OK. So we've got India and the Aussies as our next ten tests. No Stokes. No Archer. Jimmy now 39, Broad now 35. No top class spinner on the horizon. So given that we are already 145 for 6 v India*** what's yer thinking?
I'm going to predict that we'll win both series by one clear Test match. (God loves an optimist!)
***155 for 7.
159 for 8. 160 for 9!!!
I would hope Jimmy and Stu can get the same movement as the Indian quicks. They'll be on soon after tea!
I'm going to predict that we'll win both series by one clear Test match. (God loves an optimist!)
***155 for 7.
I would hope Jimmy and Stu can get the same movement as the Indian quicks. They'll be on soon after tea!
In reply to Post #1
To be honest i don't think the Ashes will go ahead or if it does will be with depleted squad.
Will need Anderson Broad and Robinson to bowl well to get anything out of this test not forgetting Curran with a swinging ball as well. Surprised Hameed wasn't in the 11. Lawrence looks good 1 out of 4 knocks.
Lets not take anything away from the Indian bowlers they bowled well in the conditions.
For me India takes the series
To be honest i don't think the Ashes will go ahead or if it does will be with depleted squad.
Will need Anderson Broad and Robinson to bowl well to get anything out of this test not forgetting Curran with a swinging ball as well. Surprised Hameed wasn't in the 11. Lawrence looks good 1 out of 4 knocks.
Lets not take anything away from the Indian bowlers they bowled well in the conditions.
For me India takes the series
In reply to Post #1
Can't see us beating the Australians, can see us being Whitewashed in fact. We've good enough bowlers including spin. I think our batting line up is the worst its been in year's, no bottle and constant poor shot choice.
Can't see us beating the Australians, can see us being Whitewashed in fact. We've good enough bowlers including spin. I think our batting line up is the worst its been in year's, no bottle and constant poor shot choice.
In reply to Post #2
I think it's a bit too soon to throw hameed back in there after a decent start to the season on the back of three dreadful ones.
You said it on the other thread, no red ball cricket for 2 months then going up against India.... Big mistake there! Burns was in great form but hasnt played in ages, sibley has hardly played at all this season, buttler isn't in great form...
Ive been meaning to see if zafir ansari has said anything recently re stokes, he was a really promising player, decided to give up the game after 1 cap. If you don't remember the story it's worth a google
I think it's a bit too soon to throw hameed back in there after a decent start to the season on the back of three dreadful ones.
You said it on the other thread, no red ball cricket for 2 months then going up against India.... Big mistake there! Burns was in great form but hasnt played in ages, sibley has hardly played at all this season, buttler isn't in great form...
Ive been meaning to see if zafir ansari has said anything recently re stokes, he was a really promising player, decided to give up the game after 1 cap. If you don't remember the story it's worth a google
In reply to Post #4
Ansari was a great prospect i agree.
To me England players don't seem to have the same discipline in knowing which balls to leave.
As for Hameed agree it's too early but he is in the squad i would have left him playing in the 50 over or 2nd eleven to
get more time in the middle.
All the while these shorter formats are taking up most of the summer backed by the ECB then the test team will suffer.
Ansari was a great prospect i agree.
To me England players don't seem to have the same discipline in knowing which balls to leave.
As for Hameed agree it's too early but he is in the squad i would have left him playing in the 50 over or 2nd eleven to
get more time in the middle.
All the while these shorter formats are taking up most of the summer backed by the ECB then the test team will suffer.
In reply to Post #5
The stokes situation bought him to mind, I remember at the time he said something along the lines of "I looked at what stokes put himself through and knew I didn't want to do this anymore"
Decent afternoon session
The stokes situation bought him to mind, I remember at the time he said something along the lines of "I looked at what stokes put himself through and knew I didn't want to do this anymore"
Decent afternoon session
In reply to Post #6
I see Ansari is on the board of Cricket Equality.
I see Ansari is on the board of Cricket Equality.
This one's hanging in the balance...Do yer stuff, Jimmy! Weather will be the deciding factor.
If only Rahan had not been run out by Bairstow we might have had two fifers there. Still, a bit sloppy to allow them to get such a big 1st innings lead!
So match has been abandoned...so I got that bit right! Bullet dodged IMHO. But take nothing away from the skipper's fantastic ton. Need to look at the batting (AGAIN!) as Crawley and maybe Sibley are not cutting it. Not sure about Dan Lawrence.
Malan and maybe Hameed to come in. Keep Bairstow at 5 and maybe drop Butler for a new face with the gloves. Ben Foakes, perhaps?
Malan and maybe Hameed to come in. Keep Bairstow at 5 and maybe drop Butler for a new face with the gloves. Ben Foakes, perhaps?
In reply to Post #10
Foakes only started training again this week, can't see him getting a call for this series. Malan is being talked of as potential no3, personally I'd rather see vince get another crack, I feel he's improved a lot the past 2 years
Foakes only started training again this week, can't see him getting a call for this series. Malan is being talked of as potential no3, personally I'd rather see vince get another crack, I feel he's improved a lot the past 2 years
In reply to Post #10
Butler isn't a test batsman.
Butler isn't a test batsman.
In reply to Post #10
Thing is they have selected a squad for first two tests so barring injury can't see them bringing anyone in.
Thing is they have selected a squad for first two tests so barring injury can't see them bringing anyone in.
In reply to Post #13
To be honest, I'd rather stick red-hot pins in my eyes than watch The 100.
To be honest, I'd rather stick red-hot pins in my eyes than watch The 100.