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

bigfluffylemon wrote:Kinda feel as though we should be better than we are. There are some good players there. They just aren't consistent.

Some do flatter to deceive though. The press keep fawning over Bairstow calling him an excellent batsman, but he's had one year in test cricket when he's averaged over 35. Suggests he's mediocre but had one purple patch.

backfootpunch wrote:

bigfluffylemon wrote:Kinda feel as though we should be better than we are. There are some good players there. They just aren't consistent.

Some do flatter to deceive though. The press keep fawning over Bairstow calling him an excellent batsman, but he's had one year in test cricket when he's averaged over 35. Suggests he's mediocre but had one purple patch.

Bairstows technique has fallen to pieces because he's changed his game for white ball cricket

Before the changes he had the technique to bat 4 or 5 in test matches, now he has started standing so far to the leg side showing all his stumps he's a number 7 or 6 at best

sussexpob wrote:

alfie wrote:

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Pick your strongest team and don't scatter around experimental caps. I think England would profit more by winning 4-1 than having a look at a couple of debutants in a dead rubber. If A&B were going to be rested for their sake, it doesn't make much sense to do it in the final Test unless they are carrying an injury. They won't be going out for the one dayers in SL.

Never been keen on dishing out caps too freely...unlike ODIs , each Test is an event in itself and should be treated with respect.

Yes I know I'm a dinosaur

Cook just said the tank was empty and that he had nothing left to give, would it be respectful to the game to play a man who admits that? Is it respectful to pick guys who rather play IPL than county cricket in preparation (many)? Or to pick spinners that refuse to play full stop? Or pick lads that go out in middle of series and beat up members of the public? Or players that headbutt the opposition?

1. Retiring
2. Not made a 50 in 9 tests. Average is a failure above going past the 20 mark in the wrong way. Only test match score, he was badly dropped on 0.
3. Just came back from being dropped. Averaged mid 20s in last two years with no 100 since winter 16..... has an abysmal record overseas. His record in the top three slots is to average .... 16, 12 and 7. Great call to move him up the order.
4. No 100 in about 15-16 tests by memory. 100s turned to 50s, 50s now turning to failures. Averages just over 30 for the year
5. Last 16 tests, he averages high 20s, a sustained period of bad form. Add into that hes into his 7th calendar year as a test cricketer, and only averaged over 35 one year, really he had one purple match in a lot of very poor performances.
6. Has recent high profile disciplinary issues, not yet resolved with the board. Average not much over 25 for the year.
7. Has runs, but he's been dropped or has been very lucky in every single score. When the luck goes, he's in trouble.
8. A medium pacer who relies almost exclusively on his ability to swing from the hand. The perfect overcast, damp England option.... wonder how much of that swing he will get in Sri Lanka. He will need it, the 76mph bowling isnt going to trouble test batters.
9. Captain doesnt even want to give him the ball. Doesnt want to play to improve. Not really shown hes a match winning test player at all.
10/11..... both pretty old, both have had big workloads over the years. Either could break down, or find they suddenly run out of gas and decline. Broad has not exactly been excellent in Asia. He averages 63 a wicket in Sri Lanka, 54 in India and 40 in BD..... Anderson manages 40 in SRL and 35 in India, never played in BD.


I dont think its really throwing caps at people randomly, if/when we replace people on this form. Nothing in the above suggests we will do well in SL. Nothing at all. We essentially could drop about 7 players from this side and not probably notice much difference.

alfie wrote: You do like to look on the bright side , don't you... And seriously : if you really think there are seven fit available replacements ready to walk into the team without weakening it , I want some of what you're smoking...

yuppie wrote:Got to feel sorry for Ali here as once again he is being bought in as a stop gap player. Dropped at the start of the summer he now finds himself batting at one and being the number 1 spinner. How can you judge a players worth to a team if they are not given a set role?

sussexpob wrote:Jennings proving once again he's useless. Was lucky to survive the over before, then that. Get him out, hes rubbish.