English cricket thread

If Stokes is injured, think we could see Woakes at 7, Carse at 8, Potts at 9, and Stone at 10.

Potts and Stone are dead certs to play for me. It makes sense to freshen up the attack with three tests in such a timeframe and Potts in particular can bowl long spells. If it weren't for Stokes' new injury, I think they would rest Carse, but now it's either him or Gus, who looked a bit tired in the last test.

Stokes is such a handy bowler but the reality is that he keeps pulling up. It seems like there's an issue when he braces his left leg which means he's just aggravating his knee every time he bowls.
 
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England unchanged for the 2nd test. And I see they've had another 3 points taken off their WTC total for slow over-rate, that makes 22 altogether in this cycle which is nearly as many as everyone else combined :lol:

Ian Smith the guest on this week's Sky cricket podcast, could listen to those 3 all day!
 
Put into bat and Crawley belts the opening bowler for six over his head in the first over :lol:
 
I'd be surprised if that Zak Crawley innings didn't finish Geoffrey Boycott off if he was watching.
 
Posting at 222-6. Big hour. Anything under 320 is NZs day.

Although the speed we are batting they'd have an hour to bat.
 
Carse gets some really awkward bounce. He's also someone who seems happy to bowl a long spell bowling mainly back of a length.

With a bit more pace in this attack it's a very good one.
 
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Outside the sub continent England look extremely strong. Brook’s averaging over 60 after over 20 tests is no fluke, I think he’s currently cricket’s premier test player. Nightmare to bowl to. And he’s played some quality attacks in difficult conditions in those 20 + tests, quite extraordinary! Carse also looks some bowler, made for test cricket. We should have plenty of pace options down under for the Ashes series next year. The Australians will be concerned watching this.
 
Bethel also looks a very good player btw, I know he didn’t get many today but was unlucky with his dismissal. He’s got a good technique, fabulous hands and very organized with lots of shots. More orthodox. He’s certainly got a bit of the Brian Lara about him (as Lara said himself), I’m expecting big things from him now I’ve had the chance to properly see him. Very good times for the England test side I reckon.
 
I would keep Pope as wicketkeeper btw. Bethel looks like he’s got the technique to open, Smith could play at 3 . Lots of options suddenly with players like Brook, Bethel and Smith, particularly as Bethel & Smith have sound techniques and look as if they could play anywhere in the top 4 in the batting order if you ask me.
 
Unsure why Pope is doing better at #6 in these tests, given both times Englnd were 4 down in no time so he was in quickly anyway, so I can't see how it's a technique issue. I suspect it's simply psychological.

Still think the best bet is Root #3, Brook/Pope #4/#5, Smith #6. Root is the elder statesman now and unburdened by captaincy.
 
Trequarista10 said:
Unsure why Pope is doing better at #6 in these tests, given both times Englnd were 4 down in no time so he was in quickly anyway, so I can't see how it's a technique issue. I suspect it's simply psychological.

Still think the best bet is Root #3, Brook/Pope #4/#5, Smith #6. Root is the elder statesman now and unburdened by captaincy.
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I guess there is a bit of a difference coming in after a hand full of balls against fresh opening bowlers vs coming in against a ball 15/20 overs old with the opening spells already done.

He definitely might be in his head about it though.
 
Dan_F said:
I guess there is a bit of a difference coming in after a hand full of balls against fresh opening bowlers vs coming in against a ball 15/20 overs old with the opening spells already done.

He definitely might be in his head about it though.
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It's a significant difference IMO. Looks a natural 5/6.
 
I've been critical of Pope at number 3, but it's clear he'd be miles better in the middle order and him at 3 is him being pretty unselfish really.
 
Really need to get the tail out quickly now; like we often fail to do.
Do worry they are going to get a quick 50 and all of a sudden lead not as commanding.
 
GeorgieBoy said:
Really need to get the tail out quickly now; like we often fail to do.
Do worry they are going to get a quick 50 and all of a sudden lead not as commanding.
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It's a good track. New Zealand have been really poor. Wouldn't be surprised if the tail scored a few.
 
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