test, they should pick him. Or else, pick someone else.
You know it’s a great batting wicket when Sibley is striking at over 50
Yes looks he could become a very good counterattacking no3.
It’s going to be an unpopular opinion but when Ben Stokes wasn’t deemed fit to bowl he shouldn’t be in the team, can’t play cricket if you’re not 100% fit, and he’s not a no4
Of course it's going to be an unpopular opinion if you're going to argue you don't pick your best batsman when there's nothing stopping him batting.
Have you seen Root's comments? I understand why they want Archer to "get the ball zipping around at 90-plus mph" in this attack but I do think they have mismanaged the situation by constantly conveying these messages directly to the media. This plus Archer's comment at Old Trafford about it not being a pitch to bend his back on just prolong debate on what Archer does when, as you said, he just needs to be taking wickets (he took as many as Shaheen and Naseem combined at Old Trafford and people were still going about his pace!).
When he’s been picked at a specialist batsman he’s averaging under 24.
What's your sample size? Either way it means very little, Stokes was clearly fine batting (hell he even got through a few overs and took crucial wickets which gave England a chance at the win in the first test) and he's got more than enough credit in the bank over the last few years.
It a bit smaller than I thought it was, I was sure there another match in their, anyway his scores have been
20, 67, 20, 0, 9. I would rather have a 100% fit Zak Crawley @3 than Stokes @4 and unable to bowl. If Stokes can’t bowl & a batsman has to miss out (which seems to be the case under Root) then it only makes sense for me to be Stokes.
Well as long as it makes sense to you
Crawley's a decent player and he's making a good fist of establishing himself in this side, but I think you're in a group of one picking a guy without a test century over England's best batsman of the last few yesrs.
Colin Graves is a cnut and the Hundred is still a stupid idea. The end.
Let’s say a bowler comes up to you and says, I’m unable to come out and bat but I can bowl would you still select him? I wouldn’t .Well as long as it makes sense to you
Crawley's a decent player and he's making a good fist of establishing himself in this side, but I think you're in a group of one picking a guy without a test century over England's best batsman of the last few yesrs.
Yes he’s become more consistent with the bat, and when he’s 100% fit he is England’s best batsman no debate. Seen it plenty of times in football when players get picked who aren’t 100% fit put in sub par performances
I think it's an unlikely set of circumstances, but yeah I'd suspect if England's best bowler was fit to bowl but couldn't bat (not sure how it would happen, mind) you'd pick them. Even probably an easier choice when England's best bowler averages 8 with the bat.
The 100 is still a thing?! Was hoping they realised how idiotic it was & permanently cancelled it.
Sorry pal, can't agree with you here.
What a ball!! Wow!! Excellent catch too. Been really impressed with Rizwan’s keeping.
Unbelievable ball, Root had to play it.
Yeah no fault attached to Root there. Makes you wonder if this pitch is as good as we thought.
Just got back in and saw the dismissal. Just an unplayable ball as it moved.
Root might have still nicked it anyway but he has a tendency of getting out like that by getting stuck on the crease.
And on that subject....
And on that subject....
Yes Yasir! Key partnership this now.
I like this leggie. Takes enough wickets to tell him don't worry about the runs - the way a leggie should bowl as long as there aren't loads of buffet balls which in fairness he doesn't do often.
It’s quite common for a child to be given their fathers first name as the child’s surname.
Father: Ali Iqbal
Son: Naseem Ali
Hence, some might choose to use their first name on the shirt. Not sure if that’s the reason but the surname being adopted from fathers forename is common.
On the subject of balance though, is anyone else a bit surprised that Mooen hasn't got a chance?
They clearly like Bess and want to give him a run, but he's played two tests this summer without bowling a ball. Mooen is probably the better spinner and he's a good enough batsman to bat 7 in a Stokesless England side, plus it gives them a look ahead of an India tour.
They clearly like Bess and want to give him a run, but he's played two tests this summer without bowling a ball. Mooen is probably the better spinner and he's a good enough batsman to bat 7 in a Stokesless England side, plus it gives them a look ahead of an India tour.
pathetic fecking reviewUltraedge for what? Drive a fecking bus through that gap
I have Pakistan just ahead due to England being a batsman light. This looks a 350+ wicket
Excellent 100, well played.
I’ve been impressed with him. Looks to play on the front-foot as much as possible but has the patience/solid defence for Test cricket.
I’ve been impressed with him. Looks to play on the front-foot as much as possible but has the patience/solid defence for Test cricket.
I'm not. I like him but he's not shown enough for a very long time now.
Well played Crawley, yet people would prefer an injured Ben Stokes bite
only his 3rd test batting 3, but anyway im saying he’s already England’s best No3 since Trott
only his 3rd test batting 3, but anyway im saying he’s already England’s best No3 since Trott
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