******Cricket Thread******

[Alan Harper's Tash]

If the plan is to bring Buttler back then would it not make more sense to recall him as the wicket keeper and bat at 7? Never looked comfortable trying to play a traditional test innings but if told to play his natural way he could be great.

I think Foulkes has that position for now.

Buttler can only play one way and that’s largely failed in test cricket so far.

 

[Cricket Blue]

If the plan is to bring Buttler back then would it not make more sense to recall him as the wicket keeper and bat at 7? Never looked comfortable trying to play a traditional test innings but if told to play his natural way he could be great.

Not sure it's plan at the moment, more me kite flying and some reports that it could be a possibility.
But Foakes has done well, so he I suppose would keep the gloves and play Buttler as an opener.
However Buttler's test career hasn't really worked yet and how many more chances does he get?

 

[domalino]

I think Foulkes has that position for now.

Buttler can only play one way and that’s largely failed in test cricket so far.

Same was largely true of Bairstow before 2022.

I don't see why anyone should be excluded based on previous form when the new style is so different. Also people are always queuing up to talk about how test cricket is a game played in the head as much as anything else, surely that means a change of mentality and confidence can produce dramatic changes in form?


Plus maybe Butler coming into the side might make Stokes decide he can play properly instead of trying to slog for 5 overs.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Same was largely true of Bairstow before 2022.

I don't see why anyone should be excluded based on previous form when the new style is so different.

Butler coming into the side might make Stokes decide he can play properly instead of trying to slog for 5 overs.

Whilst true, I’d question whether Buttler has the desire to play test cricket as he’s white ball captain now.

Do you think this style is sustainable in the long term? It’s surely got to bite us in the arse quite soon, don’t you think?

 

[waspish]

Can’t believe Crawley is still batting is this his one in 20 innings he gets a big score?

 

[M18CTID]

 

[domalino]

Whilst true, I’d question whether Buttler has the desire to play test cricket as he’s white ball captain now.

Do you think this style is sustainable in the long term? It’s surely got to bite us in the arse quite soon, don’t you think?

I think it depends on what people mean by "this style" or Bazball. I think it's entirely possible with the players England have to play test cricket at 4-5 runs per over.

Stokes' current thing isn't sustainable, but I think there's a lot of merit to the idea that players like Bairstow, Ali, Butler, Pope etc. are just as likely to get out early when trying to bat for 4 hours as they are when trying to play ODI style cricket.

I do think they need a couple of anchors, like in an ODI, and Root isn't enough. A good opener would be ideal, but maybe Pope can develop into a 3.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I think it depends on what people mean by "this style" or Bazball. I think it's entirely possible with the players England have to play test cricket at 4-5 runs per over.

Stokes' current thing isn't sustainable, but I think there's a lot of merit to the idea that players like Bairstow, Ali, Butler, Pope etc. are just as likely to get out early when trying to bat for 4 hours as they are when trying to play ODI style cricket.

I do think they need a couple of anchors, like in an ODI, and Root isn't enough. A good opener would be ideal, but maybe Pope can develop into a 3.

That’s fair. I’d probably advocate at least 3 anchors, but maybe I’m the outdated one!

 

[jimharri]

If it was under 300 runs starting off, I'd be more confident. 378 is a big (you could even say, er, "massive") target in the fourth innings. Only been achieved 7 times in the history of test cricket......

Highest successful run chases in test cricket | Statista

The highest successful fourth innings run chase in test history was achieved by the West Indies. This record was set in 2003 against Australia.

www.statista.com

And England's highest was 3 years ago at Headingley (359, the Leach/Stokes game against the Aussies).

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

How many overs left in the day? We’d need another 57 to win at this rate.