Hurricane
Hall of Fame Member
Indeed. It hurts our chances.Well that's a shame.
Indeed. It hurts our chances.Well that's a shame.
I think Boult and Southee should be fine anyway because they'll relish the conditions. It'll hurt the batsmen more... KW, Anderson and McCullum going in with 0 preparation is bad.Indeed. It hurts our chances.
According to Rossco in the article on the previous page"It's not ideal, but it is what it is. We did it in the West Indies [last year] and the players who came from the IPL went straight in and were very successful. We won the first test.
Generally agree with the post, but I'm gonna say no to this one. Yeah, Southee had a distinctly chequered World Cup, but it shouldn't be forgotten that he bowled extremely well at times, and not just in the England game. He was dreadfully unlucky not to get at least one wicket in his opening spell against SAF in the sf. Likewise, while he was a bit more hit and miss, he still bowled well to pick up a couple of important wickets in the group game v Aus. And his new ball bowling in the IPL has been just sublime. Now obviously that has to be taken with a big chunk of salt, but when you see him going past the edge two or three times an over in the power play, you know he's finding some rhythm. In a situation where the ball holds its shine for more than 4 overs, I think he might suddenly spring back into regular wicket-taking form.Anderson's been Anderson'n, and Broad's usually a beast at home and their home ground advantage and experience with the Duke shades them over Boult & Southee at this stage (especially since Southee has been as out of sorts as Broad).
Not sure about this either. Woakes looked really quite excellent in English conditions against India last summer. If England pick him, then I reckon he'll cause our guys plenty of problems. Our best bet to match him is probably Henry, but as good as Henry has been it's a lot to expect him to come in and start taking wickets straight away - especially given that he'll have spent the month in the lead up to the first test sitting on his arse for the Super Kings.Third seamer remains to be seen for both sides but I have a feeling whoever we pick will be better than whoever England pick.
Good post and a good read. Thanks for that.On England: beware a wounded animal and all that. On the opening front things will be fairly square. Cook is an English ATG and recently hit a tonne with his captaincy, and despite that 100, there are still clouds that will hang over him. Even so, it'd be fair to say Cook>Latham, the latter with much to prove after solid debut away tours but quiet home series. For the second spot, it's even stevens with England either having to debut someone new (Lyth) or go back to someone else, which is the position we're in. Lyth would have the advantage of the unknown about him, though (assuming he's the choice) Guptill has recent form for some confidence at least.
Middle order is interesting. I just don't rate Ballance and he's going to be found out this English summer IMO. I'd take Kane over him any day. Bell and Taylor is an interesting one. Bell is hot and cold while Taylor has been in a bit of a visual funk in terms of his batting. 2014 was a lean year in Tests, and I wonder how he's preparing for this series. Even there, for mine.
Root is one of England's bright points, and IMHO will probably outscore McCullum and be a major thorn in our progression through the wickets, as he'll most likely come in to an olderish ball against Seamer #3 & Craig and have more chance at survival.
6 is a bit open as ??? will CJ be fit and who will replace him, and wtf is going on with England and their 6, 7 & 8? It's insulting to all concerned really as Stokes is a better batsman than Ali who himself is what - batting all-rounder or spinner who can bat? The indecision over it places Buttler in a tough spot because he needs to be able to work with the tail which would be easier if he has Ali coming in after him in a buffer to the numpties than coming in at 8.
Anderson's been Anderson'n, and Broad's usually a beast at home and their home ground advantage and experience with the Duke shades them over Boult & Southee at this stage (especially since Southee has been as out of sorts as Broad). Third seamer remains to be seen for both sides but I have a feeling whoever we pick will be better than whoever England pick. Craig will probably bowl 2 to 3 times as many overs Ali and should do better.
I think it's 60-40 in our favour.
You should advertise yourself as a bowling consultant and make a fortune then, because it doesn't appear to be obvious to Test bowlers.It's very, very, very obvious where sides should be bowling to him to both get him out and choke up his scoring, and that's always a bad sign.
Yes, Indian, Sri Lankan and West Indian bowlers, known for their consistency in sticking to a bowling plan. Also stats r lyfe and your batting average after 10 Tests clearly means everything.You should advertise yourself as a bowling consultant and make a fortune then, because it doesn't appear to be obvious to Test bowlers.