The English Cricket Summer 2018 Thread

[crazyp]

How often has it come down to whoever wins the toss gets the game? It's like rain, just luck. Next time we visit India we'll be slaughtered.

Indeed - Root got it horribly wrong in the Test before! I do like the thought experiment of how it would have gone otherwise. My comment on the toss was also in relation to the series - winning all of them seems a tad unfair on India.

And yes, we'll be slaughtered in India.

[Boss13]

I really think that had the toss gone IND's way in all the tests, they would have won the series with ease. The one match where Root one the toss and put them in, well we all know what happened. The Indian seamers were great in this series and I would argue more 'on target' than ENG's. There were some great performances, Curran for example and Ali in this last test. But overall had the toss been different I think the result also would have been. As it stands, ENG can take this and build upon it, but there are some clear weaknesses that need addressing.

[Neil.C]

Thrilling game that could have gone either way but we really have to sort the top order batsmen.

Moeen and Curran both played wonderfully.

[vagabond]

Someone must have had a quiet word in Cookie's ear.....

Sad to see him go, despite the obvious decline in (Test) form in recent years......160 Tests, 12k+ runs and 6th in the all-time run scorer list.

[crazyp]

Hmm not sure it was necessary now given our issues with finding openers as it is - yes he's struggled, but its not only him.

I'll miss Cook, a giant of the game in every respect. I wonder if he'll turn his attention and become a T20 specialist

[Glamdring]

I'd been wondering. A bare few excellent innings over the last couple years. A shame: when he was on song he was brilliant.

[crazyp]

I'd been wondering. A bare few excellent innings over the last couple years. A shame: when he was on song he was brilliant.

I think the mental part took its toll much more as opposed to his physical ability to play the game. On tour for oh so many years must be exhausting. Is he going to continue with County? If so expect him to rack up the runs over the coming years

[Chabsy]

Maybe Cook has got himself the Radio 2 breakfast show.

[Backward point]

Maybe Cook has got himself the Radio 2 breakfast show.

I'm not sure that he could maintain or grow the audience. Now if Swanny took it over...

I'll be sorry to see Cook go, although he's struggled since Andrew Strauss retired and he had to deal with the captaincy as well. An Ashes series win as captain notwithstanding, his form has deteriorated. His career stats put him up among the best openers we've had, and he'll be missed.

The ECB need to sit Alex Hales and Jason Roy down and have a chat.

[crazyp]

A bump for the last action this summer - Test 5 and Cook's farewell. Root won the toss (again - I make that all 5!?!) and we bat. Would love us to post a huge total, it should be possible.

[Backward point]

Well, it certainly looked as though a decent total was possible - what was it, 130 for 1?

Credit to the Indian quicks, particularly Shami, they bowled really well, and the number of times that Moeen in particular played and missed was incredible. He was always going to nick one, but at least he got to 50 first.

Sam Curran was unlucky, Root and Bairstow were just lacklustre. Bairstow has been a liability with the bat recently, but he does at least have the excuse of a broken finger. It seemed that as soon as Cook was out the ball started to swing, and life became more difficult for the batsmen.

At least Cook will get another innings. He played really well today, and we're going to miss him. He's the only opener from either side to score 50+ in this series.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is for cloud, and if the ball was swinging today, it should do a bit more tomorrow.

[Boss13]

Must say. Could well be the toss that has decided this series. Really covered up England's frailties. 5-0. Very lucky!!

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[crazyp]

Cook mentioned that Moeen was playing on the line, so he wasn't fishing and it probably is a good thing to play and miss and get a good feel of the line - it just looks bad when you play and miss!

A bit of a disaster, but again the Indian seamers have been fantastic - if only they could bat consistently. Its amazing to see such a low score after an entire day of batting!

[Glamdring]

Wow, just as I was preparing myself for another embarrassing England innings, they pull a little magic out of the hat. 304-8 at lunch.

[crazyp]

Wow, just as I was preparing myself for another embarrassing England innings, they pull a little magic out of the hat. 304-8 at lunch.

A comment was made on TMS about grinding an opposition down and tiring them to allow the likes of Buttler to take the game away from India. With such short innings we've not really done that in this series.

It's classic Test match tactics but just another example of skills the team has lost recently. Imagine if Root and Bairstow didn't get out cheaply, we'd have been on for 450+.

[Backward point]

Thank goodness for Jos Buttler - what a knock!

Let's find out how good India really are - the series has gone, they had England on the ropes, and now they need the thick end of 400 for a decent first innings lead.

[Andyg]

What a great game this is turning into. Made even sweeter by Mick Jagger's offer to donate £10k for every 50 and £20k for every 100.

Test cricket at it best.

Hopefully Root and Cook will hang around until tea, England then declare and have 4 sessions to bowl at India with Jimmy getting a few more.

Cook for MotM if he gets 50+ tomorrow?

[crazyp]

What a great game this is turning into. Made even sweeter by Mick Jagger's offer to donate £10k for every 50 and £20k for every 100.

Test cricket at it best.

Hopefully Root and Cook will hang around until tea, England then declare and have 4 sessions to bowl at India with Jimmy getting a few more.

Cook for MotM if he gets 50+ tomorrow?

Now I'm back in London, I've decided to go to the Oval tomorrow - it could be very special! Anyone been before? Not sure where to sit - heard mixed things about the Peter May stand - and well being a bit late trying to avoid being straight on with the wicket!

[Wolfie]

Cook for the ton today please…

[crazyp]

Cook for the ton today please…

Well the atmosphere inside the theatre was absolutely fantastic. One of my live sporting highlights for sure.

Now I'm waiting for the batting fireworks after tea, especially if Root also gets to his ton. We haven't had many great batting days this series, but we could get it today. Fingers crossed!

[Glamdring]

He got it! And well-deserved too.

[vagabond]

Some lovely moments today - a real boy's own ending for Cook.

[Meesterbond]

This might not get to Day 5 at this rate...

[Backward point]

What a day for English cricket. Cook only had to draw breath to earn a standing ovation, and rightly so. A tremendous innings, you couldn't have written a better script for the final innings of the man who will surely be remembered as one of England's finest batsmen.

Before this match, no opening batsman from either side had passed 50, which puts Cook's innings (both of them) into perspective.

To follow this with Jimmy Anderson equalling Glen McGrath as the leading seam bowler in Test history was a special moment as well, as was his opening partner's removal of India's talisman and the world's best batsman first ball.

Although England have already won the series, with the ICC Test Rankings showing India at No1, and England at No5 (with Australia at 3) before this series, there's more than just pride at stake. A 4-1 series victory in the last Test series of the summer will set us up nicely for next year.

[crazyp]

What a day for English cricket. Cook only had to draw breath to earn a standing ovation, and rightly so. A tremendous innings, you couldn't have written a better script for the final innings of the man who will surely be remembered as one of England's finest batsmen.

Before this match, no opening batsman from either side had passed 50, which puts Cook's innings (both of them) into perspective.

To follow this with Jimmy Anderson equalling Glen McGrath as the leading seam bowler in Test history was a special moment as well, as was his opening partner's removal of India's talisman and the world's best batsman first ball.

Although England have already won the series, with the ICC Test Rankings showing India at No1, and England at No5 (with Australia at 3) before this series, there's more than just pride at stake. A 4-1 series victory in the last Test series of the summer will set us up nicely for next year.

What a day, just heading home now and I am truly happy to have witnessed one of the great modern day in English cricket. With both Cook and Root established it really felt a bit like a celebration.... we've not had many impressive days like today this summer!

We applauded at every opportunity and when Cook reached his century the atmosphere was pretty special. A true send off and even more a reason why Cook will never return for England.

This winter we'll realise how much he'll be missed, especially if Jennings ends up being the 'established' opener....

[Wolfie]

What a day, just heading home now and I am truly happy to have witnessed one of the great modern day in English cricket. With both Cook and Root established it really felt a bit like a celebration.... we've not had many impressive days like today this summer!

We applauded at every opportunity and when Cook reached his century the atmosphere was pretty special. A true send off and even more a reason why Cook will never return for England.

This winter we'll realise how much he'll be missed, especially if Jennings ends up being the 'established' opener....

Lucky man... sounds like you lapped it up

Good for you

[Andyg]

What a wonderful days cricket.

Thank you Mr Cook for all your service over the years and well done to Jimmy Anderson for drawing level at the top of the all time fast wicket takers.

What makes Cook so special is that all those runs have been made as an opener, against new balls and some of the best bowlers in the modern game. Huge respect for his courage, skill and playing the game like a true gentleman.

To all those who criticised him (mostly from the stands), time to STFU because just accept yoh were wrong.

[Mike83]

Was at the Oval today...this was the moment Cookie got his 100. What a day...still buzzing.


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[crazyp]

Lucky man... sounds like you lapped it up

Good for you

I certainly did! So much happened today! One of the most crucial moments for English cricket going forward was Root being dropped on 96. I have no idea how his mind and confidence would have been if he didn't convert that hundred. Not in a good place I reckon.

What a wonderful days cricket.

Thank you Mr Cook for all your service over the years and well done to Jimmy Anderson for drawing level at the top of the all time fast wicket takers.

What makes Cook so special is that all those runs have been made as an opener, against new balls and some of the best bowlers in the modern game. Huge respect for his courage, skill and playing the game like a true gentleman.

To all those who criticised him (mostly from the stands), time to STFU because just accept yoh were wrong.

I've always said this - Cook made those runs as an opener, unlike most of the highest ever run getters who came in around 3 and 4. That is why his average is lower than those peers he had a much rougher assignment!

I've also been annoyed by people saying he was 'limited' in his strokes and skills. He is fifth on the all time runs list, fifth!!! It will take something extraordinary from today's great batsmen such as Kohli, Smith and Root to get near that, especially in the coming years with how Test cricket is changing.

[crazyp]

So the last day is turning into a bit of a faff. I reckon we'll still take the 5, but intriguing to see India resisting, I expected them to all but collapse today!

[Glamdring]

Can India do it? 2 and a quarter hours to smack 144 runs. I think they can.

[crazyp]

Jeeeeeeezo! That ball by Rashid to get Rahul out was absolute nuts! Spun a couple of feet outside leg and clipped off. Nuts!

[Mike83]

Jeeeeeeezo! That ball by Rashid to get Rahul out was absolute nuts! Spun a couple of feet outside leg and clipped off. Nuts!

Well....that was quite a day. Goodness me

Hard luck India, they battled really hard and could have made us look very silly. Fantastic series...whatever will we do until next year?


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[CriticalMass]

What a finish to a great series!

[Backward point]

Well....that was quite a day. Goodness me

Hard luck India, they battled really hard and could have made us look very silly. Fantastic series...whatever will we do until next year?


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It was a fantastic series. I really enjoyed it, and I don't think that the final 4-1 result reflected the fact that the teams were so closely matched. India remain at the top of the ICC Test rankings, but England are now up to fourth, just behind South Africa and Australia, and a good winter will see us challenging India. Although Test cricket is probably the world's most difficult sport to win away from home.

The next home Test series doesn't start until August 2019. There are the inconveniences of a tour of Sri Lanka before December, and the West Indies in early 2019, both series garnished with some white ball matches, but the Test series which matters the most begins at Edgbaston on the 1st of August, when England play host to Australia.

We just need a pair of opening batsmen.

[crazyp]

You forgot the other inconvenience of the World Cup as well. I wonder if our performance in that will affect the mentality going into the Ashes.

We did better than I expected over India - ironically the difference was the batting and probably a slight lack of creativity in the bowling on their part.

Though Root's captaincy wasn't great today, Kohli was also pretty average.

I also doubt we learn much in the coming series - and we also need a number 3. Moeen may do ok over the Winter but against the Australian quicks and the short ball he's going to be absolutely rubbish.

[Mike83]

It was a fantastic series. I really enjoyed it, and I don't think that the final 4-1 result reflected the fact that the teams were so closely matched. India remain at the top of the ICC Test rankings, but England are now up to fourth, just behind South Africa and Australia, and a good winter will see us challenging India. Although Test cricket is probably the world's most difficult sport to win away from home.

The next home Test series doesn't start until August 2019. There are the inconveniences of a tour of Sri Lanka before December, and the West Indies in early 2019, both series garnished with some white ball matches, but the Test series which matters the most begins at Edgbaston on the 1st of August, when England play host to Australia.

We just need a pair of opening batsmen.

There was quite a good left hander opening at the Oval yesterday....so I’ve heard. The lad managed quite a knock, should probably pick him.

Seriously though...no idea who will open for us in the coming months. I don’t think they’ll drop Jennings.


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[Andyg]

What a finish to a great series!

^^^^^^^^ This.

[Boss13]

Great series. But I want opinions. What would have happened if the toss was 5-0 the other way!?

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[thfccambs]

What a cracking test series that was, well done Alastair Cook.

[Nigel306]

Great series. But I want opinions. What would have happened if the toss was 5-0 the other way!?

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That's exactly what I was thinking earlier.
Excellent series but could have gone either way, definately not as convincing as a 4-1 win. But I'll take it.
How they'll sort out the top 3 positions going forward will be interesting.
I still can't help but feel Keyton Jennings is out his depth, but those in charge obviously like him.

[Boss13]

That's exactly what I was thinking earlier.
Excellent series but could have gone either way, definately not as convincing as a 4-1 win. But I'll take it.
How they'll sort out the top 3 positions going forward will be interesting.
I still can't help but feel Keyton Jennings is out his depth, but those in charge obviously like him.

Agreed. Jennings looks out of his depth, but he may be given a reprieve unless going to go to SL with not one but two new openers.

[crazyp]

Great series. But I want opinions. What would have happened if the toss was 5-0 the other way!?

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Well, the one toss where Joe bowled when we should have batted we lost the match......

Overall we competed better and I reckon unlikely a different result, but I do think a bit unfair on the touring team to lose all 5 tosses.

[Neil.C]

Enjoyed the series immensely, a real see saw at times!

I will watch other cricket but IMO test cricket is the real thing.

[Backward point]

Well done Worcestershire on becoming the 2018 T20 Blast Champions!

[Boss13]

Agreed...

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[crazyp]

Well done Worcestershire on becoming the 2018 T20 Blast Champions!

Jup! After Moeen got out I wasn't sure which way it would swing, but good job Worcestershire!

[Xelor]

Great series. But I want opinions. What would have happened if the toss was 5-0 the other way!?

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Buttler and Curran would still have scored runs after the Indian brilliant pace bowlers got tired.

Eng have a great depth in their batting. India were fantastic but the Eng bull dog spirit was always going to prevail.

If Ind won 5 tosses there could have been a draw in Rose bowl.

[Spoonbed]

Well done Worcestershire on becoming the 2018 T20 Blast Champions!

Very pleased for Worcs.
Have watched Ben Cox on a couple of occasions now and have always been very impressed. He’s possibly a bit unlucky in that England currently have Butler and Bairstow, else he
May have had a call up for the shorter format of the game.

[crazyp]

Stokes and Hales charged by the ECB for bringing the game into disrepute - now I understand why they're doing it, but are we in danger of dragging this out? There doesn't seem to be any issues within the team, who want to put this behind them. And what sort of punishment are we looking at if they are found guilty?

Article here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/45561380