Topic: The England Cricket Thread - 2024

[stjohns]

Is it just me or do New Zealand just do all the basics really well really consistently?

Yes. Humble with it too. Sad to feel-admiration for the oppo more than your own team.

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

The other batsman was indeed Nathan Astle, who is better remembered for his 222. The only time that a 100 run victory with plenty of time left could be called nail-biting.

I was in complete awe watching that innings. Was such clean hitting, for the most part. Sounded like rifle fire when his bat connected. A crocked Cairns down the other end and a 100 runs never looked so gettable from a last wicket pair.

[Sangria]

I was in complete awe watching that innings. Was such clean hitting, for the most part. Sounded like rifle fire when his bat connected. A crocked Cairns down the other end and a 100 runs never looked so gettable from a last wicket pair.

There was a period of 6 balls or so where we took the 2nd new ball, which was hit out of the stadium (the inaugural match of the new Jade Stadium and its drop in pitch), and then the 3rd new ball was hit onto the roof again a couple of deliveries later, but rolled back down and could continue to be used. Was just a smidgin away from the 1st new ball to the 4th new ball within the space of 1 over. England suffered from PTSD for years after, never daring to set less than 500 in the 4th innings at 4.5 rpo.

[Dazzer23]

Spent the last couple of days at Edgbaston, bloody hell, if there was ever a case of a team not deserving it’s supporters it’s the England cricket team.

[lamonti]

As an outsider, you need to realise that England's batting line-up has always been in crisis, with the exception of the Cook-Strauss-Trott-Bell top order, and even then everyone thought Bell only made runs in games that they were "going to win anyway".

But yeah, this lot are bad. Not entirely useless, but this is a particularly weak line up. You should've seen that in Sri Lanka when they were being congratulated for managing to all fit on Joe Root's back. Bairstow's four innings when he rejoined the tour in India were amongst the most atrocious I've ever seen, even with the crazy spinning pitches.

England mgmt have over thought their rotation in the squad and their desire to make one-day and T20 their bread and butter. Never know what their goal is. By contrast Kiwis just seem to play what's in front of them all the time.

[BobPaisley3]

As an outsider, you need to realise that England's batting line-up has always been in crisis, with the exception of the Cook-Strauss-Trott-Bell top order, and even then everyone thought Bell only made runs in games that they were "going to win anyway".

But yeah, this lot are bad. Not entirely useless, but this is a particularly weak line up. You should've seen that in Sri Lanka when they were being congratulated for managing to all fit on Joe Root's back. Bairstow's four innings when he rejoined the tour in India were amongst the most atrocious I've ever seen, even with the crazy spinning pitches.

England mgmt have over thought their rotation in the squad and their desire to make one-day and T20 their bread and butter. Never know what their goal is. By contrast Kiwis just seem to play what's in front of them all the time.

Very shrewd assessment. The Strauss team had about five players in it averaging late 40s, a complete anomaly against anything else we’ve ever seen.

[Sangria]

Very shrewd assessment. The Strauss team had about five players in it averaging late 40s, a complete anomaly against anything else we’ve ever seen.

Atherton
Butcher
Hussain
Thorpe
Stewart (wk)

And for interest,

Hick
Ramprakash
John Crawley

What would they average against today's bowlers?

[Crosby Nick]

It’s not just a case of being spoilt by that Strauss era side. In recent years we’ve consistently had a ropey start (again since Strauss retired I think) yet we were consistently ailed out by the mid to lower order (Prior, Moren at 8, Woakes etc) so we more often than not got away with a poor start.

Currently we’re not even seeing that. We will, to a point when we get a few players back but it does all feel a bit muddled.

COVID rules and regulations around availability aren’t helping it’s true (didn’t reply to Welshy’s post about why the IPL players aren’t back in the squad yes, which is a fair one).

[voodoo ray]

As an outsider, you need to realise that England's batting line-up has always been in crisis, with the exception of the Cook-Strauss-Trott-Bell top order, and even then everyone thought Bell only made runs in games that they were "going to win anyway".

But yeah, this lot are bad. Not entirely useless, but this is a particularly weak line up. You should've seen that in Sri Lanka when they were being congratulated for managing to all fit on Joe Root's back. Bairstow's four innings when he rejoined the tour in India were amongst the most atrocious I've ever seen, even with the crazy spinning pitches.

England mgmt have over thought their rotation in the squad and their desire to make one-day and T20 their bread and butter. Never know what their goal is. By contrast Kiwis just seem to play what's in front of them all the time.

not unreasonable, but I think bell put that argument to bed in the 2013 ashes.

[Bangin Them In]

As an outsider, you need to realise that England's batting line-up has always been in crisis, with the exception of the Cook-Strauss-Trott-Bell top order, and even then everyone thought Bell only made runs in games that they were "going to win anyway".

But yeah, this lot are bad. Not entirely useless, but this is a particularly weak line up. You should've seen that in Sri Lanka when they were being congratulated for managing to all fit on Joe Root's back. Bairstow's four innings when he rejoined the tour in India were amongst the most atrocious I've ever seen, even with the crazy spinning pitches.

England mgmt have over thought their rotation in the squad and their desire to make one-day and T20 their bread and butter. Never know what their goal is. By contrast Kiwis just seem to play what's in front of them all the time.

Concerning thing for England must be that it's not form, it is basic technique - now they are crap against both the spinning and the moving ball

Big gates between bat and pad with the ball moving in, flashing and prodding at wide balls, no idea where their off stump is. Their answer to this has been to take guard on off largely, which has exacerbated the problems

Silverwood out yesterday - Not a problem with selection, no need for a spinner, etc, etc and the next horror show beckons

[voodoo ray]

it's possible that they should start on the review/report/analysis/etc now and not inevitably after we get smashed again in the winter.

[Bangin Them In]

it's possible that they should start on the review/report/analysis/etc now and not inevitably after we get smashed again in the winter.

Mate, they can review all they like, but if only 2 or 3 of your batters have anything approaching a test match game, they may as well persist and hope the rest learn on the job

I'm a Kiwi anyway, so hey ho 

[voodoo ray]

Mate, they can review all they like, but if only 2 or 3 of your batters have anything approaching a test match game, they may as well persist and hope the rest learn on the job

I'm a Kiwi anyway, so hey ho 

I agree, but whenever teams get battered they always have a 'review' of their 'system' don't they?

might as well get on with it now.

[Bangin Them In]

I agree, but whenever teams get battered they always have a 'review' of their 'system' don't they?

might as well get on with it now.

Oh well, at least it’s a nice day for it

[TepidT2O]

When does the second test start?

[voodoo ray]

from what I've seen on twitter ath's there today. which seems somewhat pointless considering he's not done any of the previous days!

[Legs]

Atherton
Butcher
Hussain
Thorpe
Stewart (wk)

And for interest,

Hick
Ramprakash
John Crawley

What would they average against today's bowlers?

Those top 5 players walk into this side.

[lamonti]

Atherton
Butcher
Hussain
Thorpe
Stewart (wk)

And for interest,

Hick
Ramprakash
John Crawley

What would they average against today's bowlers?

Add those lads to their contemporary seaming selection.

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

Resista... oh

[Ray K]

How did England manage to get out before the official 11.00 start? I switched on at 11.01 and the innings break had already started. Is this another new level of comedy that they're trying out or something?

[klopptopia]

Those top 5 players walk into this side.

Even now I’d imagine

[Legs]

Even now I’d imagine

🤣

[IgorBobbins]

4 for 8 incoming.

#believe

[Statto Red]

Nice of New Zealand to finish the cricket off well before the football starts.

[Bangin Them In]

8 wicket win, New Zealand will be disappointed

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

8 wicket win, New Zealand will be disappointed

 

I think they were particularly annoyed at having to come back today

[Garrus]

Great win for NZ.

Looking forward to the final this week even though it's weird just having a one-off game. NZ are an excellent side and favourites. I think the bowling attacks are reasonably matched but the Indian top order needs to put something together in England and no warm ups because of the quarantine rules definitely doesn't help.

Can't wait for the 5 Test series too in a couple of months. With Stokes and Buttler back in it will be a very different proposition.

[Crosby Nick]

The highlights have just started on BBC. They’ve actually started them from when the players walked out, presumably to fill some time.

[Elzar]

A bit disappointed we got 2 half arsed tests vs NZ and now loads of t20s and ODi's before the India series.

Would have liked to see the Test batsmen get more experience and confidence in, so my tickets for days 4 of Old Trafford are actually worth while.

[Yorkykopite]

A bit disappointed we got 2 half arsed tests vs NZ and now loads of t20s and ODi's before the India series.

Would have liked to see the Test batsmen get more experience and confidence in, so my tickets for days 4 of Old Trafford are actually worth while.

You're not alone I suspect.

[Circa1892]

As an outsider, you need to realise that England's batting line-up has always been in crisis, with the exception of the Cook-Strauss-Trott-Bell top order, and even then everyone thought Bell only made runs in games that they were "going to win anyway".

Late to the thread - but a rather big part of that axis missing there...

Everything very muddled with this test side. What is it they’re trying to do? Certainly not to entertain, nor to prioritise winning series, or even to find a settled team with the answers to key questions.

1 - Who’s the spinner we play? As a nation we’re weirdly averse to playing spinners who can’t bat. Unless Moeen comes back into form and favour Leach is our spinner. So why do we hate to play him?
2 - Who are our 3 seamers (or 4 if we decide no spinners). How do they work together and complement each other?
3 - Who the chuff bats? In theory 4,5,6 is solid with Stokes, Root, Buttler - but it’d be great if at least one of them could wait until at least lunch before being out in the middle...

There’s still a chance of a favourable result in favourable conditions against an India side who don’t tour often and don’t tour well here, but doubtful...

[Sangria]

Late to the thread - but a rather big part of that axis missing there...

Everything very muddled with this test side. What is it they’re trying to do? Certainly not to entertain, nor to prioritise winning series, or even to find a settled team with the answers to key questions.

1 - Who’s the spinner we play? As a nation we’re weirdly averse to playing spinners who can’t bat. Unless Moeen comes back into form and favour Leach is our spinner. So why do we hate to play him?
2 - Who are our 3 seamers (or 4 if we decide no spinners). How do they work together and complement each other?
3 - Who the chuff bats? In theory 4,5,6 is solid with Stokes, Root, Buttler - but it’d be great if at least one of them could wait until at least lunch before being out in the middle...

There’s still a chance of a favourable result in favourable conditions against an India side who don’t tour often and don’t tour well here, but doubtful...

I enjoyed the devil's tour a few years ago, when India for some reason kept reaching the score 66-6 several innings in a row.

[Sangria]

Five things for England to fix before the Test series against India

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2021/jun/14/five-things-for-england-to-fix-before-the-test-series-against-india

1. Batting
2. Bowling
3. Fielding
4. Captaincy
5. ?

[voodoo ray]

the bowling isn't too bad.

[IgorBobbins]

Five things for England to fix before the Test series against India

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2021/jun/14/five-things-for-england-to-fix-before-the-test-series-against-india

So their solution is for cricketers to play even more cricket and for Jonny Bairstow to be recalled?   
 

[Welshred]

Captaincy is the same issue we've had for years as well isn't it? Who else but Root? Jimmy's too old, Broad would rinse the reviews and no one else is guaranteed their starting slot.

[Crosby Nick]

Captaincy is the same issue we've had for years as well isn't it? Who else but Root? Jimmy's too old, Broad would rinse the reviews and no one else is guaranteed their starting slot.

Changing Root as captain would achieve nothing. It wouldn’t solve any of the bigger issues around the team.

[Welshred]

Exactly. I'd only have two areas to focus on. Batting and catching. Get those two right and this is a good team.

[Gerry Attrick]

Good to a certain point. We will be clawing every single time to get 20 wickets in Australia. Nowhere near enough pace or threat. Archer and Wood can crank it up but Archer’s pace drops off a cliff after 1 spell and Wood might get injured putting pads on.

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

the bowling isn't too bad.

I thought England's bowling was pretty good. Kept us honest. We never really kicked clear with really big inning leads.

Saw an interesting stat though. The NZ pace bowlers were, on average, a couple of feet fuller in length and also moved the ball, on average, 0.8 degrees more.