Being 130/5 I’d be over the moon with 250, like you though just can’t see it.We’ll be bowling soon (for a long time !)
Stokes never looked settled with most of his scoring shots coming off very high risk shots - still, he got 50 and half our total
LBW Bairstow always wastes a review p
perhaps 250 (we probably won’t get any where near that) might be a useful total
Be lucky to get 220.250 has to be the target from here, whilst that may not be enough to be a winning score it should at least keep us in the Test. Taking the positives, if we lose at least it means Australia miss out on the Test World Cup Final.
He lost concentration because of the massive turning ball 2 beforeDon't know about unlucky. It was a poor shot.
Don't think so, he is just another failing batsman in a team of failing batsmenThe Foakes fan club have been pretty quiet these last few Tests. Not quite the obvious choice many felt he should be.
But that's the problem isn't it. An extra 100 runs (all theory of course) could be the difference. A stumping probably won't.Don't think so, he is just another failing batsman in a team of failing batsmen
But he is probably the world's best wicket keeper as he shows every time he is behind the stumps so should be in the team whatever he does with the bat.
Correct and it infuriates me. We should be giving ourselves our best chance and more importantly, respect I g the test format. Let's hope Stokes is on the money here.Gough on the money about how we're going to have a stronger one day/t20 side than test side as it seems we've compromised the test team to make sure everyone available for the white ball hit and giggle stuff.
But the issue with the batting isn't down to Foakes as you point outBut that's the problem isn't it. An extra 100 runs (all theory of course) could be the difference. A stumping probably won't.
Not slating Foakes by the way; he's obviously the best keeper and a decent bat. But it's whether he was the shoe-in that many seemed to be saying. Goes back to the old adage 'You're always a better player when you're not in the team'.
The big issue in all this is the top 3. Whoever plays there, they just don't look remotely comfortable in any conditions and that will always bring pressure. It also then creates the situation where the selectors are choosing the better batsman over the better keeper and the better batsman over the better bowler as a way of trying to find more runs from the lower order. It's been our biggest issues for several years now and will be disguised by a home series where the lower order contribute well and paper over the top order cracks.
He needs to bowl dry. He was rank in the last match.Correct and it infuriates me. We should be giving ourselves our best chance and more importantly, respect I g the test format. Let's hope Stokes is on the money here.
Totally agree with this. Unless any of us have had to do it for months on end, we really have no idea how the players are feeling. And being well-paid to do it really isn't the point.I wouldn't be too scathing about the selection policy TBH. We are expecting the athletes to stay in the same hotel for weeks on end and play a few games of cricket in between waiting time away from family. These are unusual times and I think the rotation is generally a good idea, and it gives the selectors a chance to look at a few options.
I can see that but the hokey cokey approach hasn't been a good idea. Witness Moeen and JB?Totally agree with this. Unless any of us have had to do it for months on end, we really have no idea how the players are feeling. And being well-paid to do it really isn't the point.
Moeen was sort of smeared, he was supposed to play but he had to isolate and then went home when it was scheduled. However the management managed to make it look like he was home-sick.I can see that but the hokey cokey approach hasn't been a good idea. Witness Moeen and JB?
I can see that but the hokey cokey approach hasn't been a good idea. Witness Moeen and JB?
Yep - agree there. And forgot that Woakes is in the squad. Surely he could have been an option?Apparently this is the first time Stokes has opened the bowling in tests? If so that shows that maybe we've again not thought it through. Some very odd team choices throughout so far in India.
Woakes went home, I think.Yep - agree there. And forgot that Woakes is in the squad. Surely he could have been an option?