Live by the sword, die by the sword. As Sangakkara says, Brook might have won the battle with the scoop but that sweep, exposing his stumps as he did to that seamer, had inherently more risk.
Critics often talk about this England side not playing the percentages, and that was a perfect example of it.
Live by the sword, die by the sword. As Sangakkara says, Brook might have won the battle with the scoop but that sweep, exposing his stumps as he did to that seamer, had inherently more risk.
At this point in the match you dont try sweeping a medium/ fast pace bowler.
They persist with Crawley and Duckett purely for their little and large, left and right combination imo.
It's called trying to fit a theory into a selection process. That will only every work if you pick the right players to do that and if they aren't good enough then you have to pick two batters that can actually bat at Test level. Duckett certainly can. Crawley will only ever do it on benign pitches because his technique is so flawed.
Did I read anywhere that Jamie Smith has opened before ? If so what about dropping Crawley & Pope and have Smith opening, Foakes as 'keeper & Bethel in at 3.
Did I read anywhere that Jamie Smith has opened before ? If so what about dropping Crawley & Pope and have Smith opening, Foakes as 'keeper & Bethel in at 3.
Did I read anywhere that Jamie Smith has opened before ? If so what about dropping Crawley & Pope and have Smith opening, Foakes as 'keeper & Bethel in at 3.
Terrible idea.
The strongest part of this England side is our middle order. Root Brooke Stokes Smith.
That's as good a middle order as there is with 3 of them averaging over 50.
England can tinker with the top 3 as much as they like until they get it right but under no circumstances would I break up the best middle order in Test cricket right now.
Bethell will get his chance at some point as will a couple of others hopefully theycan step up to the job.
25 byes so far in this innings. Wouldn't it be awful if India lost by a margin of less than the number of byes the replacement wicket keeper conceded after Pant had proved his fitness by batting?
Perhaps Test cricket needs to change. 90 overs cant be bowled in a day if you have numerous DRS reviews, concussion protocols, ball changes & drink breaks.
Or you keep playing past the cut off time until they are. In England you can safely play until gone 8pm on a good summers day. No reason why in this Test match play couldnt carry on past 7pm. Funny because it would have done if we had lost time due to rain, but when it's warm & dry play finishes at 6.30pm . So bonkers rules.
So....one or the other. But we cant continue as we are.
I know people will talk about train prices etc but just extend play to start at 10:30. The cooler temperatures might mean they get through an extra over or two too
I know people will talk about train prices etc but just extend play to start at 10:30. The cooler temperatures might mean they get through an extra over or two too
They did start doing this a few years go. No idea why they stopped tbh. They certainly did after rain delays meant that all the lost overs couldnt be made up. Start at 10.30 & carry on until 7pm if needs be
Did I read anywhere that Jamie Smith has opened before ? If so what about dropping Crawley & Pope and have Smith opening, Foakes as 'keeper & Bethel in at 3.
Would you want to move smith up the order when he is doing well lower down?
Did I read anywhere that Jamie Smith has opened before ? If so what about dropping Crawley & Pope and have Smith opening, Foakes as 'keeper & Bethel in at 3.
Terrible idea.
The strongest part of this England side is our middle order. Root Brooke Stokes Smith.
That's as good a middle order as there is with 3 of them averaging over 50.
England can tinker with the top 3 as much as they like until they get it right but under no circumstances would I break up the best middle order in Test cricket right now.
Bethell will get his chance at some point as will a couple of others hopefully theycan step up to the job.
They are the best but there's something disconcerting when three of those are out sweeping/slog sweeping. At what point do they come to the conclusion that exposing the stumps isn't a good idea on this pitch of uneven bounce? In fact, the last six dismissals have all been bowled.
Did I read anywhere that Jamie Smith has opened before ? If so what about dropping Crawley & Pope and have Smith opening, Foakes as 'keeper & Bethel in at 3.
Terrible idea.
The strongest part of this England side is our middle order. Root Brooke Stokes Smith.
That's as good a middle order as there is with 3 of them averaging over 50.
England can tinker with the top 3 as much as they like until they get it right but under no circumstances would I break up the best middle order in Test cricket right now.
Bethell will get his chance at some point as will a couple of others hopefully theycan step up to the job.
They are the best but there's something disconcerting when three of those are out sweeping/slog sweeping. At what point do they come to the conclusion that exposing the stumps isn't a good idea on this pitch of uneven bounce? In fact, the last sixseven dismissals have all been bowled.
Comments
Should have spent the Zimbabwe test trying the other options but they used it to stat pad instead.
The strongest part of this England side is our middle order.
Root
Brooke
Stokes
Smith.
That's as good a middle order as there is with 3 of them averaging over 50.
England can tinker with the top 3 as much as they like until they get it right but under no circumstances would I break up the best middle order in Test cricket right now.
Bethell will get his chance at some point as will a couple of others hopefully theycan step up to the job.
Or you keep playing past the cut off time until they are. In England you can safely play until gone 8pm on a good summers day. No reason why in this Test match play couldnt carry on past 7pm. Funny because it would have done if we had lost time due to rain, but when it's warm & dry play finishes at 6.30pm . So bonkers rules.
So....one or the other. But we cant continue as we are.
An hour after lunch & one of the Sky commentators was saying 250/260 and India would start getting edgy.
So yes, at 175 England need at least another 75. Another 100 & we are in the game.
rew or cox over foakes for me.