4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester

[Lillian Thomson]

When they screwed around with The Ashes by scheduling an extra series in 2015 it was to prevent an Ashes/World Cup clash overseas. So they then decide to hold the World Cup in England which means dumping the Ashes into a 7 week period with two Tests in the autumn. The authorities deserve to have these Tests washed out.

 

[Woodster]

Dampest city in the wettest, most drab and dreary country on earth. FFS there must be amazing sales of vitamin D tablets over there.

One of the finest cities in the country!! Character building. Beats waking up and seeing “oh, the sun’s out again, how boringly predictable!”

 

[aussie tragic]

Paine admitting that being WK and captain is not working for DRS (most captains will listen to WK and bowler befire making a decision.

Just give DRS power to Smith

 

[Burgey]

One of the finest cities in the country!! Character building. Beats waking up and seeing “oh, the sun’s out again, how boringly predictable!”

Well, yeah. Like I said.

 

[vcs]

The Test batting ranking is kind of strange. I don't think either Root or Rahane are one of the best 10 Test batsmen in the world right now.

 

[Daemon]

Paine admitting that being WK and captain is not working for DRS (most captains will listen to WK and bowler befire making a decision.

Just give DRS power to Smith

So he can look at the balcony instead?

 

[stephen]

One of the finest cities in the country!! Character building. Beats waking up and seeing “oh, the sun’s out again, how boringly predictable!”

You must really hate Brisbane with its 280 days of sunshine a year, and most of the wet days being evening thunderstorms to cool everything down.

 

[Daemon]

The Test batting ranking is kind of strange. I don't think either Root or Rahane are one of the best 10 Test batsmen in the world right now.

Root absolutely still is. Just needs the captaincy taken from him.

 

[Woodster]

You must really hate Brisbane with its 280 days of sunshine a year, and most of the wet days being evening thunderstorms to cool everything down.

Not really mate I’d bloody love it!! Just trying to think positive.

 

[Burgey]

The Test batting ranking is kind of strange. I don't think either Root or Rahane are one of the best 10 Test batsmen in the world right now.

Yeah but can there be any debate over number one? Let's be honest, no other spot really matters, does it?

 

[80W53R]

Root absolutely still is. Just needs the captaincy taken from him.

I couldn't agree more, with the removal of captaincy. Then he may be back in the top 10.
Weather update. Not a cloud in the sky and 18c right now with a light breeze. But that's down here in Cornwall, move the Test to Taunton everyone knows the west country had the best of the sun.

 

[vcs]

Root absolutely still is. Just needs the captaincy taken from him.

On class and ability, he definitely is. Just don't think his performances over the last year warrant him being No. 6 or 7. I don't know how the methodology works, but I'd have a few in that 10-20 range above him on current form.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/mens/player-rankings/test/batting

 

[Burgey]

On class and ability, he definitely is. Just don't think his performances over the last year warrant him being No. 6 or 7. I don't know how the methodology works, but I'd have a few in that 10-20 range above him on current form.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/mens/player-rankings/test/batting

Think that’s fair tbh. Been noted for quite some time his output has really spiralled since he became skipper.

 

[aussie tragic]

In Root's last 25 tests he's averaged 34. How does that keep him in the top 10?

 

[vcs]

Couple of dead rubber centuries as well.

 

[stephen]

In Root's last 25 tests he's averaged 34. How does that keep him in the top 10?

Batting worldwide is at its lowest ebb in 30 years.

 

[stephen]

Ffs the top ten batsmen worldwide has 3 kiwis in it. And Khawaja is rated 26th at the moment despite his entirely awful year. Let's face it, batting hasn't been this bad since the 80s.

 

[vcs]

It's a zero sum game, though. Are the batsmen really poor or are the bowling attacks really good, world wide?

 

[Burgey]

It can be both

The current crop of batsmen mostly grew up in the 2000s which was the ultimate hit through the line decade

 

[Woodster]

Weather update here, is that things are much drier and brighter, for now. What a glorious place we live in!