*Official* First Test (Edgbaston, Birmingham) 16–20 June

[Spark]

I wont be surprised if this is genuinely what Stokes thinks, tbh.

Honestly it's not the worst idea. But it's definitely not what he thinks because Anderson has batted plenty of times in the first innings under Stokes.

 

[CartyDurham]

Root and Robinson weren't out yet anyway. Talking about Anderson whenever it comes up is stupid.

It’s not stupid man. Can you not acknowledge anything at all. Injuries happen, 2019 Anderson bowled four overs and that was it injured

A broken finger to chase runs could have done that again

That’s my very simpk3 and easy to understand point for crying out loud

 

[slowfinger]

by this logic england might as well declare at 6 down to protect Moeen's finger

 

[CartyDurham]

Day 1 declarations should be illegal and Stokes should be banned for life. I definitely would not have been saying Stokes should have declared if Anderson got hit on the finger.

If he broke a finger and was out for the summer ? He bowled four overs in 2019 and that was it

Imagine if the above happened and that was Anderson finished and retired

It could have easily happened and that’s my simple point

 

[TimAngas]

This is the advantage of the field placings tbf - could easily have conceded a whole stack of boundaries with some of these leg stump half volleys, but nothing but singles and twos so far.

I think the conventional wisdom of edges in the channel outside of not going to hand on such a pitch, is overruled by the fact England will be going hard. At least enough that we shouldn't be going this straight this early.

 

[Prince EWS]

It’s not stupid man. Can you not acknowledge anything at all. Injuries happen, 2019 Anderson bowled four overs and that was it injured

A broken finger to chase runs could have done that again

That’s my very simpk3 and easy to understand point for crying out loud

Anderson wasn't ****ing due to bat yet anyway though. If that's what it was about - and it wasn't - he would have waited for Root or Robinson to get out first.

 

[Spark]

I am extremely confident that Stokes' declaration had nothing whatsoever to do with protecting Anderson from injury.

 

[CartyDurham]

by this logic england might as well declare at 6 down to protect Moeen's finger

Rubbish. Absolute rubbish

Think if Anderson had broke a finger and he would be put for the summer , would you not think the declaration should have come to prevent that ?

Why can no one understand that simple point ?

 

[Spark]

I think the conventional wisdom of edges in the channel outside of not going to hand on such a pitch, is overruled by the fact England will be going hard. At least enough that we shouldn't be going this straight this early.

I want to at least force England to play some shots to score. Going at 4rpo off singles is gratuitous.

 

[CartyDurham]

Anderson wasn't ****ing due to bat yet anyway though. If that's what it was about - and it wasn't - he would have waited for Root or Robinson to get out first.

I think we’ve done this to death now?

People disagree so what but saying stupid etc is just not needed really

 

[social]

how are Australia getting rattled by Ducket's onside push and Crawley's quick singles? hardly been an attacking shot offered yet

2 of the best fast bowlers in the world bowling to 2 average test batsmen and they’re gifting them singles

It’s ridiculous

 

[CartyDurham]

I am extremely confident that Stokes' declaration had nothing whatsoever to do with protecting Anderson from injury.

You in the changing room?


Right that’s my last say on this rubbish

 

[honestbharani]

I am extremely confident that Stokes' declaration had nothing whatsoever to do with protecting Anderson from injury.

Yeah, I was taking the mickey a bit there. He really only obviously did it for the element of surprise and maybe with an eye on the forecast for a cloudier morning the next day.

I think it was an ill-advised decision but like I said, its part of a package and I guess England fans will take it given the overall results.

EDIT: Also, they could simply learn from this mistake for next time.

 

[Qlder]

It’s not stupid man. Can you not acknowledge anything at all. Injuries happen, 2019 Anderson bowled four overs and that was it injured

A broken finger to chase runs could have done that again

That’s my very simpk3 and easy to understand point for crying out loud

But Anderson was never batting, bat on until one of Root or Robinson got out then declare if so worried about Anderson getting hit on the finger after 170 odd tests ( stupid theory). They also hit 20 runs off the last over ffs

 

[CartyDurham]

Yeah, I was taking the mickey a bit there. He really only obviously did it for the element of surprise and maybe with an eye on the forecast for a cloudier morning the next day.

I think it was an ill-advised decision but like I said, its part of a package and I guess England fans will take it given the overall results.

At last . Someone engaging brain

 

[OverratedSanity]

Think if Anderson had broke a finger and he would be put for the summer , would you not think the declaration should have come to prevent that ?

No? I don't think the first reaction to a bowler getting injured when the team is trying to get runs is ever "we should've declared and just gave up the runs". You shrug at the bad luck and move on.

If it was the second innings when they have a big lead then it's obviously different.

 

[Preed]

If Moens fingers are not up to 5 day tests bring in Liam Dawson who is an ok batsman at no8 and does not go at 10 an over

 

[Spark]

Yeah, I was taking the mickey a bit there. He really only obviously did it for the element of surprise and maybe with an eye on the forecast for a cloudier morning the next day.

I think it was an ill-advised decision but like I said, its part of a package and I guess England fans will take it given the overall results.

Oh no I knew you were taking the piss a bit with that suggestion, I'm just baffled that someone has actually taken it seriously.

 

[CartyDurham]

But Anderson was never batting, bat on until one of Root or Robinson got out then declare. They hit 20 runs off the last over ffs

I’ve said my piece and moving on

The final result will show who was right

 

[White Ball]

Surprised Stokes hasn’t declared yet..