***Official*** English Domestic Season 2008

[Manee]

How can you argue that his bowling style is not totally different?

 

[Scaly piscine]

If Jones was anywhere near close to what he was in 05 I think that attack is actually better, Panesar is definitely better than Giles and Sidebottom atm is performing better than Hogard did for a large part of his career I reckon.

Panesar is better as a bowler but as an overall package? Nah. Giles was a very good fielder at gully as well as the other things. And yea I wouldn't have picked Giles either most of the time.

 

[stumpski]

Did I hear right then - is the Sussex - Lancs game finally going to get going?

I see Surrey lost the basement battle then - staring relegation in the face now, they may need to prepare some turners for Saqi from now on. Having said that, this was like a re-run of the Old Trafford Test wth van Jaarsveld in the unlikely role of Monty.

 

[stumpski]

Well they tried to re-start, but as the players walked out back came the rain. If this is a draw and Sussex pip Lancs to the title again it would be a crying shame - they only need another hour or so.

Not that I'm tipping Sussex to win the Championship again, but these games are the ones that people always refer back to.

 

[steds]

Flintoff dropped and Colville has an orgasm.

 

[stumpski]

Flintoff is a high-class pinch-hitter, can see him enjoying hmself now the bowlers have had their initial burst.

No Mushtaq available for Sussex.

 

[Richard]

Did I hear right then - is the Sussex - Lancs game finally going to get going?

I see Surrey lost the basement battle then - staring relegation in the face now, they may need to prepare some turners for Saqi from now on. Having said that, this was like a re-run of the Old Trafford Test wth van Jaarsveld in the unlikely role of Monty.

Nah, MSP could only dream about scoring an unbeaten century in both innings.

Seriously - there can't have been many more impressive all-round efforts than that, in the history of First-Class cricket.

Unbeaten century to keep your team's head above water, five-for to bring them back into the game, then another unbeaten century to mastermind the run-chase.

As I said - I just hope van Jaarsveld bowls a bit more from now to the end of his career.

 

[Langeveldt]

Flintoff dropped and Colville has an orgasm.

Maximo Park > Charles Colville

 

[stumpski]

Pressure's all off for Lancs now (and the sun has come out). At 16-2 they had to exercise a degree of caution, but the runs are coming nicely atm. Flintoff on the brink of 50.

 

[fredfertang]

So Lanky get the rub of the green weather wise!!!

Could the wait be a mere 74 years?

I dont suppose so but the dream is on again

 

[open365]

How can you argue that his bowling style is not totally different?

Beause it isn't, he bowls the same as he did 3 years ago, maybe there are some subtle differences but his overall action is basicaly the same.

Glad to see Flintoff back in the runs, but Mal Loye's recent form and fitness is very worrying for Lancashire.

 

[GIMH]

Looks like Flintoff hit the ball well, sure enough he needed a chance to get his score, but we all know that a decent score with a drop can turn a player's confidence right round. Here's hoping. And nice win, obv.

 

[superkingdave]

Lol, what a difference a game makes, now second in the table...remarkably close still though, 16 points between second and last.

 

[tooextracool]

All true. My thoughts, in no particular order:
1. Jones & Fred as part of a 4-man attack raises questions over whether we should play a spinner in every game.
2. We really need to be getting more overs from our part-time bowlers. Talking of which, what on earth happened to Bell's bowling?
3. I wonder how long it will be before we're looking at a keeper batting at 6 followed by Fred, Broad, & the other 3 bowlers.

I cannot honestly see how a 4 man attack comprised of Jones, Fred, Sidebottom and Broad/Panesar is going to work. Essentially such an attack is a recipe for disaster given how injury prone Jones nd Fred are. As it stands I cant see Jones ever being able to bowl long spells and i guess the same can be said about Flintoff. Id much prefer option 3 with Ambrose batting at 6, Flintoff at 7 and Broad at 8 at this point.

 

[tooextracool]

Panesar is definitely better than Giles.

I think on a turner, I would absolutely any day of the week take Giles ahead of Panesar. Panesar on a non-turner for sure.

 

[wpdavid]

I cannot honestly see how a 4 man attack comprised of Jones, Fred, Sidebottom and Broad/Panesar is going to work. Essentially such an attack is a recipe for disaster given how injury prone Jones nd Fred are. As it stands I cant see Jones ever being able to bowl long spells and i guess the same can be said about Flintoff. Id much prefer option 3 with Ambrose batting at 6, Flintoff at 7 and Broad at 8 at this point.

Ambrose at 6 would be a huge leap of faith, even though he could hardly score less runs than Collingwood has lately. I think someone who matters will fancy Prior in that position before too long, and we'll all hold our breath whenever one of the other sides' batsmen nicks one.

Totally take your point about Fred & Jones as part of a four-man attack. It would be less problematical if we got more out of our batsmen-who-can-bowl.

 

[Richard]

Prior should not keep wicket in a Test again.

 

[wpdavid]

Prior should not keep wicket in a Test again.

Agreed. But I think it may happen if Ambrose has a poor series against SA.

 

[Richard]

I damn well hope not, Prior was left-out because his wicketkeeping wasn't good enough and precisely zero has changed.

If Ambrose has a poor series against SA - far from OOTQ, I might add - I seriously hope James Foster is the next in line.

If, of course, they don't decide Steven Davies is ready by then. And pending his current season, I'm beginning to think the time would nearly be ripe myself.

 

[open365]

I cannot honestly see how a 4 man attack comprised of Jones, Fred, Sidebottom and Broad/Panesar is going to work. Essentially such an attack is a recipe for disaster given how injury prone Jones nd Fred are. As it stands I cant see Jones ever being able to bowl long spells and i guess the same can be said about Flintoff. Id much prefer option 3 with Ambrose batting at 6, Flintoff at 7 and Broad at 8 at this point.

Ambrose at 6 would be a total disaster, he's clearly not a good enough player to bat higher than 7 in tests.