Ire tour of Eng, May 28 - Sept 26

[sussexpob]

I mean, I really dont get that.

Half the team haven't got a chance to bat, hardly any of the match has gone by, the forecast is good.....

Stokes and McCullum got a round of golf to make?

I think the bean counters at the ECB will not be best pleased. Passing back a lot of revenue

[alfie]

Declared.

Where's my prize?

No prize Arthur...you had them batting another 75 minutes , sorry.

"Stokes calls them in due to a quick collapse after tea" ?

Will we get a two day finish now I wonder...

[alfie]

Bean counters probably won't be happy. And you could argue they need the practice...but I just don't reckon Stokes and McCullum think like that.

They've said all along they play to win as quickly and entertainingly as they can , never mind risks etc... And they keep on showing they mean it.

Given that philosophy seems to have transformed the team it probably makes sense to remain true to their game plan rather than mess around just on this occasion , no ?

[sussexpob]

Bean counters probably won't be happy. And you could argue they need the practice...but I just don't reckon Stokes and McCullum think like that.

They've said all along they play to win as quickly and entertainingly as they can , never mind risks etc... And they keep on showing they mean it.

Given that philosophy seems to have transformed the team it probably makes sense to remain true to their game plan rather than mess around just on this occasion , no ?

I mean, simply as a fan I'd rather have test cricket to watch tomorrow or Sunday, rather than the test be over. And you'd think the batters wanted to get out and have a go. So to me, it doesnt make much sense at all.

[Gingerfinch]

I'm with Sussex on this one. Don't play Ireland if the aim is to win inside three days and go home. People have paid money and I'm sure would be looking forward to a Stokes or Brook ton. Day four then you take a risk of the game being over but not on day three.
Of course Ireland may make a fight of it and score 400 but that is a moot point.

[alfie]

Bean counters probably won't be happy. And you could argue they need the practice...but I just don't reckon Stokes and McCullum think like that.

They've said all along they play to win as quickly and entertainingly as they can , never mind risks etc... And they keep on showing they mean it.

Given that philosophy seems to have transformed the team it probably makes sense to remain true to their game plan rather than mess around just on this occasion , no ?

I mean, simply as a fan I'd rather have test cricket to watch tomorrow or Sunday, rather than the test be over. And you'd think the batters wanted to get out and have a go. So to me, it doesnt make much sense at all.

Sure , I can see the "fans" angle . I am also a bit disappointed when matches get finished too early ! But I have to say I wasn't really looking forward to watching England bashing this "limited ?" Irish attack around for another couple of sessions.

I doubt we will encounter problems of this nature once the Ashes get under way

[Arthur Crabtree]

Debut Test wickets for Tongue.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Sharp Tongue, I imagine.

[Durhamfootman]

I mean, I really dont get that.

me neither

makes no sense at all. Harry Brook had one big score early in the IPL and then got dropped because he couldn't buy a run in match, after match, after match. This was his chance. Stokes I don't worry about, but YJB is on the comeback trail and would surely benefit from a bit of middle time

The point about the ECB not being happy because this might end up being a 2 day test at this rate and they're heavily booked up for tomorrow is less of a concern. England have put themselves in a legitimate match winning position more or less after 5 sessions, so fair enough... the bean counters will have to swivel on it

[Durhamfootman]

Bean counters probably won't be happy. And you could argue they need the practice...but I just don't reckon Stokes and McCullum think like that.

They've said all along they play to win as quickly and entertainingly as they can , never mind risks etc... And they keep on showing they mean it.

Given that philosophy seems to have transformed the team it probably makes sense to remain true to their game plan rather than mess around just on this occasion , no ?

I'm minded of the Eddie Howe quote after Arsenal whinged about the way Newcastle played at the Emirates.... "we're not here to be liked, we're here to compete"

[Arthur Crabtree]

A third for Tongue.

The big bonus of the early finish is that everyone gets to listen to a lot less Vaughny and Steely.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ireland digging in. That isn't fair!

[Durhamfootman]

almost like cheating, Arthur

[bigfluffylemon]

Declaration was quite right too. Yes, England could have batted on, but they already have more than enough, and is there anything much to be gained by grinding an already substandard attack into the dust? Besides, I think Stokes was more than vindicated in declaring in the evening session with those Ireland wickets.

[sussexpob]

Yes, England could have batted on, but they already have more than enough, and is there anything much to be gained by grinding an already substandard attack into the dust?

I dont think I need to really demonstrate that time in the middle is good for batters, or that scoring runs, however easily obtained, will improve their self belief and confidence.

Ben Stokes has faced a handful of balls since his last test in IPL, has recently had fitness issues, and his personal 5 day form is pretty rubbish - no 50 in the last 7 test matches. I'd imagine seeing a few balls and making a score would have been good for him.

Brook's form in the IPL was horrendous, with 3 ducks in his last 4 innings, and no FC in a long time - I'd suggest he needed a few runs under his belt.

Bairstow, like Stokes, finished 2022 on a downturn of form, and has gone 7 FC games without an innings of much length, coming off an injury - Again, time at the middle with opportunities to score would do him some good.

England's batters are now unlikely to face another live ball before the Ashes starts, with the CC next round ovrlapping with day 1 of the Ashes. Regardless of the situation in this match and the lack of necessity from a team perspective, there was unquestionable value for those players in their situation coming out to bat.