creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[Worthy4England]

TBF, I'd expect Cook and Jennings to dig in and hold their own too...
Then we have Bairstow/Stokes coming in 5/6.

At least 5 of them need the capability to dig in. It's not 20/20.

[BWFC_Insane]

TBF, I'd expect Cook and Jennings to dig in and hold their own too...
Then we have Bairstow/Stokes coming in 5/6.

At least 5 of them need the capability to dig in. It's not 20/20.

Yeah sorry I excluded the openers as that is their natural role. Not sure I agree nowadays. I think they all need to read conditions and bat accordingly. But I think you won't get far having 5 "digger in" types. Root is exceptional in that he sticks around and scores. But I think we need a balance - though not a Ballance...Even if you wanted 5, would be very hard in the modern game.

We need a proper number 3 who can bat for a long time. If we find a good opener then to go with Cook I'd be happy with that lineup.

Bowling wise though I think we need to find 2 quicks who offer more and a better spinner than Dawson. We also need to be thinking about replacements for Anderson and Broad in the not too distant future.

Wood isn't a test bowler, neither is Dawson. Stokes....hit and miss.

[Worthy4England]

Yeah, don't disagree that we need additional firepower in the bowling attack. Either of Anderson or Broad do a hamstring and it's looking somewhat sparse.

I'm all for having "quick runs" in the top order, but not at an average of less than 30. Having a top 6 who can park it to all corners is great on a shirt front where they're bowling military medium, but however the game develops over time, the key ability of being able to bat, isn't going anywhere soon. Can they bat will always be greater than how they bat.

[Nicko58]

Ballance out, Westley in.

[Worthy4England]

Suspect Ballance might have got a week off, regardless of broken finger. big step up for Westley though.

[Worthy4England]

TBF, I'd expect Cook and Jennings to dig in and hold their own too...
Then we have Bairstow/Stokes coming in 5/6.

At least 5 of them need the capability to dig in. It's not 20/20.

Yeah sorry I excluded the openers as that is their natural role. Not sure I agree nowadays. I think they all need to read conditions and bat accordingly. But I think you won't get far having 5 "digger in" types. Root is exceptional in that he sticks around and scores. But I think we need a balance - though not a Ballance...Even if you wanted 5, would be very hard in the modern game.

We need a proper number 3 who can bat for a long time. If we find a good opener then to go with Cook I'd be happy with that lineup.

Bowling wise though I think we need to find 2 quicks who offer more and a better spinner than Dawson. We also need to be thinking about replacements for Anderson and Broad in the not too distant future.

Wood isn't a test bowler, neither is Dawson. Stokes....hit and miss.

Back to the bowling...we've just picked a bloke who's averaging thirtyfuckingfive per county wicket...

I know averages can be a little misleading, but I'm not currently inspired (if that queues up a 5 fer, then I'll be delighted )

[jimbo]

He averages 25 over his career though. That's a good record especially considering half his games are at lords. He's been the next cab off the fast bowling rank for a while. Will be interesting to see how he goes.

[Worthy4England]

He averages 25 over his career though. That's a good record especially considering half his games are at lords. He's been the next cab off the fast bowling rank for a while. Will be interesting to see how he goes.

Yes, no and maybe, not that I'm on the fence. Guess we'll find out soon whether he can make the step up.

I don't disagree he's been at the cab rank for a while (might have tried him a couple of years back)...why not try Coad (even if he does play for those people)?

[TANGODANCER]

If tonight's weather is anything to go by, and being the test match is at Old Trafford,we might not be seeing much cricket at all.

[Bruce Rioja]

If tonight's weather is anything to go by, and being the test match is at Old Trafford,we might not be seeing much cricket at all.

It's at The Oval. What's the weather like down there?

[Prufrock]

Up and down but less biblical than up there.

I'd be surprised if we got 5 full days, but these jokers only need 3ish to get through the lot.

[TANGODANCER]

If tonight's weather is anything to go by, and being the test match is at Old Trafford,we might not be seeing much cricket at all.

It's at The Oval. What's the weather like down there?

Ah, my error, apologies. Old Trafford is the next one on Aug 4. .

[Bruce Rioja]

If tonight's weather is anything to go by, and being the test match is at Old Trafford,we might not be seeing much cricket at all.

It's at The Oval. What's the weather like down there?

Ah, my error, apologies. Old Trafford is the next one on Aug 4. .

No worries. You've just taught me summat though - I didn't know that it was going to a 4th.

Has anybody seen Westley's knock? 25's neither here nor there really

[Worthy4England]

^^ No, think you have to give batsmen a couple of goes though. It was a pretty good ball that sunk him (which I have seen).

[Worthy4England]

All looking a bit "top-order predictable"...

[Bruce Rioja]

149 for 4 at tea. Hmmm.

[Prufrock]

If the weather stays like this Broad and particularly Jimmy are going to have a field day.

[Bruce Rioja]

If the weather stays like this Broad and particularly Jimmy are going to have a field day.

Is that why they've taken tea so early, P? Because of the weather?

Just seen the catch off of Root btw. Outstanding stuff.

[Prufrock]

Yep, chucking it down one minute, sunshine the next, angry clouds the next.

[TANGODANCER]

171-4 is pretty respectable sounding after a bad start. Root apart I'm not too au-fait with county cricket these days so the others are a bit hazy to me. Hopefully Cook can carry on batting well and Stokes can get among the Saffers. Nothing is certain in anything right now, cricket being no exception.