Personally, how Naseem Shah ended up with 30 odd runs off the 4 overs he bowled with no wickets is one of the sporting tragedies of this year. He bowled sensationally well i thought.
To be fair, Stokes was very fortunate to survive edging the ball with quite a number of deliveries. Anyway, I'm not sure there's much discussion to be had about Pakistan's bowling prowess against England's batting strength.
India defenitely has but they don't pick the right players. I also think Rahul can be aggressive but he just chose not to and plays for himself.
Yes, they are the favorites.
It is certainly the brand of cricket every team wants to play. Going hard in the power plays especially. The problem is it’s easier said than done. You can only consistently go hard in the power plays if you have a strong batting lineup that can bat down to number 8/9. You can afford to lose 2/3 wickets in the PP every match then. It’s not just about batting deep either. It’s about having batsmen who can stick around as well as go hard when required. England have exactly that. Players who can be pinch hitters as well as go big.
His line was all over the place from the first delivery. The score was low so everyone needed to be on it from the first delivery. There’s a bit step down in quality from Shaheen, Haris and Naseem to him.
Exactly! See what Morgan did. No mean feat realising you’ve lost that edge and letting others take on your mantle. Better India do it now than wait longer and fall further behind.
I doubt the Indian egos will allow it.
And Roy?
Would say Bairstow and Roys injuries were a blessing. They weren't trying to squeeze him into the team in the wrong position.
Roy was just dropped, the injury was healed before the squad was announced. Bairstow would have just opened instead of Hales
Maybe a unpopular opinion but I would gladly sacrifice that for being so dominant in both shorter formats. I would not swap either of our recent World Cup wins over an Ashes series win down under, for example.
It depends what side of the argument you fall on - some cricket fans rank test side quality as the highest / truest mark.
England have been good in red ball cricket lately though, taking that aggressive batting into this format with Bazzball.
I don't think Bazzball is sustainable in tests.
I don't think there is the player base to dominate both.
Naseem beat the bat by a whisker 10 balls straight it was brilliant bowling. I don't think it's being read into at all.
They have the talent but not English batting talent.
Maybe if he regains his form although serious competition now. Also Duckett and Banton are worth a mention.
Roy was dropped not injured. Bairstow was actually in great form so you could have had him at 3.
They only bat till 11 with this lineup. Normally Wood would be in the line up and perhaps someone like Topley then it just becomes a usual batting lineup with a little depth. You are not telling me with all the IPL talent, India can't muster an agressive batting lineup? You could end up with Jadeja at 8 in a decent lineup. It seems more politics at play rather than anything else there. England also have their weaknesses with their ability to lose quick wickets.
Root will be in, he plays ODIs just not T20.
Duckett is special. I think he is like Maxwell.
Cheers!
India can definitely muster an aggressive batting lineup but Indian fans tend not to be objective about their own team + selectors are terrible and won't select the right players for T20 who consistently display high SR (Shaw, Samson, Kishan etc.).
Nice words Zing, always rate your input Cricket wise.
The core of this team has to stay really. I would swap in a spinner for a pacer on subcontinent tracks maybe.
India can muster an aggressive lineup. I'm not saying they can't but I'm talking about proper 360 aggressive cricket.
Agreed regarding Stokes. He pulls it off time and time again when the pressure is at its highest in the biggest situations. Without him we'd be -2 world cups.
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You'd think a 10 wicket humiliation where you were made to look like a chubby Sunday league bowler and fielder would humble you up a bit but not this guy.I can see the logic in dropping Babar to 3rd and 4th and having another power hitter opening with Rizwan, but I’m not sure I’m fully behind.
