TheGayTent

Don’t think there’s anything controversial in this…except Lawrence at 3….!

As I said, I’m not really disagreeing with you I’m partly playing devils advocate and partly imagining what Silverwood is thinking. Burns, Sibley, and Crawley don’t really have any creditable opposition. Had they, at least one of them would have gone by now. The (re)emergence of Hameed may well see one of them gone soon, and not many would argue with the decision. Where as Lawrence has plenty - or at least that’s what Silverwood believes. Were one of Stokes or Pope fit, Lawrence wouldn’t be playing. If Pope is fit, Lawrence probably won’t play at Lords. Much will depend on the balance they’re after which brings the bowling all rounders into play too with Woakes (from the 3rd test onwards), Curran & Moeen. You simply can’t be a specialist number 6 batsmen for very long. You’re either successful and get trusted to move up the order. Or you fail. I try not to be one eyed (unless we’re discussing God). I’ve seen a lot of Denly - and I was surprised he was picked in the first instance and said as much. In fact he did better than I expected him too. Crawley, not many had seen much of given his very early introduction. He has class and he’s shown he can do it - but he’s in an awful run of form. He’s very close to the axe and I wouldn’t argue if he went - but there’s no arguing Burns and definitely Sibley are at least as much in the line of fire given their own recent form and the simple fact Hameed is an opener. The only viable alternative for me to Crawley’s place is Malan - however I just don’t see Silverwood or Root going back to him, at least not yet. I’ll repeat again, I’m not really arguing with the points you make regarding Lawrence. Giving him one test in the English summer would usually be daft, but the feeling I have is he wasn’t picked on merit and was merely standing in until Pope was fit - unless he was so successful he simply couldn’t be dropped. But that very definitely hasn’t happened. Anyway, always good to chat cricket ! I notice Lords isn’t a sell out - got another email from them today. Wasn’t ever going to buy a ticket but had a nose to see ticket prices…£110 cheapest they had remaining and plenty more at £130+… Think Trent Bridge was £55, my Headingley tickets are around £50 as are Old Trafford. Even the oval is only £85. Lords can fuck off !

England scored 756 runs on an absolute road in Chennai. Lawrence contributed a huge 18 of those runs… His two other innings against the best side in the world were ducks…. Hmmm!

I don’t necessarily disagree. However the alternative view will be that Lawrence averages just 27 after 8 tests and which includes that 81 not out. Where as Bairstow averages 34 and has 6 hundreds to Lawrence’s 0. I think one of the two only got picked in the first test due to Pope’s injury anyway….

Who will play at Lords? I think Hameed deserves his chance here - he’s played well consistently for Notts and has scored a hundred a couple of weeks back against India. Sibley for me misses out - although I wouldn’t argue against Burns being the victim. Crawley keeps his place through sheer lack of a viable alternative. Bairstow for me just isn’t a test cricketer unless the subject of a lobotomy. If they’re up to it, both Broad and Anderson should play. Between them they have taken 200 wickets at a combined average of circa 26. Where as Wood averages nearly 45 at Lords - now is not the time to bring him back. Robinson also deserves game time and at least can hold a bat. If you’re recalling Moeen to the squad presumably he plays. Therefore my team is: Burns, Hameed, Crawley, Root, Pope, Buttler, Moeen, Curran, Robinson, Anderson, Broad (who has to bat 11!) What’s your team and why?

Moeen recalled for the Lords test. Would give the team some better balance. Personally I’d be dropping Bairstow but suspect Lawrence will be in the firing line.

I understand and even agree to some extent the points you are making here…. …yet he has almost an identical batting record to Joe Denly! Any test cricketer (batsman) averaging 30 after 15/20 tests has far too many question marks over his name to be considered anywhere close to a regular player for 5 months let alone 5 years.

He could be. He’s a bit like Ronaldo at Man Utd right now. Possible he’ll go on to be very good, or he time could confirm he’s all fur coat and no knickers.

Opposite for me. Conniving, snidey, diving little cheat.

A fit Danny Ings is an excellent signing for Villa

Cantwell is not a regular top half starter for me. Squad filler at a reasonable price might make him a decent signing depending on the price.

Intriguing series this. On the one hand India have been extremely good in recent times. Extraordinary performances in Australia and reaching the final of the inaugural world test championship. On the other hand their batsmen have struggled against the moving ball in the last two series. England are coming in off the back of a home series loss albeit to a very good kiwi team. They also have key players unavailable in Stokes, Archer, Woakes and possibly Pope. Pujara has been in woeful form for a long time and India have selection problems at the top of the order. Similarly, England have questions over the ability/form of their top 3. Hameed has rediscovered his mojo at Notts and is averaging over 45 - does he come in, and if he does who for? Anderson is just 3 wickets away from overtaking Kumble and becoming the 3rd highest wicket taker ever in test cricket. Conditions are likely to suit him in terms of likely atmospheric conditions and I doubt this is going to be a high scoring series in terms of runs. However with 2 back to back tests how many tests can Anderson and Broad play? Will Woakes be fit from the 3rd test onwards and given he and Wood haven’t played any red ball cricket for yonks, what form will they be in anyway? There are unanswered questions for India in terms of run scoring in English conditions and they also have a very long tail in Sharma, Bumrah, & Shami. In short, I’ve no idea who will come out on top, or even whether it’ll be a thrashing either way. Which I guess, is one of the reasons it’s such an exciting proposition.

If the forecast is correct we might not be getting much cricket anyway. Typical given I’ve got tickets for days 3 & 4. If we do get some play conditions should suit the seamers - and given the armoury India have at their disposal you would think Steve Birks has not been told to prepare a bunsen.

Let’s not go back to the 90s and call bowlers who can hold a bat an all rounder! Stevo is God but he wasn’t good enough in his prime to play for England and certainly isn’t now. Sam Curran will now definitely get some game time and Woakes will be seriously considered for the 3rd test if he can prove his fitness.

I think they’ve screwed up massively. Starting a new season with almost a brand new squad and manager is surely a recipe for disaster. Can’t see anything past bottom 5 for them.

I think it’ll take more than that - no doubt Silverwood has called him up to see what his temperament is like more than anything else. It’s all about team now in every aspect not just on the field. The fact two tests are being played in September with the atmospheric conditions that is likely to bring I’d fancy him to do rather well with the ball.

New signings, what are they?

It’s the worst thing to hit the county game ever.