Cricket

[Whistler40145]

same goes for the Worcs v Lancs match, the Red Rose county needs a win, but expect a draw.

 

[Ferret]

Another step closer to relegation for Lancashire! Shame

 

[Whistler40145]

Yep, straight up and back down again.

Hasn't been good season with the weather.

IMHO Chapple should step down as Captain for Croft.

 

[Ferret]

Bad day for England today, poor in the field, and then the openers......

I may make myself unpopular here, but I think the time has come for Strauss to call time on his international career. This isn't the first time in recent Tests he's been out leaving a straight ball. I don't know whether he's not picking the ball up properly, but he just looks like a walking wicket. He's been a wonderful captain, one of the best, but it's time now to move on.

 

[Whistler40145]

Shocking day for England, both in fielding & opening batsmen.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Bad day for England today, poor in the field, and then the openers......

I may make myself unpopular here, but I think the time has come for Strauss to call time on his international career. This isn't the first time in recent Tests he's been out leaving a straight ball. I don't know whether he's not picking the ball up properly, but he just looks like a walking wicket. He's been a wonderful captain, one of the best, but it's time now to move on.

Interesting...I was listening on the radio at this point, and to paraphrase Michael Vaughn who was summarising at the time - he said Strauss looked as if the events of the past ten days had just suddenly caught up with him, haven't seen it on TV (not sure I want to) but why would he miss a straight ball, he is much better than that. I'm full of admiration for the guy, wonderful interview on Sky with Nasser Hussain during lunch the other day. He has to take the team to India.

 

[Ferret]

If he's going to take the team to India, he needs to look like he's capable of getting runs, and he just doesn't. I'm reluctant to say it, but it's time to move on.

 

[Johnuk123]

If he's going to take the team to India, he needs to look like he's capable of getting runs, and he just doesn't. I'm reluctant to say it, but it's time to move on.

I think he should move on, his time is up.

 

[Ferret]

I think he should move on, his time is up.

This does of course leave a problem - who the heck replaces him at the top of the order? Sam Northeast? Or do you move Trotty up the order and give Ravi Bopara one more go, with Bell at 3? I expect Samit Patel to bat at 7 against India with Matt Prior at 6, and Monty to be the 2nd spinner. I'd not like to be Andy Flower right now for sure!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well, what an effort today, England gave that a real go, and just when Swann and Prior were together, you felt that the impossible was actually possible. Still, the better side have won, and so you have to say well played to South Africa - the deserving holders of number one status.

 

[ainsworth74]

Whilst I'm disappointed with the overall result I'm very pleased that England did at least make a fight of it today. I won't lie after the rather disastrous session last night I was fairly certain we were going to fold up by lunch or shortly after. So to get to where we did and to have even a few moments where the impossible seemed possible was a good effort. I also note that once again it was up to our less proficient batsmen and Trott to try and save the day as most of our proper batsmen seemed to throw the towel in.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Whilst I'm disappointed with the overall result I'm very pleased that England did at least make a fight of it today. I won't lie after the rather disastrous session last night I was fairly certain we were going to fold up by lunch or shortly after. So to get to where we did and to have even a few moments where the impossible seemed possible was a good effort. I also note that once again it was up to our less proficient batsmen and Trott to try and save the day as most of our proper batsmen seemed to throw the towel in.

My feelings exactly today, I've seen England roll over too easily in the past but today was a great advertisement for Test cricket, in fact the whole game was! Congratulations to SA, they deserved it but I think there were times when they looked a little worried, in the end it was all too much...funny tho', when SA were batting yesterday I thought Eng would really struggle to make 250/260 to win, just shows how important Philander's contribution was!

 

[Oswyntail]

Both the last two matches were an excellent advert for test cricket, hard and competitive. The first match hinged on one session, morning on the second day, when the conditions really helped the bowlers and England were swept away. After that, England were having to catch up through the series, and only just fell short.
One aspect that has disappointed me, though, was the way South Africa have tried to exploit the meta-cricket side. The attempts to unsettle Finn in the second test, and the way in which the KP texts were leaked just at the best moment to cause maximum disruption were unworthy of them.

 

[ACE1888]

The 'Ego' Pietersen left out of all 20 and 50 over squads today...no sympathy whatsoever...Top call by the Selectors and management
Interesting season for former Test players 'loaned' to other clubs, latest being Saj Mahmood joining Somerset for the remainder of the season

 

[Robert Taggart]

Fortunately, for the Barmy Army, it was only a game !
More fortunately, the Barmy Army do not have to return home - to South Africa !!
Every cloud... !!!

 

[Whistler40145]

Now that Andrew Strauss has retired from all forms of cricket, I do hope this doesn't give Kevin Pietersen an avenue back into the England squad.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Perhaps a good decision to have been by Andrew Strauss, as at the age of 35, his reactions against top-quality international-class bowling seem to have diminished in recent months.

Alastair Cook appears to have taken over the England captaincy.

 

[Whistler40145]

Who will be Alistair Cook's opening partner?

Will England promote Ian Bell or Matt Prior or will they go for Alex Hales?

 

[Ferret]

Who will be Alistair Cook's opening partner?

Will England promote Ian Bell or Matt Prior or will they go for Alex Hales?

Joe Root or Sam Northeast I think. Prior can't open and keep.

 

[EM2]

Joe Root or Sam Northeast I think. Prior can't open and keep.

Can't see why not, didn't do Alec Stewart any harm.
With regard to Strauss, surprised that he's retired from all cricket. To me, stepping back into the county game would be the ideal wind-down to a career.

 

[Ferret]

Can't see why not, didn't do Alec Stewart any harm.
With regard to Strauss, surprised that he's retired from all cricket. To me, stepping back into the county game would be the ideal wind-down to a career.

It did Stewart plenty of harm! That guy would've averaged 45 in Test cricket were it not for having the dual responsibility.

Prior doesn't have the technique of an opener, he's a strokeplayer to come in at 6 or 7 and take the game away from an opposition.

Having Bell or Trott open is not necessarily a bad call, but I expect they'll blood a new opener. Outside bet is Michael Carberry.....

 

[Whistler40145]

I agree, you couldn't possibly expect Matt Prior to go in & open if England have been out in the field for a lengthy period.

Out of Joe Root, Sam Northeast & Michael Carberry, currently who is the most prolific run scorer & the least likely to get out?

 

[Ferret]

I agree, you couldn't possibly expect Matt Prior to go in & open if England have been out in the field for a lengthy period.

Out of Joe Root, Sam Northeast & Michael Carberry, currently who is the most prolific run scorer & the least likely to get out?

One GP Thorpe speaks very highly of Joe Root. He's got runs for Yorkshire, and if they go for youth, it'll be him. In Carberry's favour is that he has played for England on the sub-continent, and England's next Test is in India. He's an experienced County pro, and a damn fine batsman. But I think Root will get the nod...

 

[Whistler40145]

Another thing that will sway in Joe Root's favour is that he can bowl some part-time off-spin, this could be very useful in India.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Remember that a young player who has performed well at the level of County cricket may find the more rarefied atmosphere of Test cricket somewhat overpowering, especially in the key position of opening batsman, where he will be facing the new ball in the hands of international class fast bowlers.

I would submit that an individual with a strong mental capacity is needed in that particular role.

 

[ACE1888]

Ludgvan C.C 2nd X1
Division 5 West Champions
Confirmed last Monday
Back to Back Titles

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The century scored for Durham by Paul Collingwood seems to leave Lancashire in an even worse predicament in the relegation zone...:roll:

 

[ainsworth74]

The century scored for Durham by Paul Collingwood seems to leave Lancashire in an even worse predicament in the relegation zone...

Sorry

 

[Ferret]

The century scored for Durham by Paul Collingwood seems to leave Lancashire in an even worse predicament in the relegation zone...:roll:

At least Lancashire won't have the distraction of a Lords final either. *grin*.

Now, shall I go and book my tickets to see the mighty Bears?

 

[Whistler40145]

I wonder how much longer Messrs Chapple & Keedy will play for Lancashire?

It is surely time to hand over the Captaincy to Steve Croft.

 

[Ferret]

I was thinking the same of Darren Maddy today! Anyway, Gary Keedy bowled well today from what I saw.