Nah Aussies are strong favourites. Smith doesn't need to have another tremendous innings, just needs someone stick with him for another 100 runs as it will be extremely difficult to chase anything above 150 on this pitch.
English cricket thread
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
Yeah, Moeen just looks awful with bat and ball at the moment. Would be surprised if he kept his place, unless he knocks over three or four here.
Who are the English fast bowlers on the fringes of the squad?
Archer comes into the 11, and I am wondering who the backup will be with Mark Wood injured. Olly Stone must be one, I suppose?
Archer comes into the 11, and I am wondering who the backup will be with Mark Wood injured. Olly Stone must be one, I suppose?
Smith is a class batsmen. I would say kohli, smith and williamson are in the league of their own. Proper batsmen.
In tests Smith is a tier above the other two.
Debatable considering kohli was also absolute beast last summer in england. I would say Kohli has improved massively in tests in last 2 years.
Have to agree with @Samid. Just as Kohli is in a class of his own in limited over cricket, so too is Smith in test cricket.
Sam Curran as well
Yup. Smith is a different gravy
Came out on Thursday that Lewis Gregory's out for 'an indefinite period' with a foot problem, if anyone believes England ever had any intention of picking him.
Similar significance and impact of McGrath getting injured in 2005 Ashes.
England very lucky to have some quality bench strength for next test, but his absence certainly being felt right now.
Think Australia looking with a very decent chance of a win here now.
Wouldn't say lucky, but it's a good position to be in to have Archer, Curran and Stone out of the squad to place Anderson. With others in county cricket that are on the fringe (Saq Mahmood (Lancs) for example)
I enjoyed the pre and post content from CricBuzz during World Cup. Thought Zaheer Khan and Robin Uttuppa provided great insight and were also very engaging personalities.
Was that only for CWC19?
They had it for the IPL as well.
They go through a variety of guests. Zaheer Khan is good, but pre-match shows are hugely dependent on the host and Cricbuzz have some garbage ones like Gaurav Kapur. Don't know who was it that was in the studio for the WC.
Like the (now) occasional serious ones hosted by Harsha Bhogle with proper guests - those are class.
Yeah ‘lucky’ is the wrong word! ‘Well planned for’ is what I meant.
I really like the look of Mahmood: would be amazing as part of a future 90mph trio alongside Archer and Wood.
Last edited:
Feels very early for Mahmood.
I think we're a bit short on fast bowling, to be honest. Archer's never played a test and we're not sure if he's fit either, so that could end in tears. Wood is done for the summer. Stone has only played one match. Curran's more an allrounder than someone you want to rely on as a bowler.
It was a weedy looking chap wearing glasses and another weedy looking chap with curly hair (also a minor actor I think). I liked them both.
Last edited:
Joe Denly has looked like England's most threatening bowler on this day.
Warne and Botham are such insufferable pricks sometimes and they're both doing commentary together right now.
Agree with this - think England are in trouble if Anderson is out for the series. You need some reliable squad bowlers(think Bresnan, Tremlett 5-6 years ago) in a 5 match series. Curran is an average bowler - Pandya level. Pretty steep fall off in quality.
Steve Smith is so fecking good
Especially as this is his first test since being banned.
I suspect this second phase of Smith’s career will be even better, given his motivations will have increased even more.
Much as Smith has been excellent, England's bowling is severely hampered without their best bowler. I think this match would've been done had Anderson been not injured.
Hope he gets a lot of overs if he continues bowling like this.
Nathan Lyon would absolutely eat you guys on this pitch on fifth day though.
Its also the fact they keep chopping and changing bowling plans rather than sticking with consistent line and length to Smith. Obviously Anderson is a massive loss.
Nah Smith is that good, that he makes bowlers looks mediocre but any team would miss their best bowler.
Bairstow would probably make me silly but maybe Foakes for second test given he's such a superior keeper?
I genuinely think I'm getting to Ian Bell levels of irrational dislike with Bairstow.
Smith is too good
That was never irrational
Plus Smith has got out to left-arm spin a few times hasn't he. Maharaj and Jadeja have had some success against him so maybe Leach can as well. He's worth a place in the team for that alone.
Averaging 30 with no hundreds in 17 innings, this season. I know Bairstow is in shocking form himself but I don't think it's a great time to give Foakes another go.
Nah, no way they're going to make more than two changes. This isn't the 1990s. Anderson and Moeen look like they're going to be out and they won't want any more disruption.
If there was a pitch where we could have done with Leach instead of Ali, it was this one.
But you're naming there four seam bowlers, all of which aren't in our best XI - that's good depth
And agree re Mahmood, keep going this summer - and then have more opportunity with the Lions. But am sure he'll be on their radar
Agree Foakes is not playing well at the moment.
We'd have good depth if everyone was fit, absolutely.
Just need one who can get Smith out 