The Cricket Thread

[Skinner]

Rashid's place as a bowler is more secure than Ali's imo, the former has taken more wickets at more crucial times over the past year or so. It's not even as if Ali is regularly contributing with the bat either.

As for Crane's game time, I doubt he'll get regular time, Hampshire have Dawson as their first option.

 

[Ciderhead]

I don't think either of them are really good enough to be our main spinner tbh, but Ali would be classed as more of an all-rounder so I'd stick with him alongside someone who is or perhaps could grow to be. He might not contribute massively with the bat but he still averages more than Stokes

 

[SMH]

Wouldn't be against Crane coming into the squad but I can't see him playing in the XI at Lords. In terms of the pace bowlers you're probably looking at Roland Jones, Plunkett, Curran and Porter as the backup options with Woakes and Ball injured. Broad should be fine though. Hopefully Finn doesn't get another call up, his time has gone.

 

[RavenBish]

Ballance is averaging over 100 this season, he's got to be in.

...and the cycle repeats. You wouldn't stick him in at 3 though and Root/Bairstow/Stokes is locked in at 4,5,6.

Cook
Stoneman
Jennings
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Foakes (wk)
Ali
Broad
Wood
Anderson

would not be opposed to canning Ali for a better spinner though - big fan of Rashid but his red ball game is inferior to his limited overs stuff (doesn't help he's just come off being twatted around by Sangakkara this week) - as a spectator I'd like to see Leach or Crane thrown in.

 

[SMH]

Exclusive tonight from from the gutter rag, Ballance in at three, Jennings to open with Cook, Dawson in the squad. Tough on Stoneman that if true.

 

[RavenBish]

apparently the squad is - Cook jennings Ballance root Bairstow stokes Ali broad wood Anderson TRJ Dawson

Dawson would be a disappointing one - the idea persists that they'll sacrifice a better bowler for any lad that can bat a bit as well

 

[Aber gas]

Dawson They refuse to bloody learn. If they're going to play two spinners then it has to be Leach. Any other decision is ridiculous.

 

[slaphead]

Dawson They refuse to bloody learn. If they're going to play two spinners then it has to be Leach. Any other decision is ridiculous.

Would agree, of the three spinners who should be considered from Leach, Dawson and Crane, Dawson is the most ineffective but as England like he can bat. Still think it's a year to early for Crane, but imho he is the best spinner of the three, so I would give a Leach a go.

 

[Aber gas]

Would agree, of the three spinners who should be considered from Leach, Dawson and Crane, Dawson is the most ineffective but as England like he can bat. Still think it's a year to early for Crane, but imho he is the best spinner of the three, so I would give a Leach a go.

I agree in the main. I think Crane needs a good season ( bit like Leach's last year) but this obsession with bowlers having to bat is exasperating. We've already got a spinning all rounder. I'm not sure what more Leach can do apart from sign for a different county.

 

[RavenBish]

He looks like a nerd in fairness - I wouldn't pick him on that fact alone.

Surrey to win today - their team is proper good. Punchers chance for Notts though - need Pattinson to do something special like tear through Roy, Sanga & Foakes - which he is capable of. A shame Ball is injured mainly because it means bottler Gurney gets to go for 10 an over at Lord's.

 

[Aber gas]

I hope Surrey win now.

 

[RavenBish]

The score this could have been had Stoneman and Roy not been criminally dropped early on. Hopefully Broad and Pattinson can come in and mop up the tail cheaply.

 

[RavenBish]

Well that's the weakest piece of umpiring I've seen in some time.

 

[SMH]

Hundred for Tom Westley in the Lions match. Surely can't be long before he finally gets a chance.

 

[Super_horns]

Looks like its Notts' cup - 3 defeats in a row for Surrey.

 

[Dave]

Absolutely brilliant from Hales other than the drop when he was in single figures! Since that drop he's not looked in any danger of getting out and just played his shots with relative ease without trying to smash it out the ground, really good to watch.

Disappointed for Read not finishing the match with Hales.

 

[RavenBish]

genuinely phenomenal knock from Hales. Happy Ravenbish.

 

[Bobbin']

Kent did ok today.

 

[lordofthepies]

Fucking hell, they did

 

[RavenBish]

Dawson in it looks like. Farcical but I guess only a bit more farcical than the alternative which was playing 5 seamers. Ridiculous.

 

[SMH]

In what world is Liam Dawson England's first choice spinner. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Aber gas]

I hope I don't jinx it but James Hildreth is on the verge of a wonderful century. I'm so excited.

 

[kieran_vale]

Cook gone early with a pretty careless waft outside off. Credit where it's due though Philander has been right on target with the new ball in first couple of overs. Not quick but must be a nightmare to face.

 

[Dave]

Surely Jennings has got to be reviewing that?

 

[Dave]

Yes. Would've been overturned. Bollocks.

 

[slaphead]

Ridiculous review. And Ballance does what Ballance does best, gets out stuck in his crease to a full ball.

 

[Aber gas]

Hildreth got his hundred. Yarkshire 78- 5

 

[Aber gas]

Somerset win. There is hope.

 

[Super_horns]

Captain's inning so far from Root.

 

[blademan89]

Captain's inning so far from Root.

The man is fucking incredible. The best batsmen this country will ever produce