2nd Test, Lord's, London

[StephenZA]

Problem with this field to Smith is England are having a bob each way. I think they need to pick a side of the field and focus on it. Either stick to full outside off and stack the off side, or focus on attacking the stumps but put 5 men on the leg side to restrict the easy singles

Isn't the current argument you bowl 5th 6th stump, but place the field protecting the leg side for when he shuffles across and flicks it?

 

[Starfighter]

England have bowled too short this morning.

 

[fredfertang]

Need to have a look at Leach now - c'mon Joe

 

[quincywagstaff]

I think Smith's troubles in Bangladesh were more to do with mental fatigue from hitting three hundreds in India than anything the Deshis were doing.

There was a 5 month gap between the tours. A more likely reason perhaps was the industrial action that occurred between the tours.

 

[Spark]

Compared to his record against all other bowling I'd say it's a pretty big weakness. And with regards to spin, it's not like he's had major problems against other types of highly regarded spinners.

Let me put it this way, it would be a really bad reason in selection to choose the worse overall bowler against Smith just because he's SLA.

 

[Spark]

Isn't the current argument you bowl 5th 6th stump, but place the field protecting the leg side for when he shuffles across and flicks it?

AKA how you should bowl at most batsmen in history.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Isn't the current argument you bowl 5th 6th stump, but place the field protecting the leg side for when he shuffles across and flicks it?

I'm saying the problem with that is you still have to protect both sides. The single to leg is too easy with that plan, if they bowl a bit straighter they might have the off chance of getting an lbw and they can put another couple on the leg side to block off some of those singles

 

[Starfighter]

Let me put it this way, it would be a really bad reason in selection to choose the worse overall bowler against Smith just because he's SLA.

Like choosing Doherty in 2010 against KP. That was dire. That said I think Leach is better than Moeen.

The thing I noticed a bit when Smith was batting against left arm spin was that the crosswise movement was getting him in a bit of trouble with the turn away, effectively putting his outside edge further outside off than normal. That said, that was before he scored all those runs in India.

 

[Test_Fan_Only]

Twice in an over, Paine extremely fortunate to be still there.

 

[StephenZA]

AKA how you should bowl at most batsmen in history.

That's what I thought. Maybe 4th stump for most others.

 

[stephen]

There was a 5 month gap between the tours. A more likely reason perhaps was the industrial action that occurred between the tours.

I'm my memory they were back to back. I had to check that you were right (which you were).

 

[Gob]

I think Smith's troubles in Bangladesh were more to do with mental fatigue from hitting three hundreds in India than anything the Deshis were doing.

I don't remember troubles really it was just two tests

 

[mr_mister]

Leach in as a specialist number 11 bat?

 

[Spark]

Like choosing Doherty in 2010 against KP. That was dire. That said I think Leach is better than Moeen.

The thing I noticed a bit when Smith was batting against left arm spin was that the crosswise movement was getting him in a bit of trouble with the turn away, effectively putting his outside edge further outside off than normal. That said, that was before he scored all those runs in India.

Yeah that was exactly the example I was going to bring up.

I think Smith does sometimes push with his hands out a bit at the line of the ball sometimes against spin which can be hazardous to both edges, but that's really about it.

 

[Starfighter]

Paine looks so rubbish against anything short of a length. They may as well try get him at square leg again.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Leach in as a specialist number 11 bat?

Rain delays have influenced him not coming on tbf. If they had bowled 55 overs straight in a day Leach would have done a bit of work.

 

[StephenZA]

I'm saying the problem with that is you still have to protect both sides. The single to leg is too easy with that plan, if they bowl a bit straighter they might have the off chance of getting an lbw and they can put another couple on the leg side to block off some of those singles

While wearing a blindfold and can't see the ball?

 

[Spark]

Geez this is tough work out there atm.

 

[TheJediBrah]

While wearing a blindfold and can't see the ball?

It'll happen eventually. I think it's worth a crack.

 

[stephen]

Geez this is tough work out there atm.

Smith aside, England's have bowled and batted better than Australia this series so far. I definitely rate the English attack in this test higher than the Australian attack in either test.