[Cricket] 1st Test: England vs New Zealand @ Lords

[Uncle Buck]

I think in retrospect we underrated the New Zealand bowling attack he was undone by, though having said that he looked hopelessly out of form when he was dropped.

He got 2 centuries out there, but in the home series he did get found out.

Watching him at Hove, he seemed solid, and only played when he needed to.

Where as Robson got out in the first innings to a brain dead shot.

 

[Sargey]

Lets hope whom ever gets the job can be their own man and pick who they want and do what they want without outside interference but hey this IS the ECB......

 

[Uncle Buck]

Well, your describing a general malaise around England. 5 of Carberry's tests were in Australia against an on fire bowling attack. To say he didn't 'kick on' when no one else did in the team is amazingly harsh. I agree with you on Compton too.

These players are getting dropped for one reason only - they're not complimenting a struggling Cook. Not only do each of these openers coming in need to play for themselves, they're playing for Cook too. The pressure on them with the experienced guy at the other end scratching around must be ridiculous.

I'm not saying Cook should be dropped, but we should stop thinking he is undroppable. Many great players got dropped and came back stronger. It wouldn't be the end of the world.

Cook should have been dropped after the Ashes, needed time in County Cricket to relocate his off stump.

However in recent games, his batting is not the problem, his captaincy is.

 

[spring hall convert]

I'm not saying Cook should be dropped, but we should stop thinking he is undroppable. Many great players got dropped and came back stronger. It wouldn't be the end of the world.

Didn't do Ian Bell any harm. Or Justin Langer.

 

[Sargey]

Didn't do Ian Bell any harm. Or Justin Langer.

Good Call

 

[Bold Seagull]

England 103-4 (24.2 overs)

I'd make Root captain. Massive risk that it might impact his form, but he seems the sort of young lad that would revel in it and rise to the challenge. Its the kind of seismic change this side needs.

Never liked opening captains, wicket keeper captains or bowling captains. Too much concentration needed to get in your zone. Bowlers are never subjective about bowling changes either.

I'd just get on with it. He's going to be the next captain anyway, although maybe wait until Cook is finally crucified by the Aussies, then do it. No need to scar the lad.

 

[Titanic]

Lunch on Day 1.

England 113-4 (26 overs)

Root 49* Stokes 36*

 

[Stumpy Tim]

The problem with England's batting is their reluctance to score quickly. Drives me mental. The great teams have batsmen who don't look to survive, they look to take the game to their opponents and score quickly. Cook & Moore's tactical approach has been one of safety first in all aspects of the game, including batting slowly. It puts pressure on the batsmen, allows the fielding team to set more attacking fields, and it means we're on a lower score when the second new ball is taken.

Attacking batsmen make the opposing captain think - they spread the field and are able to take more cheap singles. Look at Root & Stokes go

 

[brakespear]

Take the Eng/NZ quiz to get you prepared

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32824039

11/15 for me, I'm quite pleased with that.

9 out of 15, happy with that

 

[Albion_Dave]

The problem with England's batting is their reluctance to score quickly. Drives me mental. The great teams have batsmen who don't look to survive, they look to take the game to their opponents and score quickly. Cook & Moore's tactical approach has been one of safety first in all aspects of the game, including batting slowly. It puts pressure on the batsmen, allows the fielding team to set more attacking fields, and it means we're on a lower score when the second new ball is taken.

Attacking batsmen make the opposing captain think - they spread the field and are able to take more cheap singles. Look at Root & Stokes go

4.35 per over this morning is prety good don't you think?

 

[spring hall convert]

Looks like we need to keep up this slating. Entertaining finish to the session there.

 

[Rod Marsh]

Lunch on Day 1.

England 113-4 (26 overs)

Root 49* Stokes 36*

A very decent recovery it has to be said, these two need to bat well until tea.

 

[Eeyore]

I'd make Root captain. Massive risk that it might impact his form, but he seems the sort of young lad that would revel in it and rise to the challenge. Its the kind of seismic change this side needs.

Never liked opening captains, wicket keeper captains or bowling captains. Too much concentration needed to get in your zone. Bowlers are never subjective about bowling changes either.

I'd just get on with it. He's going to be the next captain anyway, although maybe wait until Cook is finally crucified by the Aussies, then do it. No need to scar the lad.

Not sure about your thoughts on captains that open. A large number have been successful. Mark Taylor would be my best example.

 

[Eeyore]

I'd make Root captain. Massive risk that it might impact his form, but he seems the sort of young lad that would revel in it and rise to the challenge. Its the kind of seismic change this side needs.

Never liked opening captains, wicket keeper captains or bowling captains. Too much concentration needed to get in your zone. Bowlers are never subjective about bowling changes either.

I'd just get on with it. He's going to be the next captain anyway, although maybe wait until Cook is finally crucified by the Aussies, then do it. No need to scar the lad.

Not sure about your thoughts on captains that open. A large number have been successful. Mark Taylor would be my best example.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

4.35 per over this morning is prety good don't you think?

I do. Thanks to Root & Stokes.

England are usually a boring team to watch, largely due to Cook et al fumbling along at 2 an over.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Not sure about your thoughts on captains that open. A large number have been successful. Mark Taylor would be my best example.

Right, you're at the end of the oppositions innings, its intense, you're rotating bowlers, thinking about plans, trying desperately to get the final wickets. 10 mins later your batting.

I bet both Cook and Strauss's averages dropped after captaincy. Vaughan dropped to no.3.

For me, I just think an opener needs to focus so much more than any other batsmen as they're straight out. Every other batsmen has the luxury of getting a cup of tea and getting in the zone on the balcony.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying openers haven't made good captains like Mark Taylor, I just don't think it's ideal.

 

[pasty]

I do. Thanks to Root & Stokes.

England are usually a boring team to watch, largely due to Cook et al fumbling along at 2 an over.

Absolutely. I generally always prefer watching the team I'm supporting bowling as opposed to batting, but this is doubly true when it comes to England.

 

[Titanic]

Joe Root 50* (53 balls, 8 fours)

 

[Bold Seagull]

Interesting Stat; Before Root was dropped in the final test v Australia 15 matches average 36.73. After he got his place back, 11 matches average 99.17.

 

[Titanic]

103 partnership (19 overs, Root 53, Stokes 47, 5.4RR)