Cricket (part dix)

[macstheman]

Also a reflection of a flat wicket but well done Root and Stokes.
I was always happy to pick up a century under whatever circumstances!
What the Windies do will tell us more but we can't complain so keep up the good work England!

[ramAnag]

Any port in a storm for me. After two years of Covid, the Ashes, the DCFC shambles and now fo okin’ Putin...if England are doing okay in the cricket somewhere it brightens my day. Keep up the good work is all I can say...you can only beat what’s in front of you.

[ramAnag]

Spoke too soon.

[macstheman]

You can always rely on England rA!!
Crap will win out!!
Well done Windies you can only beat what's in front of you, ignore the fact that it's Roots shower of excrement!! You done well, let's hope you can build on this. International cricket seems much better with a strong Windies side!

[Ramshank72]

Agree, I'd love to see the WIndies leading test cricket again. Sadly, I see a few more years of pain for England. The pundits keep talking about technique and coaching the basics - I disagree. I seriously doubt that any professional coach is not teaching people a forward defence, I equally doubt that there is any lack of ability of professional cricketers to play a forward defence. The issue is a mental one, our players are mentally weak with the bat, they don't have the mental ability to stick around and accumulate runs at a steady pace. They seem to be all or nothing, Ben Stokes being a great example. He can block the ball for 10-20 overs no problem at all, but he won't score during this period. Alternatively, he can hit 50 in 4 overs (very useful to have in your mid order). But Root, seems to be the only batsman that can stay in for pro-longed periods and still pick up runs - the rest just don't seem to have the mental compacity to be comfortable doing so.
This isn't going to change overnight, and I don't, unfortunately, see the ability in the current crop.
Massive shame, because I feel our bowlers are fantastic.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Conversely Ive been deeply disappointed in our bowlers this series, Mahmood apart who looks like he could hack it at this level. Woales still cant play away from England, Leach gets wickets but takes an eternity to pick them up, Overton isnt good enough at Test level.

If we ever get Wood, Archer and Robinson fit then they should form the future, with Stokes and AN Other

[ramAnag]

So...do we continue with Root as captain, because he’s our only world class player, or pick a better captain in the way Mike Brearley was chosen...not the greatest player but an excellent tactician? Having asked that...I’ve no idea who might fit the bill.

[Ramshank72]

Who else would always be on the team sheet? Not much choice unfortunately, not that I see it making any difference.

[Geoff Parkstone]

So...do we continue with Root as captain, because he’s our only world class player, or pick a better captain in the way Mike Brearley was chosen...not the greatest player but an excellent tactician? Having asked that...I’ve no idea who might fit the bill.

Get your pads out rA, your country needs you. And just to be sure all is OK, you can get your headset on at second slip and Swale could tell you what to do. A true Cronje /Woolmer retro feel to that

[macstheman]

Root says we are doing a lot of things right??
We are bottom of the International Test Championship with only one win in 17 games, what's he on??!!
Time for a change if only to freshen things up!!