Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[Making_Splinters]

And gone relatively cheaply again. Don't know what it is about Vince, but he never seems to take his chances.

[rich1uk]

cant really understand why they have bopara batting at #3 for the lions when I thought it had been made fairly clear he is seen as a #6/#7 if he plays ODIs

[Making_Splinters]

I'd guess it was just to maximize the time he gets in the middle seeing as he is the only Lions player almost certain to play in the ODI side.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Maybe Moores is going to rethink the ODI side completely. Which Mike Selvey keeps hinting at. As Bopara is a proven failure in the top order in ODIs, that would feel like a bit of a punt. But the side as it is isn't working.

Can't see England not going with Ballance/Root/Morgan at three to five though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'd not pick Bopara in ODIs at all, just T20. He hasn't really made much of a fist at the finishing job, and his overs are hugely protected. His T20 record is pretty good.

[Making_Splinters]

He's good enough as a bowler to be picked.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Has to bowl at the end if he's in as a bowler.

[rich1uk]

sort of agree with AC here , I don't think he is someone you can rely on to bowl his full ten overs in the majority of matches and that is something he would need to be doing If he was being picked predominantly as a bowler

if he is being picked as the 5th bowler we would need someone a little better than root in the top 6 to be able to share the 5th set of 10 imo

[hopeforthebest]

sort of agree with AC here , I don't think he is someone you can rely on to bowl his full ten overs in the majority of matches and that is something he would need to be doing If he was being picked predominantly as a bowler

if he is being picked as the 5th bowler we would need someone a little better than root in the top 6 to be able to share the 5th set of 10 imo

Wouldn't be surprised to see Moeen in top six as as a spinning all rounder, don't know how effective he'll be in Oz/NZ though.

[Making_Splinters]

Don't see why that is the case. Keeping the run rate down during the middle overs is just as much of a skill as bowling at the death is. Bopara has been consistantly under bowled by England over the years.He's more than capable of sending down 10 overs every game.

[Making_Splinters]

Ton for Ravi.

[SaintPowelly]

And gone relatively cheaply again. Don't know what it is about Vince, but he never seems to take his chances.

He did okay today, kicking on would of been nice, but his job is to get the team off to a good start, 32 off 27 is just that.

[Arthur Crabtree]

In Asia, your spinner might bowl in the last ten. Less likely in Australia. So we'd have Bopara and the spinner not bowling in the last ten. That's too much pressure on the other three. Bopara's a really excellent sixth bowler (IMO) but not good enough with the bat to justify his place (IMO).

[Arthur Crabtree]

If you can get Samit in the top six as your spinner, then maybe Bopara can squeeze in. But I think I'd rather look at some other all rounders. Willey for instance, could bowl with the new ball and at the end.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England's forgotten man sees the Lions home.

I thought James Who might break through this year.