English Cricket Thread

[Slipstream]

Still no captain. Will Key decide or will the new coach appoint him?

Stokes is the new captain, chosen by Key... probably cleared by Strauss.

The new coach will get to change the backroom staff. New batting, bowling, fielding coaches, hopefully trim down the rest of the 30 odd.

[bigfluffylemon]

Do you have a source, SS? I can't find an announcement (although it's no surprise, I'm sure you're right).

[sussexpob]

Do you have a source, SS? I can't find an announcement (although it's no surprise, I'm sure you're right).

Was broke by the Guardian yesterday evening. Announcement officially expected today from Key

[Durhamfootman]

Stokes wants Anderson and Broad back is the headline, made in usual journo fashion to seem like they wouldn't have been back under Root.... which they would have been

still.... it's a headline.... so.... woo hoo

[Arthur Crabtree]

England down to sixth in the rankings after one win in the last 17 Tests and nil in the last nine.

Behind Aus/Ind/NZ/SA/Pak.

Against such a stark low, it might be more possible for Gentle Ben to improve that ranking without having amazing results.

According to BBC, lowest points total since 1995.

[Arthur Crabtree]

NZ squad to face England in June. Will be reduced to 15 after warm up games/return of IPL players.

Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Cameron Fletcher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Will Young.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just read a news story that Graham Thorpe is 'seriously ill' in hospital. No other info, just a request for privacy from his family.

Obviously hope this is much better than it sounds.

[westoelad]

It sounds very grim.

[Durhamfootman]

It does sound grim. The way the announcement was phrased is very worrying. He's only 52!

[sussexpob]

Fingers crossed he can make a full and speedy recovery.

[bigfluffylemon]

Fingers crossed for Thorpey. Sounds serious.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Seems Brendon McCullum is favourite to be England new coach. Brandon as I liked to call him as he was always banging on about the 'brand' of cricket he liked to play. But a special player even if prone to Giles-like corporate speak. And he was captain of a likeable NZ side that usually played with integrity. Not obvious he knows anything about English cricket.

No news on GT.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Some btl on the BBC though insists his mate knows it's going to be Peter Such for Tests with Martin Bicknall for ODIs.

[alfie]

Interesting story re McCullum. Could be a brilliant move - could be a bit too much of a gamble ; though I guess he seems the type to have England play the way Key (and most of us ?) would like to see. If it works. And if it happens : journalists can get a bit carried away sometimes.

Concerned about the news re Thorpe though. That bit about "prognosis unclear" quoted from the PCA is not what one wants to hear. Indeed crossing fingers for better news.

[Durhamfootman]

Some btl on the BBC though insists his mate knows it's going to be Peter Such for Tests with Martin Bicknall for ODIs.

BBC now reporting that McC has agreed to become England head coach and once the contract is finalised he will be unveiled at the end of the week