[Cricket] World Test XI

[LlcoolJ]

Oh and it's a watchalong with Cookie, Athers, Ward and Broad.....

 

[Lincolnshire Seagull]

Yeah our club is doing the same. Tough times though, we're fundraising but looking at an £18k loss this year...... We're lucky to have the England captain as a benefactor or we'd be screwed.

I see you are in Sheffield area. Do you by any chance play against or have any contact with Hallam CC?

 

[jakarta]

Back to OUR Test and just another message of thanks to Gwylan for the entertainment provided over the past few days, much appreciated except for the Cliff Hanger Finish!

Looking forward to the Fourth Test, haven't been to Old Trafford since they turned the Wickets 90 degrees (2005 C&G Quarter Final Lancashire vs. Sussex with Brother and two Mates - all Lancashire fans, I proudly announced that they would be watching England's future Wicket keeper that day - Andrew Bloody Symonds was the Lancs Ringer of the day and got a Century - Matt Prior did top score for us with 59 but we were never at the races, Flintoff played as well, from memory it was just before the First Ashes Test and I don't think he played for Lancashire for the rest of the Summer - oh well we stuffed them the following year!)

 

[LlcoolJ]

I see you are in Sheffield area. Do you by any chance play against or have any contact with Hallam CC?

Ha ha. Yes, they're our biggest rivals.

 

[Lincolnshire Seagull]

Ha ha. Yes, they're our biggest rivals.

You'll know my friend from Lincs then - Dan Grantham?

 

[LlcoolJ]

You'll know my friend from Lincs then - Dan Grantham?

I know the name. I don't play due to having a rebuilt foot but my son plays for the U13s and has some good mates who play for Hallam and South Yorkshire.

 

[Mackenzie]

Picked up the new kit from Abergavenny CC today, hope we get the chance to use it.

 

[jakarta]

It may be time for the selectors to have a meeting. I know people say that you should never change a winning team but they scraped through that one - if Australia had won the toss, they'd have won and England also got the better end of the decisions - the Aussies are still fuming about Smith's dismissal.

I'd say that Cook's position should be looked at (and possibly Gower and Compton's - though they've both scored centuries). We may also want to look at Barnes (England's best bowler in the first test) and wonder whether Underwood is the best bet for Old Trafford - it's a wicket that traditionally takes spin and England may want a spinner like Verity or Swann who really turns the ball.

Australia have called Border into their squad so will be choosing from twelve.

It would be interesting to look at Cook's scores so far, I know everyone can get a first baller but he isn't inspiring me with confidence when there are Gooch, Hutton and Sutcliffe all available.

Gower and Compton just need a kick up the backside and a reminder that this is The Ashes and not a series of Beer Games.

On the Spinner front I seem to recall Jim Laker had a decent game against the Aussies at Old Trafford...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKqcXyh4Vis

 

[Gwylan]

It would be interesting to look at Cook's scores so far, I know everyone can get a first baller but he isn't inspiring me with confidence when there are Gooch, Hutton and Sutcliffe all available.

Gower and Compton just need a kick up the backside and a reminder that this is The Ashes and not a series of Beer Games.

On the Spinner front I seem to recall Jim Laker had a decent game against the Aussies at Old Trafford...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKqcXyh4Vis

Cook has got 147 runs at an average of 24.5. When I've got a moment, I'll work out the averages for the entire series so far. I think I know who'll have the best batting average so far.

I think Compton tended to treat every game as a beer match!

Yes, I forgot about Laker.

The trouble is our rule about one per county - it would rule out Hobbs.
But Gooch Sutcliffe or Hutton could come in for Cook with no problem

 

[LlcoolJ]

Cook has got 147 runs at an average of 24.5. When I've got a moment, I'll work out the averages for the entire series so far. I think I know who'll have the best batting average so far.

I think Compton tended to treat every game as a beer match!

Yes, I forgot about Laker.

The trouble is our rule about one per county - it would rule out Hobbs.
But Gooch Sutcliffe or Hutton could come in for Cook with no problem

But just when you think it's a good idea to drop Chef, he'll pull out a MASSIVE score......

Tough call for the selectors.

 

[jakarta]

Cook has got 147 runs at an average of 24.5. When I've got a moment, I'll work out the averages for the entire series so far. I think I know who'll have the best batting average so far.

I think Compton tended to treat every game as a beer match!

Yes, I forgot about Laker.

The trouble is our rule about one per county - it would rule out Hobbs.
But Gooch Sutcliffe or Hutton could come in for Cook with no problem

Presume Swann and Larwood pose the same problem as does Verity and Sutcliffe.

 

[Gwylan]

Presume Swann and Larwood pose the same problem as does Verity and Sutcliffe.

Indeed.

The main issue I have with Swann is that he's much, much more effective against left-handers and Australia have only two of them

The plus point is that he's a useful batsman (although Verity could bat too)

One other player I didn't mention is Rhodes - a genuine all-rounder

It's a tough call

 

[jakarta]

But just when you think it's a good idea to drop Chef, he'll pull out a MASSIVE score......

Tough call for the selectors.

Sorry but I think he has to go back to Chelmsford for a while, Len Hutton would be my choice to replace him, although wouldn't say no to Graham Gooch.

 

[jakarta]

Calling [MENTION=25]Gwylan[/MENTION], when does the 4th Fantasy Ashes Test at Old Trafford start?

And have the selectors decided on the line-up yet?

 

[Gwylan]

Calling [MENTION=25]Gwylan[/MENTION], when does the 4th Fantasy Ashes Test at Old Trafford start?

And have the selectors decided on the line-up yet?

Amazingly, I have had some work this week and will be tied up early next week. Nothing for the week after though - plenty of time for a selectors' meeting

 

[Eeyore]

Btw, the 2015 Trent Bridge test is about to start on Sky.

Been loving the build up, centering around Jimmy being injured and the massive boost that gives to the Australians......

We've won the toss and have chosen to bowl. Haha!!!

I don't even need to watch or look up what happens in the next hour....

'They're tumbling all over the place'.

 

[jakarta]

Amazingly, I have had some work this week and will be tied up early next week. Nothing for the week after though - plenty of time for a selectors' meeting

Was hoping for the 4th Test to start this Thursday, presume not?

Given this amazing weather must be an unseasonably dry pitch by now?

 

[jakarta]

Think this needs to be bounced as the Aussies have obviously been playing a couple of County Sides since the last Test, Im sure Gwylan will let us know how they got on. Selectors meeting must be due?

 

[Gwylan]

Selectors meeting must be due?

Yes, but not today

 

[jakarta]

Yes, but not today

Understood, I believe there were Scenes in their 3 day Match vs. Sussex at Arundel. Firstly they called themselves Australians and played with 12 men (11 on the field) thus removing First Class Status from the game. This so enraged Jofra that he might have bowled himself into contention, he hit all of the Top Four Batsmen at some point or another and took out Bradmans off stump with a 94 MPH delivery, ending with figures of 5-67.

Sadly Sussex batted as per usual in the past couple of years and with a bit drizzle of the final day it petered out into a Draw.

Enjoyed my Pint of Arundel Sussex Gold in the Beer Tent...