Cricket fred

[Banquo]

A retired boomer with too much time and money on his hands... What else is he going to do? Just surprised he's not golfing!
(Sorry Banquo, just kidding)

I do that too. As well as all the rugby volunteering and trickling down
Sounding a bit jealous there WT.

Oh. Absolutely, I'm just too busy paying someone else's mortgage
Not jealous of the golf though - I like the idea, but if I'm spending half a day out walking, I want my dogs with me!

Sounds ruff

[Donny osmond]

my main conclusion is you watch too much cricket

A retired boomer with too much time and money on his hands... What else is he going to do? Just surprised he's not golfing!
(Sorry Banquo, just kidding)

I do that too. As well as all the rugby volunteering and trickling down
Sounding a bit jealous there WT.

That actually sounds like life goals to me

[Banquo]

Win toss, bowl zero luck so far

[Stom]

Win toss, bowl zero luck so far

As I only really follow random updates on Cricinfo while working, I only see numbers. Is Carse actually good enough to be a test match bowler? And surely Woakes is done at this level and we should be giving gametime elsewhere? Is Tongue not potentially good enough?

[Banquo]

Win toss, bowl zero luck so far

As I only really follow random updates on Cricinfo while working, I only see numbers. Is Carse actually good enough to be a test match bowler? And surely Woakes is done at this level and we should be giving gametime elsewhere? Is Tongue not potentially good enough?

Carse is very much a rhythm and wickets in bursts guy, but bowls one bad ball an over too often
Woakes had zero luck today and bowled very well but he needs ‘conditions’ these days.
Tongue underwhelmed and again too many bad balls

[Banquo]

No luck plus some bad balls for extras wasted new ball

Carse last chance saloon maybe

[Banquo]

Stokes amazing for his injury record.

Crawley great knock but frustrating end

[fivepointer]

Terrific test match developing. Stokes put in a great shift and the openers delivered.

Carse does bowl too many bad balls. Maybe we should given Cook a run on a wicket that might have suited him.

[Banquo]

Terrific test match developing. Stokes put in a great shift and the openers delivered.

Carse does bowl too many bad balls. Maybe we should given Cook a run on a wicket that might have suited him.

Gus Atkinson back will help, ditto sick note Wood. What's up with Ollie Robinson- still has a terrific test match record.

[Banquo]

Kudos to Root, definitely staking a claim to be our best ever batsman, if he isn't already

[Galfon]

Kudos to Root, definitely staking a claim to be our best ever batsman, if he isn't already

Can't argue with his numbers - as to comparing performances in different eras against elite bowling attacks in all corners, it's a bit like discussing climate change.
He's certainly a stayer and wonder if he's having a think about Tendulkar now.

[Banquo]

Kudos to Root, definitely staking a claim to be our best ever batsman, if he isn't already

Can't argue with his numbers - as to comparing performances in different eras against elite bowling attacks in all corners, it's a bit like discussing climate change.
He's certainly a stayer and wonder if he's having a think about Tendulkar now.

...and consider his ODI record too.

Barrington gets few mentions, but he scored everywhere and against everyone, averaging nearly 59. Onlt slight blip was v Windies Hall/Griffith/Sobers era

[Banquo]

stokes 'cramp' has cramped our style. Think we need a lead of 200+ to get the win.

[fivepointer]

Class from Root and a fine knock by Stokes.

Should get a lead in excess of 200 with a bit of biffing tomorrow morning.

[Banquo]

Woakes still has a little to say.

[Puja]

Woakes still has a little to say.

One decent ball and the new batter donating his wicket to a poor, unthreatening ball. Woakes went for another 14 overs without even looking like he might get a wicket.

Puja

[Banquo]

Woakes still has a little to say.

One decent ball and the new batter donating his wicket to a poor, unthreatening ball. Woakes went for another 14 overs without even looking like he might get a wicket.

Puja

Hardly, had a few close lbws and was ok on a road. His time has probably come, but fairs fair. And on the latter point he had much in common with the rest of the attack

[Puja]

Woakes still has a little to say.

One decent ball and the new batter donating his wicket to a poor, unthreatening ball. Woakes went for another 14 overs without even looking like he might get a wicket.

Puja

Hardly, had a few close lbws and was ok on a road. His time has probably come, but fairs fair. And on the latter point he had much in common with the rest of the attack

Not wrong on that point. I did like the look of Carse when he first came in, but he's ended up being just not quite good enough for the top level. Dawson demonstrating why the management prefer Bashir - the former is probably a better and more consistent bowler generally, but the latter delivers a far higher percentage of wicket-threatening balls. Archer was a touch unlucky, but lost his way as the day went on as well.

The problem is that we've got one opening bowler in Archer and then we've got three change bowlers and we hope one of them steps up each game - Stokes has the quality, but you can't ask him to do everything and be a main strike bowler as well.

Puja

[Banquo]

One decent ball and the new batter donating his wicket to a poor, unthreatening ball. Woakes went for another 14 overs without even looking like he might get a wicket.

Puja

Hardly, had a few close lbws and was ok on a road. His time has probably come, but fairs fair. And on the latter point he had much in common with the rest of the attack

Not wrong on that point. I did like the look of Carse when he first came in, but he's ended up being just not quite good enough for the top level. Dawson demonstrating why the management prefer Bashir - the former is probably a better and more consistent bowler generally, but the latter delivers a far higher percentage of wicket-threatening balls. Archer was a touch unlucky, but lost his way as the day went on as well.

The problem is that we've got one opening bowler in Archer and then we've got three change bowlers and we hope one of them steps up each game - Stokes has the quality, but you can't ask him to do everything and be a main strike bowler as well.

Puja

aye, as above need Atkinson, Wood poss Robinson around. Rehan Ahmed must be worth another look as well.....113 and 13 wickets in a county match!

[Banquo]

Pitch wins

[Banquo]

stokes out. Feels like a drawn series now tbh.

especially with what looks like the worst attack we've fielded in years; no spinner (Root), woakes on last legs, average Overton (averages 31 with the ball in FC cricket !!) , unfit gus and loadsa runs Tongue . Everything crossed we win the toss and bat big.

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue.

[Puja]

stokes out. Feels like a drawn series now tbh.

especially with what looks like the worst attack we've fielded in years; no spinner (Root), woakes on last legs, average Overton (averages 31 with the ball in FC cricket !!) , unfit gus and loadsa runs Tongue . Everything crossed we win the toss and bat big.

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue.

Frankly, I'm glad we're not risking Stokes - this game isn't hugely important in the grand scheme and it's not worth damaging him and losing him for the Ashes.

Puja

[Banquo]

stokes out. Feels like a drawn series now tbh.

especially with what looks like the worst attack we've fielded in years; no spinner (Root), woakes on last legs, average Overton (averages 31 with the ball in FC cricket !!) , unfit gus and loadsa runs Tongue . Everything crossed we win the toss and bat big.

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue.

Frankly, I'm glad we're not risking Stokes - this game isn't hugely important in the grand scheme and it's not worth damaging him and losing him for the Ashes.

Puja

Oh yes, but it exposes a chunky weakness.

[fivepointer]

Stokes is a massive loss.

Bethell's a good player but has he actually played any cricket this season?

Several punts with the bowling attack. Here's hoping one or two pay off but it doesnt inspire huge optimism.

[Galfon]

Surprised by not batting first at Oval - generally good for runs but shows turn by D5.
Will Ind. declare at 600 ?