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

ianp1970 wrote:The side playing 5 tests has very little to do with chances of winning. If it did England would only get 2 in India!

It sums up modern test cricket how one sided the tests are in the favour of the home team

England, Australia and south Africa are as bad if not worse in Asia than the Asian sides are in the rest of the world

These have been extreme conditions though and they are facing one of if not the best swing bowler of all time

Durhamfootman wrote:So who comes in for Gentle Ben?

So who makes way for Gentle Ben?

Arthur Crabtree wrote:POTM for me should be Woakes for a ton on a bowlers' wicket and a handful of wickets. Case could be made for Anderson though.

Woakes got the nod.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:

Durhamfootman wrote:So who comes in for Gentle Ben?

So who makes way for Gentle Ben?

who was the last one in?

Batting woes of India make it less likely either of A&B will be rested, not having bowled so much. Besides, it's Trent Bridge next.

Rotating one would answer the Stokes question.

Presuming he's not banged up.

Durhamfootman wrote:

Arthur Crabtree wrote:

Durhamfootman wrote:So who comes in for Gentle Ben?

So who makes way for Gentle Ben?

who was the last one in?

The POTM!

Surely woakes is now undroppable

I'd still drop broad personally

Be so harsh on Curran to drop him

So either stokes stays out the side or broad doesn't play for me

ianp1970 wrote:

mikesiva wrote:Can anyone explain why Pakistan are competitive in England but India are not?

I'll have a go.

As they always play early in the season and none of their players play in IPL, they have more prior red ball match practice in upcoming conditions than all Indian players do (and even some England ones get for May tests!)

Pakistan consistently produce quality fast bowlers. India do not, for whatever reason

But the contemptuous attitude to pre series red ball practice can't have helped. Pakistan played several competitive warm up games and were very well prepared. India all but ignored warm ups. Same in South Africa and they got thumped there too.

backfootpunch wrote:Surely woakes is now undroppable

I'd still drop broad personally

Be so harsh on Curran to drop him

So either stokes stays out the side or broad doesn't play for me

Hussain on Sky suggested Pope, with Bairstow at 4 and still keeping

Sooner leave Buttler out.

But I'd probably decide just to not recall Stokes.

Looking back at the batters England have picked since the Mitchwash, the numbers are startling. People starting to fade from the memory, like Haseeb, Westley and Duckett.

Of anyone to have played more than Haseeb's three games, ZBGB has the best average, at 38. Then it's Mo at 32. Amazing how little success the selectors have had with so many punts.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

Startling how many spinners there are with three or fewer caps too. England after Swann is worse than Australia after Warne.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

On;y Tredwell and Borthwick average below 40.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Sooner leave Buttler out.

But I'd probably decide just to not recall Stokes.

That's my preference too. I don't think Buttler belongs in the team in the long term (though I rather fear Smith does) but for now I'd let Stokes wait ...he is rather "distracted" by other events at the moment anyway. Need to see the outcome of his case ; and give him a bit of time to deal with any aftermath.

Hope to win at TB ...and then they could consider resting a bowler.

ianp1970 wrote:

backfootpunch wrote:Surely woakes is now undroppable

I'd still drop broad personally

Be so harsh on Curran to drop him

So either stokes stays out the side or broad doesn't play for me

Hussain on Sky suggested Pope, with Bairstow at 4 and still keeping

Why not go the whole way with all rounders ...add Moeen and let Root open ? Yes , I am being sarcastic

What part of "need at least five (top order) batsmen " do they not get ?

Arthur Crabtree wrote:Startling how many spinners there are with three or fewer caps too. England after Swann is worse than Australia after Warne.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

On;y Tredwell and Borthwick average below 40.

If likes of Root and Malan are included.....

Hauritz, Hogg, Casson, McGain, Cameron White, Krezja, Maxwell, Symonds, MacGill, Cullen, North, Smith, Doherty, Beer, Lyon, Katich, Agar, O'Keefe, Holland, Clarke.....

By memory all would have been called upon for spin at sometime after warne.

Not sure you can say what's worst.