littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Yes. Raza at five is very good. Don't know what there is below that. But as we're seeing right now, chance for someone to make a name for himself.
England cricket 2025. Something something Ashes
- Thread starter planetgeli
- Start date
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Coming back to this, the argument against it is that if you replace a bowler who's already bowled that day, you're gaining an advantage with fresh legs, possibly a big advantage - tiring the bowlers out is a big part of test batting (well, pre-bazball). There would probably need to be some rule that says a replacement is not allowed to bowl for a certain length of time. Maybe has to field for a session first.
steeplejack
seeing off the new ball
A brief scan of the averages suggest really not an awful lot to come after Madhevere at no. 6
(cue England's appalling record against opposing tailends rearing its ugly head and three plucky maiden half centuries later in the day)
QueenOfGoths
Fuck you Dave!
Oh Root. Usually so good in the slips.
planetgeli
There's no future in England's dreaming
I was very careful to say this Test has no meaning for England.
It has a lot of meaning for Zimbabwe and yes, these countries need to play the top teams to improve. It should be England et al's duty to play tests like this.
Fun fact. The last time they played one of the big 3 was 20 years ago. 20 years.
QueenOfGoths
Fuck you Dave!
Excellent hundred from Bennett. Some lovely shots.
steeplejack
seeing off the new ball
I don't agree with you- it's a nice summer warm up for England and gives some players the chances to stake a claim or to strengthen a loosening grip on their place in the aide. There's no meaningless games, which isn't to say there are no mismatches.
Agree that the so called bigger teams should be playing far more against the Afghans, the Bangladeshis, Zim and the Irish team. And looking for opportunities to bring in maybe one or two more sides. But of course the direction of travel, driven by short term profit, is in the opposite direction.
He's only 21 as well. How long until he defects to England? Can he do that?
Idaho
continuity character
I've never known you to make a correct England cricket call. Your statement has made me look up the odds of him being the highest wicket taker this winter.
I don't think this attack will be taking many wickets against the Aussies but, hey I'll do a cheeky tenner with you on this.
surreybrowncap
“Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand"
Actually their farm was taken from them under the Mugabe regime…
Maybe for a good reason. Ben Curran's school (Wellington) charges 45k a year.
All their parents and grandparents went through the same ordeal.
coming onYes, Root the difference. He's a wonderful batsman.
Is that a full-size bat he's carrying?This is the image the commentators mentioned earlier from after the zim match with Blessing and Duckett swapping pads
Puddy_Tat
🐈⬛
yes - bit closer than thursday...
Monkeygrinder's Organ
Dodgy geezer swilling vapid lager
England v India: Jacob Bethell and Jamie Overton in squad for first Test
England recall Jacob Bethell for the first Test against India and respond to a lengthy pace-bowling injury list by naming Jamie Overton in the squad.
www.bbc.co.uk
14 man squad for the first test against India. Not a lot of questions about the selection really - Pope vs Bethell and which seamers play are probably the main ones. I'd think probably Pope and Woakes/Carse/Tongue - Cook didn't really do enough against Zimbabwe to force his way in and Overton hasn't been selected for a while so he's probably the spare man here.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Feels tough on Sam Cook. He didn't do so well vs Zim. Big match nerves as regular Cook observers pointed out that he is normally much more consistent than that. Hard to argue against Woakes in England. Feels like this might be his last test summer, though. Can't see him going to Aus.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
I think Brook is the heir apparent now.
They don't seem to want a captain doing the white and red ball thing though I don't think?
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
In which case, he could drop the white ball gig.
I can't see them dropping Pope, I really can't. Goes against all their previous form on 'loyalty' etc. I think Bethell will need to wait for an injury. Seems a waste though, he's a very good player. Being in the dressing room for the India series and the Ashes will be great for him.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Pope has a mediocre test record, averaging 35. When you take out his performances against Ireland and Zimbabwe, he averages just a touch over 30. He has a great record at The Oval (county ground with the highest batting average in England) against County attacks, and Ireland and Zim are basically County attack standard. He's found out in challenging conditions or against the best bowlers (Bumrah!!) and he's incredibly jittery and vulnerable at the start of innings in high-pressure situations.
He's played in nearly 60 tests now. These patterns are solid. He's essentially a flat-track bully. From the little I saw of Bethell in NZ, he appears to have a much better temperament, able to tough it out when necessary in order to cash in later on.
He's played in nearly 60 tests now. These patterns are solid. He's essentially a flat-track bully. From the little I saw of Bethell in NZ, he appears to have a much better temperament, able to tough it out when necessary in order to cash in later on.
