The Cricket Thread

[Archibald&Crooks]

Paine was the wrong man in the right place at the right time. It's only a matter of time before they find an excuse to give the captaincy back to Smith IMO.

 

[Twizzle]

Regarding Paine, I can think of 15 better keeper/batsmen in Australia than him

lol, me too

 

[dondo]

lol, me too[/QUOTE





Surely Carey has to be a better bet than Paine?

 

[JimmyG2]

Sorry if I missed it
but is the fact that the captain has
Root 66 on his shirt an in joke, a coincidence
or is he sponsored by the US Tourist board.

 

[dimiSpur]

Smith obviously is a cheating ****. There's no amount of crying or pretending it was all Warner's doing that can erase that. But he's on a another level to any other batsman in world cricket. You just can't get him out. That leave and review when he was given out was weirdly the highlight of his innings IMO. Epitomizes what his game is all about. Supreme patience and concentration, eventually getting the bowlers to succumb to his will and bowl where he likes scoring. A sensational player. And that's why he's such a ****. Because he really didn't need to try and cheat. However, as an Aussie I guess it's in his nature.

We didn't bowl well after Siddle settled in. We started bowling erratically and changed lines, lengths and got a little panicky. That doesn't change the fact we were a bowler light, which is a terrible thing on Day 1 of a Test as your spinner won't do much. Also, Smith did play a wonderful innings. If it was Root we wouldn't be scrutinising the bowling for the 9th and 10th wickets, so it's points of view.

In any event, if Roy can stick around till lunch their lead will be halved. We should end up with a first Innings lead IMO. I can see our batsmen getting things in order. Day 2 is always the best day for a bat at Edbaston. I was surprised they didn't bowl first.

The question is, will we have Jimmy back for the second Innings? That's the problem. Can't see us winning this unless Broad has one of those spells again, but twice in a match after the work he got through yesterday is a tall order.

Finally, I do believe Archer will be better at getting the tail out. Massive 90mph inswinging yorkers, just before a bouncer that takes Siddle's helmet off is a lot different to a worn out Woakes at 83mph or Moeen with his soft off spin.

 

[jazz15c]

Root is far too safe as a captain on the field. We had a deep point at 150-8 FFS!

All too quickly we reverted to giving Smith a run to get Siddle on strike. I hate that tactic, and have had so many arguments with captains on the field about it. In my opinion, it says to the recognised batsman 'We don't think that we can get you out' which is a hideous message to send out. Before you know it, he's accumulated 20 odd singles and the supposed 'rabbit' is 25 red. It also sets a dangerous precedent for the series.

I know we had them 125-8 and perhaps didn't bowl well after that BUT they won the toss, decided to bat, and by stumps we were batting. I make that our day. We will know a lot more by lunchtime today...

 

[al_pacino]

Root might not be the best captain but the alternatives were non-existent.

 

[dondo]

It got considerably easier to bat yesterday when the ball got soft after 40/50 overs. England need to bat sensibly until then and hope the likes of buttler stokes and bairstow can capitalise later in the day.
I have serious doubts our top order can do this tbh

 

[SE Spurs]

Anderson doing sprints this morning is encouraging. May not be done for the test.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Have to say, Roy was a wicket waiting to happen this morning. He has a bit to learn before he's a shoo-in Test opener, but in the absence of anyone pushing on the door ...

 

[dagraham]

Have to say, Roy was a wicket waiting to happen this morning. He has a bit to learn before he's a shoo-in Test opener, but in the absence of anyone pushing on the door ...

Yeah totally different game opening the batting in a test match. Although I was one of those advocating he get a chance purely because he can't do a lot worse. Hopefully the risk eventually pays off with him.

Big innings needed from our captain I feel.

 

[mpickard2087]

Roy's problem for me (both games so far) is that he's just playing with his hands, the rest of the body is doing nothing. You don't even have to be pushing at the ball to get in trouble when you're doing that, especially as an opening batsman in Test matches in English conditions.

 

[JCRD]

This may be a stupid question but if one of the 11 is injured i.e. Anderson is England allowed to replace him with another bowler? Or can that sub only be allowed to field but cannot bowl or bat? Always been intrigued by the no subs rule although i understand why it isnt in place because players can feign injury etc

Thanks and much appreciated

JCRD

 

[Arnoldtoo]

This may be a stupid question but if one of the 11 is injured i.e. Anderson is England allowed to replace him with another bowler? Or can that sub only be allowed to field but cannot bowl or bat? Always been intrigued by the no subs rule although i understand why it isnt in place because players can feign injury etc

Thanks and much appreciated

JCRD

No replacement. And the sub can only field, as you suggest.

 

[aussiespursguy]

You guys on top for the first session. Although could have been different if we appealed the ridiculous non given out. Was out when i watched it and was floored when we didn't appeal.
Stupid decision.
This umpire is having a mare.
Anyway our fault for not appealing

 

[JCRD]

No replacement. And the sub can only field, as you suggest.

Thanks for confirming

Its a bit of a ludicrous rule... but hey ho

 

[aussiespursguy]

Thanks for confirming

Its a bit of a ludicrous rule... but hey ho

Not really. It's the same for both teams. And always been the rule.

 

[Buggsy61]

You guys on top for the first session. Although could have been different if we appealed the ridiculous non given out. Was out when i watched it and was floored when we didn't appeal.
Stupid decision.
This umpire is having a mare.
Anyway our fault for not appealing

I think the standard of umpiring in this test has been rank at best!. Maybe the problem with technology is that it lulls umpires into a false sense of security, and they lose concentration, knowing that the technology is there to get them out of a hole.
The technology and the reviews which were a welcome addition were only introduced to help in a small number of hairline decisions that you could not fully rely on the human eye and ear for.

 

[karennina]

We've burnt off the part of the Aussie score we should never have let them get. Now 40 overs against a tiring 4 man attack with the old ball, in the heat...

 

[dagraham]

I think the standard of umpiring in this test has been rank at best!. Maybe the problem with technology is that it lulls umpires into a false sense of security, and they lose concentration, knowing that the technology is there to get them out of a whole.
The technology and the reviews which were a welcome addition were only introduced to help in a small number of hairline decisions that you could not fully rely on the human eye and ear for.

Maybe, but there's plenty of cricket matches where the umpires are making unbelievably good calls.

I think they've just had a stinker in this one.

Back to the match, I don't want to jinx it but Burns has surprised me. Been very composed so far.