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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 13, 2015 14:10:23 GMT
So the first test of the summer against the West Indies has started (admittedly away!) - always a sign that the football season is coming to an end for me.
And keeping up a fine English tradition, we have lost a wicket in the first over and look like losing another any moment now.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 13, 2015 14:40:49 GMT
And down it goes. 22-2
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Post by Boogaloo on Apr 13, 2015 15:18:59 GMT
Not a good start, but it can't get worse than the World Cup surely?
I notice that Kevin Pietersen has sent a message out to the selectors with a 170 against Oxford University. Admittedly the calibre of bowling isn't quite the same, but would be interesting to see what they do if he piles on the runs in the county championship. Glad to see Paul Downton has gone, hopefully Peter Moored will soon follow. I wouldn't mind seeing Michael Vaughan replace Downton.
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Post by nige01ox on Apr 13, 2015 15:19:43 GMT
An uninspiring team selection as well. Trott has barely opened in county cricket let alone test cricket. Lyth, who is a possible long term opening batsman for England, should have played. Also, Rashid and not Tredwell should be playing as the spinner. Moeen is our off spinner and will be back for the next test, so why not use the game to give our best leg spinner a go? Tredwell has a poor recent record in the 4 day game at county level, yet in the format where he is statistically good for us, one day cricket, we just used him as water boy at the world cup!
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 13, 2015 15:25:29 GMT
34-3 That's Trott, Cook and Ballance out and Bell scratching around like an old hen. And now it's raining.
I was right - poor English batting and rain. It IS summer!
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Post by Junior on Apr 13, 2015 15:55:23 GMT
It's not an issue of ability with Pietersen. It's about his actions off the pitch. Notice his interviews after his knock yesterday? It's all me me me. Never mentions his team mates or the team. A very selfish man who couldn't give a hoot about Surrey or the domestic game.
I for one hope he never puts on a England shirt again.
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Post by Junior on Apr 13, 2015 15:55:44 GMT
Nigel has the rest nailed.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 13, 2015 16:08:16 GMT
49-3 at lunch - we haven't even managed to get to 50 yet.
That is one of the differences between the current English team and the better ones - we don't score quickly enough. Australia (for example) might still have lost three wickets in a morning, but they would be 50 runs further on than we are. Not by smashing the ball around, but just by being more aware when they could pinch a run or two - putting pressure on the bowlers and fielders in the process.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2015 19:31:20 GMT
Get Peterson back in. Need a maverick in the team.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 13, 2015 19:46:17 GMT
Much better since lunch.
211-4 at the moment with Bell on 88, Root just out for 83
Peterson? We might need a talented maverick, we don't need a bloke with an ego the size of South Africa who is convinced he should still be captain and has done all he can to undermine anyone else with the temerity to hold the post.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Apr 13, 2015 21:19:32 GMT
After a poor start, the day has got a lot better for England. Bell from being slow in one dayers, looks so much better as a Test player. Part of me thinks Cook is not destined to ever score another century for England now that teams have worked him out. Shame really
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 13, 2015 21:24:02 GMT
Yes, looks a good position good now. I've never really been convinced about Bell in the shorter forms of the game. He was very slow and scratchy to start with today (without giving a chance) but gradually built a platform for both himself and the team. In a one day match he wouldn't have had that luxury.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2015 21:29:32 GMT
The windows bowling has been awful last ten overs. It's a shame we don't have a tougher oppo pre the ashes. Anyone know why tried well is playing? ?
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 13, 2015 21:33:28 GMT
Bell out for 143 - shame he didn't get to 150.
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Post by SteMerritt on Apr 13, 2015 21:49:50 GMT
Sat by the pool in Antigua, will be there tomorrow for the second day. Gutted Bell fell so close to the end. Here's to seeing 200 English runs then Jimmy ripping through them
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Post by nige01ox on Apr 13, 2015 22:10:08 GMT
Sat by the pool in Antigua, will be there tomorrow for the second day. Gutted Bell fell so close to the end. Here's to seeing 200 English runs then Jimmy ripping through them lucky bugger! Hope it rains!
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Post by Gary Baldi on Apr 13, 2015 22:17:28 GMT
The windows bowling has been awful last ten overs. It's a shame we don't have a tougher oppo pre the ashes. Anyone know why tried well is playing? ? Is Tino Best playing? I didn't see much of the last session as GoT was on, but the fact the scoring rate went mental, shows they tucked into the buffet. Sad thing is, the Windies bowling early doors was really good.
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Post by SteMerritt on Apr 14, 2015 1:03:53 GMT
Sat by the pool in Antigua, will be there tomorrow for the second day. Gutted Bell fell so close to the end. Here's to seeing 200 English runs then Jimmy ripping through them lucky bugger! Hope it rains! If it does I will go Wednesday instead
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Post by Boogaloo on Apr 14, 2015 11:39:57 GMT
I would happily have Pietersen back in the side - the fact he requested that his IPL contract be cancelled so that he can try and work his way back into the England setup is the sort of desire that I like to see.
I'd much rather that than someone like Chris Gayle who has turned his back on the West Indies team so he can fill his boots (and pockets) in the IPL.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 14, 2015 15:14:55 GMT
Poor display by the lower order batsmen so far (with 9 down).
Four wickets down for about 30 this session.
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Post by andystroud on Apr 14, 2015 15:19:18 GMT
Good to see the tail wagging
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 14, 2015 15:27:06 GMT
Good to see the tail wagging Well Jordan and Anderson are now flogging a few by actually attacking a bit. Buttler managed 0 runs in over half an hour - what was the point in that?
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Post by andystroud on Apr 14, 2015 15:32:35 GMT
Perhaps he was trying to tire the bowlers so Anderson and Jordan could take advantage
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Post by nige01ox on Apr 14, 2015 15:37:45 GMT
3rd highest partnership of the innings! By and large its been a poor show from the batsmen and yet we've still scored 400. Think most of us would have taken that at 34-3.
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Post by Junior on Apr 14, 2015 15:40:34 GMT
I would happily have Pietersen back in the side - the fact he requested that his IPL contract be cancelled so that he can try and work his way back into the England setup is the sort of desire that I like to see. I'd much rather that than someone like Chris Gayle who has turned his back on the West Indies team so he can fill his boots (and pockets) in the IPL. He'll be back out soon enough. Knockout stages I believe. Strange he didn't bat again today for Surrey. He needs time in the middle in all conditions irrespective of runs in his previous innings.
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Post by Boogaloo on Apr 14, 2015 15:50:11 GMT
I would happily have Pietersen back in the side - the fact he requested that his IPL contract be cancelled so that he can try and work his way back into the England setup is the sort of desire that I like to see. I'd much rather that than someone like Chris Gayle who has turned his back on the West Indies team so he can fill his boots (and pockets) in the IPL. He'll be back out soon enough. Knockout stages I believe. Strange he didn't bat again today for Surrey. He needs time in the middle in all conditions irrespective of runs in his previous innings. Not strange at all. As it's a friendly against Oxford University, I suspect the Surrey head-coach said to KP, "right you've had a good knock in the first innings, I want to take a look at some of the others who didn't get to bat in the first innings". Quite common really as there's no question marks over KP's ability, but the head-coach will certainly want to look at the technique of other fringe players. Think of it as a bit like a friendly when England have Rooney on the bench, so that Kane and Welbeck can get a good amount of game time.
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Post by Boogaloo on Apr 14, 2015 15:59:19 GMT
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Apr 14, 2015 16:06:45 GMT
Given that so many more Tests (and international matches of all descriptions) are played nowadays, many of those milestones mean much less than they used to. And it makes it very hard to compare between eras - maybe averages are a better yardstick.
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Post by SteMerritt on Apr 15, 2015 0:21:37 GMT
What a strange days play. Both sides struggled to get the ball off the square for large parts of the day. Feel for Buttler, they strangled him with a tight field and good bowling. Anderson with the bat was fun, shame some of the higher order couldn't play with a bit of freedom.
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Post by pooshooter on Apr 15, 2015 11:51:26 GMT
England are on top after two days but not run away with it. KP has dissed everybody esp Cook, Anderson and Broad to be allowed back. We must move forward and stop living in the past.
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