The Cricket Thread

I'm not against Sam Curran in t20s, but it does feel like he's a luxury in this XI given that he rarely bowls more than two overs. I love the idea of six bowlers, but two of them need to be able contribute big time with the bat. Curran isn't that (yet).

The one or two overs which we give to Curran, we could equally give to someone like Root.

That said, in a high scoring match this like, it's all about the top order. If you've lost sufficient wickets that you're looking down at your numbers 7 and 8, you're very unlikely to be successfully chasing 200+.

 

Not the start England were hoping for to their innings

 

England needed to start big and after that early wicket it looks as though we have.

This could be a special run chase

 

Great recovery to be ahead of the worm after the power play.

 

At some point I expect we'll need a 20 run over. But right now, it's going well.

 

Cracking finish in prospect.

 

This is brilliant from Malan.

 

Still ahead of the worm, but we need another big over.

 

Not going to do,it , and I am gutted typing this .

 

I'm glad you're not Eoin Morgan or Ben Stokes.

 

Buttler gone .

 

95 runs from 42 balls ? Yeah , ok .

 

That's not as impossible as you obviously think. On a pitch like this it's doable.

 

Not upset about Bairstow going TBH.

 

Game over now bar a miracle.

 

It was probably over once Buttler got out. The two quiet overs beforehand had already pushed the required rate up, and asking new batsmen to come into that situation is incredibly tough. It needed to be Buttler and Malan who got it back under control.

 

Yeah ok .

 

188-8 after 20 overs .

 

Work to do before the world cup but overall a decent series. I think the order needs switching up, Stokes' power and ability to change the innings is wasted at 6.

 

yes, exciting series