The Cricket Thread

The Tea interval brings the wicket at last for England. England win by 42 runs and the series 3-0...great effort.

 

Top jinxing! Well played sir.

 

England get a white wash...........Well done England!! They didn't panic............

 

Next season's fixtures get announced tomorrow. We also commence the interviews for the head coach position a week from today (still no firm word as to who applied - but Dimi, Farbrace and Richard Scott have all been linked).

 

Other counties are, of course, available...

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/teams/hampshire/fixtures

A couple of good home games early doors.

 

Tricky 1st away game

 

So on Monday we started the interviews for the head coach role. And today Mascarenhas announces he is leaving Essex, rather than renewing his contract.

Interesting timing...

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46486937

Pretty pleased about Alsop and Wheal, not so sure about Weatherley, but he is still only 21 I guess.

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/46504424

Great to see India winning the first test against Australia. I thought India were a tad unfortunatel to lose 4-1 against England in the summer, but when a team is inspired as England were, and have the best pace bowler in the game at the moment, that is hard to counteract. So well done to India today, and let´s hope they can win the series Down Under.

 

Let me think about this. Do we want a team to win a series away to Australia....

Mmmm

Thought about it. Yes

 

Would England start a home series with these bowlers in the side? Anderson, Broad, Stokes, Curran, Moeen, Leach! Three of the six are very good batters as well, Even Broad is no dud!! Seems a longish tail but it would give England a wonderful bowling attack.

 

Adrian Birrell named new Hampshire head coach.

 

Never heard of him, any good Tom, Brendy?.

Was kinda hoping that Dimi might get the gig this time.

 

To be honest, I've never heard of him either. So that's Saints and Hampshire now! But as with Ralph, I like what I've been reading about Adrian. First time in a very long time that we've appointed a head coach with head coach experience.

Not only does that experience include overseeing Ireland's wins in the 2007 WC vs India and Pakistan, but he was also in charge of the England U19s in 2010, when a certain James Vince was vice-captain. (Briggs and Bates were also around the team at that time, as well Stokes, Buttler and Root.)

I'm sure Rilee, Abbott and Berg will all be happy to have another South African around. And it possibly helps to increase our chances of getting Amla or Steyn on a kolpak deal after the WC (if either or both retire from international cricket).

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/46596664

That is just woeful, India. I expect Australia to win the series 4-1 now. On the upside, perhaps England (or South Africa) are the number one test team again but it has to be proved by hammering these annoying Aussies 5-0, my dream for the summer of 2019.

 

England v West Indies!!

No Jack Leach or Broad in the starting 11. I would have loved Jack Leach to have started this test to see what he can do on these West Indian pitches. I thought he was a more measured bowler than Rashid, and to my mind merited a place ahead of the man from Yorkshire. To accommodate Broad, either a batsman would have to go, or either Stokes or Curran. Going in a batsman light is a risk but as Curran, Moeen, Stokes and Foakes, and even Broad have proven successful with the bat in the past, I think England could have gone in a batsman lighter.

 

Think we might be in trouble here. There must be some method behind WI choosing the Duke ball. Me thinks they’re gambling on the wicket deteriorating badly as the tests advance & if they’re batting first, as here, England will be at a major disadvantage. I believe they think that’s the only way they can win. Shoot me down tho

 

3 Quick wickets make it 261-7
Turned England's way.

 

264-8

Close of play.