creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[TANGODANCER]

What's the thinking on pink/white balls? I can see the light issues, but already there's talk of them needing to be replaced sooner than normal new ball rules. Not playing in whites and now pink balls? They'll be banning cricket caps in favour of baseball caps next...oh...what does the future hold, pink skirts for men ???

[Bruce Rioja]

Same for both sides and they've had plenty of time to practice with it, so the likes of moaning Collingwood can 4uck right off. Over!

[TANGODANCER]

Same for both sides and they've had plenty of time to practice with it, so the likes of moaning Collingwood can 4uck right off. Over!

Pink jokes aside, my query was mainly about how the ball will stand up to being battered by the willow and retain its colour,white or pink. I mean, even the tried and tested red ball gets battered badly, but night-time floodlit cricket is a whole new ball game (if you'll pardon the pun) needing different attributes. Will the coverings still be leather? The Guardian guy mentioned two new balls instead of one because of it?

All of it's a long way from the old "corky" we used at school games..

[Prufrock]

Read the colour isn't in the leather, it's basically spray on so it goes really quickly. Take the point that it's the same for both sides, but the best cricket is when it's doing a bit for everyone. Guess we'll know tomorrow how much is the ball and how much is poor bowling. I suspect unfortunately we'll be talking less about the ball this time tomorrow.

[TANGODANCER]

Never thought I'd see the words West Indies and "destroyed" in the same sentence. Beaten by an innings and 209 runs. Weeks and Worral, Ramadin and Valentine will be spinning like a Moheen special.

[BWFC_Insane]

Never thought I'd see the words West Indies and "destroyed" in the same sentence. Beaten by an innings and 209 runs. Weeks and Worral, Ramadin and Valentine will be spinning like a Moheen special.

They've been a poor test side for nearly 20 years. Not exactly a shock. Especially when their better players are all missing.

[Prufrock]

Aye, but currently they're a poor county side! Embarrassing how easy it was for Cook and Root.

[jimbo]

Hey everybody, it's time to talk about the issues at 2, 3 and 5 again.

There's now 3 innings left before the first ashes test and we're absolutely miles from being close to filling those spots. Now way they'll hold up against the 4 pronged pace attack down under. It's staggering how we've managed to be competitive with these issues for so long. What I'd give for a younger Strauss, trott and bell to slot in right now.

[jimbo]

Just done some quick maths, and in 26 innings this summer, Malan, stoneman, westley, Jennings, ballance have scored 480 runs between them, with only 2 fifties at an average of 18.

[BWFC_Insane]

Aussies are going to murder us aren't they?

Westley is technically deficient and I don't think you can come into test cricket and adapt your technique at the same time.

Malan isn't good enough IMHO.

Stoneman probably needs more time if we're being fair.

[Bruce Rioja]

What are peoples thoughts on shoving Ali up the order into one of those slots?

[TANGODANCER]

What are peoples thoughts on shoving Ali up the order into one of those slots?

Personally, I'd put Insaney in there and let him show em how it's done....

[Burnden Paddock]

What are peoples thoughts on shoving Ali up the order into one of those slots?

Personally, I'd put Insaney in there and let him show em how it's done....

[jimbo]

Ali has had a few goes up there and always struggled. He just looks right at 7 or 8, able to score quickly and work well with the tail and play his natural game. I'd be loathe to move stokes/bairstow/Ali from where they are as they have the ability to take the game away from teams.

There just seems to be a dearth of solid, reliable top order players in county cricket at the moment. A look at the averages shows that it's overseas/over 30s who are doing it.

[BWFC_Insane]

What are peoples thoughts on shoving Ali up the order into one of those slots?

I think when he has freedom to bat he does well. But I think he gets out too cheaply too often to bat higher up, personally.

If we're moving people up then it'd probably be Stokes, but again I think dissipating our strong middle order to compensate for a dearth of proper test batsmen is not a good solution.

[jimbo]

Stokes, bairstow and Ali all brilliant counter attacking players - much like stokes is demonstrating now. We need grit in the top 5. A younger trott would be perfect

[TANGODANCER]

Stokes, bairstow and Ali all brilliant counter attacking players - much like stokes is demonstrating now. We need grit in the top 5. A younger trott would be perfec

Trott, Bell and Matt Prior at their b est would be very acceptable anytime...

[Bruce Rioja]

So, for The Ashes, how about involving KP?

[TANGODANCER]

Most striking thing to emerge for me of late, is just what a hell of a good cricketer Moheen Ali has tuned out to be.

[Prufrock]

Been enthralling stuff if not always the best quality. Cracking second innings right through the team.