creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[BWFC_Insane]

Jennings out, LBW playing no shot.

The fact he is even picked for this test is utterly ridiculous. He's already had at least 3 chances too many. Blokes utterly incompetent at test level. His technique is absolutely flawed.

He can never, ever, ever play for England again now. Total and utter failure.

[jimbo]

Interested to know who you would replace him with.

[BWFC_Insane]

Interested to know who you would replace him with.

Right now? I think its worth giving Burns a go as opener and Hildreth at 4. Both made runs this summer.

Both have experience. Our batting line up is so fragile we need some experience in there.

[BWFC_Insane]

36-4. Again.

None of our top 4 score 20.

Again.

Abject failure. Again

No doubt Tango will be along to enlighten me as to why a batting lineup that fails consistently isn't actually a bad batting line up....

Boycott in full rant mode. He's absolutely right. Our test batting is the worst around right now.

[jimbo]

Burns I agree is worth a go, and surely the next cab off the rank. Hildreth is a curious one - scored heavily for 8 or 9 years but for some reason has never been picked. Edit to add he’ll be 34 next week, but could be a reasonable 12 month stop gap.

Ideally we need two openers and a number 3. I just don’t think they’re out there.

[Prufrock]

Wow. We have to find a top order from somewhere. Bairstow at 4 is ludicrous. Also, Moeen bats at 3 and makes a double ton, we over promote everyone and shove him in at 7. Bizarre. Especially with Rashid there.

[BWFC_Insane]

One thing when your number 8 is your highest scorer. Another when you aren't remotely surprised.

[TANGODANCER]

36-4. Again.

None of our top 4 score 20.

Again.

Abject failure. Again

No doubt Tango will be along to enlighten me as to why a batting lineup that fails consistently isn't actually a bad batting line up....

Boycott in full rant mode. He's absolutely right. Our test batting is the worst around right now.

Far be it from me to stop a good wailing session. Carry on...

[Bruce Rioja]

One thing when your number 8 is your highest scorer. Another when you aren't remotely surprised.

And when you are that number 8 how must you feel? Young lad, man of the match at Edgbaston, hits 40 and takes a wicket at Lords, looks very much like he's our new bright young thing then gets dropped for Trent Bridge?

[BWFC_Insane]

One thing when your number 8 is your highest scorer. Another when you aren't remotely surprised.

And when you are that number 8 how must you feel? Young lad, man of the match at Edgbaston, hits 40 and takes a wicket at Lords, looks very much like he's our new bright young thing then gets dropped for Trent Bridge?

That was a scandal. Especially when you think serial failures are picked time and time again.

Having said that Woakes did well, so its a tough one. We have 1000000000 number 6's who can bowl effectively in different ways.

We need a top order. Perhaps Curran should work on his batting as he has better technique than Jennings already.

[Bruce Rioja]

One thing when your number 8 is your highest scorer. Another when you aren't remotely surprised.

And when you are that number 8 how must you feel? Young lad, man of the match at Edgbaston, hits 40 and takes a wicket at Lords, looks very much like he's our new bright young thing then gets dropped for Trent Bridge?

That was a scandal. Especially when you think serial failures are picked time and time again.

Having said that Woakes did well, so its a tough one. We have 1000000000 number 6's who can bowl effectively in different ways.

We need a top order. Perhaps Curran should work on his batting as he has better technique than Jennings already.

Aggers saying pretty much the same.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/45363176

[BWFC_Insane]

One thing when your number 8 is your highest scorer. Another when you aren't remotely surprised.

And when you are that number 8 how must you feel? Young lad, man of the match at Edgbaston, hits 40 and takes a wicket at Lords, looks very much like he's our new bright young thing then gets dropped for Trent Bridge?

That was a scandal. Especially when you think serial failures are picked time and time again.

Having said that Woakes did well, so its a tough one. We have 1000000000 number 6's who can bowl effectively in different ways.

We need a top order. Perhaps Curran should work on his batting as he has better technique than Jennings already.

Aggers saying pretty much the same.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/45363176

Gets even more bonkers now that it appears Stokes isn't fit to bowl AT ALL. And we're bowling Jennings. FFS.

Stokes if not fit at all to bowl could have made way for an out and out batsman as I personally do not think he's good enough as a pick for his batting alone. He probably is in the right team but not ours with a non-existent top order.

Agree with Boycott for once that our coaching setup only care and know about 1 day stuff and don't understand test cricket.

[Prufrock]

Anything we can do...

[TANGODANCER]

Back to more or less evens and India were all about Pujara (132 not out.). Up to us now to grab the win and the series.

[TANGODANCER]

Looks like Insaney will get his wish. Cook gone already, and a commentary opinion it may be for good. Not sure what happened with him, a once great batsman gone to pot.

[jimbo]

He’s 33 and played 160 tests without a break. He’s just getting on a bit and isn’t as good any more. There’s no mystery to it.

If he does go, we’re in the position of having to find a 1, 2 and 3. No one we’ve tried there in the last 4 years has managed to avaerage over 30 (Hameed aside. Lol!) so the chances of us happening on some fresh untried talent is pretty slim.

[TANGODANCER]

He’s 33 and played 160 tests without a break. He’s just getting on a bit and isn’t as good any more. There’s no mystery to it.

No, sorry Jimbo, I'm not having that. 33 is no age fro a cricketer to talk tirendness. What about experience? Cricket is what he does and (unlike Insaney) I give bowlers great credit for being the batsman's downfall. Yesterday it was Moheen's day and I'm not quite sure whar Root was thinking puting him in at three. What happens mid innings? Who will the low order cavalry? I wouldn't write Cook off just yet until we have somebody chasing his spot.

[jimbo]

He’s been on a gradual decline for a couple of years, so I’m not sure how else you could explain it? He’s not all of a sudden become shit and his technique hasn’t changed. Sportsmen feel the effects of age at different times. For Cook who hasn’t had a break for 160 test matches it may be coming sooner. Others might still be scoring runs at 38.

[Bruce Rioja]

How many times has Cook been caught at slip by needlessly holding his bat out to a ball travelling down Off at rib cage height, as he once again just has? I'm absolutely sick to death of seeing him do it. It requires no skill from the bowler beyond knowing that Cook, as experienced as he may be, is continually 4ucking stupid enough to stick an outside edge on it if he sticks an outswinger in that area.

Cook's long since had it. One poor innings after another and enough's enough.

As discussed earlier though, we have no shortage of No. 6's but an absolute paucity of potential openers. What fert do?

[Prufrock]

He’s been on a gradual decline for a couple of years, so I’m not sure how else you could explain it? He’s not all of a sudden become shit and his technique hasn’t changed. Sportsmen feel the effects of age at different times. For Cook who hasn’t had a break for 160 test matches it may be coming sooner. Others might still be scoring runs at 38.

It'll be his eyes I reckon. Fine fine margins at that level. I'd wager in his pomp he had ludicrous eyesight. Once they faces even a touch it's hard, especially against a moving ball.