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

[trundler]

Vettori has one more ton in like twice as many matches. Definitely flattered by the average. I don't think there's a chasm in their batting ability at all. Mo was a batting all rounder who became a frontline spinner out of necessity and that's how he bowled but he still managed to impact matches occasionally in a way Vettori didn't. It's closer than you'd think, longevity aside.

 

[CartyDurham]

My score prediction at tea.

Australia 110/7.

Generous , I think they need to rein in the attacking intent Australia. Maybe grind it out for 30 runs in the next session

proper test match play

 

[thierry henry]

The last time I put my faith in Australia, they match-fixed football World Cup qualifiers so we weren’t in them, then made the World Cup themselves. Why the **** would I support weak-gutted cheating cowards to beat weak-gutted evil cowards? ****ing cricket man

 

[CartyDurham]

Khawaja and Head tons we see this finish as a draw. I think Bazball is the end of Test Cricket

The game finishes on Tuesday. They would need to bat to next Saturday to achieve the above

 

[CartyDurham]

The last time I put my faith in Australia, they match-fixed football World Cup qualifiers so we weren’t in them, then made the World Cup themselves. Why the **** would I support weak-gutted cheating cowards to beat weak-gutted evil cowards? ****ing cricket man

Feeling ok? Get a bit of fresh air and have a walk

 

[slippy888]

I think Australia selectors need to go after selecting Boland over Starc

 

[woodleigh]

The game finishes on Tuesday. They would need to bat to next Saturday to achieve the above

Yeah..Nah...you've clearly not got your head around this!

 

[trundler]

Moeen's test strike rate is 60, actually better than Vettori's 73? and Lyon's 63. He just goes at 4.5 rpo.

I maintain that Root's incompetent captaincy ruined his bowling, and batting for that matter

Strike rates aren't particularly helpful across eras. Rabada's is better than Marshall's.

 

[woodleigh]

I think Australia selectors need to go after selecting Boland over Starc

I think they should have thrown a completely green australian team against this kiwi style of 'ashes' test cricket.

 

[thierry henry]

KP 100% seems like a guy pretending he’s watched cricket before because he’s running a Ponzi scheme, it’s unbelievable that he actually used to play

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Vettori has one more ton in like twice as many matches. Definitely flattered by the average. I don't think there's a chasm in their batting ability at all. Mo was a batting all rounder who became a frontline spinner out of necessity and that's how he bowled but he still managed to impact matches occasionally in a way Vettori didn't. It's closer than you'd think, longevity aside.

Vettori debuted as an 18 year-old batting at 11. From the age of 24 (his last 70-odd tests) he averaged about 38. The bloke scored 140 on a day 5 SL bunsen against Murali and Herath.

 

[Flem274*]

Penny for India's thoughts watching this having left out Ashwin last week...

I struggle with it too. Can only think they were still playing the 2021 game and (wrongfully) blamed the bowling balance for the loss rather than not batting with the same tenacity as the opposition in that game.

 

[thierry henry]

Vettori has one more ton in like twice as many matches. Definitely flattered by the average. I don't think there's a chasm in their batting ability at all. Mo was a batting all rounder who became a frontline spinner out of necessity and that's how he bowled but he still managed to impact matches occasionally in a way Vettori didn't. It's closer than you'd think, longevity aside.

Vettori was a genuine tailender and then for a chunk of his career was an outstanding 40-average middle order batsman

 

[OverratedSanity]

I struggle with it too. Can only think they were still playing the 2021 game and (wrongfully) blamed the bowling balance for the loss rather than not batting with the same tenacity as the opposition in that game.

He was probably our best bowler in that 2021 final too. Its never made much sense.

 

[slowfinger]

Strike rates aren't particularly helpful across eras. Rabada's is better than Marshall's.

It does signify though that both Vettori and Lyon had much better backing and were allowed to bowl much longer spells than Moeen who was under pressure of coming off after almost every over bowled.

 

[trundler]

Vettori debuted as an 18 year-old batting at 11. From the age of 24 (his last 70-odd tests) he averaged about 38. The bloke scored 140 on a day 5 SL bunsen against Murali and Herath.

Imran averaged 50 as captain but no one thinks he was Viv Richards. That was a good innings though.

 

[Nas207]

Vettori was more medium pace than spin tbh

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I struggle with it too. Can only think they were still playing the 2021 game and (wrongfully) blamed the bowling balance for the loss rather than not batting with the same tenacity as the opposition in that game.

And Ashwin actually bowled well in the 2021 WTC final too

 

[Croadymeister]

I am happily eating the biggest slice of humble pie. Stokes has made me look the biggest clown around and I'm delighted

 

[trundler]

Vettori was a genuine tailender and then for a chunk of his career was an outstanding 40-average middle order batsman

Should've batted where batsmen bat then.