England v Ireland at Lord's, 24/7.

[backfootpunch]

Jason roy seems to think it's a t20

Appalling innings so far

[sussexpob]

Roy edges through vacant third slip (why would you not have 3rd slip in for him).... he was on the move down the track. He's sticking to what he knows so far....

[sussexpob]

Roy edges through vacant third slip (why would you not have 3rd slip in for him).... he was on the move down the track. He's sticking to what he knows so far....

[alfie]

Ha...lucky for Roy. Ireland made an error removing the third slip did they not ? Can Roy make them pay ?

Even if he does make a score today I think the Australians will fancy their chances against him. But that's for next week...right now England need him to give Ed Smith a chance to preen again...

[sussexpob]

Moving down the pitch, driving on the up, hitting with a close faced down the ground outside off..... I tell you one thing, if Roy makes a career of himself in tests, its going to be anything but uneventful.

Its like watching Kevin Pietersen bat after he's drank a fifth of vodka.

[Alviro Patterson]

Tim Murtagh bowling military medium will have something to do with Roy shuffling down the crease, one delivery registered at 72.7mph!

[bigfluffylemon]

Moving down the pitch, driving on the up, hitting with a close faced down the ground outside off..... I tell you one thing, if Roy makes a career of himself in tests, its going to be anything but uneventful.

Its like watching Kevin Pietersen bat after he's drank a fifth of vodka.

To be fair to Roy, he's been picked to play like he does in ODIs, and given some licence to go out there and attack a bit and try and put the opposition bowlers on the back foot. He's not going to be successful trying to play like a classic opener, and if he does play 'his way', when it does come off, England will be in a good position.

The question is whether it comes off often enough to be worth the inevitable failures the methods will bring.

Meanwhile, while Burns also doesn't look convincing, who else is there? In all seriousness, England have been through just about everyone in the county game, and either they've not been up to test level either, or any promise they have shown has been ruthlessly crushed by poor management.

[sussexpob]

Leach brings up his 50

[bigfluffylemon]

Leach brings up his 50

Hahaha. A bit streaky, but well done to him.

He does have two first class 50s, so not a complete rabbit in headlights. But a test high score of 16 before today...

[sussexpob]

To be fair to Roy, he's been picked to play like he does in ODIs, and given some licence to go out there and attack a bit and try and put the opposition bowlers on the back foot. He's not going to be successful trying to play like a classic opener, and if he does play 'his way', when it does come off, England will be in a good position.

The question is whether it comes off often enough to be worth the inevitable failures the methods will bring.

Meanwhile, while Burns also doesn't look convincing, who else is there? In all seriousness, England have been through just about everyone in the county game, and either they've not been up to test level either, or any promise they have shown has been ruthlessly crushed by poor management.

Plenty of players do well being aggressive at the top... Sehwag, Warner to name two.... but niether have played anywhere near their career rates in English conditions. Its a we will see... my guess is at least, when conditions are more tame, he at least has proven he can score big runs. I imagine he might to better away, and be very up and down.

As for Burns, I respect the point, but I also am not in the frame of mind to give up and just accept a player has no alternatives. I concede its early doors for him and he needs more opportunity, but I just dont see a technique there. If a bowler with 10 FC wickets at 50 and a 72 mph military medium guy is unopening major technical errors in your game, it leaves little hope that he can do it against the very best.

How a player can get through a winter in the England setup and a county career with a great record without being able to judge length or get forward... ok maybe hes off form or needs time, but these are massive elementary mistakes. And the ball did nothing today.

[backfootpunch]

Roy is over hitting

Trying to whack it and losing his shape

He played one beautiful drive but the rest of them his bottom hand has come in

[sussexpob]

Roy meanwhile gunshots one through the diving covers..... fraction closer, and the fielder has a chance (but it would have taken some catching as it has fire coming of it)

[bigfluffylemon]

This is the highest score by an England opener batting in England and not named Alastair Cook since Alex Hales made 94 v Sri Lanka at this ground in June 2016!
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... ew=innings

[sussexpob]

Roy then top edges one for four.... this innings is hysterical.... Road Rash central

[bigfluffylemon]

To be fair to Roy, he's been picked to play like he does in ODIs, and given some licence to go out there and attack a bit and try and put the opposition bowlers on the back foot. He's not going to be successful trying to play like a classic opener, and if he does play 'his way', when it does come off, England will be in a good position.

The question is whether it comes off often enough to be worth the inevitable failures the methods will bring.

Meanwhile, while Burns also doesn't look convincing, who else is there? In all seriousness, England have been through just about everyone in the county game, and either they've not been up to test level either, or any promise they have shown has been ruthlessly crushed by poor management.

Plenty of players do well being aggressive at the top... Sehwag, Warner to name two.... but niether have played anywhere near their career rates in English conditions. Its a we will see... my guess is at least, when conditions are more tame, he at least has proven he can score big runs. I imagine he might to better away, and be very up and down.

As for Burns, I respect the point, but I also am not in the frame of mind to give up and just accept a player has no alternatives. I concede its early doors for him and he needs more opportunity, but I just dont see a technique there. If a bowler with 10 FC wickets at 50 and a 72 mph military medium guy is unopening major technical errors in your game, it leaves little hope that he can do it against the very best.

How a player can get through a winter in the England setup and a county career with a great record without being able to judge length or get forward... ok maybe hes off form or needs time, but these are massive elementary mistakes. And the ball did nothing today.

Agreed, but I just don't know who the alternatives are.

Robson was very hard done by IMO.