Cricket - England v India series

[TheSage]

It's very difficult to win away from home now. The weather, state of the pitch, different ball, etc. all make it extremely tough for the visiting team.

Damp, grey, cloudy conditions and a green seaming, top surface and we'll knock any team in the world over for less than 150. Look at what happened the last time the Aussies were here, at Edgbaston and Nottingham.

 

Conversely, look how poor our record is when we're in Australia on rock hard fast pitches and the ball isn't swinging, or in the sub continent when its turning square. Teams, of course, prepare wickets to suit their own sides but I sometimes think that we don't do it enough here. The Aussies of course, and India to a degree, get players playing over here in English conditions, to help them to prepare.

 

Cricket is also very much a mental thing at the highest level and that's why some good uns at county level don't make it at test level. But once the Indian wickets started to fall you could have put your mortgage on them being bowled out quickly. A bit like when Mitchell Johnson scared the living daylights out of us. Once it's in your head that it's a difficult pitch and hard to survive then you crumble.

 

I take Rob's point and its great to see two young uns being given a chance. But one swallow and all that. If we went to Australia this winter we'd probably get hammered again. Desperately, we need a fast bowler, plus as you say 2-3 top order batsmen. Finding openers looks tough at present.

 

But, yes, let's enjoy this India series. Kohli is sublime but not a very likeable fella so it's good to see him brought down a peg or two. It usually swings and seams at Trent Bridge so Jimmy Jimmy must be licking his lips.

 

Stokes? Phew. What do you say? All the talent in the world but it's looking like he'll be serving at her majesty's pleasure for a few months doesn't it? He isn't the first or the last top sportsman to get into difficulties, sadly.

[robf]

Stoke found not guilty according to reports. Lucky man I feel. I hope he learns from it.

[Bycarsbill]

There's a young, talented England side developing here. Yes Broad, Anderson, Cook are reaching the end of their careers but Curran and Pope both bring something to the side - especially Curran with his left-hand seamers and ability to get some decent runs.

 

We've got two world-class all-rounders in Stokes and Woakes - after years of dross (Pringle, Capel etc) what a difference two make.

 

We have bowlers who can pretty much all bat giving us a fantastic tail and Anderson could go on for another 2/3 years.

 

The side still needs one (hopefully two) openers to come in to partner Cook and then eventually replace him, we need to see how Rashid fares (hopefully he will bring his) ODI bowler's form and it still needs to be tested in overseas conditions.

 

But considering we are thrashing the number one Test team in the world and doing it in the last Test without our first-choice all-rounder, I think things look really good.

 

And don't forget Moen Ali in the all-rounders list--he has a better batting average than both Stokes & Woakes and although he's going through a bit of a lull currently, has weighed-in with some cracking bowling figures from time to time--we are indeed well-blessed!

[Howjy04]

Stoke found not guilty according to reports. Lucky man I feel. I hope he learns from it.

 

Miscarriage of justice,Rob.Stoke are always guilty of something terrible.

[Jacko51]

Stoke found not guilty according to reports. Lucky man I feel. I hope he learns from it.

 

Very lucky lad if that video footage is anything to go by. The jury must have been made up of MCC members!!

[robf]

Very lucky lad if that video footage is anything to go by. The jury must have been made up of MCC members!!

 

I suspect he also had a very highly paid legal team too.

[cheshirevaliant]

Interesting to read George Dobell's tweets, who has followed the case in court every day and is about as far from being one eyed as possible (the chairman of the ECB is currently threatening legal action against him for reports into his governance) saying he would have been very surprised if the verdict was anything other than not guilty.

[Jacko51]

Interesting to read George Dobell's tweets, who has followed the case in court every day and is about as far from being one eyed as possible (the chairman of the ECB is currently threatening legal action against him for reports into his governance) saying he would have been very surprised if the verdict was anything other than not guilty.

 

Not guilty of afray but guilty of stupidity and complete lack of professionalism.

[TylerB]

I've seen all the videos and Stokes only started throwing hands once one of the guys he chinned started swinging a glass bottle around towards his mate, Alex Hales. We all need pals like that on a night out. He should be given an MBE.

[robf]

I've seen all the videos and Stokes only started throwing hands once one of the guys he chinned started swinging a glass bottle around towards his mate, Alex Hales. We all need pals like that on a night out. He should be given an MBE.

 

He'll only get one of them when he wins the Ashes

[cheshirevaliant]

Not guilty of afray but guilty of stupidity and complete lack of professionalism.

 

Completely agree Jacko. It sounds like he will be tried by his bosses in the coming weeks for that crime though, which is how it should be. Personally, I think what is in effect a 6 Test suspension, 7 one dayers and 5 T20s by my count is punishment enough.

[RailwayRowdy]

British Justice ?

 

It’s incredible how he can be found not guilty of at least affray. What more did he have to do to get the thumbs down ?

 

What was said between the two waring parties is open to conjecture. What is beyond dispute however is that Stokes knocks at least one bloke senseless and then carries on attacking him on the floor ! How is that self defence ?

 

British justice in my eyes reached a new low today.

 

As always in this country money does the talking. And the defence council presumably talked extremely well for the no doubt astronomical fee.

 

Oh, and the fact that Stokes is an alleged sporting icon may have helped.

 

Not that I’m cynical of course.

[TheSage]

From afar and from the way it was reported in the press, complete with partial CCTV footage, it certainly looked damning to say the least but I suppose it shows us how careful we need to be when we're not in full knowledge of the facts. And I imagine if someone pokes a broken bottle at you adrenaline kicks in and it's kill or be killed. But it seems amazing that he's got off this quickly and easily.

 

Next sportsman on the grid I see is Cipriani! When will they ever learn? (Peter, Paul & Mary, 1962. Blimey, I feel old).

[Heatwave]

British Justice ?

 

It’s incredible how he can be found not guilty of at least affray. What more did he have to do to get the thumbs down ?

 

What was said between the two waring parties is open to conjecture. What is beyond dispute however is that Stokes knocks at least one bloke senseless and then carries on attacking him on the floor ! How is that self defence ?

 

British justice in my eyes reached a new low today.

 

As always in this country money does the talking. And the defence council presumably talked extremely well for the no doubt astronomical fee.

 

Oh, and the fact that Stokes is an alleged sporting icon may have helped.

 

Not that I’m cynical of course.

 

I think if any fingers are going to be pointed it should be at the police/CPS for going for a charge of affray that was hardly likely to succeed. If the charge against Stokes had been one of common assault he would have seen the magistrates by now, paid his fine and walked back into the Test side. I don't know what motive the police had for pursuing it as they did but, as in many similar instances, they failed miserably.

[The_godfather]

Next sportsman on the grid I see is Cipriani! When will they ever learn? (Peter, Paul & Mary, 1962. Blimey, I feel old).

 

With the greatest of respect Sage, you sound it! Let's call it experienced.

 

With regards to the cricket, let's be honest, it's pretty straightforward. India are talented but vastly inexperienced in English conditions. As long as England play pretty well, they should win.