1st Test England v Pakistan, Lord's 14-18 July

[Dr Cricket]

Think the biggest prove was the last shocking ashes in Australia where the ECB gave information to the press that would attack KP and then were found to be mostly lies.
the entire tour was essentially blamed on KP.

[Arthur Crabtree]

At the end of the day

We hold every test trophy bar the one we are currently playing for

And are playing great white ball cricket

So criticism of the team will be at an all time low

Well that's true. Since the Ashes win last season, including an improved showing in UAE, a win in SA and the heavy defeat of SL (essentially, since Bayliss) and improved, 21st century ODI performances, England have done well. But they were a struggling side for a few years before that, including two of their worst series ever (UAE, Ashes whitewash2) and the ODI side was a shambles. KP got destroyed, but everyone else, even figures as disastrous as Moores and Downton, were pretty much immune, right up to their removal.

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is where the advantage of England's long batting line up can really make a difference. Mo and Woakes are capable of Test tons, and although (IMO) not plausible top order bats, can deliver much more than cameos. I don't think he'll manage it, but Mo could make a case for retention as a batter here, if he consistently outscores Vince and Ballance, should another spinner come in.

[budgetmeansbudget]

At the end of the day

We hold every test trophy bar the one we are currently playing for

And are playing great white ball cricket

So criticism of the team will be at an all time low

You aren't including the 2015 World Cup in the assessment of our recent white ball cricket record then?!

[Dr Cricket]

Neo Anchor Saying Hafeez dropped the catch in purpose because he hates amir lol.

[backfootpunch]

At the end of the day

We hold every test trophy bar the one we are currently playing for

And are playing great white ball cricket

So criticism of the team will be at an all time low

You aren't including the 2015 World Cup in the assessment of our recent white ball cricket record then?!

Why would I?

That has no bearing on the current side which is a changed team in players and style of play

[Arthur Crabtree]

Crucial passage of play.

[budgetmeansbudget]

At the end of the day

We hold every test trophy bar the one we are currently playing for

And are playing great white ball cricket

So criticism of the team will be at an all time low

You aren't including the 2015 World Cup in the assessment of our recent white ball cricket record then?!

Why would I?

That has no bearing on the current side which is a changed team in players and style of play

I was just wondering what criteria you were using in your conclusion of us being world beaters in every form of the game. We have improved in parts but to say that criticism of the team will be at an all time low is a bit over the top when our ranking is no higher than fourth in any format.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I know it's not that meaningful yet, but Woakes' batting average is 32, bowling average 33, so nearing that old qualification that the all rounder's batting average should be higher than the bowling.

[Dr Cricket]

TBH woakes would have far better stats to stokes as an all rounder considering he is more consistent and know his game more.

Stokes currently doesn't know his batting or bowling yet in the international format.

Also england only got this pair to score runs wouldn't trust Broad, Finn and Ball to score runs.

[hopeforthebest]

You can tell Rameez commentates a lot of T20 cricket when in a test he says that's only a single. The mind set of the modern commentator is not tuned in to test cricket.

[Dr Cricket]

You can tell Rameez commentates a lot of T20 cricket when in a test he says that's only a single. The mind set of the modern commentator is not tuned in to test cricket.

TBH Pakistan hardly plays much Test cricket so they guy mostly does T20 cricket and his the comm for lots of the overseas T20 competition.

Would have preferred if Sky went for that posh guy pakistani from oxford university from last winter, but guessing he isn't a big name for Sky to use for the coverage.

[Dr Cricket]

What is the point of Ali can't bat, can't bowl or field.

[sussexpob]

Shah doing the job here

[hopeforthebest]

England could be bowling again this evening.