Cricket: England v Pakistan

[robf]

What a rubbish first day's performance with the bat.

 

Only positive was Cook's return to form.

[Jacko51]

Root set a wonderful example didn't he?

[TylerB]

England need at leas another 100 today to give themselves a chance, but the more likely scenario is that they'll add another 30 or so and then it will take Pakistan a session to get the victory. If England can get up to around 170/180 then they've got a chance, though they'll certainly have to catch and field much better than they have done so far.

[TylerB]

Taxi for England cricket team. Christ.

[valiant_593]

There getting worse and worse. No disrespect to Pakistan but this should be easy pickings in England.

 

Too many players who aren’t good enough keep getting selected. Buttler getting picked, although hit a nice 50 is an insult to many players in our county system actually hitting runs in a 4 day format.

 

Stoneman has surely played his last match for England? Not even close to test standing. Jennings in good nick and gubbins as well who should’ve been picked for this test imo. Still not sure malan is good enough especially at number 4 you look at some of the number 4s we’ve had recently he dosent come close. Root shouldn’t be captain. Broad shouldn’t be picked, dosent take wickets and hasn’t for some time. Useless in the tail as well.

 

I’d drop stoneman and broad 100% for the next match and possibly malan and Buttler as well as I just think there’s better test batsman out there.

 

No doubt we will make one change and that will be woakes in for wood to ‘strengthen the batting’

[RailwayRowdy]

When is Root’s captaincy going to be called into question ?

 

At one stage he was fielding under the helmet at short leg, usually with his back to play trying to avoid being walloped due to wayward bowling. How can he see what’s going on from there ?

 

He doesn’t captain Yorkshire, he doesn’t even captain the one day side. So his captaincy experience is virtually nil, yet the ECB deems him suitable to lead the test side. Quite remarkable.

[Bycarsbill]

When is Root’s captaincy going to be called into question ?

 

At one stage he was fielding under the helmet at short leg, usually with his back to play trying to avoid being walloped due to wayward bowling. How can he see what’s going on from there ?

 

He doesn’t captain Yorkshire, he doesn’t even captain the one day side. So his captaincy experience is virtually nil, yet the ECB deems him suitable to lead the test side. Quite remarkable.

 

 

I think it is now (and rightly) being questioned. Unfortunately there were not too many alternatives when Cook decided to stand down. Like any new job, it is a steep learning curce--even more so under the glare of public & media scrutiny. He is still without doubt England's best batsman and many other Test playing nations take a similar view that their best player gets to captain. Not always logical I grant you, but seemingly more the norm than not. The whole County Championship needs to be looked at. Playing the first round of county games in April/early May when the ball is moving off the seam is no good for aspiring batsmen to hone their craft before the start of a Test series. Too many, batsmen are now only used to the white or pink ball and unfortunately as money is always the leader, I feel this isn't going to change any time soon!

[TheSage]

Interesting comments and I agree with most of 'em.

 

The cupboard is bare and we don't appear to have a queue of talented 5-day players knocking on the ECB's door.

 

Oddly, we have become one of the best one day teams in the world but at the same time declined in test matches.

[Jacko51]

I may be talking rubbish here (no change there) but I wonder if Root has the full backing of some of the senior players. I seem to recall reading that Jimmy Anderson was a bit miffed at not being considered for the captaincy when Cook packed it in and Broad was short-listed but didn't get it. Neither of those two play in the much more successful one day team and Root doesn't captain it. Folk are blaming Bayliss but his record with the white ball is loads better than with the red - the difference is the players??

[Warren]

England can't field 11 test match standard players. Situation will get worse as the older players decline and exit. We're doomed.

[RailwayRowdy]

Cricket is possibly the only team sport where the captain plays a major role.

 

As much as I didn’t like the Oxbridge style of Mike Brearley, his introduction of captain in the ‘81 Ashes completely turned the series on its head.

 

I do tend to agree with Jacko’s point. How much advice and help has Root had from his senior players, including the only recently departed ex captain ?

 

Something is clearly wrong. But you have to say that Root’s captaincy in itself leaves a lot to be desired and the more experienced players would seem to be only too happy to observe him digging his own grave.

[valiant_593]

Jennings recalled for stoneman. Would’ve preferred gubbins to get the nod but at least Jennings is in far better nick than stoneman.

[TheSage]

All set up for an interesting game, though the weather might be mixed by the time it comes round.

We usually play quite well at Leeds but you can see the Pakistani bowlers doing well in those conditions.

It's almost a "must-win" game for us, or heads will surely roll.

[For Us All]

Unbelievable Jeff !!!

What a turnaround from Lords.

Thank you Michael Vaughan.😂😂😂