WI tour of England, July 8-28

[Durhamfootman]

was it a poor effort form WI or a stellar effort from England?

I did wonder the other day whether the WIndies players had their hearts in it. Dowrich came out to bat I see. Pity... I'd have liked to see the reserve get a go as a concussion sub

well done England on the recovery, but please, please, please, stop being so dozy on day 1 of a first test....... sack a few support staff..... they're supposed to get the players ready to go from the off and that hasn't happened in what feels like forever

[sussexpob]

I did wonder the other day whether the WIndies players had their hearts in it. Dowrich came out to bat I see. Pity... I'd have liked to see the reserve get a go as a concussion sub

Sub wasnt offered because he wasnt concussed. The ball apparently cut him near the mouth and he was lucky to maintain a full complement of teeth, but no concussion. It begs the question if a player gets hurt but isnt concussed, why a replacement is suitable for one and not the other. I guess its to stop people picking up the bat in close games and pretending they are ok, when they are actually seeing 4 bowlers; but if we can subs for concussion, maybe its in the interests of the game to allow general injury subs. Captains can come together and agree on suitable squad players, and maybe even allow both medical terms to examine a player to confirm genuine cases.... you obviously wouldnt want the number 11 saying he has a muscle ping, and sending in your opener 12th man.

I dont honestly know the details of the concussion sub. Can a team bring on anyone? A top order or opener for a batsman thats come in at 8 a fair bit? Or is it keeper for reserve keeper?

[Durhamfootman]

it was a snorter that took him the face, seemingly. 90mph jobbie. It would have hurt, but it might help him to make sure he catches the blooming thing in future.

I think there is an 'agreement' that teams will sub like for like in concussion cases, but I don't think there is anything written down as such. Doubtless the first time a team subs a batsman (who gets clobbered at short leg on a pitch that is breaking up far quicker than anyone imagined) with an extra spinner it'll be all over the papers

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well done England for coming back. But mainly feel sorry for WI. They squander hope with such familiar regularity.

[bigfluffylemon]

Well done England. Feel sorry for the West Indies - once Pope got in, they were never really in this test match. After two very competitive games, it seems they ran out of steam, which given 3 matches in 3 weeks, and 9 weeks in a bubble, not surprised they were fatigued. Full credit to them for coming over and playing - thank you.

Amazing effort by Broad. Some amazing stats out there - he's been averaging 22.5 in the last 2.5 years, and after a slow start to his career, since 'that' spell in 2009 he's averaged around 27. Equal first with the great SF Barnes for most 6-fers or better for England, and second best average (after Philander) of any player when taking 4 or more wickets in an innings.

A nice piece of trivia to end on. Last time England came from behind to win a three match series was in 2008. Guess who didn't play the first test, but featured in the winning side in the 2nd and 3rd?
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/141 ... nd-2007-08
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/141 ... nd-2007-08

Ok, it wasn't exactly a man-of-the-series performance then, but an interesting bookend. The 2nd test was Broad's second ever test match, he played a useful role in the series, especially in the 3rd with 5 wickets, and England never looked back. There were many disasters in the Peter Moores reign, but the replacing of Hoggard and Harmison for Broad and Anderson in that 2nd test, massively controversial at the time (I remember railing about it on the former TMS boards) has been vindicated by history.

[westoelad]

I think a like for like substitute is enshrined in the rules rather than a simple gentleman's agreement.Wasn't there a trial period some years back, brainchild of Gus Fraser iirc, for List A games where you named 12 players and could interchange a bat for a bowler and vv?. Quickly abandoned.

[sussexpob]

Yes you are correct westo. Match officials determine if the sub is deemed acceptable, and can restrict batsman from bowling if it's an all rounder that comes in to replace.