Cricket fred

[Stom]

In the last 12 months, Moeen has taken more wickets - 48 in 10 Tests at 25.12 - than any other bowler in Test cricket.

That's really surprising, and really has to put paid to the idea that batsmen were getting themselves out because he's so rubbish.

Well indeed. But his confidence looks shot. Dunno what happened, maybe the WC... Or maybe his continuing troubles with the bat has filtered through to his bowling.

Shane as he's a good player and meant to be a really good guy, too.

I always wondered about Ollie Rayner for England, though that ship has sailed.

Who else is there? Bess? Crane?

[Mellsblue]

Bring back Monty.

[Stom]

Bring back Monty.

Heck, let's get Swann out of retirement, he wasn't rubbish at the end at all...

Or get Athers in as a spin bowling coach

Actually, what about young Virdi?

He's taking wickets when given the chance...

[Banquo]

In the last 12 months, Moeen has taken more wickets - 48 in 10 Tests at 25.12 - than any other bowler in Test cricket.

That's really surprising, and really has to put paid to the idea that batsmen were getting themselves out because he's so rubbish.

That's interesting- heard the same stat, but as a peer amongst England bowlers. So his bowling form has just dropped off a cliff this last 3 months in reality- though his batting in tests has been shunt for a couple of years. He still has a very respectable all round record, if not in the top tier.

[Banquo]

Bring back Monty.

Heck, let's get Swann out of retirement, he wasn't rubbish at the end at all...

Or get Athers in as a spin bowling coach

Actually, what about young Virdi?

He's taking wickets when given the chance...

Been injured, but a great comeback!

[Stom]

Bring back Monty.

Heck, let's get Swann out of retirement, he wasn't rubbish at the end at all...

Or get Athers in as a spin bowling coach

Actually, what about young Virdi?

He's taking wickets when given the chance...

Been injured, but a great comeback!

Could well be worth a look soon.

[Banquo]

Jofra laid down a bit of a marker then

[Stom]

Jofra laid down a bit of a marker then

Not had it all his own way today, though. 45 conceded off 10, no wickets. Needs to bowl another 6-7 overs.

[Galfon]

'Unreasonable expectation' says GM.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49242377
mebiz; but without hope you're nowt.

[Banquo]

'Unreasonable expectation' says GM.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49242377
mebiz; but without hope you're nowt.

Typical Aussie when they have just won stuff.

There are fault lines in both teams, but I fear ours are worse, and we don't look like covering them up, as Smith did for Oz.

Fundamental problem for me is that county cricket is not producing many high quality red ball players

[Stom]

'Unreasonable expectation' says GM.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49242377
mebiz; but without hope you're nowt.

Typical Aussie when they have just won stuff.

There are fault lines in both teams, but I fear ours are worse, and we don't look like covering them up, as Smith did for Oz.

Fundamental problem for me is that county cricket is not producing many high quality red ball players

No, and the hundred will make it worse.

[Galfon]

England squad for second Ashes Test: 
Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

The Taunton Tendukar & Jofra get recalled as predicted.
Anderson & Stone crocked.
Just need to win the toss now - at least that should be
50/50..

[WaspInWales]

England squad for second Ashes Test: 
Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

The Taunton Tendukar & Jofra get recalled as predicted.
Anderson & Stone crocked.
Just need to win the toss now - at least that should be
50/50..

Depends if one side of the coin has had a brush with sandpaper! [emoji23]

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Banquo]

England squad for second Ashes Test: 
Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

The Taunton Tendukar & Jofra get recalled as predicted.
Anderson & Stone crocked.
Just need to win the toss now - at least that should be
50/50..

Broad's vote of confidence aged well. Interesting that both Bairstow and Buttler have wk by their names.

[Galfon]

..Interesting that both Bairstow and Buttler have wk by their names.

Yes they did this before the first test too - nothing like a vote of confidence

[Digby]

..Interesting that both Bairstow and Buttler have wk by their names.

Yes they did this before the first test too - nothing like a vote of confidence

They both want to keep wicket, and they're both very aware their record just on the batting front gives them pause for concern for securing their role in the side. It's a tricky one to keep them happy when the only thing keeping them in a losing side that's failing as a batting unit is a lack of options to pick anyone else. They're both feeling a little undermined that either they don't have the security of keeping wicket, or they're on the verge of having the gloves and/or possibly their place in the side taken away.

[Banquo]

..Interesting that both Bairstow and Buttler have wk by their names.

Yes they did this before the first test too - nothing like a vote of confidence

They both want to keep wicket, and they're both very aware their record just on the batting front gives them pause for concern for securing their role in the side. It's a tricky one to keep them happy when the only thing keeping them in a losing side that's failing as a batting unit is a lack of options to pick anyone else. They're both feeling a little undermined that either they don't have the security of keeping wicket, or they're on the verge of having the gloves and/or possibly their place in the side taken away.

Its fairly obvious that Foakes is a better keeper than both, and a decent batsman. That said, I think Buttler should keep but only bat at 7. Take the gloves off YJB and get him to focus on his batting, as I think he is a test class 4/5, but with another technical issue to solve (and he has previous in solving them).

[Banquo]

On Sky last night they were pointing out what Big D has been saying for ages- our top (in fact all the batting) order just isn't all that with only on player averaging over 40. Fallow period for test batsmen- they couldn't remember when we last only had one player in the 40's.

[Banquo]

Lost toss and put in. Leach and Archer for Moeen and Jimmy

[Galfon]

Wicket rate of 13 at moment ( Roy, Root gone).
That makes 130 total, which would be consistent.
Can't even win the toss

[Banquo]

FFS

[Stom]

On Sky last night they were pointing out what Big D has been saying for ages- our top (in fact all the batting) order just isn't all that with only on player averaging over 40. Fallow period for test batsmen- they couldn't remember when we last only had one player in the 40's.

Before Strauss, no?

Actually, god, you need to go to before Vaughan...

2001, only 40+ average is Tresco. Atherton, Butcher, Key, Stewart, Hussein all averaging in high 30s.

[Stom]

Here comes Denly's 150. lol

[Banquo]

On Sky last night they were pointing out what Big D has been saying for ages- our top (in fact all the batting) order just isn't all that with only on player averaging over 40. Fallow period for test batsmen- they couldn't remember when we last only had one player in the 40's.

Before Strauss, no?

Actually, god, you need to go to before Vaughan...

2001, only 40+ average is Tresco. Atherton, Butcher, Key, Stewart, Hussein all averaging in high 30s.

wasn't Thorpe still about then?

[Stom]

On Sky last night they were pointing out what Big D has been saying for ages- our top (in fact all the batting) order just isn't all that with only on player averaging over 40. Fallow period for test batsmen- they couldn't remember when we last only had one player in the 40's.

Before Strauss, no?

Actually, god, you need to go to before Vaughan...

2001, only 40+ average is Tresco. Atherton, Butcher, Key, Stewart, Hussein all averaging in high 30s.

wasn't Thorpe still about then?

Didn't play against Aus in 2001. He was around, though. I'll dig out a scorecard.