Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

?Be interesting to see which line Amir takes to Bairstow. Amir has a cracking inswinger when he bowls well, and Bairstow has had really problems to left arm pacers that bring the ball into him. Can see Bairstow being bowled by one coming in from Amir. Although on that over, it was the pitched up straight one that Bairstow nearly edges.

Smart bowling though. Hes bringing him out the crease with those ones going towards the slips.

have to wonder why england batted first on this deck, they could have dismissed Pak for less than 150 on here.

Dr Cricket wrote:have to wonder why england batted first on this deck, they could have dismissed Pak for less than 150 on here.

on what basis?

an assumption that all other teams are as hopeless, hapless and helpless as England?

unlikely!

Durhamfootman wrote:

Dr Cricket wrote:have to wonder why england batted first on this deck, they could have dismissed Pak for less than 150 on here.

on what basis?

an assumption that all other teams are as hopeless, hapless and helpless as England?

unlikely!

on the movement available on the decks, it does look like the pitch is seaming a touch, unlikely pakistan batsman will be able to handle broad and Anderson here.
England did beat Australia by an innings in 2 similar decks in 2015.

There is a tendency to overrate England generally I think. Particularly the media. Even when England were good they were being compared to the best ever.

Great comment from Bairstow when asked this morning what was the main difference batting at five rather than six. He replied, batting at five means we'll be not many for three when he goes out to bat rather than not many for four.

He's absolutely right.

Bairstow will be taken in for thinking realignment with views like that.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

England's stats this winter.

That was an ugly shot from Joe Root this morning (just seen it on the news).

Arthur Crabtree wrote:There is a tendency to overrate England generally I think. Particularly the media. Even when England were good they were being compared to the best ever.

oh yeah anyone remember dobell comparing england 2010-11 team to the invicibles and stating they are 4 or 5th best test team ever.

Bairstow batting like he has a train to catch at 3

sussexpob wrote:Bairstow batting like he has a train to catch at 3

Make it comfortably now....

sussexpob wrote:Bairstow batting like he has a train to catch at 3

He won't miss his train

Next two players fresh back from the IPL

Not hopeful they will get any runs

but they might get those few runs very aggressively

it could be high octane cricket

strap yourselves in

just what the situation demands

I think the two Yorkshire lads innings sum up English test players of this current era very well. Both are going to tell you they didnt go out to hit the ball around, that they showed patience, but its almost like there is a mentality in their head that they will block anything for 5 balls, then they have cash in the bank to throw the bat at something for one ball an over. We see time and time again that players with lower strike rates get out, or flirt consistently, with balls that are not there to be hit.

I mean at one point when Bairstow was on about, what, 15 runs he got beaten by a snorter, then clearly decided the next ball he was going to smash it..... ball whistled past the edge. The players dont really seem to get whats required of batting properly. Whats the point of blocking 20 balls in a row if you are then going to risk smashing one that isnt there to be hit?? Thats why I have to celebrate Cookie this innings. It hasnt been picture perfect, but at least he is waiting to play strokes when he gets bad balls.... and realises if he blocks 20 balls, he will get bad balls to hit.

Some of these players bat like horny teenagers...

backfootpunch wrote:Next two players fresh back from the IPL

Not hopeful they will get any runs

Stokes didnt make any contributions in the IPL, did he? Buttler at least can claim some form and confidence with about 5 x 50 in a row I believe. I think Stokes hasnt made any runs though.