Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Arthur Crabtree wrote:But that is why he is there. They've maybe lost faith in the selection plan. No one thinks Ravi gets in the team for the batting alone.

and I have said repeatedly that is obviously why they are picking him , just that it looks like a really bad call by the selectors and/or coach

Happy to agree to disagree here.

Yes, we agree!

Final ODI starts later this morning.

Play under way - We've won the toss and inserted the opposition.

Finally we've got a wicket.

Interesting that despite Lions struggling today with the ball they haven't once turned to Stokes and they're in the 46th over.

Moores and co see him as a bowler who bats so they stick him in at 8 and give him some overs to bowl. Result - not too impressive.

Lions put him at 5 and bowl him occasionally. Result - big runs with the bat and picks up a few wickets.

I hope Moores is taking note.

Stokes didn't bowl a single ball.

Not sure what the thinking was behind that. SA were coasting and Stokes has the most wickets in the series for Lions.

maybe an injury.

A better bowling innings for Rashid.

Not a huge score by the present standards.

Aidan11 wrote:Stokes didn't bowl a single ball.

Not sure what the thinking was behind that. SA were coasting and Stokes has the most wickets in the series for Lions.

They did include 6 bowlers without Stokes, so perhaps it is as simple as finding out, for the England selectors, what other bowlers can do? No point taking these people and not playing them. Learn nothing that way

or maybe they are sick of Stokes making the selectors look like the donkey's that they are, and are trying to minimise the damage he is causing to perceptions of their judgement?

Durhamfootman wrote:

Aidan11 wrote:Stokes didn't bowl a single ball.

Not sure what the thinking was behind that. SA were coasting and Stokes has the most wickets in the series for Lions.

They did include 6 bowlers without Stokes, so perhaps it is as simple as finding out, for the England selectors, what other bowlers can do? No point taking these people and not playing them. Learn nothing that way

or maybe they are sick of Stokes making the selectors look like the donkey's that they are, and are trying to minimise the damage he is causing to perceptions of their judgement?

looks like they were doing a bit of experimenting today given billings got moved to open

SA post 287-6 with Hendricks making a ton.... ENG 42-2 in the 8th

Brooks pick of the bowlers with 3-55, Vince and bairstow at the crease

Durhamfootman wrote:

Aidan11 wrote:Stokes didn't bowl a single ball.

Not sure what the thinking was behind that. SA were coasting and Stokes has the most wickets in the series for Lions.

They did include 6 bowlers without Stokes, so perhaps it is as simple as finding out, for the England selectors, what other bowlers can do? No point taking these people and not playing them. Learn nothing that way

or maybe they are sick of Stokes making the selectors look like the donkey's that they are, and are trying to minimise the damage he is causing to perceptions of their judgement?

Never thought of that. Downton might have sent a message out not to bowl him. If he comes into bat at Number 8 then there will be no doubt at all.

71-3 in the 13th

Stokes batting now.