Cricket Thread

[M18CTID]

Don’t understand that decision at all, we’ve just heavily improved our batting line up and had an opportunity to impose scoreboard pressure, our bowling line up is very undercooked with Ali Woakes & Wood

Yeah, after the way it went last time round with putting them in I'd have been hoping for us to bat first this time round. Sure, I get that the conditions might be conducive to bowling but if they can see that off relatively unscathed before the sun comes out then we could be staring down the barrel of another 400+ total

 

[M18CTID]

I see it the other way. We had Tongue in his second test, Robinson, Broad, Jimmy last time. Stokes couldn't bowl and Root was the spinner. Now we have Wood, Woakes, Robbo and Broad with Moeen as the spinner and Root and Stokes as options if needed. It's a much better bowling lineup based on Jimmy's lack of form and Wood's extra pace. We've lost Pope but the bowlers that have come in should get more runs so overall a stronger side in my opinion. Bowling first is the better option, I feel England are better in general when they chase a score anyway.

A compelling argument for bowling first. Let's smash 'em!

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Does it spin much at Headingley? They must fancy a fourth innnings chase against a rookie spinner.

Maybe thinking they'll get to bat tomorrow when the weather forecast is best - Saturday looks like it may be wet, Monday as well to a lesser extent.

 

[MeatnSpudsMCFC]

The lack of boos is a bit disappointing…

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

I see it the other way. We had Tongue in his second test, Robinson, Broad, Jimmy last time. Stokes couldn't bowl and Root was the spinner. Now we have Wood, Woakes, Robbo and Broad with Moeen as the spinner and Root and Stokes as options if needed. It's a much better bowling lineup based on Jimmy's lack of form and Wood's extra pace. We've lost Pope but the bowlers that have come in should get more runs so overall a stronger side in my opinion. Bowling first is the better option, I feel England are better in general when they chase a score anyway.

Don’t disagree with your points (they’re solid) but there’s a lot of iffs with that bowling dept, mainly due to my original point of them being undercooked (some may say fresh) Tongue v Woakes is a 50-50 call, Tongue was impressive in a flat bowling performance, and by all accounts being rested due to previous injuries etc, We’ll see about Mo, can he give more than token gesture 4 over spells ? I love Mark Wood too but can his body hold it together ? ……Boom! Wicket

 

[Iamthemusicman]

Fuck off Warner.

 

[bigstanhibbert]

Warner is worse than Crawley,

 

[Iamthemusicman]

The lack of boos is a bit disappointing…

Should have played at Goodison.

 

[supercity88]

Don’t disagree with your points (they’re solid) but there’s a lot of iffs with that bowling dept, mainly due to my original point of them being undercooked (some may say fresh) Tongue v Woakes is a 50-50 call, Tongue was impressive in a flat bowling performance, and by all accounts being rested due to previous injuries etc, We’ll see about Mo, can he give more than token gesture 4 over spells ? I love Mark Wood too but can his body hold it together ? ……Boom! Wicket

Yeah it's harsh to drop Tongue, but Wood is a more proven bowler and that bit quicker. Woakes should have played at Lords in my opinion, but Jimmy hasn't taken wickets and needs a rest so it's a logical choice. At times we've failed to bowl the right length, but Woakes will do that consistently. I see it as a much more balanced side. Pope didn't score many runs in the two tests he's played so far but adding in Jimmy and Tongue as a trio and comparing to Woakes, Wood and Moeen you'd expect a pretty similar number of runs overall.

Good start, let it continue!

 

[supercity88]

Would have given Woakes the new ball over Robinson.... Robinson and Wood as the second options for a bit more pace and variation.