GRcade

Drumstick wrote:Yesss Rooty.

Tremendous day for the big man. Ton AND respect from around the world.

If Root bats the way he did yesterday in the future, instead of the "intent, positive" stuff, then he could very well get back to a level with Smith and Kohli.

So Jimmy needs 40 odd wickets to go third on the all time wickets taken list, do we think he'll do it?

Why not? He’s looking better than ever and has a home Ashes coming up!

I think this is quite an important ODI series, mostly for the bowling unit to lock down those places for a WC berth.

Right now, my starting XI for any ODI would be Roy, Bairstow, Root, Morgan, Stokes, Buttler, Mooen, Woakes, Plunkett, Curran, Rashid. I am completely sold on 10/11 of these, with Curran being the only one I’d consider erring on. I think his variations and ability to bowl well at the death are definitely worthy of inclusion, not to mention his more than handy hitting down the order. I don’t see any point in playing Wood or Willey this series, we know what they offer, they’ve both played over 30 ODIs so we don’t need to see them right now.

My four additional squad players for the tournament would be Hales, Wood, Willey and Archer.

In terms of today, the stats say that, generally speaking, this is a low-scoring ground, with the highest score being 328 by England in 2017. The average score is only just over 200 and an equal number of matches have been won batting first and second.

Drumstick wrote:I think this is quite an important ODI series, mostly for the bowling unit to lock down those places for a WC berth.

Right now, my starting XI for any ODI would be Roy, Bairstow, Root, Morgan, Stokes, Buttler, Mooen, Woakes, Plunkett, Curran, Rashid. I am completely sold on 10/11 of these, with Curran being the only one I’d consider erring on. I think his variations and ability to bowl well at the death are definitely worthy of inclusion, not to mention his more than handy hitting down the order. I don’t see any point in playing Wood or Willey this series, we know what they offer, they’ve both played over 30 ODIs so we don’t need to see them right now.

My four additional squad players for the tournament would be Hales, Wood, Willey and Archer.

In terms of today, the stats say that, generally speaking, this is a low-scoring ground, with the highest score being 328 by England in 2017. The average score is only just over 200 and an equal number of matches have been won batting first and second.

10/11 with only Curran being swapped for Wood.

Drumstick wrote:I think this is quite an important ODI series...

No such thing. Not unless there’s a World Cup with more than ten teams playing.

Given how slow this pitch is I'd be amazed if Windies don't score 300+ here. I generally prefer England batting first unless they're chasing a competitive total.

Good to see Wood up at 90mph still, although Morgan’s fallen into the ‘Root trap’ of bowling him for one over more than he should have.

Balladeer wrote:Good to see Wood up at 90mph still, although Morgan’s fallen into the ‘Root trap’ of bowling him for one over more than he should have.

I’ve long had a theory that a spinner should be deployed in the 9th or/and 10th overs depending on the score. If Woakes and Wood (or whomever is opening the bowling) have been quite restrictive in the first 8 or 9 overs, batsmen will look to target a spinner to try and up the run rate. It’s a risk but one that’s worth taking.

I do generally agree that 4 overs in a spell is the sweet spot for most quicks though.

I do agree with Bumble that Gayle has picked a target in this line-up and is waiting for them to come on to go HAM.

Enjoy the sub-35 strike rate while it lasts.

One ball later:

Oh Mark...

Is it just my imagination or does England get a greater number of Gayle-force winds than other teams?

Presenter on Sky just said that England could really use Hales for this chase to add to the batting depth... England are the most bat-deep team in world cricket.

Roy owes them a ton at least.

By my calculations, Roy needs 126 to break even for this match.

There's that ton!

Didn't break even though. Also RRR over 7. Advantage WI.

Seriously good chase, this. Helped by a distinct lack of fielding by WI.

Top work, another century for Rooty.