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SteveH

BSoDL candidate for SW London
Jul 21, 2003
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Bloody good start to this weekend! :censored:
 

Archibald&Crooks

Aegina Expat
Admin
Feb 1, 2005
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I'm starting to worry about this England team. Just lately it's been struggle, struggle, struggle with the bat. Maybe too many 'new' boys in the side at the same time?
 

ShelfSide18

Well-Known Member
Aug 23, 2006
8,386
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You must be a Kiwi?

Nope, just enjoy listening to the cricket (no Sky to watch it), with a cup of tea and little work to do.

Lot of cricket left in this test match, but not a great start for England.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,336
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I'm starting to worry about this England team. Just lately it's been struggle, struggle, struggle with the bat. Maybe too many 'new' boys in the side at the same time?

Root top scorer, and Bairstow 29 n.o. as I write (thereby condemning him to an instant dismissal). Maybe not enough 'new' boys in the side!
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
21,014
34,214
We're reverting to type. Was delightful to genuinely have a side playing with confidence and allowing it's quality to shine through. But yeah, back to the statistical norm of maybe getting a top 3 ranking in a good yr and instead of dreading rain delays, praying for them again.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Compton added to Cook and Trott is not a good top three. If they bat slowly, don't go anywhere and let the opposition have control and exert pressure when they want its a dangerous game. Fair enough if they bat through it and grind the life out of them but lately they aren't in the greatest nick and then the middle order comes in with not many runs on the board and an opposition feeling confident with their tails up and are left with an uphill task.
 

Archibald&Crooks

Aegina Expat
Admin
Feb 1, 2005
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Root top scorer, and Bairstow 29 n.o. as I write (thereby condemning him to an instant dismissal). Maybe not enough 'new' boys in the side!
Well yeah, in this instance they've done better but it just feels like there's some balance missing.
 

Kendall

Well-Known Member
Feb 8, 2007
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Cook is unbelievable but he needs better foil, foil with personality that can score runs a bit more quickly.
 

Spurs_Bear

Well-Known Member
Jan 7, 2009
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Compton has a shocking technique for an International opener, I echo those who are concerned about this England team to be honest. If KP is not fit for the Ashes this is a weak as piss batting line up. They are all decent players, they just don't complement each other as a batting order.

Hopefully Jimmy will swing it round corners and they wont like Finn's extra bounce.
 

Kendall

Well-Known Member
Feb 8, 2007
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I think they're grooming Root as an opener, but I can't see that happening prior to the ashes.
 

Spurs_Bear

Well-Known Member
Jan 7, 2009
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Well yeah, in this instance they've done better but it just feels like there's some balance missing.

Yeah this is what I was getting at, there's nobody to take the pressure off the batsman at the other end. The Black Caps haven't had to change their field for any of the batsmen as they are all out the same coaching manual. Bairstow (who I think will get found out by the Aussies) is the only one who has looked remotely comfortable because he has a very prominent bottom hand.
 

Archibald&Crooks

Aegina Expat
Admin
Feb 1, 2005
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When KP is fit again, have Root opening in place of Compton, keep Bairstow at 6. Sorted.
Yeah, I think that's about right. I like Bairstow but i'm not sure he's as ready as Root for example, but then we've always had that one position that hasn't really settled, currently being fought over by Morgan, Bopara, Bairstow etc etc. I do think eventually Bairstow will win the gig though. The return of KP will be a massive help, I can't see him scoring at 2 an over like this lot have.

We need to have a really good session with the ball now.
 
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