SKN vs Englishmen @ Warner Park, April 6-7 & 8-9

[hopeforthebest]

England going at under three an over.

Stokes, Buttler, Rashid and Jordan to come should change that.

It is slow going but from what I see much of the pace bowling is full and wide of the stumps. The SLA bowler is doing OK though, getting some turn I think. Ballance's dismissal was a very weak shot just turned a delivery into the hands of short leg.

[Aidan11]

I hope Cook remembers this is a two day match.

Looks like He's just going to bat out the day to give our batters some time in the middle.

[Making_Splinters]

Having watched the highlights of Cook yesterday, he does look in much better touch than we've seen for quite some time, against some rather gentle pace mind.

[Aidan11]

Looked like they were bowling too short to him yesterday.


That might have worked in the days of Curtley Ambrose but not now.

[Making_Splinters]

Looked like they were bowling too short to him yesterday.


That might have worked in the days of Curtley Ambrose but not now.

True, but more just looking at his basics. His head was significantly less jerky and his feet were moving a lot cleaner than we saw over the summer. Of course it's a lot easier to do that when you're facing bowlers with less menace than Dennis.

[mikesiva]

Just looked, and I think "wrong side of 30" is generous. This is a rather insulting team to field for a International tour match, it really is.

The two openers are averaging 21 and 26, the number 3 has never played a recognised professional game, the number 4 and 6 struggle to average 15, and the number 5 averages 21, with the number seven never having passed 33 and an average of 14. The bowlers have a combined 50 FC wickets (between 8 used)......

If I was confronted with this team to play I simply would get back on the tour bus and go back to the hotel.

Surely most County U-19 teams are better than this?

It is a very crap team...the Leewards finished bottom of the PCL, and that is really bad, considering how bad WI batsmanship is in the four or five day game now. This SKN team only has six players who actually played for the Leewards this season, so that gives you an idea how rubbish this is.

In 2009, England played one warmup against SKN, and one warmup against the A team, when Barath hit a ton and Simmons a double (remember that?). A number of WIndies fans are asking the WICB, why no A team this time around? The A team is sitting around doing nothing, twiddling their thumbs, with no tour on the immediate horizon....

[mikesiva]

It's essentially the England test side playing against a minor English county side. England have better net bowlers than what is being served up. There has been criticism of some of the practice sides English counties field against touring sides, but this lot are worse than most counties' seconds. Very much just running through the motions for England. I would be critical of the WICB for this but West Indies domestic cricket is pretty poor.

Criticism of the WICB well deserved...this is not even a FC side. The FC side is the Leewards. If that side had been put out, it would've been more acceptable.

And to what end? Congrats to the WI selectors, for playing Cook into form and confidence....

LUNCH: England (89 ovrs) 261-3 Bell 28*, Root 37*. The morning has gone to England. They scored 80 runs and lost 2 wickets in 28 overs.

Bat to tea and declare? Surely, England don't need more than one session to bowl St Kitts-Nevis out....

[Making_Splinters]

It's essentially the England test side playing against a minor English county side. England have better net bowlers than what is being served up. There has been criticism of some of the practice sides English counties field against touring sides, but this lot are worse than most counties' seconds. Very much just running through the motions for England. I would be critical of the WICB for this but West Indies domestic cricket is pretty poor.

Criticism of the WICB well deserved...this is not even a FC side. The FC side is the Leewards. If that side had been put out, it would've been more acceptable.

And to what end? Congrats to the WI selectors, for playing Cook into form and confidence....

LUNCH: England (89 ovrs) 261-3 Bell 28*, Root 37*. The morning has gone to England. They scored 80 runs and lost 2 wickets in 28 overs.

Bat to tea and declare? Surely, England don't need more than one session to bowl St Kitts-Nevis out....

The point is more, English counties rarely put out a full strength side against touring parties. Usually you'll see a mix of first team players, second team players and the odd academy player. That's fairly analogous with what has been put out by the WICB. The standard of West Indies first class cricket is a long way below that of the major sides.

[hopeforthebest]

Just noticed that Cook took 198 deliveries for his 101 runs, rather pathetic considering he scored 50 runs in 11 x 4 and a 6.

[mikesiva]

Stokes out for 41...declaration coming.

[dan08]

Plunkett and Wood will bowl in the final session.

England will bowl all day tomorrow and then bat all day on Thursday.

[dan08]

I wonder how many wickets we can take tomorrow... 20, 30?

[ddb]

Thought England were obsessed with taking these matches seriously to prepare themselves. Clearly not following this plan anymore.

What has happened?

[Dr Cricket]

Thought England were obsessed with taking these matches seriously to prepare themselves. Clearly not following this plan anymore.

What has happened?

was just about to say that wonder how the press will cope after all the moaning they do when touring team tour england.

[Making_Splinters]

It's kind of tough to take a game seriously when you're so far above the opposition. It's a good job this isn't a four day game.