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

[bluemoonmatt]

The top of the order's very shaky. You can't expect Joe to pull us out of the shit every innings. I actually like Comptons dour doggedness, he values his wicket and is pretty good at holding an end up, which you need in test cricket. Hales has to go, but who for? I think Carberry deserves another chance. Long term that young Asian lad at Lancs looks to have the right temperament, he's capable of building an innings. I like Cook but it doesn't help when the captain's not performing because you can't drop him. On the plus side the middle order's good and we generally bat low down and we've got a good, balanced bowling attack. If we can sort the top order out we could be the best in the world

Maybe Balance deserves another shot at three

 

[Tom H Conwy exile]

Maybe, I think Compton could open

 

[blueinsa]

Disappointing end, but a very successful tour overall.

This. Job was done and minds and bodies switched off.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

This. Job was done and minds and bodies switched off.

Good win in SA, not many teams win there, I know they arent what they once were but still they take some beating, the only side I can see beating them there is Australia, and that would be a close series. We did it with only Root of the top 5 having a good series as well, the strength in depth in the batting line up (not sure there has ever been a more stylish number 8 than Ali) and our bowlers won the series, wasnt our fielding which was shite in the 2 matches we didnt win... catches win matches.

I think we will hammer Sri Lanka and Pakistan this summer, Jimmy with a duke ball and favourable conditions, will have a field day with their batsmen, should see us go up the test rankings as we are still 5th. Also, after tea I'm sure I wont be alone in shouting NO BALL whenever Amir delivers a ball.

 

[northstander62]

shameful batting display yesterday and today, I know series was won but to capitulate like that, sorry thousands of England fans paid good money to go there just to see them fall apart.

 

[DennisTueart11]

Obviously not the ideal way to finish off the series but the ultimate aim has been achieved.

Can't see us having too much trouble in the summer, good wins in both series for me. Hopefully we'll get Mark Wood fully fit, I'd like to see Alex Hale's given a little bit more time but he does need to go big early on.

Roll on May now.

 

[jay_mcfc]

A poor day but great series. There are many questions in the batting lineup though, with Hales, Compton and Taylor not having great series. I would put Compton to open without a doubt, and I'd bring in Buttler for Hales but if that's not an option you could look to play Rashid or another spinner and bat Moeen at 5. There are a few questions but really the team as a whole is in good shape and well balanced. If I was Ballance or Bell I'd be looking for some early runs in CC because there could be places up for grabs.

 

[Tom H Conwy exile]

I can't believe Stephen Parry's been overlooked for our T20 squad, very poor

 

[jay_mcfc]

I can't believe Stephen Parry's been overlooked for our T20 squad, very poor

I reckon I could pick a better team of the players that aren't going than those that are. It's always one step forward and two steps back with England and the selectors. Luckily enough the strength in depth now is pretty damn good and we still go there with a decent side and a decent chance, though I think the fact it's in India is enough to rule us out.

Now just imagine if we had a superstar batsman that has the experience of having played 20/20 in India many times...

 

[Ell-ano]

I reckon I could pick a better team of the players that aren't going than those that are. It's always one step forward and two steps back with England and the selectors. Luckily enough the strength in depth now is pretty damn good and we still go there with a decent side and a decent chance, though I think the fact it's in India is enough to rule us out.

Now just imagine if we had a superstar batsman that has the experience of having played 20/20 in India many times...

I'd probably make us favourites actually, Parry should 100% have gone, why Dawson is going i'll never know, can't say i'd have picked Pietersen either, better, younger and hungrier players in county cricket than himself.