England v India 4th Test

[Salem Street South]

I just think people need to look at England more positively, and that includes fans, selectors, pundits

I’ve never seen so many talented genuine all rounders, the possibilities of the side are endless

Stokes can score a nearly run a ball 200, bowl 90mph and swing it both ways
Strike rate this series of around 27%, looks out of nick and a long way from the batsman who scored that near run a ball 250. Currently bowling off one leg.

Curran can swing the new ball and could be a top 6 player
Batting looks promising but at 80mph how dangerous is he really going be on flat pitches that aren’t doing anything. left arm action is a plus.

Bairstow can keep wicket perfectly and score 5 test 100s
Sulks when you take the gloves off him and his form has nosedived with the bat.

Ali can score test 100s and take 9 wickets in a match
As good as he is at home, just as likely to throw in a stinker abroad. Needs a ‘first’ spinner in the side to be able to perform as the ‘second’ spinner.

Woakes can take the new ball in England and score 100s
Can’t do it abroad and fitness record is becoming a concern.

That’s absolutely fuckin ridiculous

Be positive, let them play down the order and let’s work harder to identify a top 3. Keep trying different players, send young batsman abroad to bat and bat

Just for balance.

I agree with you in that we are in a really strong place with depth and options.

The problem is fitting them all together in the way that is best for the team and them individually.

Along with the obvious top order issues.

Buttler and Rashid who are both top class all rounders also need to be included.

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

Just for balance.

I agree with you in that we are in a really strong place with depth and options.

The problem is fitting them all together in the way that is best for the team and them individually.

Along with the obvious top order issues.

Buttler and Rashid who are both top class all rounders also need to be included.

 

[Twisted]

Just for balance.

I agree with you in that we are in a really strong place with depth and options.

The problem is fitting them all together in the way that is best for the team and them individually.

Along with the obvious top order issues.

Buttler and Rashid who are both top class all rounders also need to be included.

rashid is not a red ball cricketer IMO and got picked off the back off one really good ball he bowled.

re your comment about stokes you could argue the fact that he managed to put on some runs and grind out time is a sign of development rather than a negative.

i find it quite odd that some days the commentators will say x y or z has to be allowed to play their natural game, then if that doesn't fit their argument or agenda then the player needs to be able to adapt to match situations. then when suddenly you have stokes strike rate dropping down it's a chance to criticise him.

 

[The Rat]

Just for balance.

I agree with you in that we are in a really strong place with depth and options.

The problem is fitting them all together in the way that is best for the team and them individually.

Along with the obvious top order issues.

Buttler and Rashid who are both top class all rounders also need to be included.

Absolutely and we’ve not done that

But we were a lot closer when we had the team that won in South Africa

I really have no idea why we moved away from that

Bairstow at 7, Ali at 8, Stokes 6, Root 4

They should be nailed on in those conditions

Buttler can absolutely bat 5 and he’s not arsed about keeping wicket

We need to find a top 3

Hardest thing to do. But let’s try people. Take is series by series.

I’m well aware of our faults and they’re massive but we do have a lot of strengths and we are just moving away from it and it annoys me

Muddled thinking

Malan could be a possibility at 3 abroad I reckon.

Rashid isn’t good evough and I’ve always thought that

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

Absolutely and we’ve not done that

But we were a lot closer when we had the team that won in South Africa

I really have no idea why we moved away from that

Bairstow at 7, Ali at 8, Stokes 6, Root 4

They should be nailed on in those conditions

Buttler can absolutely bat 5 and he’s not arsed about keeping wicket

We need to find a top 3

Hardest thing to do. But let’s try people. Take is series by series.

I’m well aware of our faults and they’re massive but we do have a lot of strengths and we are just moving away from it and it annoys me

Muddled thinking

Malan could be a possibility at 3 abroad I reckon.

Rashid isn’t good evough and I’ve always thought that

Ali has a higher average than Bairstow at seven. They both average over 40 there tbf, but why is Ali always the round peg. He's just a good a 6 or 7 as any of the others - statistically the best at seven.

On form Stokes would be coming in last of all of them maybe. Maybe he should concentrate on his bowling?

I'm not saying this is what I think btw - but it's always Ali that gets shunted around. He's batted everywhere from 1-9 and for Bairstow to throw a whinge when he hasn't been messed around anywhere near as much as Ali (or Buttler, Woakes, Curran whilst we're here) sticks in my craw.

Id give Buttler the gloves because I think he is a better keeper on potential. He also makes incredibly good DRS calls. Sorry, Jonny - deal with it.

 

[Twisted]

Bairstow at 7, Ali at 8, Stokes 6, Root 4

They should be nailed on in those conditions

you make some good points but for me this is the most obvious and i don't understand why teh selectors are making such an arse of some really easy decisions.

although that 8 spot is contested by the likes of woakes and curran but that's more an embarrassment of riches than a problem

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

you make some good points but for me this is the most obvious and i don't understand why teh selectors are making such an arse of some really easy decisions.

although that 8 spot is contested by the likes of woakes and curran but that's more an embarrassment of riches than a problem

They'll come in at nine then... It seems the most straightforward way I guess. But I'd have Bairstow at five and Buttler at seven.

Buttler is in form, Bairstow out of it - but I think Buttler's potential as a keeper is a higher, whereas Bairstow's potential as a batsman is definitely higher.

And if Bairstow' sulks his way around like this weekend over the f***ing gloves, he'll be out on his arse. His runs got him in the side, not his keeping - and he should remember its a privilege to play for England.

 

[Twisted]

Ali has a higher average than Bairstow at seven. They both average over 40 there tbf, but why is Ali always the round peg. He's just a good a 6 or 7 as any of the others - statistically the best at seven.

On form Stokes would be coming in last of all of them maybe. Maybe he should concentrate on his bowling?

I'm not saying this is what I think btw - but it's always Ali that gets shunted around. He's batted everywhere from 1-9 and for Bairstow to throw a whinge when he hasn't been messed around anywhere near as much as Ali (or Buttler, Woakes, Curran whilst we're here) sticks in my craw.

Id give Buttler the gloves because I think he is a better keeper on potential. He also makes incredibly good DRS calls. Sorry, Jonny - deal with it.

for me bairstow has shown he can be a world class player, ali has shown he can have world class games.

i haven't seen enough of buttler keeping wicket in red ball matches to say who i prefer [you could argue who has] as it is very different keeping wicket for a day and a half than it is for 50 overs at a time. if he isn't bothered but bairstow bats better as a wicket keeper batsman then for me it's an easy call, in the same way if root bats better at 4 then bat him at 4. i see that as being better for the team

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

for me bairstow has shown he can be a world class player, ali has shown he can have world class games.

i haven't seen enough of buttler keeping wicket in red ball matches to say who i prefer [you could argue who has] as it is very different keeping wicket for a day and a half than it is for 50 overs at a time. if he isn't bothered but bairstow bats better as a wicket keeper batsman then for me it's an easy call, in the same way if root bats better at 4 then bat him at 4. i see that as being better for the team

For me, I think there's a world of difference between Root saying he wants to bat four and Bairstow saying he needs to have the gloves to bat well. Ditto Ali saying he needs a second spinner to bowl well.

The difference is the latter two are talking f***ing rot. Root is a number four - that's his natural game, always has been. Bairstow has the quality to bat five, he's just throwing a sulk. And Ali just needs to get a grip.

What is more, Root actually put the team before him and moved up to three. Ok it hasn't worked, but he tried.

What is this, I bet better a wicket-keeper batsman crap... It's nonsense.

Way back when they both started, Buttler was a much better red ball keeper. I think Bairstow is ahead of him now, but Buttler had more potential - but he will need some work and games. I like his coolness on DRS better - don't underestimate how important this is. He kept well today too.

 

[Twisted]

For me, I think there's a world of difference between Root saying he wants to bat four and Bairstow saying he needs to have the gloves to bat well. Ditto Ali saying he needs a second spinner to bowl well.

The difference is the latter two are talking f***ing rot. Root is a number four - that's his natural game, always has been. Bairstow has the quality to bat five, he's just throwing a sulk. And Ali just needs to get a grip.

What is more, Root actually put the team before him and moved up to three. Ok it hasn't worked, but he tried.

What is this, I bet better a wicket-keeper batsman crap... It's nonsense.

Way back when they both started, Buttler was a much better red ball keeper. I think Bairstow is ahead of him now, but Buttler had more potential - but he will need some work and games. I like his coolness on DRS better - don't underestimate how important this is. He kept well today too.

these days i listen to TMS alot more than i watch sky so can't really comment on things like DRS decision making. from what they were saying it may not really be about the keeping, he might be batting too high - which i think is true. also he's batting with a broken finger ffs. for me i wouldn't have played him in this game.

i agree to a certain extent but still, some of it comes down to player management. if to get teh best out of bairstow is have him keep, and he's a better keeper, and a superb batsman the solution seems fairly simple.

bit more complex with ali as we cant accomadate two spinners in the side 9 times out of 10 and he is clearly our best spinner. crazy that he is fine batting anywhere from 1-9 and yet wants to be the second spinner, why does he have more confidence with bat than ball?

 

[Ageing trundler]

The weird thing is that if a number 3 suddenly appeared from nowhere, we would have to potentially not play 1 from Bairstow, Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Curran and Woakes! If they were all fit of course.

 

[Twisted]

The weird thing is that if a number 3 suddenly appeared from nowhere, we would have to potentially not play 1 from Bairstow, Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Curran and Woakes! If they were all fit of course.

cook, burns, stoneman/pope, root, stokes, buttler, bairstow, ali, woakes, curran, broad, anderson

easy man we just use the tranmere method.

speaking of number 3s, whats scott borthwick up to these days, i have no interest in anyone outside durham so have no idea what is going on in the county scene.

much like those who commentate on tms & sky and the england selectors

 

[The Rat]

Ali has a higher average than Bairstow at seven. They both average over 40 there tbf, but why is Ali always the round peg. He's just a good a 6 or 7 as any of the others - statistically the best at seven.

On form Stokes would be coming in last of all of them maybe. Maybe he should concentrate on his bowling?

I'm not saying this is what I think btw - but it's always Ali that gets shunted around. He's batted everywhere from 1-9 and for Bairstow to throw a whinge when he hasn't been messed around anywhere near as much as Ali (or Buttler, Woakes, Curran whilst we're here) sticks in my craw.

Id give Buttler the gloves because I think he is a better keeper on potential. He also makes incredibly good DRS calls. Sorry, Jonny - deal with it.

Jonny Bairstow is a better gloveman than Buttler like, not sure that can be disputed

The weird thing is that if a number 3 suddenly appeared from nowhere, we would have to potentially not play 1 from Bairstow, Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Curran and Woakes! If they were all fit of course.

True but you would never play woakes abroad for me, and certainly not if Curran in the side.

 

[Charlie Chimp]

Get in Moeen. He gets good batsman out.

While I appreciate why he was dropped and that he needed a break.

By fuck it's nice having the beard that is feared back in the team.

India still in the box seat though. That partnership was crucial

You've been pissing your pants all game. Not sure you're the best to comment on the matter.

History was on our side. No way they were chasing that with mo bowling grenades

Great to see Ali fired up, its embarrassing that Smith had Rashid ahead of him.

This would be a really good win, the way Buttler, Stokes and Curran batted yesterday could be the deciding factor

We have issues but are still a good team.

I still like Rash. Easy to pick on him. Leggies will always go for runs but get you chances. He's done okay. Not really been carted about. His RR today was respectable.

Plus people saying Moeen bowls this good cos he's second spinner bot front line.

I'd still use Rash abroad in tests but in all the other shorter teams

Oh aye that is the big battle

My main point is England's strength is their all rounders, by having them up the order we are just weakening our strength.

We haven't found any top order players, but its not to say they aren't out there. There must be players who can grind out 50s. Its why I wanted Rocky i the team, he was doing that.

Step forward messir Hameed lol he grinds like a mother fucker

 

[The Rat]

While I appreciate why he was dropped and that he needed a break.

By fuck it's nice having the beard that is feared back in the team.



You've been pissing your pants all game. Not sure you're the best to comment on the matter.

History was on our side. No way they were chasing that with mo bowling grenades



I still like Rash. Easy to pick on him. Leggies will always go for runs but get you chances. He's done okay. Not really been carted about. His RR today was respectable.

Plus people saying Moeen bowls this good cos he's second spinner bot front line.

I'd still use Rash abroad in tests but in all the other shorter teams



Step forward messir Hameed lol he grinds like a mother fucker

I just don't rate Rashid marra, never have, I don't think he is mentally tough enough

Ali at home and Leach away

 

[Twisted]

Step forward messir Hameed lol he grinds like a mother fucker

hameed who has averaged about 10 this season aye?

 

[Charlie Chimp]

To be fair, he's offered very little threat and almost no control. Be a shame if he's kept in the team just to placate Modern in his desire to be "second spinner"

But but but we won the series against the best team in the world when our batters have been shit. Leggies need their batters to turn up.

I appreciate all the clamour to get him out of the test team. Looks like I'll the be the only one who wouldn't mind we persisted with two beards to be feared

That's why this match gives me confidence though. Here, we had Ashwin over relying on the top spinners and struggling, whereas Moeen had more control, better variance of pace and cleverer use of the rough to generate more turn. He bowled differently, took his wickets differently. Spinning Kohli and Rahane out when set is impressive - this is the best team in the world on surfaces like that today. The pressure thing is a concern.

We have to remember he only started as a spinner when he was about 23-24. He has fewer overs in his belt, so he is still improving. Mustaq has done well with him so far.

Need to get saqi on the f***ing ecb payroll permanently the tightwads

 

[Comeback_Kenwyne]

But but but we won the series against the best team in the world when our batters have been shit. Leggies need their batters to turn up.

I appreciate all the clamour to get him out of the test team. Looks like I'll the be the only one who wouldn't mind we persisted with two beards to be feared



Need to get saqi on the f***ing ecb payroll permanently the tightwads

Don't get me started, I've had a rant about this before...

f***ing ridiculous. His influence his huge - but they only want to pay him a consultant's fee. f***ing joke. Probably because he prefers time in the nets in his tracksuit to giving Powerpoint presentations to the blazers over croissants and sparking water.

 

[Charlie Chimp]

hameed who has averaged about 10 this season aye?

There was a lol in me post mate.

I liked him when I saw him for England then got injured. Not really that fussed what he did for Manchester this year. Give him a shot. Can't be worse than what we got

Don't get me started, I've had a rant about this before...

f***ing ridiculous. His influence his huge - but they only want to pay him a consultant's fee. f***ing joke. Probably because he prefers time in the nets in his tracksuit to giving Powerpoint presentations to the blazers over croissants and sparking water.

Smacks of nepotism old skool jobs for the boys mate. Saqi is top lad met him on more than a few occasions and has shown that he is value for money.


P.s agree with your views on Ali but disagree vehemently on rash

 

[Mr Redknapp]

Be surprised if Rashid plays many more tests after this summer as his lack of pace counts against him on slow/normal pitches.