English Domestic Season 2011

[Scaly piscine]

So Lancashire managed to bat out a grand total of 65.3 overs in that match. Hilarious. Their batting is **** anyway so god only knows why they keep packing their lineup with more bowling. Also Mahmood batting ahead of Hogg is just bone-headed.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Oh and in other news Borthwick takes a 5-fer. Unusual to see him get so many overs, although not nearly as many as the Panesar. Who was wicketless. Still maybe Durham won't enforce the follow-on and he can chip in with some highly vital declaration chase scalps.

 

[OMM!]

So who will England take as their 2nd (or possibly 3rd spinner too) to the subcontinent this Winter?

- Panesar hasn't taken a stack full of wickets, but every time he bowls he seems to go for about 2 an over and no-one can get him off the square. Do we need a containing spinner?
- Briggs impressed in what will probably be similar conditions in the West Indies last Winter, while he's played on big turning pitches at the Rose Bowl, often outbowling Tahir.
- Patel showed his batting ability yesterday and despite being tonked for 3 sixes by Dravid, showed enough to suggest his bowling is competant at International level.
- Borthwick is the new spin kid on the block and he already has a FC ton this year and can seemingly bat anywhere from 1-9 in the order?! Takes wickets, but is very expensive!

I'd definitely take 1 of Patel or Borthwick. We definitely need the option of a spinner who can bat if needs be. Patel seems the obvious choice for me. While Panesar is an absolute must, mainly because you know what you will get from him and he will offer a threat to the righties, which Swann doesn't offer as much!

 

[Prince EWS]

So who will England take as their 2nd (or possibly 3rd spinner too) to the subcontinent this Winter?

- Panesar hasn't taken a stack full of wickets, but every time he bowls he seems to go for about 2 an over and no-one can get him off the square. Do we need a containing spinner?
- Briggs impressed in what will probably be similar conditions in the West Indies last Winter, while he's played on big turning pitches at the Rose Bowl, often outbowling Tahir.
- Patel showed his batting ability yesterday and despite being tonked for 3 sixes by Dravid, showed enough to suggest his bowling is competant at International level.
- Borthwick is the new spin kid on the block and he already has a FC ton this year and can seemingly bat anywhere from 1-9 in the order?! Takes wickets, but is very expensive!

I'd definitely take 1 of Patel or Borthwick. We definitely need the option of a spinner who can bat if needs be. Patel seems the obvious choice for me. While Panesar is an absolute must, mainly because you know what you will get from him and he will offer a threat to the righties, which Swann doesn't offer as much!

I reckon Patel has to go. He's not really a frontline specialist spinner - not at Test level anyway - but I don't think dropping a seamer is really feasible regardless of the conditions. The spinner would have to come in for Morgan and I'd be happier with Patel batting six and playing as the fifth bowler than moving everyone up one and sliding Monty into #11. I'd probably take Monty as well though just in case Swann got injured.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I reckon Patel has to go. He's not really a frontline specialist spinner - not at Test level anyway - but I don't think dropping a seamer is really feasible regardless of the conditions. The spinner would have to come in for Morgan and I'd be happier with Patel batting six and playing as the fifth bowler than moving everyone up one and sliding Monty into #11. I'd probably take Monty as well though just in case Swann got injured.

Why would you drop Morgan when he is one of the best players of spin in the side?

 

[Prince EWS]

Why would you drop Morgan when he is one of the best players of spin in the side?

Because I think he's crap, basically.

I'd only do it if I find myself in a situation where I really, really, really wanted two spin options playing; I'd not bother changing the side at all otherwise. The only other real option would be dropping Bresnan for Panesar and running with just the two seamers, which I feel would be pretty ridiculous.

 

[OMM!]

Well Australia showed today, on a turning pitch, you only need 1 spinner if that spinner bowls well!

If England are only playing 1 spinner, do they need to take a Patel as well as a Panesar? Or would you want him there as insurance if we went 0-1 down and needed a 5th bowler?

 

[Howe_zat]

I'm really quite sceptical of whether Patel will be able to make an impact with the ball in Tests, especially against Sri Lanka or Pakistan on their own turf. Since he doesn't get in for his batting either, I'd be very uncomfortable having him in the 5-day side. (And I speak as a regular advocate of playing 5 bowlers.)

 

[Scaly piscine]

Yea I don't really see Patel as a Test player.

His batting is far too loose and I just don't see his bowling being a real factor. Obviously his fitness/fielding/running etc. is poor as well. I'd sooner see Borthwick there than Patel. I think Borthwick and Panesar should be on tour. Borthwick would be a 5-bowler option and Donkey a 4-bowler/2 spinner option or if Swann gets injured.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Oh and why the hell do teams get a bowling point for taking 3 wickets in 110 overs. That's pathetic. It's like giving a batting point for a team scoring 100.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Because I think he's crap, basically.

I'd only do it if I find myself in a situation where I really, really, really wanted two spin options playing; I'd not bother changing the side at all otherwise. The only other real option would be dropping Bresnan for Panesar and running with just the two seamers, which I feel would be pretty ridiculous.

To be fair I am far from convinced about Morgan and think he will get found out and dropped next summer by West Indies and South Africa's pace attacks. Having said that, he can play spin and seeing as the pitches in both tours will probably favour spin then he should play. I'd prefer blooding Taylor now but if it was a choice of Morgan/Bopara or Patel i'd go Morgan every single time.

 

[Mr Popodopolous]

Looks like a pretty normal outing by Leicestershire. They are rock bottom of the Championship, are they not?

They are bottom but even so I think after things went belly up in the CC they may have prioritised 20/20 and aren't massively bothered about other forms after winning it- or drained, after Lord Mayor's Show etc.

 

[Riggins]

Hey guys,

Going to be in London next week, would there be any games on there Tues/Wed/Thurs??

 

[MW1304]

Hey guys,

Going to be in London next week, would there be any games on there Tues/Wed/Thurs??

Essex vs Surrey at Chelmsford. Starts Weds 7th-10th.

Think that's the only one, I'm afraid.

 

[Riggins]

Essex vs Surrey at Chelmsford. Starts Weds 7th-10th.

Think that's the only one, I'm afraid.

Cheers bud, think it seems too far away lol.

 

[MW1304]

Cheers bud, think it seems too far away lol.

Its about the same distance from central London as where I live, I think. 30 minute train?

Only if you can be bothered though.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Ah well even if we collapse we will have something to bowl at. Not that it will matter, still going to lose.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Donkey will be gutted about only getting two declaration chase wickets, most of the overs being bowled by Nash (because of left handed bats I guess). God only knows why Mustard has decided to bat til tea. If you can't defend 500+ in 4 sessions then you don't deserve the 3 largely worthless points Durham will get for a draw. 450 with 4 and a bit sessions was enough, Durham need to win.

 

[zaremba]

i think borthwick and panesar should be on tour.

You heard it here first.

 

[zaremba]

Yardy's a more reliable bowler, which is what you want from a 5th bowler really.

First he picks Panesar, now he's bigging up Yardy's bowling. Someone must have hacked into Scaly's account.