England in Sri Lanka Red Ball

[chunkyshanhawk53]

Ton from number 4

 

[Julio_Schwarz]

We’re in a strong position

Absolutely in a strong position now. My fear was no-one sticking around with Root, just sweeping themselves out! Root has produced an excellent ton, but i really like Foakes. In a team where we have many high strike rate players, having someone who sticks around and gets himself in is a real positive. Plus a real natural wicket-keeper.

 

[brandon]

Stokes must be in danger of getting dropped after this.

Shittest WUM I’ve seen all week.

 

[Discopants91]

This is a fantastic innings like, one of the best we've played this year.

 

[SAFC11]

Hopefully root bats them out of the game

 

[smoker]

Shittest WUM I’ve seen all week.

Take your blue and yellow glasses off. This is nothing you won't hear on non-Durham forums.

He's been used as a batsman in this test but scored 19 and 0. His batting average for 2018 is ~25. I wouldn't be surprised if Bairstow got the nod ahead of him in Colombo.

 

[Mainze]

Undoing the good work here....

 

[Julio_Schwarz]

Undoing the good work here....

Conventional wisdom would say 250+ batting last is difficult, this pitch though just doesn't look that bad. Great Test match though. Some good individual performances.

He's been used as a batsman in this test but scored 19 and 0. His batting average for 2018 is ~25. I wouldn't be surprised if Bairstow got the nod ahead of him in Colombo.

Agreed that Stokes batting has been poor but he changed the course of the first innings. He has the knack of doing something valuable. Plus i cannot see them dropping him due to his versatility in bowling a few overs.

 

[smoker]

Undoing the good work here....

So predictable, just when we looked to be taking charge of the match.

Conventional wisdom would say 250+ batting last is difficult, this pitch though just doesn't look that bad. Great Test match though. Some good individual performances.

350+ needed if we bowl like we did in the first innings.

 

[SAFC11]

I still really dislike the sweep shot

 

[brandon]

Fuck off Ravi you cheating c*nt.

Take your blue and yellow glasses off. This is nothing you won't hear on non-Durham forums.

He's been used as a batsman in this test but scored 19 and 0. His batting average for 2018 is ~25. I wouldn't be surprised if Bairstow got the nod ahead of him in Colombo.

I don’t wear glasses mate.

Lad scored 62 in the second innings in the last Test.

His fielding has been immense in this one and as others have said, his versatility makes him a must pick.

 

[smoker]

Fuck off Ravi you cheating c*nt.



I don’t wear glasses mate.

Lad scored 62 in the second innings in the last Test.

His fielding has been immense in this one and as others have said, his versatility makes him a must pick.

Only time he's played himself in. Averaging 22 across the 4 innings. Only Ali has batted worse.

 

[Bri]

Stokes must be in danger of getting dropped after this.

well there you are. Move him up to three, it doesn't work and it's a black mark against stokes.

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

Take your blue and yellow glasses off. This is nothing you won't hear on non-Durham forums.

He's been used as a batsman in this test but scored 19 and 0. His batting average for 2018 is ~25. I wouldn't be surprised if Bairstow got the nod ahead of him in Colombo.

He got a good knock in the last test! His form this year has been poor yes, but he looks to me to be on an upwards curve!

HOWEVER

If we win, I reckon him and Anderson will sit the last one out. He's always carrying knocks is Ben.

Fuck off Ravi you cheating c*nt.



I don’t wear glasses mate.

Lad scored 62 in the second innings in the last Test.

His fielding has been immense in this one and as others have said, his versatility makes him a must pick.

With respect, if England can take the next test easy I don't think he's a must pick - think he'll be rested.

Not sure this is the point @smoker is making, mind!

not really, then who bats 4?

Vince wasn't beyond bat like, 31 at 3 isn't great but not beyond bad

Its a strange argument, I don't understand it

Its because you are facing the new ball sooner and you could be in after ball 1 after captaining all day

Let's try Bairstow as an opener in the West Indies, with Jennings at three. We can always bring someone like Clarke, Roy or Livingstone in for the Ashes.

There's absolutely no need to move Root. I'm really enjoying the way he's growing into captaincy on this tour - he is driving the innovative team selections I think. Making him feel as comfortable as possible to do that is worth 17 runs off any scoreboard.

 

[Jack Torrance]

Some knock from Root, be nice to get a 300 lead

 

[smoker]

well there you are. Move him up to three, it doesn't work and it's a black mark against stokes.

It's a team game mate. We've got an embarrassment of riches in the wicket-keeper-batsman and all-rounder department and problems with the top order.

If I was Bayliss I'd be telling Root to bat three, but he won't and his ton will add ammunition to that argument. The alternative is we KBO with all-rounders who are a walking wicket in that spot, or pick a specialist batsman.

 

[Fats]

Not saying I agree with Smokes about Stokes being dropped, but I do agree with his view that non-Durham fans are starting to question his worth to the team.

 

[brandon]

Not saying I agree with Smokes about Stokes being dropped, but I do agree with his view that complete f***ing idiots are starting to question his worth to the team.

Aye, have to agree marra.

 

[Fats]

Aye, have to agree marra.

 

[The Rat]

He got a good knock in the last test! His form this year has been poor yes, but he looks to me to be on an upwards curve!

HOWEVER

If we win, I reckon him and Anderson will sit the last one out. He's always carrying knocks is Ben.



With respect, if England can take the next test easy I don't think he's a must pick - think he'll be rested.

Not sure this is the point @smoker is making, mind!



Let's try Bairstow as an opener in the West Indies, with Jennings at three. We can always bring someone like Clarke, Roy or Livingstone in for the Ashes.

There's absolutely no need to move Root. I'm really enjoying the way he's growing into captaincy on this tour - he is driving the innovative team selections I think. Making him feel as comfortable as possible to do that is worth 17 runs off any scoreboard.

I agree completely about root

What a 100 he really struggled for first 20 runs but got better and better

People are obsessed with the order at the minute

We are playing really well and it’s all flexible, I don’t get why people have learnt that and are still looking for negatives

People just need to relax

Stokes must be in danger of getting dropped after this.

Oh my god

Mate what on earth are you talking about

He’s one of the first names on the team sheet

Genuinely the worst post on the cricket forum this year

You’re absolutely obsessed with stats, peter Moores

It's a team game mate. We've got an embarrassment of riches in the wicket-keeper-batsman and all-rounder department and problems with the top order.

If I was Bayliss I'd be telling Root to bat three, but he won't and his ton will add ammunition to that argument. The alternative is we KBO with all-rounders who are a walking wicket in that spot, or pick a specialist batsman.

How aren’t you learning that we are playing so well because of all our all rounders

well there you are. Move him up to three, it doesn't work and it's a black mark against stokes.

There’s no black mark against stokes at all only other than a stupid post from smoker

He came in at 5 and got a 2nd Baller