The Cricket Thread

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
The sad thing is that even with his wickets this summer, coupled with an innings like this, there will still be people - including on here, no doubt - who wouldn't have Woakes in their best XI (in England). The general consensus in the media, for example, seemed to be if Stokes was fit to bowl in this game, it should be Woakes to make way for Crawley.

In England, I think there's merit to dropping Bess and going full seam save for the odd spell where Root comes in and inexplicably picks up two wickets.
 
In England, I think there's merit to dropping Bess and going full seam save for the odd spell where Root comes in and inexplicably picks up two wickets.

As I've been suggesting for over a year now, since Archer broke onto the scene.
 
In fairness to Pakistan, the commentators are criticizing them for bowling length and expecting England to collapse and get themselves out, but...I mean, that works 9 times out of 10.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Saints_Alive
Just caught up with the highlights, what a win! Definitely didn’t expect that yesterday morning, or at 117-5 this afternoon.

I take back everything I said about Woakes. Next match drop Bess for Crawley?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Number 1 Jasper
Just caught up with the highlights, what a win! Definitely didn’t expect that yesterday morning, or at 117-5 this afternoon.

I take back everything I said about Woakes. Next match drop Bess for Crawley?
Or Leach. He can bat a bit as well. Next test,Leach in, Bess to return ro County Cricket to work on his skills. Where could Moeen Ali fit in to counter the twin spin threat of Pakistán? Archer? Anderson?
 
I am happy that Buttler and Woakes managed to stuff their detractors. Likewise Root. Where his captaincy skills are when compared to the likes of Clive Lloyd I do not know but he has a squad of players that are prepared to dig deep for the team, so perhaps everybody is in danger of underestimating his leadership.qualities.
 
To be honest, I expect Bess to keep his place for the next test. I'm anticipating Jimmy being rested, and quite possibly Archer too. We rested/rotated for the middle test vs WI, and I think we will do the same again. Otherwise, we're potentially asking a 38 year old to play three tests in three weeks (and four tests in five weeks). And as I understand it, this heatwave will last throughout the week.

Wood for Archer. Crawley for Jimmy if Stokes can bowl 30+ overs, otherwise Curran for Jimmy.
 
Shame that Middlesex have a third man, because it seems to be the only area we can score (whether intentionally or not).