County Championship discussion thread 2015

[Alviro Patterson]

Easy win for Yorkshire in the end, great game for Lyth not so much for Cook.

Great to see Adil Rashid in amongst the wickets, giving him every chance of starting the first test.

[andy]

Easy win for Yorkshire in the end, great game for Lyth not so much for Cook.

Great to see Adil Rashid in amongst the wickets, giving him every chance of starting the first test.

[westoelad]

Easy win for Yorkshire in the end, great game for Lyth not so much for Cook.

Great to see Adil Rashid in amongst the wickets, giving him every chance of starting the first test.

With Lyth being an economic option at the other end? He has certainly done enough in this game to make himself favourite to open in the W. Indies with Cook. Dispensing with Cook simply isn't an option-is it really viable to go into tests against the Kiwis and the Aussies with 2 rookie(test wise) openers. Best surely to back Cook to regain form. Still only 30 with an average in the high 40's.

[Arthur Crabtree]

No international ton for two years in either format. So, it's a gamble sticking with Cook if he shows no form on the slow pitches of the WI.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The low scores in the MCC game are of a piece with his recent form. Since Strauss, Cook has cleared four batting partners, who have done as well, or as badly, as he. Since the beginning of 2013, Steely has two tons and his partners, all of whom have been abandoned, have four. England have cleared away a whole tranche of potential openers. Which will limit where they go next should the skipper not turn it around. In my view, all of his partners were abandoned prematurely. And Cook is running out of slack.

[Making_Splinters]

Cook has looked shot for what feels like an age now. His technique, footwork and shot selection have been shocking.

[westoelad]

Cook has looked shot for what feels like an age now. His technique, footwork and shot selection have been shocking.

He's never been in long enough recently to make that sort of judgement. The old adage of form being temporary, class being permanent is a true one. Constant carping by the media is bound to effect the lad,which is why I think those with the best interests of English cricket will back him.

[Arthur Crabtree]

That's for two years. He has managed a few innings where his tenure has been extended by the fielders dropping catches, and it's just exposed him further.

If he scores runs, there's no further discussion. But there has to be cut off for any player (as there was for Root, Carbs, Compo and Robson). No ton for two years. Last one five series ago. How long is too long?

[dan08]

Lyth and Trott are the best 2 opening options in the England squad. Therefore Cook's already on borrowed time, he'll probably get the whole summer though.

[Aidan11]

I'm starting to get into the mood for the new season now.

[Making_Splinters]

Lyth and Trott are the best 2 opening options in the England squad. Therefore Cook's already on borrowed time, he'll probably get the whole summer though.

Lyth hasn't played a Test yet, so it's hard to say he's one of the best options.

[Durhamfootman]

And Trott isn't an opener either

If Trott opens, I'll eat my *modded* hat

(again)

[Alviro Patterson]

Lyth and Trott are the best 2 opening options in the England squad. Therefore Cook's already on borrowed time, he'll probably get the whole summer though.

Lyth hasn't played a Test yet, so it's hard to say he's one of the best options.

But Lyth is the only England opener in form with the bat, i'd say he is the only option.

[sussexpob]

Easy win for Yorkshire in the end, great game for Lyth not so much for Cook.

Great to see Adil Rashid in amongst the wickets, giving him every chance of starting the first test.

Not really sure Rashid has done enough for selection in my own opinion, but there was always something about him.

Not sure he has it for test cricket mind, 3 of his last 4 years he has struggled to perform well enough to play Division 2 cricket, not sure one summer confirms he is a test player.

Seems typical of England to take the "but he can bat as well carrot"

[braveneutral]

Easy win for Yorkshire in the end, great game for Lyth not so much for Cook.

Great to see Adil Rashid in amongst the wickets, giving him every chance of starting the first test.

Not really sure Rashid has done enough for selection in my own opinion, but there was always something about him.

Not sure he has it for test cricket mind, 3 of his last 4 years he has struggled to perform well enough to play Division 2 cricket, not sure one summer confirms he is a test player.

Seems typical of England to take the "but he can bat as well carrot"

Same as they did with Monty. It can destroy a player.