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

[Ban-jani]

Keaton Jennings in for Stoneman for the second test. Surprised there weren’t more changes tbh, although there’s hardly a queue of test quality players ready to step in.

I saw someone on Twitter describe it as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Made me laugh.

 

[mat]

Quick to dismiss the spot fixing.

This documentary seems compelling otherwise.

As it's Al Jazeera with the panorama type scoop the media seem to want to dismiss it.

 

[TheRemainsOfTheDave]

Too many counties in the Championship for me, the talent is spread too thin. Been the case for a while but got away with it for a decade after the test team started winning.

Needs a modernised top league. Six teams, day night games.

 

[Gabriel]

Quick to dismiss the spot fixing.

This documentary seems compelling otherwise.

As it's Al Jazeera with the panorama type scoop the media seem to want to dismiss it.

Yes, surprisingly quiet on that front. Made me wonder if there is something afoot and the media have been told not to report it. That said, when I do read that 'the EWCB is confident there is nothing to worry about', for some reason I feel the need to shift in my seat. :-)

 

[Paladin]

Yes, surprisingly quiet on that front. Made me wonder if there is something afoot and the media have been told not to report it. That said, when I do read that 'the EWCB is confident there is nothing to worry about', for some reason I feel the need to shift in my seat. :-)

Similar to when Mark Halsey said he had been told to change his match reports. Gary Neville tweeted that it was a big story, then suddenly nothing more is said or heard about the allegations.

 

[mat]

Yes, surprisingly quiet on that front. Made me wonder if there is something afoot and the media have been told not to report it. That said, when I do read that 'the EWCB is confident there is nothing to worry about', for some reason I feel the need to shift in my seat. :-)

Me too.

Allegations made by the fixers saying they controlled very senior figures/players in various world cricket organisations. Made me think of the clear out that just occurred with the England selectors. Two Aussies were named too.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Even though I’m convinced Stoneman isn’t good enough for test cricket, I have to question the point of dropping someone in a two match test series.

What happens if Jennings flops in the second test?

Do they persist with him for future test series? Return to Stoneman? Select yet another opener?

A thorough evaluation of English cricket needs to take place after this series.

We could follow Australia’s example by picking someone like Hildreth, who has been a consistent run getter in county cricket for many years now. But I suspect his age and the fact that he plays half of his cricket at Taunton will be held against him. Both Adam Voges and Michael Hussey enjoyed a lot of success in the baggy green after years of honing their skills in the domestic circuit.

 

[Gabriel]

Similar to when Mark Halsey said he had been told to change his match reports. Gary Neville tweeted that it was a big story, then suddenly nothing more is said or heard about the allegations.

I think we’ve seen sufficient evidence from the world of football to be assured that everything there is as pure as the driven slush on a wintry A6.

 

[Gabriel]

Me too.

Allegations made by the fixers saying they controlled very senior figures/players in various world cricket organisations. Made me think of the clear out that just occurred with the England selectors. Two Aussies were named too.

When you see the eye-watering sums that are involved, coupled with the almost ‘harmless’ nature of spot fixing, in relation to the possible outcome of a match, you begin to understand how figures/players could be enticed.

Will certainly be keeping a keen eye on England’s consecutive series with Pakistan and India, but I’m beginning to suspect that England are doing their utmost to keep the Tests short so that nothing nefarious can happen.:-)

 

[Gabriel]

Even though I’m convinced Stoneman isn’t good enough for test cricket, I have to question the point of dropping someone in a two match test series.

What happens if Jennings flops in the second test?

Do they persist with him for future test series? Return to Stoneman? Select yet another opener?

A thorough evaluation of English cricket needs to take place after this series.

We could follow Australia’s example by picking someone like Hildreth, who has been a consistent run getter in county cricket for many years now. But I suspect his age and the fact that he plays half of his cricket at Taunton will be held against him. Both Adam Voges and Michael Hussey enjoyed a lot of success in the baggy green after years of honing their skills in the domestic circuit.

In Stoneman’s case, I think it was more a case of sating the media and putting him out of his misery, though your point apropos Jennings is right. Presumably he’ll be given the entire series against India, but who’s to say Cook will perform consistently all summer, and will he go to Sri Lanka? I thought this summer should have been about finding three future openers that would see England ready for 2019 and beyond. Instead, it looks as if a number of players might get a shot and then be summarily discarded. If Stoneman is this week’s scapegoat, Jennings probably has 4-5 Tests to cement his place, and if not, then another will have a crack at Southampton or the Oval.