England in Sri Lanka and West Indies

[The Big Dady]

Ah, squirrel was this Suuey v Essex match

How many runs/wickets did AH. Squirrel get?

 

[AndyT]

Keaton Jennings has taken four catches at short leg, including another blinder!

 

[AndyT]

I said at the time that Porter should have been given a try - he was picked for the summer tests (all be it not playing in first eleven) he's been the leading English seamer for last two seasons in division one of the CC. Broad and Anderson are flogged to death and this was the ideal opportunity to have a look at something new.

I think they are concerned that Jamie Porter might go for runs as he pitches it up and bowls straight. They seem to like to have negative seamers who dry up runs. It's an odd mindset we have. Be aggressive and positive with the bat, but negative and cautious with the ball. Pitch-up bowlers don't seem to be popular.

Definitely agree that he could have been given a try before now. After all, everyone else seems to have - Roland-Jones, Overton, Wood, Plunkett, Tom Curran and so on.

Broad did exactly what was expected in this innings. 9 overs for 0 wickets at 4 an over.

Still, we have a lead of 100 so looking good!

 

[The Big Dady]

Keaton Jennings has taken four catches at short leg, including another blinder!

Yes all were good, but the 4th one was stunning.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Great stuff from Rashid, box office when he shines.

 

[mattitouk]

I'll put it out there first, Burns & Jennings are getting right on my tits!!

IMO.. a crap partnership between the two of them. We really need both of them to be reaching 50 or above as an average over a tour as opening batsmen. It's a test series for ffs, not a T20 match!!

Burns have averaged just 28 runs per innings this series, got a decent knock of 59.

And Jennings has averaged 44 runs (with an unusual 146 runs) to give him some kind of slight credit. However he's been out twice for just one run, and hasn't since made more than a 46.

It seems we are continually Leaving it to the upper middle / lower middle order to solve their failures, as if were "living on a prayer"... insert cheesy music if needed.

 

[mattitouk]

Anyway we started the day 3-0

First ball... Jennings gone (first ball).... 3-1

Burns gone for 7 runs at 20-2.

Bairstow gone for 15... at 35-3

Root gone for 7 runs at 39-4

This could be another bad day / or worse an early night.

(I really don't need another disaster so soon after the Womble match!)

Were going down quicker than the Titanic!!

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

be interesting to see who ends up as leading wicket taker - Moeen and Leach both on 14 and Rashid now has 12.

 

[Swiss Tony]

Anyway we started the day 3-0

First ball... Jennings gone (first ball).... 3-1

Burns gone for 7 runs at 20-2.

Bairstow gone for 15... at 35-3

Root gone for 7 runs at 39-4

This could be another bad day / or worse an early night.

(I really don't need another disaster so soon after the Womble match!)

Were going down quicker than the Titanic!!

Hang on the Carpathia (Butler) has turned up early this time.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Burns 155 six innings average of 25.8 - not the start he would have been hoping for but played well in second test and will be opening in the Caribbean.

Jennings 233 six innings average of 38.8 - good first test then back to normal it appears, seems to be establishing himself as a specialist close in fielder. Frankly, there is no one else.

Root 227 six innings average of 37.8 - second innings ton but other than that not much. Has captained well particularly the use of Rashid.

Stokes 187 six innings average 31.1 - Second on team sheet after Root. England are a better team in any format with him in team.

Buttler 252 six innings average 42 - making middle order position his own now he's third choice keeper. Good tour and hopefully the start of a long stint in the side.

Foakes 277 six innings average 46.1 - superb debut test hundred. Long overdue call up all be it due to a bizarre accident. Best glove man by a country mile - totally assured behind the stumps.

Moeen 78 six innings average 13 - believe this closes the debate on where he should bat?
done what he should be picked for and bowled well.

 

[AndyT]

There's a big score coming for Burns.

He is like Stoneman, in a lot of ways, but I do feel he has the temperament to go on and make centuries at Test level.

The other stats aren't bad for the sub-continent.

Foakes has the most runs for a player in either side. Not bad for someone who wasn't even on the original tour. He should get Man of the Series, as well.

 

[Blueronron]

So,so,so pleased for Jack Leach, performs so well in County for Somerset and has held his own on this tour

 

[AndyT]

Akila Dhananjaya suspended for an illegal action :-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46511771

Meanwhile, same squad announced for the West Indies :-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46511766

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Don’t see the need for three spinners in the Caribbean and a good opportunity to see something new? I understand the winning team mentality but the likelihood is that Leach and Rashid won’t start in the test team.

 

[AndyT]

I make you right, though I think the odd pitch these days out there does take more spin than in the past.

My gut feeling is that we'll play three seamers and two spinners in most matches, including Stokes as one of the seamers.

The tough call is which of the two spinners would get the nod.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Outside the sub continent there’s only Sydney and old Trafford that really offer good turn (me and you would turn it in Sydney)
Would be amazed if England went with two spinners, especially now it’s clear that Moeen isn’t a top order batsman.

 

[AndyT]

Maybe 10 years ago, Shrimpers, I might have got some turn. Those days are long gone, sadly!

The 1st Test side I think would be :-

Jennings
Burns
Bairstow
Root
Buttler
Stokes
Foakes
Ali
Curran
Anderson
Broad

However, if they see the pitch as being a bit more of a slow turner later in the game, they could sacrifice one of Broad or Anderson for Rashid, maybe.

West Indies spinners in recent years have got something out of home pitches. Narine and Bishoo being the obvious examples, when picked. That said, in the most recent home series, Roach, Cummins and Gabriel performed well and took the bulk of the wickets.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Outside the sub continent there’s only Sydney and old Trafford that really offer good turn (me and you would turn it in Sydney)
Would be amazed if England went with two spinners, especially now it’s clear that Moeen isn’t a top order batsman.

Something like 5 of the top 7 wicket takers in WI domestic cricket are spinners so I wouldn't be surprised if we went for two spinners in at least one of the tests.

Not sure to what extent that's because the pitches are turning or WIndian batsmen are so poor at playing spin bowling though...

 

[AndyT]

Actually, my example of Narine was a poor one. I didn't realise he'd only taken 21 test wickets.

Shillingford had a good record until his action was called into question and Benn was decent, as well.

 

[AndyT]

Have finally watched the four programmes made by SKY Cricket during the summer : Mind Games.

If anyone hasn't seen them, they are very good and well worth a watch.