The Cricket Thread

You’d think that, wouldn’t you. I’d have thought that when he was MotM in the one close match this series.

Apparently Stokes is injured and unlikely to bowl too much today. This match is toast.

Edit: Given Essex's batting woes this season, Chelmsford must be decent for batting this round. If Vince gets in and makes another ton I reckon he and Burns will be in for The Oval with Root back to 4.

They're going to score loads

Drumstick wrote:Apparently Stokes is injured and unlikely to bowl too much today. This match is toast.

To be fair, he's got one more than we expected of him!

Match looks more in balance than it might have done. And we got Keaton Jennings bowling, which is always a plus. Only bettered by Vince bowling.

Meanwhile in the County Championship, can somebody hamstring Morne Morkel? Surrey are too good without him. With him, it's just silly.

Tell you what, England have levelled the match with that session. There is now a chance they can go into the third innings close to parity or even with a lead. Pujara doesn't score quickly so even if he's left with the tail he isn't going to be able to accelerate like Curran did.

Probably a good idea to include match-winning players like Moeen and SCurran in the side, eh?

Pujara’s playing one hell of a knock though.

Never in doubt.

:shifty:

Love Test cricket

So where do England go from here? Same side again? Rest one of the quicks and give Porter a go? Change at the top?

Personally I think if Burns isn't given a go in a dead rubber on his home ground then I don't see when they will. I'd also rest Broad for Porter.

The series is wrapped up, it doesn't really matter whether we win 3-2 or 4-1, it's definitely the right move to experiment.

Mo says he wants to bat at 3... as much as I like him I don't really think he is a test number 3, but I'm not opposed to trying him there especially with the away series we've got coming up, it's the ideal time to give him a run at first drop.

Burns obviously must come in to bat on his home ground, again it's the perfect set of circumstances for him to debut.

Perhaps controversially, I'd consider resting Bairstow to give Pope another go.

Curran stays and bring Porter in for a game and rest Anderson/Broad.

Cook, Burns, Moeen, Root, Pope, Stokes, Buttler, Curran, Rashid, Porter, Anderson/Broad.

It’s important to remember how relevant the toss has been this series. England have won 4/4, of which two were no-brainers. Of the two where Kohli said he wanted to do what he was doing anyway, India lost one (close) and won one (emphatically). Also, India and England both just can’t chase.

If they leave Curran out of the next match I’m giving up and supporting India.

If it was me, I'd be solely concentrating on the tour of Sri Lanka. I'd rest Rashiid as he'll almost certainly be on the plane and I'd play Leach. I'd also rest Cook and play Burns as an opener, I think Jennings did enough in the game to warrant getting the last test. Porter for one of Broad or Anderson should be a no-brainer. I'd also, grudgingly, play Moeen at 3. I also don't think he's a test match no. 3 but we don't have another Trott waiting in the wings. I agree with Drummy on bringing Pope back in for Bairstow, playing him this last week was a gamble that didn't pay off.

So, that gives Burns, Jennings, Ali, Root, Stokes, Pope, Buttler, Curran, Leach, Porter, Anderson/Broad

Only problem is I'd expect that team to be 12/3 in double quick time.

That's a good point about resting Rashid as he's a certainty to be in the squad for SL.

I think Jennings probably deserves the last game tbh because both sides have shown that, generally speaking, batting has been quite difficult in this series. Probably not as difficult as England have made it seem at times and it's also important to recognise that India's quicks have bowled really well overall.

Problem with that is of course Burns would miss out on his home ground (because we all know Cook isn't getting rested/dropped).

Also Stokes isn't fully fit, no point playing him and risking worsening the injury now the series is wrapped up. Bring Woakes in for Stokes, Mo can do spin duties, bring Burns in to pad the batting at the top, Mo plays at 5.

Cook, Jennings, Burns, Root, Moeen, Pope, Buttler, Curran, Woakes, Porter, Anderson/Broad.

Not sure about dropping Rashid. He’s a confidence player, and I think bowling some more overs in a Test would be good for him. I’m also undecided about bringing Broad to the subcontinent, but I’m definitely bringing Jimmy, so I’d rest Jimmy for this match. Leach misses out due to lack of slots, unfortunately.

Burns, Jennings, Cook, Root, Moe/Pope (undecided), Stokes/Woakes (fitness), Buttler, Curran, Rashid, Broad, Porter

The funny thing is, we have probably all spent longer thinking about this than the ECB leadership team have done or will do. :lol:

Very pleased Root finally asserted himself and said he's batting at 4.

Also, for all the talk of England not having any standout specialist batsmen, Pope is, it's just kind of unfortunate that he's so young and hasn't had time to graduate up the order.

Press conference by the ECB at 12, rumours of a Cook retirement. I really hope it isn't at the end of the series because there is no way they'll drop him for his last test and that means a new opener going in cold to an away series.

It's going to be Cook or Bayliss.

Alastair Cook has announced his retirement from international cricket and has issued the following statement.

“After much thought and deliberation over the last few months I have decided to announce my retirement from international cricket at the end of this Test series against India.

“Although it is a sad day, I can do so with a big smile on my face knowing I have given everything and there is nothing left in the tank. I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined and feel very privileged to have played for such a long time alongside some of the greats of the English game. The thought of not sharing the dressing room, again, with some of my teammates was the hardest part of my decision, but I know the timing is right.

“I have loved cricket my whole life from playing in the garden as a child and will never underestimate how special it is to pull on an England shirt. So I know it is the right time to give the next generation of young cricketers their turn to entertain us and feel the immense pride that comes with representing your country.

“There are too many people to thank individually, but a special mention must go to the Barmy Army and all supporters for their constant encouragement for the team and also a special mention to Graham Gooch. As a seven year-old I queued for his autograph outside Essex County Cricket Club and years later was so fortunate to have him mentoring me. Graham was my sounding board, especially in the early years of my career, spending hour after hour throwing balls at me with his dog stick. He made me realise you always need to keep improving whatever you are trying to achieve.

“My family and I have had 12 wonderful years fulfilling my dreams and this could not have been done without them. So I wish to thank my parents and brothers, my wife, Alice, and her family for their quiet, unwavering support behind the scenes. As cricketers, who travel frequently, we often don’t realise just how important our families are to our success.

“I would also like to thank Essex County Cricket Club for their help and support ever since I was 12, and I can’t wait to get fully involved with them in the 2019 season.

“I wish the England team every success in the future, and I will be watching with great excitement.”

Probably the right decisision, but none the easier to stomach for that.

Cue the ECB promoting Pope to opener.

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