The Cricket Thread

[Matt_]

England in big trouble today, it's looking likely to be 1-1 going into the third game.

I have to ask why on earth England chose the bowl first today though, a very strange decision for me.

 

[Saddlerrad]

England in big trouble today, it's looking likely to be 1-1 going into the third game.

I have to ask why on earth England chose the bowl first today though, a very strange decision for me.

My thinking is that, we had to rely on a catastrophic collapse in the 1st game as they handed us victory from the jaws of defeat and with our chasing record in the last few years, we feel more comfortable chasing in any conditions.

 

[Skinner]

No dew was expected

 

[hodge]

Well captaincy doesn't seem to affecting Jos' batting at any rate

 

[hodge]

Problem seems to be missing Root, a player of his quality with the ability to both keep things ticking over and score quickly.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Literally a ridicolous shot from Willey.

 

[Super_horns]

Might make for a spikey and bad tempered decider on Wednesday!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/37603668

 

[Ciderhead]

Roy injured, Billings in but according to Sky will be opening rather than Duckett, which I'm not sure I agree with

 

[Ciderhead]

Ali turning the ball a mile already, think we're going to regret not picking a 3rd spinner

 

[Super_horns]

Rashid and Ali restricting the home side a bit picking up wickets despite some quick scoring.

 

[Ciderhead]

We'll have to play very well to chase 278 on a pitch turning as much as this against their slower bowlers

 

[hodge]

Bangladesh fans not understanding what umpires call means

 

[Super_horns]

Nice way for Woakes to win the series with a 6!

Very good batting display generally with Billings and Duckett playing their part setting up the run chase and Woakes/Stokes finishing the job.

 

[Ciderhead]

Brilliant performance. Had the better of the conditions but still, Billings and Duckett were excellent and even when we lost a few wickets towards the end we always looked in control.

We're so reliable nowadays at finishing the job. Rather than nudge it around playing to win off the last ball like we used to we just get things done.

Last 12 chases: 9 Wins, 1 Loss, 1 Tie, 1 No Result

 

[Skinner]

Very good series win that, hopefully Billings and Duckett can cement places.

Going to wear my ODI top to work in Whitechapel tomorrow (it's little Bangledesh)

 

[Super_horns]

Aussies whitewashed 5-0 by South Africa - surely hasn't happened too often!

 

[Skinner]

Probably not, but Aus attack is very watered down through injuries. Plus De Kock is an animal, and Phlewuko or w/e his name is has ripped them apart. Add Steyn, Abbott, Tahir and Rabada to that attack too.

England would beat SA in ODI 8 times out of 10 though, imo. Don't think people realise how good Bangelis are at home, and with Stokes finally turning up, we look good. Just need a genuine wicket taker.

In all formats, we've had some transformation. Still remember NZ at home when it all started, with the unfancied Bairstow. How it changes #NewEngland

 

[Ciderhead]

Tbf SA did beat us 3-2 earlier this year.

But yeah I'd say this our best ever ODI side. You've got to think with the next two coming up at home surely this is the time we're finally going to win a 50 over tournament. I mean we made the final of the last Champions Trophy with Cook Bell Trott as a top 3!

 

[RavenBish]

Kent and Hampshire clearly need to play a one off T20 to decide who gets to play in Div 1

 

[Super_horns]

Wasn't aware there was an inquest going on regarding the tragic death of Phil Hughes but it seems to be going sour which is rather sad.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-37651907

I doubt this was the way they wanted the inquest to go...

 

[hodge]

It's not good stuff reading through, however the counsel representing the family is wrong in my opinion. Saying the short pitched bowling targeted at Hughes was 'going too far'. It's sport, as sad as Hughes' death was they were trying to get him out based on flaws in his technique, they were not out to kill him regardless of quotes supposedly saying as much, that would have been talk in the heat of the moment in game. How someone would plan to kill someone with a cricket ball? As regrettable as Hughes' death was the inquest found his death wouldn't have been prevented even with the advances in helmet technology.

 

[Skinner]

If WI win this test from here, then it'll be up there in history. 300-odd to win with a day and a bit left after bowling Pakistan for 123.

PAK declared 579-3 first innings. They'll win the series against a very poor WI side, but still.

 

[Super_horns]

Cannot see it really with the bowlers Pakistan have but nice to see you can take wickets well in the UAE.

 

[RavenBish]

Anyone else getting annoyed by the Duckett and Hameed stuff? Just play both? You're only dropping the hapless likes of Ballance and Vince to do so.

Cook, Hameed, Duckett, Root, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali/Ansari, Woakes, Rashid, Broad, Ball.

I guess the only consideration would be seeing off the new ball is less important in the subcontinent so Cook/Hameed might be too negative.

 

[lordofthepies]

I suspect we'll probably see Duckett at 4 instead of Ballance, which I'd be happy with.

 

[lordofthepies]

Hameed is finding that batting for England is just like batting for Lancashire - everyone else around him gets out while he just stays there and does his own thing.

 

[Super_horns]

3 early wickets gone already on a spinning wicket.

Ballance is like a walking wicket anyway - don't worry because Bairstow will be in soon and he always seems to recover the situation!

 

[RavenBish]

Makes you wonder who the Gary Ballance superfan among the selectors is. It's common knowledge Bayliss was in favour of bringing Buttler back in instead for Pakistan and he's now managed to still get in the team despite Hameed and Duckett clearly being better options.

Can't judge this pitch till both have batted on it though. God knows how many cracks are going to be there by day 3/4.

 

[RavenBish]

Dharmasena's pants firmly round his ankles after that debacle. Clown.

 

[Super_horns]

Good on Bairstow and Moeen Ali for getting us to 250.