Cricket: 2014 India tour of England, 9th July-7th September

[Challo]

Gargamel said:

spikeyhead said:

I know Cap'n Cook is having a bad run, and I know your KPs biggest fan, but remind us what KP has done in the last six months to be worthy of a place in the team. Perhaps remind us of how successful his captaincy was in the IPL

Mere details, I know he can rise to the challenge, KP never played well in dead rubbers and lesser matches, he is the man for the big stage

Sure, I know he isn'tt coming back, but what do the ECB do know, having backed Cook and made their highest scoring batsman in the Aus tour the scapegoat, what do they do now the skipper has lost his compass...

KP is about KP and that's it. He is not a team player and will do what KP wants to do. Yes he is a great batsman and can take the game away from teams but that has become less and less and often throws away his wicket when his team needs him. Not what England need right now.

I don't think Cook will stay after India unless he turns the tide but KP should not come back.

[Spiffing]

So if not Cook who?

Root - Lined up to be the next captain, but he is relatively inexperienced and just regaining form

Bell - Doesn't seem to have the right personality for the role.

Broad - Will waste all reviews on himself

Prior - His place in the team is a bit iffy anyway...

Anderson - I wouldn't say he has the character for it

Best bet for me is Morgan who isn't even in the test side!

[SydneyBridge]

That's the problem though isn't it, there is no one to replace Cook.
If there were a queue of replacements already in the team, it would be less simple. Don't want to bring anyone like root in too early.
Sadly, at the moment, Cook would not even get in the side on his playing ability

[Spiffing]

It's a real dilemma. Best bet for me if Cook doesn't improve is to get Morgan into the side and drop Cook. He has a good cricketing brain, proven by the time he spotted that Aus had too many fielders outside the circle so had his out decision overturned. He has captaincy experience as well, and averages 30ish in tests.

[Gargamel]

Slow play so far this morning, but I will take that as at least the wickets aren't falling yet. Robson looks a gritty opener, we just need to find him a decent partner.

[Gandahar]

The England bowlers need to grow really impressive hairy top lips over lunch.

Andy

[Gargamel]

In a bit of bother now.

Root needs to keep his head down, ideally still there at the close.

[BraveSirRobin]

India's batsmen & bowlers seem to be having far fewer issues with the pitch than England's. Just getting on with scoring runs & taking wickets.
Message to Cook there: the short ball is a good surprise weapon - not when there's 3 or 4 of them in an over!

[hornetrider]

Be lucky to dodge the follow on here

Jesus christ.

[BraveSirRobin]

We should go on strike until they bring in DRS

[Challo]

BraveSirRobin said:

India's batsmen & bowlers seem to be having far fewer issues with the pitch than England's. Just getting on with scoring runs & taking wickets.
Message to Cook there: the short ball is a good surprise weapon - not when there's 3 or 4 of them in an over!

Seems like India are sticking to line and length and getting the ball to move. Why couldn't England do this yesterday???

[hornetrider]

Prior's got a howler of a decision there.

[irocfan]

now I'll be the first to admit that I know the sq root of fkall about cricket so please bear this in mind with my following stupid question....

being in mind how badly things seem to have been going since the Ashes (and to be fair even during) has the ruthless self-publicist, KP, been jettisoned too early? Has he been made a scapegoat or would you happily see the end of him?

[DJRC]

Glad Im only able to follow this from afar this summer

[spikeyhead]

DJRC said:

Glad Im only able to follow this from afar this summer

I'm a little envious.

[DJRC]

Well it does appear to be the summer to.not be in Britain for the sport! I am actually back in Munich for the first weekend in 2 months this weekend. Sunday will be a blinding atmosphere!

[DJRC]

Loving the bbc txt commentary...sounding like Jimmy is seriously pissed off!

[spikeyhead]

DJRC said:

Well it does appear to be the summer to.not be in Britain for the sport! I am actually back in Munich for the first weekend in 2 months this weekend. Sunday will be a blinding atmosphere!

I was in the Netherlands for the last world cup final. Hellavu party even though the Dutch lost.

[hornetrider]

Seriously good stand from Jimmy and Root here. Potentially match saving.

[spikeyhead]

hornetrider said:

Seriously good stand from Jimmy and Root here. Potentially match saving.

It's only down to Dhoni's poor captaincy