It is interesting that we are all scratching our heads trying to find Test openers and let's face the obvious options are virtually non existent.
In my experience there are several reasons for this. The first one is clear - the game has changed to the extent that the money is in the shorter form of the game. As a result all young cricketers are encouraged to hit the ball first. That's not to say that they aren't coached on technique but it really isn't the first port of call.
What also happens is that kids in age group cricket are sometimes "protected" by their counties. By that I mean that the best couple of batsmen in the team might not get to open that often - you will usually find them coming in at four or five so they don't have to face the opening bowlers when conditions suit bowling best.
So we end up producing a lot of middle order aggressive players who haven't learned their craft so far as what it takes to be an opener in the longer form of the game. You only have to look at those who have opened in ODIs in the last five or six years to see that they are far better suited to going at the ball - Roy, Hales, Lumb, Ali, Carberry, Kieswetter, Buttler etc etc - so to ask them to face the best fast bowlers in the world against a moving ball is a step too far.
Finally, those that do open in county cricket don't actually face attacks that are that good. The old days when the likes of Garner, Holding, Roberts, Hadlee, Wasim Akram etc etc used to turn out for counties season in season out are sadly long gone and the reality is that it doesn't matter how far you turn the bowling machine up to it simply isn't the same because you cannot replicate match conditions.
Great innings by Rooty (and Stokes too) - our middle order is certainly clicking with Root,Taylor,STokes and Bairstow - great for the future coz they could be the same 4,5,6,7 for best part of a decade. All we need now is to find an opener for Cook. (Ballance will fit into the no 3 once they've eventually dispensed with Compton),
Just watched Roots innings again - he is one superstar - we seem to have a couple in Stokes and Root right now - i wonder if any others will step up to that level in next couple of years.?
I have been impressed with Bairstow in this series so far, he kept well in the first innings as well, bar the drop catch towards the end of the SA innings
I have been impressed with Bairstow in this series so far, he kept well in the first innings as well, bar the drop catch towards the end of the SA innings
Yes, he has improved no end. Looks to have made the no. 7 spot all his own now. Then again, i suppose Buttler sorta made it easy for him after his performances.
With a bit of luck we should/could be circa 20 runs ahead when the new ball is taken - lets hope we can push it up to a 50 lead by the time we're all out. Bairstow maybe needs to take on the bowling a bit more from now til new ball - at the moment he's playing beautifully.
Agree Pres, lead of 50 might level up the fact we will be chasing 4th dig. Need Broad and Jimmy to bowl a lot better with the new ball to put them under.
Comments
In my experience there are several reasons for this. The first one is clear - the game has changed to the extent that the money is in the shorter form of the game. As a result all young cricketers are encouraged to hit the ball first. That's not to say that they aren't coached on technique but it really isn't the first port of call.
What also happens is that kids in age group cricket are sometimes "protected" by their counties. By that I mean that the best couple of batsmen in the team might not get to open that often - you will usually find them coming in at four or five so they don't have to face the opening bowlers when conditions suit bowling best.
So we end up producing a lot of middle order aggressive players who haven't learned their craft so far as what it takes to be an opener in the longer form of the game. You only have to look at those who have opened in ODIs in the last five or six years to see that they are far better suited to going at the ball - Roy, Hales, Lumb, Ali, Carberry, Kieswetter, Buttler etc etc - so to ask them to face the best fast bowlers in the world against a moving ball is a step too far.
Finally, those that do open in county cricket don't actually face attacks that are that good. The old days when the likes of Garner, Holding, Roberts, Hadlee, Wasim Akram etc etc used to turn out for counties season in season out are sadly long gone and the reality is that it doesn't matter how far you turn the bowling machine up to it simply isn't the same because you cannot replicate match conditions.
202-5
Root 79* (106)
First been told (unofficially) that I'll never be in the CL Clique, now this....
(Sorry, MOG - couldn't resist...)
227-5
☺
(Edit)
*Thought so.......The truth will out........
☺
Root 106* (131)
Bairstow 4* (15)
All we need now is to find an opener for Cook. (Ballance will fit into the no 3 once they've eventually dispensed with Compton),
The Stokes/Root partnership was brilliant counter-attacking and steered us from trouble.
The intent that they showed really messed with the bowlers and destroyed their rhythm.
Oh, and gutted to not be in the cricket clique :-(
England 20 behind with new ball due in 12 overs.
With a bit of luck we should/could be circa 20 runs ahead when the new ball is taken - lets hope we can push it up to a 50 lead by the time we're all out. Bairstow maybe needs to take on the bowling a bit more from now til new ball - at the moment he's playing beautifully.