**Official** Ireland in England 2019

[the big bambino]

One of cricket's better rules imo.

 

[aussie tragic]

Also pretty sure they've just (as in a week or so ago) changed the rules so that captains don't get banned for slow over rates anymore.

Thanks, looked it up. Doesn't come into affect until 1 August when the test championship starts (they then deduct points instead of banning)

 

[weldone]

Aside from form, Foakes's problem is that he's another lower order middle player. He's probably not a better #3 than Denly, and Bairstow and Root are reluctant to bat there. Is the upgrade from Foakes in the middle over Denly 3 worth the likely downgrade you get from Root or Bairstow batting where they're not as comfortable?

Probably yes IMO, but I don't think it's a question with an obvious answer, and Foakes's form being a bit meh is swinging it one way.

About Root - he played a terrible terrible inning in WC final. I have never seen a top player play such a clueless knock. That was the kind the current version of Dhoni would be ashamed of. Are we seeing the starting phase of a terrible form episode of Root? Will he hit rock bottom this summer?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Dunno about that as he'd been very good earlier in the tournament. Re tests his average is down to the low 49s now. He needs a huge Ashes series to avoid it dropping further ala Amla.

 

[vcs]

Root's ODI form has been great for a while, while his Test form has been middling for a player of his ability (average beefed up by a few dead rubber hundreds). Maybe captaincy is affecting his batting.

 

[Groundking]

Root's ODI form has been great for a while, while his Test form has been middling for a player of his ability (average beefed up by a few dead rubber hundreds). Maybe captaincy is affecting his batting.

This is a certainty imo.

Come on Leach show these clown top order batsmen how it's done and what the job of an opening batsmen is. See of the new ball and Murtagh and then feast.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I think having mediocre specialist batsmen around him plus allrounders/wicketkeepers hasn't helped. If the England test team had the likes of young Cook, Trott, KP, Bell etc. in the side Root would be doing much better in tests.

 

[Spintolose]

Did you see how Roy and Bairstow got out yesterday? The WC literally doesn't matter.

This year was always about the World Cup and now that's been achieved - anything else (including The Ashes) is a bonus.
The summer has already been a MASSIVE win - and made especially so because all the many haters had to STFU for once as England won essentially 4 knock-out games in a row against the best teams in the competition - including massacring the Crims in one of the most one sided semi finals ever (even though the shocking umpire tried to spin it out a bit longer) - chasing down targets on tricky pitches.

The summer is a winner. Everything else from here on in can be watched from a relaxed position - especially including this one off practice game v Ireland - which England could still win anyway (even with a tail that seemingly starts at 6).
If Ireland win - then so be it - they'll get to bleat about how they are a proper test team and want more cash to help develop their game. Cricket will be the winner and England will forget it in a day as they concentrate on The Crims.

 

[Flem274*]

*3 knock out wins

 

[cpr]

I wouldn't say the summers a winner until the Ashes are over. Lose that and it's not a success - that matters more to most cricket fans here than the World Cup, even if the person enjoys OD games.

Also, how was that only a 5 and not a 6????

 

[Spintolose]

Not sure we have another 10 wickets in us on this deck in 38 degree heat. Expecting to see a couple of centuries today.

It's hotter under those helmets.

 

[Uppercut]

Excellent tactic from England to promote someone too shite to edge it to see off the new ball.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Solved the opening problem, shove Leach up there. Gets as many runs as the usual suspects anyway.

How ironic that probably the best opener we tried since Strauss retired is Junky Hales who wouldn't get picked again.

 

[aussie tragic]

Wow, Burns averaging only 23 in 7 Tests...and here I thought Australia had opener problems

 

[Flem274*]

if ireland can put 5-10kph on mark adair and make his pitch maps slightly more consistent then he's a very good chance to be their best ever bowler. there's a proper test bowler in him, by any countries standards.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Wow, Burns averaging only 23 in 7 Tests...and here I thought Australia had opener problems

Yeah, remember the guy last summer making out Burns was going to be brilliant yet the rest of us were worried about his technique?

Seems we were right and Mr Knowitall was wrong.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

How ironic that probably the best opener we tried since Strauss retired is Junky Hales who wouldn't get picked again.

Hameed? Is he ever going to get another crack?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Hameed? Is he ever going to get another crack?

Can't score runs for Lancashire so can't see how he can get in the England team.

 

[Uppercut]

Leach has legit missed about a third of the balls he's faced. We used up all of our luck yesterday morning.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Fair enough. Are there any other decent top order players around?

And has Root decided he's a 4, not a 3?