Sorry Neil, but “India would have won if they hadn’t dropped catches and batted profligately” is just a bit too far! A boxer might have won if he hadn’t been knocked out and a football team would have won if the other team hadn’t scored more goals…..
It’s why we love it and its name. It’s a 5 day Test.
England are doing pretty well, considering they are only playing with 8 men? Chris Woakes is a very good bowler, and as NM pointed out before then ignoring it, stats can be very misleading. Lies, damn lies………..
Yes, it's time to try another opener, spinner and bowling all rounder. Woakes won't do in Oz, Crawley has had a very long trial, and surely it's time to try another spinner.
Key and McCullum have dug themselves into such a deep hole with Crawley and Bashir that there is no way they can even see a spade let alone start digging their way out. Neither is good enough at the highest level and the odd burst of slightly better than bang-average wouldn't justify a place in any other supposedly top team. They've now got themselves in such a mess because by the end of this series both will be unselectable but they won't want to make a change before they go to Australia.
The most diplomatic solution would have been to cut the wire a month ago, bring in Dawson and Sibley or Dawson and Tom Haines or Ben McKinney. Now, it's almost as if there's no way out and the whole thing becomes about mitigating their poor performances rather than focusing on how to pick the best team. Key and McCullum seem to think that their being right is more important than picking the strongest side. It's becoming tiresome now and smacks of poor leadership.
I don’t mind the pitch - there was quite a bit on offer for the bowlers (England had a false shot percentage close to 40 in the first hour). Entirely agree with you about Crawley and Bashir, but not Woakes. Two years ago at age 34 he was player of the series in the Ashes. He’s coming back from an injury, and he bowled a lovely spell at Edgbaston on the first morning (could easily have had three or four wickets). He’s not ideal for an away Ashes but he’s been picked to win this series.
Two comments: Firstly "another slow, ‘administrators pitch’ prepared for ticket and drinks sales rather than exciting cricket." everyone needs to eat! And secondly, about "there may be one or two positions in the XI open to a change" I remember Michael Atherton saying something to the effect that it was easier tho be selected for the England cricket team than to be excluded.
Sorry Neil, but “India would have won if they hadn’t dropped catches and batted profligately” is just a bit too far! A boxer might have won if he hadn’t been knocked out and a football team would have won if the other team hadn’t scored more goals…..
It’s why we love it and its name. It’s a 5 day Test.
England are doing pretty well, considering they are only playing with 8 men? Chris Woakes is a very good bowler, and as NM pointed out before then ignoring it, stats can be very misleading. Lies, damn lies………..
I still don't understand why the hell are England investing in Crawley and Bashir.
Bashord doesn't look like a club bowler. Better to have Leach, Dawson, Crane, Rehan Ahmad. England will struggle with these two in Australia.
Yes, it's time to try another opener, spinner and bowling all rounder. Woakes won't do in Oz, Crawley has had a very long trial, and surely it's time to try another spinner.
Key and McCullum have dug themselves into such a deep hole with Crawley and Bashir that there is no way they can even see a spade let alone start digging their way out. Neither is good enough at the highest level and the odd burst of slightly better than bang-average wouldn't justify a place in any other supposedly top team. They've now got themselves in such a mess because by the end of this series both will be unselectable but they won't want to make a change before they go to Australia.
The most diplomatic solution would have been to cut the wire a month ago, bring in Dawson and Sibley or Dawson and Tom Haines or Ben McKinney. Now, it's almost as if there's no way out and the whole thing becomes about mitigating their poor performances rather than focusing on how to pick the best team. Key and McCullum seem to think that their being right is more important than picking the strongest side. It's becoming tiresome now and smacks of poor leadership.
I don’t mind the pitch - there was quite a bit on offer for the bowlers (England had a false shot percentage close to 40 in the first hour). Entirely agree with you about Crawley and Bashir, but not Woakes. Two years ago at age 34 he was player of the series in the Ashes. He’s coming back from an injury, and he bowled a lovely spell at Edgbaston on the first morning (could easily have had three or four wickets). He’s not ideal for an away Ashes but he’s been picked to win this series.
Two comments: Firstly "another slow, ‘administrators pitch’ prepared for ticket and drinks sales rather than exciting cricket." everyone needs to eat! And secondly, about "there may be one or two positions in the XI open to a change" I remember Michael Atherton saying something to the effect that it was easier tho be selected for the England cricket team than to be excluded.