There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
Sri Lanka Series is already won isn’t it ?
Yes. But there are still points available for this match.
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
Sri Lanka Series is already won isn’t it ?
Yes. But there are still points available for this match.
But if we were to bat first, we'd almost certainly win the game anyway
Australia and India will look at us and know that we massively prefer to chase, and stick us in every time
It feels weird that when the Test team seems to have all sorts of rotation, the white ball side is rigidly sticking to a consistent side strategy, even when playing weaker opponents
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
I have a lot of trust in Eoin Morgan's decision making
Why is Tom Curran in this squad? 30 career ODI wickets at 40.40 and an economy rate of 6.12. Why not take the opportunity to look at Garton instead?
That is why Tom Curran is in the squad
Because he can remove the lower order of the worst Sri Lankan batting unit ever to grace cricket, many of which can't even handle 75mph bouncers? Even with that 4-35, his ODI record stands at 34 wickets at 37.94 and an economy rate of 6.04. Those wickets also follow a spell, in the last two years against India, Ireland, South Africa and Australia of 3-490!
It tells us absolutely nothing we did not know about Tom Curran. And also tells us absolutely nothing about Garton too.
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
I have a lot of trust in Eoin Morgan's decision making
But then you're not paying for that as those fans who have been short changed in this series are.
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
I have a lot of trust in Eoin Morgan's decision making
But then you're not paying for that as those fans who have been short changed in this series are.
I bet we sell out for every day of the next ODI series
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
I have a lot of trust in Eoin Morgan's decision making
But then you're not paying for that as those fans who have been short changed in this series are.
I bet we sell out for every day of the next ODI series
Presold tickets. I desperately hope the next ODI series against Pakistan is a better contest
This is exactly what Morgan said after the last ODI:
“I think we will see more changes. We see 50-over cricket as a chance to bring guys in. We are looking at new faces. We are always looking to grow and get better."
Graham Thorpe, stand in coach said:
"While England’s senior players were performing well, there were “a few gaps maybe for the captain to experiment with”.
Of Garton, Thorpe said: “We know he’s got a bit of pace on him, but he’s also got some good tricks up his sleeve. It’s one thing seeing it at a county level, but it’s another thing stepping up and doing it in international matches as well."
If you don't do that in a "dead rubber" when do you do it?
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
I have a lot of trust in Eoin Morgan's decision making
But then you're not paying for that as those fans who have been short changed in this series are.
I bet we sell out for every day of the next ODI series
I love cricket - but I wouldn’t pay hard earned money for today’s rubbish.
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
I have a lot of trust in Eoin Morgan's decision making
But then you're not paying for that as those fans who have been short changed in this series are.
I bet we sell out for every day of the next ODI series
I love cricket - but I wouldn’t pay hard earned money for today’s rubbish.
Each to their own. I'm very happy that we have an excellent, confident, world-beating team to support.
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
I have a lot of trust in Eoin Morgan's decision making
But then you're not paying for that as those fans who have been short changed in this series are.
So you are blaming Eoin Morgan for Sri Lanka, being a poor side and it's he's fault that fans are being short changed. I do know our one day side was a lot poorer before he took over.
There are ten points up for grabs in this match in the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
If we missed out on qualification, but were able to point to the fact we'd given more players a go, would everyone be happy?
Should we have let in a few goals in the first half against Ukraine yesterday?
If we are going to struggle against one of the worst teams in the world, batting first and giving Billings a bat and then giving Garton a bowl then how are we going to beat the better sides when circumstances dictate that we have to give them that opportunity against the better teams?
I'd sooner win this year's series than worry about whether we'll beat teams in two years' time.
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
We've already won this series haven't we?
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
I have a lot of trust in Eoin Morgan's decision making
But then you're not paying for that as those fans who have been short changed in this series are.
So you are blaming Eoin Morgan for Sri Lanka, being a poor side and it's he's fault that fans are being short changed. I do know our one day side was a lot poorer before he took over.
Where have I said that? We are WC winners largely because of him.
I'm blaming Morgan for saying one thing, that he would give new faces a chance, and not doing that, for not giving batsmen such as Billings who has been ridiculously deprived of opportunities a chance and for short changing the public by refusing to bat first as well as affording us, as a batting unit, the rarity of setting a score.
At least those currently sitting in the rain might have viewed some quality batting had we done so for 40 overs or so instead of woeful ineptitude. The fans might not now see us bat at all. I'm sure Morgan, like one or two on here, have forgotten that it was only a very short time ago that the players were playing in empty stadiums and how they missed that support. Clearly not enough to want to entertain them.
But if the game is abandoned we will end up with 5 points. The same as Sri Lanka. Absolutely fantastic!
I like Billings, but I cant see him getting near the team when Buttler, Stokes and Malan are available, I
Neither can I. But he can't prove himself or ever be "in form" if he doesn't bat as evidenced by the 84 runs he has in total this season.
What an absolutely ridiculous waste of talent!
Can someone with far more knowledge about the modern game tell me what is the solution , please.
And PLEASE don't mention that abomination beginning with "H" !
I don't think there is a solution unfortunately Fanny.
The issue is this - despite my disillusion with Morgan over his treatment, I have actually come to the conclusion that Billings is actually happy with his lot. He might make noises about his desire to be in the ODI, T20I and even the Test sides but he must know, in his heart, that he won't get a regular spot. To me, he is that kid I've witnessed in county age group cricket who either doesn't get picked or, when he does, he bats at 8 and doesn't bowl. That boy just wants to be known for playing for his county. Billings needs and not just wants to be part of the England set up - it suits England to have him as a "good tourist" because he won't complain and is both a good keeper and an excellent fielder.
The cricketing year for Billings starts when he gets a gig in December to play in the Big Bash. The only thing that might interrupt that is a call up to carry the drinks on tour for England. Then he gets picked for the IPL. Not to play many games mind you but he still misses the start of the county season as a result. Then he gets back home and plays a couple of games for Kent before the best non alcoholic drinks job in the country rears its ugly head once again. But, lo and behold, then comes another "opportunity" - the "H" (sorry Fanny). Will he start for his franchise in this new and "innovative" competition? One would think so but whether he does I'm not sure really matters.
Here, though, is the difference between the kid that "plays" county age group cricket and Billings. It is a big one. Money. Now most people know that Billings family are wealthy. But I would guess that Billings wants to be independently wealthy and stand on his own two feet. And he is achieving just that. He has the underpin of a county contract. Not just any contract but one that pays him as county captain. He has his Big Bash contract, the IPL of course, the "H" and not to mention England duty. Now, as I said the other day, I don't know what he reecives to disappear with England. I have, however, now found out that a player called up for the first time by England A was paid £300 a day plus expenses. Given that, would it be far fetched to think that Billings might receive say £500 or even £1K a day as a member of the full England squad? After all, he doesn't earn appearance money or have a central contract which would be worth £700K to £1m per annum so there has to be some meaningful compensation doesn't there? And of course there are also the sponsorships and endorsements. All of that that comes to a pretty healthy total.
The question is this. Would Billings be in such demand with the franchises and earn as much as he does with those associated endorsements if he wasn't known as "Sam Billings, England international"? He's actually done next to nothing in the last couple of years internationally (he has played the sum total of 24 England games in the last 3 years and has scored just 47 runs for them in the last 10 months) to command a meaningful reputation. Equally, his T20 international average is 16.68 and his domestic T20 average is nothing to talk about either at 23.50.
So, is it better for him that Billings doesn't get to show what he can do for England? Because he might just not be as good as he or anyone else thinks he is. He might harbour some self doubt and have developed a fear of failure. Confidence is a very fragile thing after all and his injuries can't have helped either. We just don't know because there really is very little proof either way.
Equally, Billings might at some point this season have to go back to Kent. I have no doubt, given his aspirations, he will take the gloves off Cox, very much part of the success story in Kent's T20 side and do the same to Robinson in the CC, Kent's top scorer who was also recently touted as being a better gloveman than Bracey and ironically the person who should have replaced Buttler as opposed to Billings or Bracey in the Test side. Now that would be really unfair but that's the benefit of being an England cricketer and county captain.
As much as I might bemoan the way Billings has been treated by Morgan and England the truth is that Billings is probably quite content with life. I say, unfortunately, because he doesn't have to prove how good he might be and also causes disruption when he returns to Kent. So, in short (or as I have explained at length) I don't see a solution until such time as England "back" or "sack" him.
I get the thought process but at the end of the day, Billings is simply behind some wonderful cricketers. Roy, Bairstow, Root, Morgan, Buttler and Stokes is the best top 6 in the world. Billings is unlucky to have only played 25 ODI games but those 6 are proven and have earned the right to play.
I agree about this series, I'd like to have seen us have a bat first and although abandoned, the failure to experiment today was a little bizarre. I do think Morgan accepted he wasn't going to learn an awful lot in this series because the quality of the opposition was insufficient.
AA - your analysis sounds pretty sound to me. However it is also fairly short term, because after a couple of years or not batting or keeping enough he is unlikely to get picked up in Big Bash, IPL, H or whatever (certainly not at a decent payoff) let alone England.
Comments
Billings, Garton and others may well get chances before the next World Cup. Or they may not be required. But, a settled, strong, winning team is a great place to start building for the next tournament. Picking the best available makes winning most likely.
What does David Willey learn about defending 250 against India on the subcontinent by defending 400 at home?
Tom getting revenge today.
Super bowling.
Australia and India will look at us and know that we massively prefer to chase, and stick us in every time
It feels weird that when the Test team seems to have all sorts of rotation, the white ball side is rigidly sticking to a consistent side strategy, even when playing weaker opponents
Willey has played more than 50 ODIs and 30 T20s and has played in 5 of them in the last few weeks. Having Willey in the team does not make it a "settled" side because once Archer, Jordan etc etc come into consideration he probably won't be in the side.
You say Garton "may well get chances" but if he doesn't here when we have absolutely nothing to play for, what criteria dictates that he will - probably injury or a massive loss of form with a few of the established bowlers in which case we end up throwing him in against the better teams in the world. He then, potentially, has a bad time because of his inexperience and everyone says he isn't good enough.
As for Billings, he is the batsman that I referred to as having scored 84 in all forms of the game this season - he's batted 6 times for Club and Country and we are 15 weeks into the season. He is in the England team as a batsman but he habitually carries the drink and when he does make the starting XI we elect to bowl and end up chasing nothing so he doesn't get a bat anyway.
And I still go back to the fact that this is a game of entertainment. It is not entertaining to see a team being rolled and then us scoring at 4 an over to reach that target. If the game finishes now because of rain the crowd would have seen yet another inept batting performance from Sri Lanka instead of our top order potentially putting in a 35 over batting showcase.
That is why Tom Curran is in the squad
Because he can remove the lower order of the worst Sri Lankan batting unit ever to grace cricket, many of which can't even handle 75mph bouncers? Even with that 4-35, his ODI record stands at 34 wickets at 37.94 and an economy rate of 6.04. Those wickets also follow a spell, in the last two years against India, Ireland, South Africa and Australia of 3-490!
It tells us absolutely nothing we did not know about Tom Curran. And also tells us absolutely nothing about Garton too.
Described by Atherton as "shambolic" batting.
“I think we will see more changes. We see 50-over cricket as a chance to bring guys in. We are looking at new faces. We are always looking to grow and get better."
Graham Thorpe, stand in coach said:
"While England’s senior players were performing well, there were “a few gaps maybe for the captain to experiment with”.
Of Garton, Thorpe said: “We know he’s got a bit of pace on him, but he’s also got some good tricks up his sleeve. It’s one thing seeing it at a county level, but it’s another thing stepping up and doing it in international matches as well."
If you don't do that in a "dead rubber" when do you do it?
So you are blaming Eoin Morgan for Sri Lanka, being a poor side and it's he's fault that fans are being short changed. I do know our one day side was a lot poorer before he took over.
I'm blaming Morgan for saying one thing, that he would give new faces a chance, and not doing that, for not giving batsmen such as Billings who has been ridiculously deprived of opportunities a chance and for short changing the public by refusing to bat first as well as affording us, as a batting unit, the rarity of setting a score.
At least those currently sitting in the rain might have viewed some quality batting had we done so for 40 overs or so instead of woeful ineptitude. The fans might not now see us bat at all. I'm sure Morgan, like one or two on here, have forgotten that it was only a very short time ago that the players were playing in empty stadiums and how they missed that support. Clearly not enough to want to entertain them.
But if the game is abandoned we will end up with 5 points. The same as Sri Lanka. Absolutely fantastic!
Can someone with far more knowledge about the modern game tell me what is the solution , please.
And PLEASE don't mention that abomination beginning with "H" !
The issue is this - despite my disillusion with Morgan over his treatment, I have actually come to the conclusion that Billings is actually happy with his lot. He might make noises about his desire to be in the ODI, T20I and even the Test sides but he must know, in his heart, that he won't get a regular spot. To me, he is that kid I've witnessed in county age group cricket who either doesn't get picked or, when he does, he bats at 8 and doesn't bowl. That boy just wants to be known for playing for his county. Billings needs and not just wants to be part of the England set up - it suits England to have him as a "good tourist" because he won't complain and is both a good keeper and an excellent fielder.
The cricketing year for Billings starts when he gets a gig in December to play in the Big Bash. The only thing that might interrupt that is a call up to carry the drinks on tour for England. Then he gets picked for the IPL. Not to play many games mind you but he still misses the start of the county season as a result. Then he gets back home and plays a couple of games for Kent before the best non alcoholic drinks job in the country rears its ugly head once again. But, lo and behold, then comes another "opportunity" - the "H" (sorry Fanny). Will he start for his franchise in this new and "innovative" competition? One would think so but whether he does I'm not sure really matters.
Here, though, is the difference between the kid that "plays" county age group cricket and Billings. It is a big one. Money. Now most people know that Billings family are wealthy. But I would guess that Billings wants to be independently wealthy and stand on his own two feet. And he is achieving just that. He has the underpin of a county contract. Not just any contract but one that pays him as county captain. He has his Big Bash contract, the IPL of course, the "H" and not to mention England duty. Now, as I said the other day, I don't know what he reecives to disappear with England. I have, however, now found out that a player called up for the first time by England A was paid £300 a day plus expenses. Given that, would it be far fetched to think that Billings might receive say £500 or even £1K a day as a member of the full England squad? After all, he doesn't earn appearance money or have a central contract which would be worth £700K to £1m per annum so there has to be some meaningful compensation doesn't there? And of course there are also the sponsorships and endorsements. All of that that comes to a pretty healthy total.
The question is this. Would Billings be in such demand with the franchises and earn as much as he does with those associated endorsements if he wasn't known as "Sam Billings, England international"? He's actually done next to nothing in the last couple of years internationally (he has played the sum total of 24 England games in the last 3 years and has scored just 47 runs for them in the last 10 months) to command a meaningful reputation. Equally, his T20 international average is 16.68 and his domestic T20 average is nothing to talk about either at 23.50.
So, is it better for him that Billings doesn't get to show what he can do for England? Because he might just not be as good as he or anyone else thinks he is. He might harbour some self doubt and have developed a fear of failure. Confidence is a very fragile thing after all and his injuries can't have helped either. We just don't know because there really is very little proof either way.
Equally, Billings might at some point this season have to go back to Kent. I have no doubt, given his aspirations, he will take the gloves off Cox, very much part of the success story in Kent's T20 side and do the same to Robinson in the CC, Kent's top scorer who was also recently touted as being a better gloveman than Bracey and ironically the person who should have replaced Buttler as opposed to Billings or Bracey in the Test side. Now that would be really unfair but that's the benefit of being an England cricketer and county captain.
As much as I might bemoan the way Billings has been treated by Morgan and England the truth is that Billings is probably quite content with life. I say, unfortunately, because he doesn't have to prove how good he might be and also causes disruption when he returns to Kent. So, in short (or as I have explained at length) I don't see a solution until such time as England "back" or "sack" him.
I agree about this series, I'd like to have seen us have a bat first and although abandoned, the failure to experiment today was a little bizarre. I do think Morgan accepted he wasn't going to learn an awful lot in this series because the quality of the opposition was insufficient.