Cricket fred

[Banquo]

sadly....trouble now

[Puja]

Maybe should've swung at it.

Puja

[Puja]

Crawley's hit 30, so we'll be three down shortly.

Puja

[Banquo]

Crawley's hit 30, so we'll be three down shortly.

Puja

yup. Creepy sums himself up. Frustrating lack of self control

[Banquo]

Change of ball made a huge difference too. Looking very tricky now

[Banquo]

YJB utterly lost confidence since that missed stumping in the 1st test. He's well into negative territory now; Root also out of form, all at the wrong time. We've now lost two choked down the leg side and a horror show from Bairstow (and Crawley tbh)

[Puja]

Mark Wood's batting is a delight. I remember he used to be a walking wicket, but now he's developed this game from the understanding that he's not good enough to be able to defend and keep out top quality bowlers, but if he goes for it, he's good enough and strong enough to be very dangerous.

Great to have a tight one go our way this Ashes. Much better feeling to be on the board and it does feel like a major momentum shift in the series.

Puja

[Banquo]

woakes all round numbers in England are sensational.

Great win, and Brook played a big innings for him. BTW, but for Bazball, would we have even seen Brook playing in the test side. I think the pundits are finally working out what Bazball actually is, as well (tbf so are Baz and Ben)

Selection interesting....

[fivepointer]

Great win considering the number of issues in the team. Bairstrow is a headache, Root keeps getting out softly, Stokes cant bowl, Crawley gets in and gets out tamely, Ali makes sporadic contributions and Robinson may be crocked.
Just as well Wood and Woakes had strong games and Brook played a key innings yesterday.
Thrilling stuff.

[Banquo]

Great win considering the number of issues in the team. Bairstrow is a headache, Root keeps getting out softly, Stokes cant bowl, Crawley gets in and gets out tamely, Ali makes sporadic contributions and Robinson may be crocked.
Just as well Wood and Woakes had strong games and Brook played a key innings yesterday.
Thrilling stuff.

Stokes is a great leader tho, and its covering up quite a lot....and despite all this we should be 2-1 or even 3-0 up against a very good Aussie team.

A big question for the next match is Anderson tbh. That said, as before, our bowlers have done really well; some questionable periods of play tactically (9th wicket stand last match, Marsh (kinda) and Head's innings this time), but the seamers have all done well, even JImmy was relatively economical.

Top order and keeper, no idea, other than Foakes has to keep.

[Puja]

Great win considering the number of issues in the team. Bairstrow is a headache, Root keeps getting out softly, Stokes cant bowl, Crawley gets in and gets out tamely, Ali makes sporadic contributions and Robinson may be crocked.
Just as well Wood and Woakes had strong games and Brook played a key innings yesterday.
Thrilling stuff.

Stokes is a great leader tho, and its covering up quite a lot....and despite all this we should be 2-1 or even 3-0 up against a very good Aussie team.

A big question for the next match is Anderson tbh. That said, as before, our bowlers have done really well; some questionable periods of play tactically (9th wicket stand last match, Marsh (kinda) and Head's innings this time), but the seamers have all done well, even JImmy was relatively economical.

Top order and keeper, no idea, other than Foakes has to keep.

The question with Foakes is whether you drop Bairstow entirely, or if you go back down to a smaller bowling attack again and keep YJB as a batsman. Pope's injury has left the space open, but with Stokes's injuries hampering his bowling, it's asking a lot to go with 3 seamers and a spinner.

It's 10 days till the next test. If Stokes can bowl even in short spells, then bring in Foakes and keep YJB, then work out how on earth you pick 3 from Woakes/Broad/Wood/Anderson/Robinson. If he realistically won't be able to, then drop YJB and get the slightly easier puzzle of 5 pace bowlers into 4 slots.

Puja

[Banquo]

Great win considering the number of issues in the team. Bairstrow is a headache, Root keeps getting out softly, Stokes cant bowl, Crawley gets in and gets out tamely, Ali makes sporadic contributions and Robinson may be crocked.
Just as well Wood and Woakes had strong games and Brook played a key innings yesterday.
Thrilling stuff.

Stokes is a great leader tho, and its covering up quite a lot....and despite all this we should be 2-1 or even 3-0 up against a very good Aussie team.

A big question for the next match is Anderson tbh. That said, as before, our bowlers have done really well; some questionable periods of play tactically (9th wicket stand last match, Marsh (kinda) and Head's innings this time), but the seamers have all done well, even JImmy was relatively economical.

Top order and keeper, no idea, other than Foakes has to keep.

The question with Foakes is whether you drop Bairstow entirely, or if you go back down to a smaller bowling attack again and keep YJB as a batsman. Pope's injury has left the space open, but with Stokes's injuries hampering his bowling, it's asking a lot to go with 3 seamers and a spinner.

It's 10 days till the next test. If Stokes can bowl even in short spells, then bring in Foakes and keep YJB, then work out how on earth you pick 3 from Woakes/Broad/Wood/Anderson/Robinson. If he realistically won't be able to, then drop YJB and get the slightly easier puzzle of 5 pace bowlers into 4 slots.

Puja

I'd think Tongue should also be in the equation, given OT is reputedly quick this season. I reckon tho, they'll just replace Robinson with Anderson.

[Puja]

Stokes is a great leader tho, and its covering up quite a lot....and despite all this we should be 2-1 or even 3-0 up against a very good Aussie team.

A big question for the next match is Anderson tbh. That said, as before, our bowlers have done really well; some questionable periods of play tactically (9th wicket stand last match, Marsh (kinda) and Head's innings this time), but the seamers have all done well, even JImmy was relatively economical.

Top order and keeper, no idea, other than Foakes has to keep.

The question with Foakes is whether you drop Bairstow entirely, or if you go back down to a smaller bowling attack again and keep YJB as a batsman. Pope's injury has left the space open, but with Stokes's injuries hampering his bowling, it's asking a lot to go with 3 seamers and a spinner.

It's 10 days till the next test. If Stokes can bowl even in short spells, then bring in Foakes and keep YJB, then work out how on earth you pick 3 from Woakes/Broad/Wood/Anderson/Robinson. If he realistically won't be able to, then drop YJB and get the slightly easier puzzle of 5 pace bowlers into 4 slots.

Puja

I'd think Tongue should also be in the equation, given OT is reputedly quick this season. I reckon tho, they'll just replace Robinson with Anderson.

Robinson for Anderson does *feel* like the sensible call, but if you look at the stats, Robinson's been our most dangerous bowler over the past 12 months, hasn't he? Agreed on Tongue - it's a very hard call and we're in a fortunate position of picking from strength.

Could come down to horses for courses - if Old Trafford's looking like a dangerous pitch, could be worthwhile going with the 4 seamers and basing our game around taking 20 wickets cheaply, trusting to Bazball big hitting to see us build a total before the wicket-taking balls from Starc/Cummins lance in.

Puja

[Banquo]

The question with Foakes is whether you drop Bairstow entirely, or if you go back down to a smaller bowling attack again and keep YJB as a batsman. Pope's injury has left the space open, but with Stokes's injuries hampering his bowling, it's asking a lot to go with 3 seamers and a spinner.

It's 10 days till the next test. If Stokes can bowl even in short spells, then bring in Foakes and keep YJB, then work out how on earth you pick 3 from Woakes/Broad/Wood/Anderson/Robinson. If he realistically won't be able to, then drop YJB and get the slightly easier puzzle of 5 pace bowlers into 4 slots.

Puja

I'd think Tongue should also be in the equation, given OT is reputedly quick this season. I reckon tho, they'll just replace Robinson with Anderson.

Robinson for Anderson does *feel* like the sensible call, but if you look at the stats, Robinson's been our most dangerous bowler over the past 12 months, hasn't he? Agreed on Tongue - it's a very hard call and we're in a fortunate position of picking from strength.

Could come down to horses for courses - if Old Trafford's looking like a dangerous pitch, could be worthwhile going with the 4 seamers and basing our game around taking 20 wickets cheaply, trusting to Bazball big hitting to see us build a total before the wicket-taking balls from Starc/Cummins lance in.

Puja

Don't trust Robinson's fitness more than anything else. OT reputedly also is good for spin, but then our options aren't compelling there.

[Banquo]

Doubling down on YJB....hope he can stand up to the pressure better this game

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/66163802

[Big D]

International team selection is always tough. Not selecting Foakes instead of Bairstow has been based on blind faith.

The moments Bairstow left that catch to Brooks when it was his and then getting out the way he did should have been the end of debate.

[Banquo]

International team selection is always tough. Not selecting Foakes instead of Bairstow has been based on blind faith.

The moments Bairstow left that catch to Brooks when it was his and then getting out the way he did should have been the end of debate.

TBH its all about Stokes not being fit to bowl, but if you stick Ali at 3, Foakes/Woakes at 7, 8 isn't the end of the world. Ali at 3 tho.....

[Puja]

International team selection is always tough. Not selecting Foakes instead of Bairstow has been based on blind faith.

The moments Bairstow left that catch to Brooks when it was his and then getting out the way he did should have been the end of debate.

TBH its all about Stokes not being fit to bowl, but if you stick Ali at 3, Foakes/Woakes at 7, 8 isn't the end of the world. Ali at 3 tho.....

I'm looking at Ali at 3 as basically being like a night watchman. If he scores well, then great, if not, then he's not a big wicket to've lost and he's enabled Root and Brooks to stay at 4 and 5 where they're more productive.

Puja

[Puja]

Moeen at 3 and Anderson in for Robinson confirmed. Good decisions, especially Jimmy coming back on his home ground.

Puja

[Banquo]

Moeen at 3 and Anderson in for Robinson confirmed. Good decisions, especially Jimmy coming back on his home ground.

Puja

Bad decision keeping the non keeping keeper tho.

[fivepointer]

Moeen at 3 fills me with dread. Bairstow keeping and harebrained batting likewise. Anderson returning was to be expected, though i'm not sure he is the bowler he was. Maybe all 3 will have good games. Here's hoping.

[Puja]

Moeen at 3 and Anderson in for Robinson confirmed. Good decisions, especially Jimmy coming back on his home ground.

Puja

Bad decision keeping the non keeping keeper tho.

I am resigned to him being retained all series. They are showing faith - it worked for Crawley (for certain values of worked, although I don't necessarily mind an opener who continuously and consistently gets between 20 and 45 - rather that than one that gets four 0-10s and then gets a 150 every so often. At least Crawley can be relied upon to last long enough to take some shine off the ball for the middle order), so they'll keep trying with Bairstow.

Puja

[Banquo]

Moeen at 3 and Anderson in for Robinson confirmed. Good decisions, especially Jimmy coming back on his home ground.

Puja

Bad decision keeping the non keeping keeper tho.

I am resigned to him being retained all series. They are showing faith - it worked for Crawley (for certain values of worked, although I don't necessarily mind an opener who continuously and consistently gets between 20 and 45 - rather that than one that gets four 0-10s and then gets a 150 every so often. At least Crawley can be relied upon to last long enough to take some shine off the ball for the middle order), so they'll keep trying with Bairstow.

Puja

The issue with Bairstow is that he’s literally cost at least one test…..and is in severe run debt and we have a demonstrably better option.

[Puja]

Bad decision keeping the non keeping keeper tho.

I am resigned to him being retained all series. They are showing faith - it worked for Crawley (for certain values of worked, although I don't necessarily mind an opener who continuously and consistently gets between 20 and 45 - rather that than one that gets four 0-10s and then gets a 150 every so often. At least Crawley can be relied upon to last long enough to take some shine off the ball for the middle order), so they'll keep trying with Bairstow.

Puja

The issue with Bairstow is that he’s literally cost at least one test…..and is in severe run debt and we have a demonstrably better option.

Yup.

[Banquo]

Moeen at 3 fills me with dread. Bairstow keeping and harebrained batting likewise. Anderson returning was to be expected, though i'm not sure he is the bowler he was. Maybe all 3 will have good games. Here's hoping.

At least Jimmy is probably able to deliver a lot of overs at a low ish economy rate. Moeen has to attack from 3, he’s not good enough to just survive.