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Post by lenny on Feb 10, 2019 12:48:10 GMT 1
I think if Buttler is in the side it has to be at 5 - he has to make that spot his own. I think out of our 5 #6s he’s the least technically deficient and isn’t a better keeper than Bairstow or Foakes. He’s far from perfect and nobody thinks he’s world class in test cricket as far as I know but he’s shown enough since his recall to persist with him given the other batting woes we have, and instead of shoehorning him in it has to be as a top 5 player.
Top 4 are a real concern, and I think the concern over Root being captain is that it seems to have coincided with his total collapse in batting ability. Buttler has led well when given chances previously and Root leans on him a lot - combined with his composure and status this probably makes him the only viable alternative.
Denly is a weird pick who’s never done much in division 2 to suggest he’s a test batsman and Jennings is no use outside Asia. Burns has - I think - showed enough promise to persist with over the summer. He’s probably not got the quality to be a top opener averaging 40+ but just as someone who values his wicket and tends to hang around for a little bit, even if he only averages 30, he would be a real asset with the woes we have. As we saw yesterday, our middle order look far better when the opening bowlers have been blunted by some stoic opening even if they haven’t made massive scores.
Don’t know who we should go for at 2/3. I’ve seen Roy suggested and depressingly he’s probably as good a shout as any of our realistic options. We want someone else at 3 who will dig in, and I really don’t think Bell is the answer on the back of 300 runs against Glamorgan. Hildreth I’d happily see picked as a short-term option as he seems to have really developed a tough streak over the last few years and has more quality than any other alternative.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 15:22:34 GMT 1
WICKET! 91 mph, top of middle stump. Shannon Gabriel strikes. Jos Buttler is bowled for 67, England are 232-5.
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Post by tvor on Feb 10, 2019 15:25:50 GMT 1
Root is, like all recent England captains, learning on the job. He did a decent job against India last summer, a good job in Sri Lanka but not so good in this series. Buttler has no captaincy experience and isn't even fully established in the team, why would he make a better captain all of a sudden? So apart from Root, Anderson & probably Stokes, who is fully established amongst the current squad ? If Root gets injured who do you make captain ?? Anderson, for all his brilliance as a bowler, would be a backward step, plus he is very stroppy and a bit of a sledger who can dish it out but doesn't like getting it back. Stokes after all the publicity (not including things that have been swept under the carpet) is not a suitable choice, unless he can prove during the next couple of years that HE HAS changed his spots. I have listened to Butler lots of times, and though of a fairly quiet demeanour he is very articulate, erudite and a 'thinking' cricketer. Having spent lots of time behind the stumps he would have always been involved in the game, seeing lots of things that other skippers would have done and learning many things from that along the way. The only other suggestion I have is to bring back Gatting. He was in Sri Lanka with us and still talks a good game. Nobody outside of those three unless it is as a very short term stopgap due to injury for example. I really don't understand the desire to replace Root as the captain. As I said he's learning on the job as just about every England captain will have to do in these days of centrally contracted players. He's coming into this series off the back of beating India 4-1 at home and Sri Lanka 3-0 away, both excellent achievements. We lose two test matches to the Windies and now we need to change the captain? Not for me we don't, he's doing okay and gradually growing into the role and improving as a captain.
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Post by tvor on Feb 10, 2019 15:37:53 GMT 1
I think if Buttler is in the side it has to be at 5 - he has to make that spot his own. I think out of our 5 #6s he’s the least technically deficient and isn’t a better keeper than Bairstow or Foakes. He’s far from perfect and nobody thinks he’s world class in test cricket as far as I know but he’s shown enough since his recall to persist with him given the other batting woes we have, and instead of shoehorning him in it has to be as a top 5 player. Top 4 are a real concern, and I think the concern over Root being captain is that it seems to have coincided with his total collapse in batting ability. Buttler has led well when given chances previously and Root leans on him a lot - combined with his composure and status this probably makes him the only viable alternative. Denly is a weird pick who’s never done much in division 2 to suggest he’s a test batsman and Jennings is no use outside Asia. Burns has - I think - showed enough promise to persist with over the summer. He’s probably not got the quality to be a top opener averaging 40+ but just as someone who values his wicket and tends to hang around for a little bit, even if he only averages 30, he would be a real asset with the woes we have. As we saw yesterday, our middle order look far better when the opening bowlers have been blunted by some stoic opening even if they haven’t made massive scores. Don’t know who we should go for at 2/3. I’ve seen Roy suggested and depressingly he’s probably as good a shout as any of our realistic options. We want someone else at 3 who will dig in, and I really don’t think Bell is the answer on the back of 300 runs against Glamorgan. Hildreth I’d happily see picked as a short-term option as he seems to have really developed a tough streak over the last few years and has more quality than any other alternative. I agree about Buttler, he is averaging 42 since the start of last summer so he is deserving a run in the team as a top six batter, but his technical deficiencies are a worry, particularly against real pace. His dismissal by Gabriel today being a prime example when his footwork was non existent and the gap between bat and pad was way too big. Root is having a poor run, by his high standards, as a batter but I wouldn't call it a total collapse. He averages 32 over the same period as I referred to for Buttler above for example. Denly was a strange pick for this series, I could sort of see why they him to Sri Lanka because of his ability to bowl respectable leg breaks so he could have been used as the third spinner. It's less clear, other than for reasons of continuity, why he is playing in this series. I agree about Burns, he's been the most consistent opener in County Cricket for four or five years and fully deserves an extended run. It's just a shame that he couldn't have been introduced alongside Cook a little earlier on. Otherwise I think England are now left looking back at those openers they've tried before and discarded, some of which in my opinion were quite harshly discarded. Nick Compton for example, whose ability to stay in and play an old fashioned test match innings would be a real asset right now. The other I thought they could have stuck with a bit longer was Sam Robson and I wouldn't mind him getting another go.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 15:57:30 GMT 1
WICKET! This is a very, very good grab from Dowrich. Stokes sends one swirling high into the air as he looks to pull and the West Indies keeper takes a diving catch on the run. Roach with the wicket. Stokes goes for 79. 256-6.
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Post by tvor on Feb 10, 2019 16:01:14 GMT 1
Gabriel and Roach have bowled well with the second new ball this morning.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 16:32:26 GMT 1
WICKET! Kemar Roach bowls Jonny Bairstow. A big, booming inswinger meets a big, booming drive and the inswinger wins. Bairstow departs for 2, England 270-7.
WICKET! Two quick wickets for West Indies. Moeen Ali edges Alzarri Joseph to Darren Bravo at first slip and goes for 13. England 275-8.
WICKET! England 277-9. Immediately after a brute of an inswinging yorker, Roach sends a bouncer down at Wood. He's on the hook but it's well caught by Joseph at fine leg. Wood goes for 6.
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Post by tvor on Feb 10, 2019 16:39:46 GMT 1
It looks like England will be shy of 300 which is disappointing but Windies have bowled really well this morning. It will be interesting to see if the England bowlers can get the ball swinging as much as, in particular, Roach who is swinging it round corners.
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Post by tvor on Feb 10, 2019 16:40:05 GMT 1
277 all out.
Superb from Roach again with an unplayable bouncer to Anderson.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 16:41:59 GMT 1
WICKET! And that's that. James Anderson fends off a Kemar Roach short ball and Keemo Paul takes a simple catch in the slips. England 277 all out.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2019 17:04:32 GMT 1
Well that was a disappointing morning for England. Hats off to the Windies, they bowled exceptionally well to dismiss England for less than 300.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 18:02:52 GMT 1
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2019 18:54:59 GMT 1
The Windies so far untroubled. What a confidence boost this series has been for West Indian test cricket.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 18:56:12 GMT 1
Moeen & Anderson do the trick
WICKET! Moeen Ali with the breakthrough. Kraigg Brathwaite looks to go big but can only pick out Jimmy Anderson in the deep. A smart catch. He goes for 12, West Indies 57-1.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 18:57:31 GMT 1
2 in 2 for Moeen? WI reviewing - OUT!
WICKET! Two in two balls for Moeen Ali! The spinner traps John Campbell leg before and he's on his way for 41. West Indies 57-2, with two batsmen at the crease yet to face a ball.
WICKET! Mark Wood strikes in his first over! Bowling at 92mph, he finds Shai Hope's outside edge and it's taken by Rory Burns in the gully. Hope's out for 1, West Indies 59-3.
WICKET! Mark Wood and Rory Burns combine again! Roston Chase goes first ball - Wood is on a hat-trick! A double-wicket maiden to start Wood's series. West Indies 59-4.
Woods on hat-trick
Heymeyer surviving as Wood steaming in at > 90-95mph
WICKET! Mark Wood is at it again. He finds the outside edge of Shimron Hetmyer. Joe Root has a bit of a juggle but takes the catch. Hetmyer goes for 8. 74-5 - and that will be tea.
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Post by lenny on Feb 10, 2019 20:12:27 GMT 1
Jesus, and Mark Wood is in the squad. When did this happen? Let’s pick a guy who averages over 40, repeatedly. He’s not even quick! If Jennings and Denly are in the 11 too it shows how bare county cricket is. Erm... I did not see this coming. He’s been electric! Average speed of 145kph, next best in the game is Gabriel at 141.
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Post by franthetownfan on Feb 10, 2019 20:25:55 GMT 1
Mark Wood finally takes some wickets and people act like he’s been doing it for years! Cue him suddenly breaking down to a 82 mph bowler for the Ashes after he’s been hyped up to be the next Brett Lee
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 20:37:20 GMT 1
WICKET! Guess who... Mark Wood is carrying on from where he left off before tea. Darren Bravo edges to Joe Root at first slip and he's gone for 6. West Indies 79-6.
WICKET! Well bowled, Moeen Ali. The spinner drifts one past the advancing Keemo Paul and Jonny Bairstow completes the stumping. He goes for an entertaining 9, West Indies 104-7.
WICKET! Stuart Broad is in on the action. He gets Shane Dowrich LBW with a leg-cutter. Given not out but overturned on review. Dowrich is out for 38. West Indies 145-8.
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Post by tvor on Feb 10, 2019 21:42:58 GMT 1
Jesus, and Mark Wood is in the squad. When did this happen? Let’s pick a guy who averages over 40, repeatedly. He’s not even quick! If Jennings and Denly are in the 11 too it shows how bare county cricket is. Erm... I did not see this coming. He’s been electric! Average speed of 145kph, next best in the game is Gabriel at 141. The best sustained and hostile spell of fast bowling by an England fast bowler for quite a long time. Wood's modified run up looks to have had a significant improvement to his end product. Great to watch.
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Post by tvor on Feb 10, 2019 21:45:08 GMT 1
An excellent performance with the ball by England today, Wood and Moeen outstanding and a catch from Stuart Broad that was stunning.
In a good position now and it's over once again to our frail top order to see if they can do a bit better second time around.
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Post by Exkeeper on Feb 10, 2019 21:48:27 GMT 1
An excellent performance with the ball by England today, Wood and Moeen outstanding and a catch from Stuart Broad that was stunning. In a good position now and it's over once again to our frail top order to see if they can do a bit better second time around. Seems like Wood is just like Waterfall and Arnold, they’re all crap😜
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 10, 2019 21:59:37 GMT 1
WICKET! Stuart Broad 👀 What a catch! Alzarri Joseph slogs one up in the air from Moeen Ali and Broad takes a superb one-handed catch diving backwards. That's four for Moeen Ali. Joseph goes for 2, West Indies 148-9. WICKET! Mark Wood has his five-for! Brought back into the attack, he takes a wicket with his second ball. He bowls Shannon Gabriel for 4. West Indies all out for 154, trailing by 123. let's hope the batsmen can stay in for a while
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Post by lenny on Feb 10, 2019 22:57:10 GMT 1
Erm... I did not see this coming. He’s been electric! Average speed of 145kph, next best in the game is Gabriel at 141. The best sustained and hostile spell of fast bowling by an England fast bowler for quite a long time. Wood's modified run up looks to have had a significant improvement to his end product. Great to watch. Whatever you think of him as a player in the past it’s impossible not to be happy for him as a thoroughly likeable guy too who’s had to put up with a career far less fulfilling than it could have been - if his body permitted him to bowl like this even half the time he’d have 50 caps and 150 wickets by now whereas I thought he was shot as a test player. As you say it’s so long since we’ve seen anything like it from an England bowler. Whatever the context I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 11, 2019 15:05:50 GMT 1
Well that was a good start - NOT
WICKET! First ball of the day! Rory Burns clips a leg-stump half-volley from Keemo Paul straight to Alzarri Joseph at square leg. Burns goes for 10, England 19-1.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2019 18:16:01 GMT 1
Joe Denly going well.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2019 18:28:14 GMT 1
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Post by northwestman on Feb 11, 2019 19:13:55 GMT 1
That's enough excuse for Ed Smith to retain his mate in the side.
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Post by LetchworthShrew on Feb 12, 2019 1:27:58 GMT 1
WICKET! A bizarre way to get out. Alzarri Joseph strikes with the first ball of his spell. Keaton Jennings looks to flick off his pads but it ricochets off his thigh pad onto the stumps. Jennings 23, England 73-2.
WICKET! Joe Denly departs. Shannon Gabriel happy to bowl it wide of the off stump and, after a couple of boundaries, Denly nicks one. Shane Dowrich does to business behind the stumps, Denly goes for 69. 147-3.
WICKET! West Indies take the new ball and it does the trick immediately. Kemar Roach with a superb delivery to knock back Jos Buttler's off peg. Buttler goes for 56, England 254-4.
STUMPS: England in full control of the third Test match. Joe Root ends the day unbeaten on 111, Stokes 29. England close on 325-4, which is a lead of 448.
Not too bad at all. Been out most of day and just catching up on the days events!
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Post by franthetownfan on Feb 12, 2019 1:57:58 GMT 1
Root couldn’t buy a run before, now suddenly the pressure is off and the Windies are knackered and broken - finally he can. And my god, England’s top 5 all look utter crap coming up against Starc and co. If we had a good other opener, Burns would be criticised way more. Don’t see him having a long career but considering the other options...
Don’t know why Root doesn’t bat 3. He just cries about it, instead of actually applying himself and saying ‘right I’m gonna succeed here for the good of the side’ - it opens up Hildreth coming in and someone who can score runs can go at 5. Can’t play Buttler, Stokes and Bairstow in same side - it won’t work.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2019 9:58:00 GMT 1
All a bit too late in the day, unfortunately. Good to see Joe Root back in the runs but we need to see much more of this from our only decent batsman.
So many unanswered questions before the Ashes series. Who will replace Jennings as opener? Should Root bat at three? Can Mark Wood stay fit? Who should keep wicket?
Much to ponder for the selectors.
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