***Official*** West Indies Tour of the UK 2017

[S.Kennedy]

I couldn't imagine Jennings or Stoneman at anything other than as openers - especially Jennings.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Stoneman relishes his 'step into the unknown' - ESPN Cricinfo

More stories of bullshit from the selectors. Oh you're next in line and you would have been in the squad if it was 13. He scores a big century in a final the next day after being told that. A few weeks later, randomly pick Westley and Malan.

What the **** are these useless dickheads doing? Do they even know themselves? ****ing disgrace messing players about like that.

Well Stoneman should have gotten in earlier: five seasons of 1000 runs, the majority of them on Chester-le's dodgy wicket! That said Borthwick was doing similar during this same period at number three and his average was higher (Stoneman when he was at Durham had a habit of chucking his wicket away at 60 or 70) - pity nerves set in when he was due to be selected.

 

[Gremlin]

I never really understood what happened to Scott Borthwick, I thought he was the real deal at one stage. Hope he finds some form at Surrey, not looking like a good season so far though.

 

[S.Kennedy]

I never really understood what happened to Scott Borthwick, I thought he was the real deal at one stage. Hope he finds some form at Surrey, not looking like a good season so far though.

Yes, it has worked out for Rocky but not Borthwick. Apparently he was promised the world by Surrey in terms of facilitating his leg-breaks and he is bowling even less than he bowled at Durham! (There were even 'rumours' of private tuition with Shane Warne - heck Surrey have that sort of money!).

 

[Groundking]

I never really understood what happened to Scott Borthwick, I thought he was the real deal at one stage. Hope he finds some form at Surrey, not looking like a good season so far though.

His form went to **** half way through last season and generally isn't really that good (IMO).

 

[Scaly piscine]

And if they'd picked him out of position (as the 2 spaces that opened up were not for an opener) you'd have been whinging about that if he'd failed.

I had Stoneman opening and Jennings at 3 in the team before the series. Then Ballance came in, because the selectors are morons. But even still Stoneman could have played for Dawson the first two matches. But the selectors are morons.

 

[S.Kennedy]

I cannot see Jennings as a three. He is not a natural stroke maker. He is a lacquer-off-the-ball type of batsman. I'd sooner see Stoneman more as a three than Jennings, with his high strike-rate, but never Jennings. I think he even said himself in an interview that he considers himself solely an opener.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I had Stoneman opening and Jennings at 3 in the team before the series. Then Ballance came in, because the selectors are morons. But even still Stoneman could have played for Dawson the first two matches. But the selectors are morons.

Well Jennings is gone hopefully never to return given he has a worse technique than Lyth so shows what you know.

 

[Furball]

Not sure why Malan stays in. Can accept the rest and presume Crane is getting the 2nd spinner role for winter.

I assumed Malan was playing as part of a 'we can pick your worst player and still win' bet between the captains.

 

[Beamer]

West Indies play the final warm up match, a day nighter against Derbyshire today. Given that the first test will be in similar conditions, we can assume that they will have picked something close to the first choice XI. They've gone with:

Braithwaite
Powell
K Hope
S Hope
Chase
Blackwood
Dowrich
Holder
Roach
Joseph
Gabriel

That's a very strong seam attack in theory. It will be interesting to see how they go. However I'm really not sure about Kyle Hope at 3 ahead of Hetmeyer. Hopefully it's just a shoot out between Hope and Powell for the second opening slot.

 

[Starfighter]

The windies should have some hope for this series.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Well Jennings is gone hopefully never to return given he has a worse technique than Lyth so shows what you know.

Any opener was going to struggle against the quality of bowling Jennings faced. Particularly when your teammate saws you off as well. He wasn't in great form to start with and the two meant his technique deteriorated as he copped one jaffa after another. I expect he'll be back and be better prepared next time because his work ethic and desire is second to none.

 

[S.Kennedy]

England should just be

Jennings
Stoneman
Borthwick
Colly (who is averaging 54 this season)
Stokes
Few other chaps including Poynter (we'll pull an Eoin Morgan and pretend he is English)
Weighel
Matthew Potts
Rushworth
Onions

Everyone else is ****.

 

[monotonehita]

Here are my thoughts on the England Squad, let me know what you think

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7S7W01rD4U&t=106s

 

[91Jmay]

Crane is a dreadful pick, not ready at all yet although I would be shocked if he gets a game so will probably be only time Bayliss gets to see him as apparently it is a ridiculous notion that our coach would ever watch FC cricket.

 

[FBU]

Crane is a dreadful pick, not ready at all yet although I would be shocked if he gets a game so will probably be only time Bayliss gets to see him as apparently it is a ridiculous notion that our coach would ever watch FC cricket.

Imagine if Ali is ill or breaks a finger in Australia, Crane as the main spinner. In his last f/c match econ 4.62 and 5.33.

 

[Beamer]

Excellent batting warm up for windies at Derby. 427/3 declared. Tons to Kyle and Shai Hope, Roston Chase and 92 to Powell. Also an excellent run rate. Bowling probably wasn't the best but it was cold, damp and under lights so we can be pleased with that, it's just what we needed.

We've fielded a very strong bowling attack in this match so in looking forward to seeing how they go

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Love how we have given WI 3 of the worst sides to play in warm ups. Going to be a hell of a shock for them when they suddenly face Anderson and Broad in a test match.

 

[Beamer]

Love how we have given WI 3 of the worst sides to play in warm ups. Going to be a hell of a shock for them when they suddenly face Anderson and Broad in a test match.

It's interesting that all 3 have played close to their strongest batting lineups available but then selected a bunch of teenage medium Pacers.

Still, this is the best preparation we have had for an England your in years. Last time we literally got a days cricket before the tests. Now we've had lots of time in the middle with the ball swinging etc. Braithwaite and Blackwood have performed well against Broad and Anderson before so that gives me hope. Worried about the others though.

 

[Raffski]

It's interesting that all 3 have played close to their strongest batting lineups available but then selected a bunch of teenage medium Pacers.

Still, this is the best preparation we have had for an England your in years. Last time we literally got a days cricket before the tests. Now we've had lots of time in the middle with the ball swinging etc. Braithwaite and Blackwood have performed well against Broad and Anderson before so that gives me hope. Worried about the others though.

Fairly standard for warmups these days; counties don't want to overburden their bowlers in these extra fixtures. Good opportunity for the batting though.

Nice to see a decent length warmup for a touring side too, worked well for Pakistan last time out.