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[Cricket] Third test: England v India at Southampton, Jul 27-31
- Thread starter larus
- Start date
spring hall convert
Well-known member
I agree. He did have a decent game as captain and scored runs. Bell, Ballance, Anderson and Mooen all have cases as well.
However, as anyone that has ever played a decent level of cricket knows, it's a helluva lot easier to be a dynamic, forward thinking captain when you put 570 on the board in the first innings. We now need to go on and win this series.
I still have my doubts about him long term but I'm really pleased for him. If nothing else, he does seem an immensely likeable sort (perhaps that's the problem..)
spring hall convert
Well-known member
I'd rather not think about that just yet!
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
All true, but it shows the character of the man. First time for nearly 3 years he has scored 50 in both innings of a test match. All of the senior players stood up in this game, which had been sorely lacking. This should do them and him a world of good.
We will win the next 2 now.
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
Jimmy Anderson for me. This match has a draw all over it if not for his bowling.
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Oh and Buttler was excellent too. That's the end of Matt Prior's England career.
Braggfan
In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
- May 12, 2014
- 1,864
I think Cook is obviously going to be in charge for the rest of the series and this game has given him some breathing space. If we end up losing the series he'll undoubtedly come under the spotlight again, but if we go and win and especially if we play like we have in this test then he'll have earnt the right to see if he can build on it.
Braggfan
In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
- May 12, 2014
- 1,864
I understand, the thought of it has been making me feel queasy for months.
Not too sure about that. India played their part.
larus
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #330
After this test it looks like Matt's international career could be over. Butler did a good job behind the stumps (will only improve there too), and definitely has the edge over Matt now in the batting department.
I think on the batting front, things are looking positive. Root, Ballance, Bell, Cook are doing well (or at least have the ability). Robson I think will come good. Still to be convinced by Ali, but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
It's the bowling which concerns me currently. When Broad and Jimmy are on form, we're OK. But Jimmy won't be around for that much longer and Broad seems to have constant injury 'concerns'. The backup bowling appears weak, unless Finn gets back to a decent level. Bresnan, Tremlett, Rankin, Onions are all around the 30 mark. Jordan doesn't look like he's ready/good enough. Lets hope there's a couple of gems knocking around who will break through soon.
I think on the batting front, things are looking positive. Root, Ballance, Bell, Cook are doing well (or at least have the ability). Robson I think will come good. Still to be convinced by Ali, but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
It's the bowling which concerns me currently. When Broad and Jimmy are on form, we're OK. But Jimmy won't be around for that much longer and Broad seems to have constant injury 'concerns'. The backup bowling appears weak, unless Finn gets back to a decent level. Bresnan, Tremlett, Rankin, Onions are all around the 30 mark. Jordan doesn't look like he's ready/good enough. Lets hope there's a couple of gems knocking around who will break through soon.
Interesting choice for MoM. A bowler who didn't take the most wickets in the game. But it WAS a great performance from Jimmy Anderson - spearheading the attack!
spring hall convert
Well-known member
Pankaj must have had one of the unluckiest test debuts I've ever seen 0-179 and he was probably the pick of India's bowling.
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
It's not always the number of wickets, he was threatening throughout. To only concede 2 runs an over, bowl 26 overs in that first innings, taking 5 for 53 is worthy of MoM in many a match to be honest.
Moeen unlucky not to get it with his performance, as perhaps are Ballance and Bell, but Jimmy was a cut everyone else in this match.
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
That's generous of you, given he's just taken 8 wickets in a test match!
Bit soft some of them, especially the two in the first innings. Suspect it won't happen quite so easily again. Fair play to the fella though, did his job brilliantly.
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
He's played 5 test matches, has a century, scored 259 runs, has a 5 for, and taken 18 wickets….I think we can give him the benefit of the doubt for now can't we.
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Well we'll see, but he rips it harder than the Indian "spinners" and is working very hard on his game. I think he will do well in time.
larus
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #339
He's played 5 test matches, has a century, scored 259 runs, has a 5 for, and taken 18 wickets….I think we can give him the benefit of the doubt for now can't we.
Yes, his figures look OK. I'm not putting him down, I just don't feel he has demonstrated yet that he is a great spinner (which is primarily his function). I hope he does keep producing the goods, as the other options seem poor ATM.
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Woakes looks pretty good - he was unlucky in this Test. Jordan, I agree, does not look up to it at the moment. Botham was saying that Finn appears to getting back to near his best. They should give Onions a go but Tremlett amazes me - how someone that tall and strong can bowl so slowly! Am not convinced about Plunkett either, but he is OK. Jimmy will be a huge loss if he gets banned tomorrow.