Cricket

[Baz]

To mention KPs misdemeanours is fine, but no one is raising the actions of others in the English dressing room at the last Ashes, where various team members where taking control of a Twitter account slagging KP off.

It's too late for his return now given his age. Also every credit to the English team, but you have to offset that too against that this has to be the poorest touring Aussie team for decades.

I still maintain they should have behaved like professionals, put the past behind them, and got the best team on the pitch. Root and Cook aside, KP is a better bet than any of the other batsmen.

[onlyonejackwalker]

Al is correct. Disgraceful that KP was overlooked. Yes we have got away with it but only just. Lyth, Bell, Stokes and Butler have all struggled at times, Cook has been average and only Root and Ali have performed consistently. Lyth needs dropping due to pathetic shot selection, as Jim says about Butler get your bat and pad together. With wickets, catches and sporadic runs Stokes has contributed and Bell came good in the last test but Lyth needs to go now.

You'd play two spinners at the Oval Chaddy? On the hardest, fastest, bounciest pitch in England? Righty o. Can't see it myself.

[Al]

Chaddy has a bee in his bonnet about Rashid and just like his relentless criticism of Robbo he will pursue it until we are all sick of it or until he gets picked.

[Mattyblue]

In the Greame Swann era the Oval was often dry and partial to turn. But as spin is obviously not our best suit these days, I doubt the ECB would want to go down that road.

Buttler needs to remember what got him picked in the first place. His keeping has improved markedly but it was for his aggressive lower order batting that got him the nod.

[Gav]

In the Greame Swann era the Oval was often dry and partial to turn. But as spin is obviously not our best suit these days, I doubt the ECB would want to go down that road.

Buttler needs to remember what got him picked in the first place. His keeping has improved markedly but it was for his aggressive lower order batting that got him the nod.

Butler needs to learn how to play a few defensive shots at Test level, its not all about knocking he paint of the ball, at times you need to dig in and occupy the crease at this level.

[onlyonejackwalker]

Swann could bowl on anything and was world class. I can't remember an Oval wicket ever being prepared specifically for spin.

England have played two spinners all summer. Neither suitable in the traditional sense. Both have taken crucial wickets this series however.

[AllRoverAsia]

Butler needs to learn how to play a few defensive shots at Test level, its not all about knocking he paint of the ball, at times you need to dig in and occupy the crease at this level.

Very true and he's not the only one and it's not specific to English batsmen. The main reason why it's becoming difficult to visualise Test matches lasting a full five days or indeed ending in many draws. I appreciate that's the same thing really. The influence of ODI and even more so T20 on the modern day batsman's approach.

Edited August 10, 2015 by AllRoverAsia

[jim mk2]

Swann could bowl on anything and was world class. I can't remember an Oval wicket ever being prepared specifically for spin.

England have played two spinners all summer. Neither suitable in the traditional sense. Both have taken crucial wickets this series however.

Que ?

[Mattyblue]

Butler needs to learn how to play a few defensive shots at Test level, its not all about knocking he paint of the ball, at times you need to dig in and occupy the crease at this level.

Of course, but he is attempting to be too circumspect, poking around for 30 balls and then getting out.

Look at Stokes for an example of an aggressive batsman in limited overs adapting his game for Tests whilst still keeping the score moving.

[AllRoverAsia]

Que ?

Ali & Root??

[jim mk2]

Ali & Root??

Root's a net bowler !

[AllRoverAsia]

Root's a net bowler !

Yes indeed - so who is the other spin bowler that OOJW is on about? Root has had a bowl this Test season and taken wickets.

Also Ali is a batmen who can bowl a bit.

We haven't played a specialist spinner yet.

[chaddyrovers]

Chaddy has a bee in his bonnet about Rashid and just like his relentless criticism of Robbo he will pursue it until we are all sick of it or until he gets picked.

Not at All Al but yet again you just resist but have a dig.

I would play Rashid at the Oval and we will need 2 spinners in the UAE when we play Pakistan.

I think Rashid is a better spinner than Ali thats is all

[ABBEY]

Can't resist a dig ?You were snidy rude and digging at anyone who is less of a fan than you last night .

Edited August 10, 2015 by ABBEY

[Baz]

Having listened to the Ashes aftermath on TV Nasser Hussain was suggesting playing 2 spinners so that Rashid can be tested before the games against Pakistan in the UAE.

Whilst I understand his point, I think we should push for 4-1 and keeping the team together.

Chaddy, are you going to accuse anyone who disagrees with you of having a go, or can we actually just have a discussion?

[chaddyrovers]

I would take 3 spinners to the Uae and play 2 of there

My spinners would be Rashid, Ali and Riley.

[MCMC1875]

Rishton CC, founded in 1865, celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, a full 10 years older than Rovers.

Edited August 10, 2015 by MCMC1875

[Al]

Can't resist a dig ?You were snidy rude and digging at anyone who is less of a fan than you last night .

He always is Abs and " Not at all " followed by a repeat is not a discussion. It's just " I am right " and will be repeated until Rashid get's selected. Whether Rashid is the better bowler of not is an item for discussion and we may have them both in the Uae but at the moment, Root apart, the batting lineup is so weak that Moeen Ali is essential for his batting alone.

[ABBEY]

And then some random words

That it I'm ignored you

[onlyonejackwalker]

Yes indeed - so who is the other spin bowler that OOJW is on about? Root has had a bowl this Test season and taken wickets.

Also Ali is a batmen who can bowl a bit.

We haven't played a specialist spinner yet.

Both Ali and Root have bowled spin for England this series and taken wickets. That adds up to two.

Call Root a net bowler if you like. Compared to Swan so is Ali. Still taken vital wickets and more importantly in this series both have scored runs when under pressure.

The reason we have not picked a specialist spinner this series is they are not good enough.

Beat Australia 4-1 and we go 2nd in the rankings. And our best ever home Ashes result. Has to be the target for me.

If Haddon catches Root on zero in the first test we would have gone 2-0 down. Small margins at top level sport.

[AllRoverAsia]

jim mk2 called called Root a

Both Ali and Root have bowled spin for England this series and taken wickets. That adds up to two.

Call Root a net bowler if you like. Compared to Swan so is Ali. Still taken vital wickets and more importantly in this series both have scored runs when under pressure.

The reason we have not picked a specialist spinner this series is they are not good enough.

Beat Australia 4-1 and we go 2nd in the rankings. And our best ever home Ashes result. Has to be the target for me.

If Haddon catches Root on zero in the first test we would have gone 2-0 down. Small margins at top level sport.

Someone else called Root a net bowler not me. I was explaining why Root was the other spin bowler with Ali.

I totally agree with focusing on beating the Aussies in the 5th Test so would go unchanged apart from Andersen for Wood if Jimmy is fully fit. Lyth is struggling but I think with stay at 2 for now.

Anything else can wait for the Tests v Pakistan.

IMO

[onlyonejackwalker]

jim mk2 called called Root a

Someone else called Root a net bowler not me. I was explaining why Root was the other spin bowler with Ali.

I totally agree with focusing on beating the Aussies in the 5th Test so would go unchanged apart from Andersen for Wood if Jimmy is fully fit. Lyth is struggling but I think with stay at 2 for now.

Anything else can wait for the Tests v Pakistan.

IMO

Wasn't having a pop .

Fully agree. Last time we went to of the world rankings we got tanked 3-0 by Pakistan.

They are unbeaten in their adopted home in UAE. Fresh strategy required.

The Aussies would try and hurt us physcologically. They finished a few careers beating us 5-0. We've already got rid of Clarke who still averages over 50 as captain. Rogers is retiring let's send him off with as little as possible. The Marsh lads are as good as done for as is Watson. Haddin as well. Need to get after that crap off spinner, Siddle or the other medium pacer as well. Keep the pressure on Neville and really target Smith with everything we've got. There's no room for sentiment and I hope we batter them again.

Lyth has to go. I'd bank on four or five lads making at least 20 over 2 innings so it's worth the gamble for me. Tough job opening at International level. Need a good technique and half a brain with shot selection. If it's two foot outside off stump leave it alone!!

[jim mk2]

The Aussies would try and hurt us physcologically. They finished a few careers beating us 5-0. We've already got rid of Clarke who still averages over 50 as captain. Rogers is retiring let's send him off with as little as possible. The Marsh lads are as good as done for as is Watson. Haddin as well. Need to get after that crap off spinner, Siddle or the other medium pacer as well. Keep the pressure on Neville and really target Smith with everything we've got. There's no room for sentiment and I hope we batter them again.

Lyth has to go. I'd bank on four or five lads making at least 20 over 2 innings so it's worth the gamble for me. Tough job opening at International level. Need a good technique and half a brain with shot selection. If it's two foot outside off stump leave it alone!!

Correct. Rub their noses in it, especially Smith, the next captain. But this is England - we're too nice. I'd keep Lyth one last time.

[Husky]

Anyone heading down Kent on Saturday for the T20 Quarter-Final?

It will be more than a welcome distraction from that "football" @#/? going on.

[matt83]

Anyone heading down Kent on Saturday for the T20 Quarter-Final?

It will be more than a welcome distraction from that "football" @#/? going on.

5 of us heading down. Quite looking forward to. Hopefully the rain will keep away. Either way it'll be better than the dross at Huddersfield.