England v India, 2nd Test, Lord’s, 12-16 August, 2021

Weather takes the honours at Trent Bridge and it’s quickly on to the next one.

Will England make changes in the top three? Hameed awaits his chance. Pope could also return for Lawrence, with Leach and Wood on standby to add some variety to the attack. Still without Stokes, Woakes, Foakes and a few other blokes.

So no Alistair-Cook-like wunderkinds coming through the County ranks?

skully wrote:So no Alistair-Cook-like wunderkinds coming through the County ranks?

No idea, because nobody’s seen a red ball since May…

Of course Hameed fitted that description a few years ago. Having lost his way completely for a while (I think he averaged 9 or 10 in one county season…) he’s rebuilt his career with Notts and is still only 24.

Needs a better average than 24, even for this England side ...

Will they try out Sam Vokes? Wycombe will probably take a reasonable fee for him.

And apparently two of the Northern Overchargers are free ....

PeterCS wrote:Will they try out Sam Vokes? Wycombe will probably take a reasonable fee for him.

Shame John Noakes isn’t around any more… Apparently there was a 19th-century Kent cricketer of that name, presumably unrelated to the 20th century TV presenter!

The footballer Vokes was actually at Stoke at one point, so Stoke’s Vokes…

Anyway, Moeen recalled, only sensible option to balance the side given the current -o(a)kes drought. They’ll still probably leave him on the bench and play five right-arm fast-medium seamers…

Alfie Noakes of Derek and Clive fame ...

Judy Oakes was a shot-putter, she’d have had a bit of batting power… there’s a Yarpie player called Jason Oakes as well.

Laurie Oakes maybe?

Moeen's back. Because of course he is.

If in doubt, just keep recycling the same old failed plans.

Dello wrote:Moeen's back. Because of course he is.

If in doubt, just keep recycling the same old failed plans.

It’s a case of needs must. Without Stokes we need a batting all-rounder, and also we can’t accommodate Leach with a tail of that length and a fragile top order.

If there were any other candidates they would have had a call by now.

Seems Broad is an injury doubt. I know, you never write him off as we found out a year ago, but it could work to our advantage to an extent. He and Jimmy may still be our most reliable bowlers but it’s becoming a bit of a luxury to have them in the same side consistently. They’re too old to be stock bowlers, strike rate is declining a bit and they don’t offer a great deal with the bat. Makes the task of balancing the side even harder, and we have to prepare for life beyond that pair at some stage as well.

Wow, quick back up for this game. The washed out last day will certainly have helped Jimmy.

Mahmood (no, not that one…) replaces Broad in the squad.

Plenty of options for who joins Jimmy and Racist Robbo in the attack.

As previously mentioned, I hope Mahmood gets a shot.

I don't promise instant success - how can anyone, especially of a fast bowler? - but I believe he has the mettle to succeed at the level which matters most.

Broad out for the series, and Jimmy a doubt. A glimpse of the future sooner than we expected?

"The new World Test Championship cycle has got off to a poor start for England and India after both sides were slapped with a two-point penalty for slow over rates at Trent Bridge" -

Big Dog wrote:"The new World Test Championship cycle has got off to a poor start for England and India after both sides were slapped with a two-point penalty for slow over rates at Trent Bridge" -

So the Snoozies will make the final again...

Big Dog wrote:"The new World Test Championship cycle has got off to a poor start for England and India after both sides were slapped with a two-point penalty for slow over rates at Trent Bridge" -

Seems a crap system really, they’ve stopped suspending captains now as well which is bizarre.

If they want to do something about it - penalty runs or wickets, applied on the field. Or automatic no-balls if an over or single delivery takes too long. That would stamp it out very quickly.

It determined the participants in the last World Test Championship ... unlikely they will change it before the end of this cycle.

England gamble on Jimmy… Moeen, Wood and Hameed in for Broad, Lawrence and Crawley. Root wins the toss and puts India in.

India ride out the opening stages in what should be bowlers’ conditions. Rohit goes from Nohit to Napeshit in one wayward Curran over which almost doubles the total… rain intervenes as England still seek a breakthrough despite Jimmy and Tommy keeping it tight.

Who says we need to bat first to lose a Test on day 1?