England v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Headingley, 29 May-2 Jun, 2015

embee wrote:
I dont think there is much doubt you are an idiot

From someone 8k miles away who probably hadn't seen a single minutes cricket from Headingly!
Cute!

Re. Ballance - if he averages under 20 in the Ashes, yeah, replace him with Jimmy Taylor. But it hasn't happened yet. OK, that was a horrible dismissal to Usain yesterday but it was one innings. He does have some technical issues but who hasn't... Maybe he shouldn't really bat 3 as it's not his natural role but who else would - Bell's never seemed comfortable with that responsibility and that's not going to change at this point in his career, and we don't really want to over-burden Root again at this stage do we? Do we pick a third opener when we've struggled to find two in recent years?

I just think a big issue with English cricket is that we turn on players before they've even consistently failed. If we expect batsmen to average 50 over their whole careers, well, we will have a lot of turnover as nobody has done that for us in half a century. Write off players when they're averaging 30, not when they've made a more than reasonable start to their careers.

As for the Ashes, we'll probably lose and a couple of batsmen will struggle, but based on some of the predictions of nobody being able to buy a run, they seemingly have an attack of Warne, McGrath, Ambrose and Waqar in their prime... just hope the players don't think like that. They've got pace and threat but are a mixture of the ageing, inconsistent and as yet unfulfilled potential.

As for the abuse - maybe over the top, but when someone's constantly being a qunt you reach breaking point in the end. By the way how much do I need to negative rep someone to get them a ban or make every post be admin approved?

Tough situation? Ian Bell fails you say? Don't believe you. Do NOT believe you

At 177-0, what odds could you have got on a substantial NZ first innings lead?

Could actually be to our benefit to slog a few, get out quickly 50 or so behind, and get the NZ batsmen out there in this.

Ethics? The Gall! wrote:

embee wrote:

Merlin wrote:

Dello wrote:

Merlin wrote:

Stokes : A one hit wonder ? The jury's out.

With two centuries? The jury's back: you're an idiot.

Let's just wait and see shall we ...
Summer and single swallow's come to mind ...

I dont think there is much doubt you are an idiot

amazes me theres any debate on the matter

also amazes me how all the english doom and gloom merchants are now cheering their guys again.  doesnt take much to change your minds

Man, your comprehension skills aren't too good. Get back to school!

Buttler goes. 266/7. We'll be lucky to make 280

Moeen goes. 267/8. We'll be lucky to make 270.

Effectively 90-8 since yesterday afternoon.

Why are they still letting Broad go in at 9, he should at least be demoted below Wood.

Just not very good batting full stop. I think it's portentous.

Brass Monkey wrote:Just not very good batting full stop. I think it's portentous.

Yet one might have thought the opening stand was too.

Red wrote:

Brass Monkey wrote:Just not very good batting full stop. I think it's portentous.

Yet one might have thought the opening stand was too.

Hmm. The opening stand is much more of an anomaly than the lack of application leading to a batting collapse, if we're looking back over the last couple of years.

Well, the Ratster's put a few of the specialists to shame here I suppose... shows he is still capable if he applies himself.

Been great batting to watch from Broad, Wood and Anderson. Seriously didn't think we'd near parity.

When you've got a walking wicket at 4, you'll always be prone to collapse once the top 3 are out of the way.

Bell will get at least the first two Ashes tests before he is dropped. Needs runs fast though.

I don't think Broad's batting has improved suddenly. He's still making a slight step away to the leg side as the bowler delivers. I just think he got away with it a bit today.

Anderson proving a point in a recent article on (I think) Cricinfo, which said that players don't respect Indian umpires as much as umpires from other countries. Went straight to Aussie Rod Tucker to complain when umpire Ravi (correctly) warned him for running on the pitch.

Brass Monkey wrote:Moeen goes. 267/8. We'll be lucky to make 270.

Chahh chahhh chahhhh. Doo lips mick nick, ick lip dick nick

I hope beamer doesn't mind me calling this one already, but Ballance is pretty rank in the slips.

Brass Monkey wrote:Been great batting to watch from Broad, Wood and Anderson. Seriously didn't think we'd near parity.

I read that as "panty" and thought wtaf?

No one in this team is good in the slips. Either they're naturally just not up to it, or they don't practice hard enough. Either way, our slip catching is below par.

It's almost worth picking Chris Jordan for his catching ability alone.

beamer wrote:Well, the Ratster's put a few of the specialists to shame here I suppose... shows he is still capable if he applies himself.

He probably just decided: fog it, let's just have a dip. Best policy for him. Best form of defence ... (against fear).

Brass Monkey wrote:I hope beamer doesn't mind me calling this one already, but Ballance is pretty rank in the slips.

England's slip catching has been atrocious all series.

Henry wrote:No one in this team is good in the slips. Either they're naturally just not up to it, or they don't practice hard enough. Either way, our slip catching is below par.

It's almost worth picking Chris Jordan for his catching ability alone.

And don't forget his batting. Less predictable, less feeble than Mr EOTE most of the time.

Winkle Spinner wrote:

Brass Monkey wrote:I hope beamer doesn't mind me calling this one already, but Ballance is pretty rank in the slips.

England's slip catching has been atrocious all series.

Jimbo's not bad, but they can't afford a broken finger.