Cricket fred

[Big D]

They are only averaging 30 ish in CC, but so was Trescothick when picked! Burns was picked when scoring heavily in fairness too, and Denly is a red baller by trade.

Have to say though, for all the rants about get the red ball batsmen in.....there have been a huge number tried, too many with not enough time maybe, over the last 4 or 5 years.

But Sibley particularly is averaging 60odd this season approaching 1000 runs to get his overall average to 40. Not sure another season of averaging 50plus would make too much of a difference. With tours of SA and NZ on the horizon I think they are as well giving him a run now and giving him time to bed I'm rather than having Denly wander on for a few more games.

At 23, he is the perfect age to get in at 4 in place of Denly with a view to moving up (or open from the start). If it doesnt work there is time to go away and work on issues and come back if need be. Don't think England would be losing anything by making that change bar Denlys slow bowling.

I'm not arguing about Sibley to be clear (hence the tres point). But the general notion that we don't try and put form CC red ball players in doesn't stack up, and in fact you are replacing another . I've lost track of the number of Westleys, Pope's, etc that've had a go.

My point is more that because they have had failures doesn't mean they should stop looking. Particularly when arguably bar Root none of the recognised incumbents are particularly consistently good.

Ben Foakes has shown some good stuff, so there could be an arguement for Foakes to come in for someone and taking the gloves. Might even free YJB up despite his desire to keep.

[Banquo]

But Sibley particularly is averaging 60odd this season approaching 1000 runs to get his overall average to 40. Not sure another season of averaging 50plus would make too much of a difference. With tours of SA and NZ on the horizon I think they are as well giving him a run now and giving him time to bed I'm rather than having Denly wander on for a few more games.

At 23, he is the perfect age to get in at 4 in place of Denly with a view to moving up (or open from the start). If it doesnt work there is time to go away and work on issues and come back if need be. Don't think England would be losing anything by making that change bar Denlys slow bowling.

I'm not arguing about Sibley to be clear (hence the tres point). But the general notion that we don't try and put form CC red ball players in doesn't stack up, and in fact you are replacing another . I've lost track of the number of Westleys, Pope's, etc that've had a go.

My point is more that because they have had failures doesn't mean they should stop looking. Particularly when arguably bar Root none of the recognised incumbents are particularly consistently good.

Ben Foakes has shown some good stuff, so there could be an arguement for Foakes to come in for someone and taking the gloves. Might even free YJB up despite his desire to keep.

not sure there is evidence that they have stopped looking is my point. Burns and Denly are only recent entries. I agree YJB should be relieved of keeping, whether that's Buttler or Foakes is moot.

[Banquo]

Bollox, Archer looked in good nick. Might get about 20 overs at the aussies

[Galfon]

If they clean Eng. out for under 260 on Day1, Aus will feel it's on track.If we could eke a few more out it may start to niggle 'em a bit. (New ball is just around the corner)
Not that 450-500 in breezy fashion won't put things in perspective - but Archer will be champing at the bit now..

[Galfon]

258 a.o. - 120 from the last 4 wickets gives Eng a slight sniff.Not very impressive but the Lords pitch is unpredictable at the moment.Need a few breaks here.

[Big D]

I'm not arguing about Sibley to be clear (hence the tres point). But the general notion that we don't try and put form CC red ball players in doesn't stack up, and in fact you are replacing another . I've lost track of the number of Westleys, Pope's, etc that've had a go.

My point is more that because they have had failures doesn't mean they should stop looking. Particularly when arguably bar Root none of the recognised incumbents are particularly consistently good.

Ben Foakes has shown some good stuff, so there could be an arguement for Foakes to come in for someone and taking the gloves. Might even free YJB up despite his desire to keep.

not sure there is evidence that they have stopped looking is my point. Burns and Denly are only recent entries. I agree YJB should be relieved of keeping, whether that's Buttler or Foakes is moot.

That's fair. Perhaps because it is the same people that are coming in that are being replaced rather than the established (in terms of wont be dropped) that make it look different from reality.

[Big D]

Broad likes bowling ar Warner this series.

[Banquo]

My point is more that because they have had failures doesn't mean they should stop looking. Particularly when arguably bar Root none of the recognised incumbents are particularly consistently good.

Ben Foakes has shown some good stuff, so there could be an arguement for Foakes to come in for someone and taking the gloves. Might even free YJB up despite his desire to keep.

not sure there is evidence that they have stopped looking is my point. Burns and Denly are only recent entries. I agree YJB should be relieved of keeping, whether that's Buttler or Foakes is moot.

That's fair. Perhaps because it is the same people that are coming in that are being replaced rather than the established (in terms of wont be dropped) that make it look different from reality.

yep. There are some horses that are being backed continually- YJB mostly, as Buttler had been out of the side for ages. Roy is another 'new' introduction I suppose, though based on white ball success positionally.

[Banquo]

crucial hour now

[Stom]

crucial hour now

Lunch is that

But yeah, if we can get Smith (or even Head) out, it's been our morning.

[Stom]

I think it's definitely been our morning. What a difference it has made that Aus are scoring so slowly. They usually score quickly, which causes us problems, but we're keeping them in check, which makes a huge difference.

But we really could do with one more wicket. Smith's. But I'd settle for Wade.

[Banquo]

Shame, rains likely wrecked this one. Looked like being a cracker, even over 4 days.

[Digby]

We can lose from here, have faith

[Banquo]

We can lose from here, have faith

fair

[Banquo]

Bloody Smith. He's really getting to the bowlers. Lets see what Leach can do, as Smith is relatively poor against SLA.

[Stom]

Bloody Smith. He's really getting to the bowlers. Lets see what Leach can do, as Smith is relatively poor against SLA.

Woakes was poor, for me. I thought Archer was good and Broad decent, but Woakes let it get away from us.

Stokes is doing well with not much to work with. Paine is a walking wicket.

[Banquo]

Bloody Smith. He's really getting to the bowlers. Lets see what Leach can do, as Smith is relatively poor against SLA.

Woakes was poor, for me. I thought Archer was good and Broad decent, but Woakes let it get away from us.

Stokes is doing well with not much to work with. Paine is a walking wicket.

Woakes had one tremendous over but the rest wasn't great; he bowled a long hop that let the pressure off and its looked easier since then.
Leach isn't getting any turn unfortunately.

In fairness, they've not had much luck, with edges dropping out of reach etc.

[Banquo]

Liking Leach's control so far.

Feel missed a trick this morning, bowled too short. Now shipping runs from Archer's end.

[Banquo]

could be an arm breaker that

[Galfon]

He'll need that chickin...not wearing arm-guard against Archer is a risk even for him.
Was going to say he has looked vulnerable in the 140's recently, but he'll find that tough now.

[Banquo]

Gutsy from Smith

[Banquo]

Just chinned him, nasty.

He's a hell of a bowler in full flight. Red ball game seems to suit him.

[Stom]

Just chinned him, nasty.

He's a hell of a bowler in full flight. Red ball game seems to suit him.

Where did it hit him?

It's one way to get rid of him, that's sure!

[Banquo]

Just chinned him, nasty.

He's a hell of a bowler in full flight. Red ball game seems to suit him.

Where did it hit him?

It's one way to get rid of him, that's sure!

Neck I think- could have been really bad- Hughes type area.

[Stom]

Just chinned him, nasty.

He's a hell of a bowler in full flight. Red ball game seems to suit him.

Where did it hit him?

It's one way to get rid of him, that's sure!

Neck I think- could have been really bad- Hughes type area.

Just seemed to duck into it.