England cricket 2023 & 2024

[DeejRC]

Opening the batting is a unique challenge. You must have the best straight bat technique possible, otherwise any flaw will be exposed.
Its why for all the talk of Root being the best English batsman, etc, etc..its absolutely the Master Chef for me. Root has done most of his damage at 4 and whinged all the time whenever he was asked to step up to 3. Chef never whinged, faced and beat them all. Put Centuries on them all.

[Challo]

Slowboathome said:

Gargamel said:

Sibley is averaging 48 in the County Game.

So what's the challenge - is it the pressure of tests, the better bowlers. Is it a flawed technique only exposed at test level, head games ...

So many factors. However the stats at least don't lie, best opener in the county game.

Personally I would stick with Crawley for the India series. See if the mood around the England camp can inspire a bit of confidence.

I think I agree with this. Crawley has a lot of talent. Just needs to soak up the positivity and work hard on flaws in his technique.

Must admit I'm still gobsmacked at the impact of Stokes in particular. I hope his body holds up and he can continue for a few years.

Listening to the pundits they all agree Crawley has the talent but is a real confidence player. its more the mental side for him as he can play the shots, but gets out when he doubts the shot he wants to play and ends up nicking one.

[Gargamel]

Another toss won and another bowl first decision.

Let’s hope Anderson has it hooping from the start.

[paulrockliffe]

Gargamel said:

Another toss won and another bowl first decision.

Let’s hope Anderson has it hooping from the start.

I'm confused. Why does it say this is the 5th test against India?

[thegreenhell]

paulrockliffe said:

I'm confused. Why does it say this is the 5th test against India?

Because it's the 5th Test against India.

Rescheduled from last year when it was cancelled when there was a Covid outbreak in the India squad (and they all conveniently rushed off to play IPL, which the 5th Test then would have prevented them from doing...).

India currently lead the series 2-1, so we have a chance to draw the series here.

[paulrockliffe]

thegreenhell said:

paulrockliffe said:

I'm confused. Why does it say this is the 5th test against India?

Because it's the 5th Test against India.

Rescheduled from last year when it was cancelled when there was a Covid outbreak in the India squad (and they all conveniently rushed off to play IPL, which the 5th Test then would have prevented them from doing...).

India currently lead the series 2-1, so we have a chance to draw the series here.

Oh right, I remember that. Didn't realise we would make them travel for just the one match, I bet they thought they'd got out of it too.

[TheAngryDog]

Jimmy has struck early.

[anonymous-user]

Interesting to see Jasprit Bumrah named as India captain, very rare to see a bowler take that role. I am pleased India sent out a recognisable Test squad to contest this match, they could easily have sent a second string team.

Decent start from England, apart from that dropped catch.

[spikeyhead]

Rain stops play, which is possibly an influence on us choosing to bowl first.

[JonChalk]

Ha ha! That's Kohli gone!

A bit unlucky, but not a great attempt to either play or leave it.

[Baron Greenback]

Not counting my chickens yet, we've still got to bat.

[Gargamel]

All going to plan so far.

[a_dreamer]

Just won £10k on that no ball by stokes. Great tip off on twitter this morning.

[Gargamel]

a_dreamer said:

Just won £10k on that no ball by stokes. Great tip off on twitter this morning.

Nice !

[anonymous-user]

Gargamel said:

a_dreamer said:

Just won £10k on that no ball by stokes. Great tip off on twitter this morning.

Nice !

I hope this isn't spot fixing!

[anonymous-user]

Pant's on fire!

[Portofino]

Newarch said:

Pant's on fire!

Sounds painful.

[thegreenhell]

What the hell was that over from Broad?

[Baron Greenback]

thegreenhell said:

What the hell was that over from Broad?

Ouch

[TheAngryDog]

thegreenhell said:

What the hell was that over from Broad?

Dog st is what it was.

New Captain, new coach, same tail ender tactics. Bouncing out tail enders rarely works. Bowl straight on a good length at the stumps and you'll get wickets.