The Official Cricket Thread

[Ovals]

to Kiwias - I think most of us in England were outside enjoying the good weather yesterday, possibly playing cricket ourselves, rather than anywhere near a screen.

Could do with more cricket chat though on NPR. I think it's what got me in the habit of lurking on the old PR a LONG time ago; at the time, it was almost as good a commentary feed as cricinfo and the Guardian. We need more Old Fallopian, Karahi, Voltman and the many other (sensible) cricket aficionados.

PR has had some great cricket threads - the 2005 Ashes threads were epic. Hopefully we can build them up on here as well.

[FujiKiwi]

Apologies, from your Jap/Kiwi username I thought it was Kiwias's new one - my mistake! Are you based in Japan as well?

Hope other countries get back to playing test cricket too. Not as good as in front of crowds, obviously, but better than nothing.

Yeah. Another kiwi based in Japan. It'd be great to see other nations playing as well, although for now I might adopt the Windies as my team. I grew up watching the great battles between Aussie and the West Indies on the telly when the latter were an absolute force. Even during the Brian Lara years, they were never as good again.

[And 1 guest]

Archer gooooooone for breach of biosecure protocols. Silly boy

[Oxbow]

I wonder if that means Ollie Robinson will now get a game.

[Un Pilier]

I wonder if that means Ollie Robinson will now get a game.

It’s clearly an option but I think they will go with Woakes and Curran.

Archer says he’s sorry. He bloody well should be

[And 1 guest]

I wonder if that means Ollie Robinson will now get a game.

Broad, Woakes, Curran and Robinson in contention for three spots. They might want Curran to create some rough for Bess, and I expect Broad to play, so Woakes gets the last place due to his batting for me.

[ScarfaceClaw]

I wonder if that means Ollie Robinson will now get a game.

It’s clearly an option but I think they will go with Woakes and Curran.

Archer says he’s sorry. He bloody well should be :mad: :mad: :mad:

Stupid bastard. What was he thinking.

[And 1 guest]

Makes for a pretty one-paced attack. Agnew reporting overcast conditions which would make selection of Curran more likely.

[Woddy]

isn't OT supposed to be a quick track, by English standards at least? If so, we'll somehow be playing on it without either of our established quick bowlers. Hope they don't instead play the seam attack that perhaps we should have had at the Rose Bowl.

[handyman]

Archer

[Un Pilier]

isn't OT supposed to be a quick track, by English standards at least? If so, we'll somehow be playing on it without either of our established quick bowlers. Hope they don't instead play the seam attack that perhaps we should have had at the Rose Bowl.

Yes it is. Wood is rested from the squad as is Jimmy Anderson. So it’s going to be Broad, Woakes and Curran unless they take a flier on the uncapped Robinson. They had shown faith in Archer which is why his apparent irresponsibility is particularly galling

[JM2K6]

Sounds like he detoured to visit his home. Glad they were strict with him.

He never seemed particularly unprofessional so here's hoping it's a one-off. Silly boy. Still, Stokes has come back from far worse!

[Woddy]

isn't OT supposed to be a quick track, by English standards at least? If so, we'll somehow be playing on it without either of our established quick bowlers. Hope they don't instead play the seam attack that perhaps we should have had at the Rose Bowl.

Yes it is. Wood is rested from the squad as is Jimmy Anderson. So it’s going to be Broad, Woakes and Curran unless they take a flier on the uncapped Robinson. They had shown faith in Archer which is why his apparent irresponsibility is particularly galling

It is, but that just compounds what seems like odd planning. Why not pick Wood and Archer for this track above all others? At least we might then have Wood and Robinson in tandem. We'll end up with our attacks the wrong way round between RB and OT.

[Sandstorm]

Sounds like he detoured to visit his home. Glad they were strict with him.

He never seemed particularly unprofessional so here's hoping it's a one-off. Silly boy. Still, Stokes has come back from far worse!

Breaking Covid rules never stopped a govt advisor, no reason a cricketer should suffer long-term either.

[And 1 guest]

Start delayed by rain. Sky saying 90 minutes to mop up once the rain stops

[Amethyst]

So Archer shows scant respect for team protocol, etc. Not the kind of team-player you want in your side.

[JM2K6]

Might not have been a home trip if the ECB is being so quiet:

[Oxbow]

Toss at 12, start at 12.30.

[sturginho]

So Archer shows scant respect for team protocol, etc. Not the kind of team-player you want in your side.

yes, let's all jump to conclusions

[duke]

Windies win toss and bowl, Ollie Robinson left out along with Denley.

[And 1 guest]

Root would have bowled first too. Horrid hour long first session to bat

[Amethyst]

I think Archer did this to aid the Windies quest for a series win. He is a Windie afterall.

[Sandstorm]

Anyone else see their Cricinfo Live Scores is on the Fritz?

[And 1 guest]

Not sure how Burns missed that. Poor from the quicks then the spinner nips one out just before lunch.

[JM2K6]

Burns gone to a straight one from the spinner. Awful, awful review. Start fining players who waste reviews on a whim

[JM2K6]

Also Sibley kinda annoys me. He's virtually strokeless at times but still has a huge weakness down leg. It's not a good combo.

[sturginho]

How does Chase get so many wickets? He seems like a fairly innocuous spinner but he has done for Crawley first ball

[And 1 guest]

How does Chase get so many wickets? He seems like a fairly innocuous spinner but he has done for Crawley first ball

He gets more against England than he does against anyone else.

[sturginho]

How does Chase get so many wickets? He seems like a fairly innocuous spinner but he has done for Crawley first ball

He gets more against England than he does against anyone else.

That can be said of many players

[And 1 guest]

Dont think we'll see much reverse swing with a soft pitch and a green outfield. We might be seeing a fair bit of spin with the older ball.

[And 1 guest]

England run rate ensuring the fifth day crowd get their money's worth

[Un Pilier]

isn't OT supposed to be a quick track, by English standards at least? If so, we'll somehow be playing on it without either of our established quick bowlers. Hope they don't instead play the seam attack that perhaps we should have had at the Rose Bowl.

Yes it is. Wood is rested from the squad as is Jimmy Anderson. So it’s going to be Broad, Woakes and Curran unless they take a flier on the uncapped Robinson. They had shown faith in Archer which is why his apparent irresponsibility is particularly galling

It is, but that just compounds what seems like odd planning. Why not pick Wood and Archer for this track above all others? At least we might then have Wood and Robinson in tandem. We'll end up with our attacks the wrong way round between RB and OT.

As it turns out, this isn’t a pitch for quicks anyway. In conditions like today / maybe tomorrow Woakes is often deadly and Curran can swing the ball pretty well.

[Longshanks]

I haven't watched any cricket a few years now, so this is not a stupid question. Is this Windies team the real deal?
It would be great to have them back at top table.

[And 1 guest]

I haven't watched any cricket a few years now, so this is not a stupid question. Is this Windies team the real deal?
It would be great to have them back at top table.

They are good. No truly great players, bar Holder who is immense in all respects. Decent attack, and a batting lineup that will regularly make a par score.

The top table? India and Oz have the players and depth to set the standard, I believe everyone else is at a lower table, but Windies are no longer in a high chair in the corner.

[Longshanks]

I haven't watched any cricket a few years now, so this is not a stupid question. Is this Windies team the real deal?
It would be great to have them back at top table.

They are good. No truly great players, bar Holder who is immense in all respects. Decent attack, and a batting lineup that will regularly make a par score.

The top table? India and Oz have the players and depth to set the standard, I believe everyone else is at a lower table, but Windies are no longer in a high chair in the corner.

Thank you for that. Im just so out of touch with the game. It's only because BBC had highlights I watched
Yes Holder looks really good.

[Biffer]

I haven't watched any cricket a few years now, so this is not a stupid question. Is this Windies team the real deal?
It would be great to have them back at top table.

They are good. No truly great players, bar Holder who is immense in all respects. Decent attack, and a batting lineup that will regularly make a par score.

The top table? India and Oz have the players and depth to set the standard, I believe everyone else is at a lower table, but Windies are no longer in a high chair in the corner.

Thank you for that. Im just so out of touch with the game. It's only because BBC had highlights I watched
Yes Holder looks really good.

They're a pretty young team as well for the most part, and there's apparently more talent coming through as well. So they'll be interesting to watch over the next few years.

I had tickets for the Edgbaston test and was really looking forward to seeing them.

[Un Pilier]

Pretty good day today for England supporters. It was never going to be hugely entertaining given the pitch and the loss of two early wickets. England ground it out to a good position though.

[Ovals]

Pretty good day today for England supporters. It was never going to be hugely entertaining given the pitch and the loss of two early wickets. England ground it out to a good position though.

Excellent day for England and a really enthralling day of test cricket. If we can see off the new ball tomorrow, we might start to benefit from some tired WI's bowlers.

Epic defensive work from Sibley - was leaving the ball really well (unlike at the Ageas !!).

[Un Pilier]

Pretty good day today for England supporters. It was never going to be hugely entertaining given the pitch and the loss of two early wickets. England ground it out to a good position though.

Excellent day for England and a really enthralling day of test cricket. If we can see off the new ball tomorrow, we might start to benefit from some tired WI's bowlers.

Epic defensive work from Sibley - was leaving the ball really well (unlike at the Ageas !!).

He was. Just the one aberration outside off stump which Holder proceeded to drop, fortunately for Sibley.

[Sandstorm]

"Archer likely to miss much more than just one Test" - Ashley Giles

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id ... hley-giles