The argument that picking a better wicketkeeper only saves a few runs on average seems a bit thin when they do miss chances leading to a big partnership.
[Cricket] The Ashes- England v Australia- 1st Test, Birmingham, June 16 - 20, 2023
- Thread starter Eeyore
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Butter fingers everywhere
Ethelwulf
Well-known member
I predict a nightmare day with them getting over a 100 run lead with ease
Pevenseagull
Anti-greed coalition
- Jul 20, 2003
- 19,788
The Wizard
Well-known member
- Jul 2, 2009
- 18,383
Aside from that one ball that ragged I don’t see much in this surface for fast or spin bowlers, it’s an extremely docile deck, if England hadn’t been so wasteful I’d have said 320 odd for 5 isn’t a bad restriction of scoring.
Our pace attack does look very ‘samey’ on flat pitches like this, obviously it doesn’t always work like that but we do lack that bowler who can rough the batsman up and force them back a bit.
Re the bairstow drops, Foakes should be in this side, I’m really not sure why he isn’t to be honest, he’s performed very well, the wicket keeper is one of the most important players in the team and shouldn’t just be an after thought.
Our pace attack does look very ‘samey’ on flat pitches like this, obviously it doesn’t always work like that but we do lack that bowler who can rough the batsman up and force them back a bit.
Re the bairstow drops, Foakes should be in this side, I’m really not sure why he isn’t to be honest, he’s performed very well, the wicket keeper is one of the most important players in the team and shouldn’t just be an after thought.
Ethelwulf
Well-known member
Mark wood should be in the side instead of Anderson on this kind of pitch
Anderson clearly gave up relying on the rest of the team to help getting people out.
pasty
A different kind of pasty
Oh Jimmy Jimmy
Carey gone
348/6
Carey gone
348/6
The Wizard
Well-known member
- Jul 2, 2009
- 18,383
Robinson hasn’t really looked himself, doesn’t look in a great bowling rhythm, perhaps the on/off injuries and fitness haven’t really helped.
It’s unfortunate all of Englands express pace bowlers are plagued by injuries, I always think even if the express pace doesn’t take the wicket they open up the game for the other bowlers by forcing the batsman back a bit, and obviously against the tail who England always struggle to get out.
The pace bowlers have actually bowled pretty well really, they’ve restricted the Aussies to very slow scoring against them, Moeens figures are the problem ones as knowing you can flog the spinner takes pressure off scoring when you face the other bowlers.
pasty
A different kind of pasty
What’s Nassers beef with Bairstow? Seems to have a pop at any opportunity 
Ethelwulf
Well-known member
He just hates gingersWhat’s Nassers beef with Bairstow? Seems to have a pop at any opportunity
Ethelwulf
Well-known member
Lead only 50
Now
Now
Sky just showed a graphic highlighting Anderson's metronomic accuracy the over before getting Carey out.
Conveniently ignoring the two 4s hit either side of the wicket the balls immediately before.
Conveniently ignoring the two 4s hit either side of the wicket the balls immediately before.
Ethelwulf
Well-known member
Cummins showing he can bat !! At this rate they will pass our total soon we need to get them out soon
BN41Albion
Well-known member
- Oct 1, 2017
- 6,469
Our declaration looking a bit ridiculous now really
The Wizard
Well-known member
- Jul 2, 2009
- 18,383
Captain hindsight.
I highly doubt the reason we’ve turned into butter fingers and over stepping is because we declared early, we have had more than enough chances to have got this lot out for well under our score.
Bold Seagull
strong and stable with me, or...
Absolutely. We should have been batting last night.
um bongo molongo
Well-known member
Robinson doesn’t look fit. Looping it down at 77mph. And Swann called it that Ali’s fingers wouldn’t stand up to long spells with the Dukes ball having not played red ball cricket for so long. Ominous