***Official*** 2nd Test at Adelaide

[GotSpin]

I reckon we'll run through them tonight if Root keeps playing like this

 

[Top_Cat]

Those bagging Root for driving, you don’t honestly expect he just leaves them do you? This is exactly what a leftie who swings them back is supposed to be doing, make the decision whether to leave or play hard and, especially with a bloke at Starc’s pace, it’s really hard. Imagine the shitstorm if he shoulders arms and has his off-peg bent.

 

[Gob]

Game over next session?

 

[Starfighter]

Remember, don’t let ‘em under your skin. Then you will win and bring that urn back.

Or something like that?

I was thinking of Jimi Hendrix, dunno if that fits.

Those bagging Root for driving, you don’t honestly expect he just leaves them do you? This is exactly what a leftie who swings them back is supposed to be doing, make the decision whether to leave or play hard and, especially with a bloke at Starc’s pace, it’s really hard. Imagine the shitstorm if he shoulders arms and has his off-peg bent.

Except when the ball's angling well across and is in no danger whatsoever of hitting the stumps this doesn't apply. And he's not moving them much.

 

[Zinzan]

If he's scoring more runs at a better ave how is that not the best thing for the team?

C'mon, do I really need to answer that Adders? Think about it. He might average a couple of runs less batting at 3, but in doing so allows the strong English middle-order to flourish and hence improve the teams overall average score,

As I said, If England had a cracking no.3 there'd be no need, but when their strength is their middle order, as it currently is, it becomes kind of obvious to me.

 

[Adders]

Have you any idea how ****ed cricket is?? Had a busy afternoon at work so hadn't checked the score since the Aussies were out........just as I was leaving work I looked and was very happy to see 52/0, get home turn on the TV and see the second wicket fall for 54...........**** off you ****s.

It's the hope that kills ya.......every time.

 

[Top_Cat]

All too easy from the couch innit.

 

[Cow]

Letting Shaun Marsh, a county player at best, score a century will end up costing England this game.

 

[Zinzan]

Letting Shaun Marsh, a county player at best, score a century will end up costing England this game.

I'm no Marsh fan. but that's a tad harsh isn't it? .

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

I was thinking of Jimi Hendrix, dunno if that fits.

Oh yeah, good one! Hendrix ftw.

 

[Gnske]

My only objection to Root not being at three is consider who is there in his stead.

Consider who Kohli and Smith have, they don't really have to go to 3.

 

[Starfighter]

C'mon, do I really need to answer that Adders? Think about it. He might average a couple of runs less batting at 3, but in doing so allows the strong English middle-order to flourish and hence improve the teams overall average score,

As I said, If England had a cracking no.3 there'd be no need, but when their strength is their middle order, as it currently is, it becomes kind of obvious to me.

Is England's middle order really that strong? You're forgetting Malan's at five. And when Stokes comes back Overton goes presumably.

 

[Zinzan]

My only objection to Root not being at three is consider who is there in his stead.

Consider who Kohli and Smith have, they don't really have to go to 3.

Precisely. Williamson would probably score more runs at a better average at no. 4,with that little bit more protection, but who else could bat 3 for NZ..

 

[Gob]

Letting Shaun Marsh, a county player at best, score a century will end up costing England this game.

Keep the excuses coming

 

[Spark]

Smith also bats 3 when Khawaja isn't in the side tbf

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Precisely. Williamson would probably score more runs at a better average at no. 4,with that little bit more protection, but who else could bat 3 for NZ..

Taylor. Or does he prefer 4? Either way it wouldn’t really make much difference as they are both proven international batsmen. England on the other hand are too prone to collapsing, so Root at 4 adds strength down the order.

 

[morgieb]

Smith also bats 3 when Khawaja isn't in the side tbf

Yeah exactly, if Khawaja wasn't a specialist top order player Smith would be the 3.

IMO given that Root started his career opening, he shouldn't have too many issues batting 3 and I think he needs to take one for the team given England's lack of quality middle-order options. Though if there's a significant difference between his average at 3 than his at 4, then he should stay 4.

 

[Zinzan]

Smith also bats 3 when Khawaja isn't in the side tbf

A reason I never jumped on the 'Selfish Sachin - protecting himself at 4'.bandwagon. He had Dravid at 3 for most of his career.

 

[Spark]

Taylor. Or does he prefer 4? Either way it wouldn’t really make much difference as they are both proven international batsmen. England on the other hand are too prone to collapsing, so Root at 4 adds strength down the order.

Taylor is a much better fit for 4 than 3 imo, swapping those two wouldn't work at all.

 

[Spark]

A reason I never jumped on the 'Selfish Sachin - protecting himself at 4'.bandwagon. He had Dravid at 3 for most of his career.

Yeah but the team would often contrive ways to not send him out at 3 even when it was the obvious option because Dravid had been pushed up to open. Sending out Laxman, a new Pujara, nightwatchman etc. It got a bit silly.