This series has confirmed what we knew already. We have four players (Anderson, Broad, Cook & Root) who would, on current form, get into any of the top teams in the world and the other seven are nowhere near doing so.
Playing Pakistan in the Middle East was always going to be a tough gig. However, the Ashes victory obscured the fact that we have no Test standard spinner and a lack of solidity in the middle order It's easy to forget that the Aussies crushed us in two of the games this summer. It's also easy to blame Bell, but the problem is that a lot depends on Cook, Bell and Root. To get 284 in this Test, Cook or Root needed to get a century. We are now ranked 6th in the world after this defeat, which might be a bit tough on us, but we've got a long way to go to get back to the top. South Africa will be tough. We desperately need 2 or 3 players to step up from being average Test players to outstanding Test players; Root is the only one in recent years. The performance by Anderson and Broad in this match was outstanding. Let's hope they can keep doing it.
I think I heard that the combined total of 8 was the worst ever England total for the five batsmen from numbers 3 to 7 inclusive in an innings and equal worst in the history of Test cricket for any country.
I knew we were good but didn't realise that we were capable of world records.
This series has confirmed what we knew already. We have four players (Anderson, Broad, Cook & Root) who would, on current form, get into any of the top teams in the world and the other seven are nowhere near doing so.
Perfectly summed up. I like Stokes and Wood too but there are obviously fitness issues over both. But we need to find an opener and a spinner and the options look poor.
What a tragedy that Monty has thrown away his career like he has. Someone like him who can bowl consistently and build up pressure would have been perfect for this tour. Instead we have a team of bits and pieces spinners
My favourite thing in that game was Mohammed Irfan standing next to James Taylor when he was off strike. Taylor looked like a ten year old playing for his Dad's village team.
What has James Tredwell ever done that is so wrong to be overlooked so many times. The batting line up should be strong enough to accomodate him surely.
What has James Tredwell ever done that is so wrong to be overlooked so many times. The batting line up should be strong enough to accomodate him surely.
Agreed in former years he was hard done by but he'll be 34 in the New Year and it's time to look forward. And as they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
What has James Tredwell ever done that is so wrong to be overlooked so many times. The batting line up should be strong enough to accomodate him surely.
Agreed in former years he was hard done by but he'll be 34 in the New Year and it's time to look forward. And as they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
That is a valid point. Must admit there was just a bit of Kent biase.
What has James Tredwell ever done that is so wrong to be overlooked so many times. The batting line up should be strong enough to accomodate him surely.
Agreed in former years he was hard done by but he'll be 34 in the New Year and it's time to look forward. And as they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
That is a valid point. Must admit there was just a bit of Kent biase.
Me too but, with Riley coming back to form, Treders isn't certain to get in the Kent side either.
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Who says there's no money in cricket?
I knew we were good but didn't realise that we were capable of world records.
Good in parts, but end up with the same result, only surprise is it wasn't 3-0!
Currently 112-3 (24.0 overs)
Root and Roy ducks, Hales got 10.
Morgan 63 (78)
Taylor 38 (53)
Good partnership by Morgan and Taylor to rebuild the innings
Pakistan 15-2. Two wickets for Topley.
Younis Khan c Rashid b Topley 9 (18)
Three wickets now for Topley and that's the end of Younis Khan's ODI career, apparently. Odd that he's retiring mid series?
Shoaib Malik c Roy b Ali 26 (35)
The batting line up should be strong enough to accomodate him surely.
Roy out for 54. Hales 50*