Originally Posted by Oakvillian (Post 12727671)

Reminded me more of Chris Tavaré, who played the stubborn, plodding foil to Botham's exuberance through the 1981 series. A properly old-school No 3 bat, there to build an innings and hold and end with dogged reliability rather than all the flash-bang antics of the middle order. One of the most underrated players to have had a place in the Test side, IMO.

Of course, Tavaré wouldn't get in to the side today. The growth of the limited overs game and the slogfest of T20 mean that his style of quietly determined blocking has fallen completely out of favour. Few Test matches now last to stumps on day 4 unless the weather intervenes. Call me old-fashoined, but I can't help feeling the loss of the attritional, almost chess-like, defensive battles between batsman and bowler have diminished the 5-day game.

Originally Posted by Hawkmoon77 (Post 12727675)

Whilst I sympathise with your feelings, simply put, barring perhaps Sibley of Warks (who is only 23), there simply isn't any county cricketers demanding to be picked.
We should sort out the batting order for a start, and play Roy down the order, move Denly to open & let Root bat at 4.
Stokes scoring a ton is not a surprise, his technique is up there with Root & far superior to a lot of the specialist bats. The fact he is asked to bowl forces him down the order to have a rest

Originally Posted by Cheltonian (Post 12727800)

And not a helmet in sight

Originally Posted by Hawkmoon77 (Post 12878748)

Well after all the fanfare, that was an inevitable damp squib.

:confused_smile:

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 12880352)

I thought the Windies played rather well. England have been poor but it's fun to watch though. It's on DAZN so no need for dodgy streams.

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 12971361)

England India in the 2nd test in Chennai. I think we’re going to get slaughtered. :(

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 12971516)

I was thinking the same, then went to the bathroom and two wickets were taken on the way up the stairs...It might be a little closer than I thought. We'll see.

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 12971694)

134 all out is shameful. I’m slightly done with cricket.

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 12971361)

England India in the 2nd test in Chennai. I think we’re going to get slaughtered. :(

Originally Posted by Flogger (Post 12973467)

this one is done but next up is the day/ nighter . Still a chance we could be 2-1 up with 1 to play

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 12973543)

A very good point, especially if Anderson comes back. Foakes has been a revelation. How we missed a specialist keeper. I’ve also been impressed with Leach.