England Test Cricket Thread - Summer 2016

[Gargamel]

Morning All

Best part of Summer coming up, three test against the Lankan's and four against Pakistan.

England still searching for the right batting line up, an opener and a proper three.

Any views on selection ?

[Gargamel]

No one interested, I find that hard to believe

Sri Lanka confirm no Prasad for them, that is a big loss.

Jimmy A says this isn't his last summer for England - good news.

Vince or Compton ?

[Gargamel]

Thinking of a sporting bet on Root to make 1000 runs in all internationals this summer.

I.E. tests and One dayers/ 20/20

Might try to find odds for that

[Gargamel]

Cook just 36 test runs away from the 10,000 club. Much as I have criticised Cook over the years for his cautious approach and dull captaincy.

You can't knock a guy with that kind of weight of runs behind him.

How many innings will he need now to get over the line....Headingly not easy to open on. Hope he gets there first one up.

[Gargamel]

So here we go, England batting, as it should be. Cook off and running, Sri Lanka only here for the shopping and to make up the numbers, easy win I predict, 350+ for our first innings. Jimmy A to wreck them in their reply.

Root Century.

[Gargamel]

I am not worried. Plenty of batting to come.

Shame for Root though, Compton got a lovely ball

[Gargamel]

hornetrider said:

Jesus Christ. I blame Gargsy.

Even Jesus is blaming me too....

Well I am not worried. Hales for a double and Bairstow for a 120 ish

Anyway, seen the forecast...we literally can't lose this one

[Gargamel]

Good grinding this morning, keep going lads, Hales playing against type, which is good to see and goes along way to deflecting criticism of his normal bish bash bosh approach.

270+ will be fine for this match

[Gargamel]

hornetrider said:

Mea culpa.

FFS.

Too funny HR.

[Gargamel]

A bright spot in an ocean of mediocrity in this innings

[Gargamel]

Into the tail

Broad and Jimmy...Our most reliable

[Gargamel]

Jimmy A unplayable in these conditions. Ball on a string. He really is the best in the world when it comes to swing. Herath didn't have a clue there.

[Gargamel]

hornetrider said:

Satisfactory.

Hmmm I arrived.

[Gargamel]

Jimmy A picking up where he left off yesterday. One down already -

That's victim 439 for Jimmy...

[Gargamel]

Men against boys.

Like said. They are only here for the shopping.

Jimmy A unplayable.

[Gargamel]

Right I assume we are all fired up and ready for the next massacre Test vs Sri Lanka at Chester Le Street.

English Pundits are not giving the Lankan's a prayer, and Vaughan is calling for two division of Test Cricket.

Don't think Sri Lanka will bat as badly again, and at least this time we have given them Woakes to hit in the interests of sporting fairness.

Hope he proves me wrong, but I don't think Woakes is Test class, and frankly even if he gets a hatful here, it won't clear that question until he has done it against some better opposition. Would have preferred to see a new kid in the team.

[Gargamel]

Well a decent score in the end. Well done Ali. Too much for these boys I think.

[Gargamel]

I used to go to test matches, but that was when tickets where £40 or £50 for a decent seat in the mound stand or Warner at Lords. Now it is £95

plus travel and inevitable champagne bill, it's getting toward £250 for the day out.

Tickets prices too high for these lesser teams.

[Gargamel]

Murph7355 said:

Pretty sure Lords are still sold out though...

hh


Sure it does, but that's because you can still take your own booze, and the corporate hospitality.

Not sure Sri Lanka would sell it out though....

[Gargamel]

Well almost certainly need to bat, best option for England now is a bit of weather, some damper conditions, new ball and Broad and Anderson coming back on.

Ali, just isn't good enough against settled batsman.