The 'Summer' of Cricket thread 2013

[TheMajorSTFC]

Not a time for Johnny Bairstow to be carrying drinks for England during the Champions Trophy whilst  Compton gets into gear.

My thoughts exactly, I'd would have played Bairstow instead of Bopara at Trent Bridge in the final ODI, why England keep going back to Bopara really puzzles me...he's had many chances and showed he can do sweet f-all in the international arena! He scratched around for 20 odd the other day, but looked all at sea. He was released to play for Essex, when Bairstow was still in the squad...then jumps the queue ahead of him? As I say, puzzling!

[Nemo]

Because Bopara can bowl pretty well and Bairstow can't? If we'd picked Bairstow over Bopara we'd be left trying to get 10 overs from Root and Trott. Bopara came in for Woakes, not a batsman.

[TheMajorSTFC]

Because Bopara can bowl pretty well and Bairstow can't? If we'd picked Bairstow over Bopara we'd be left trying to get 10 overs from Root and Trott. Bopara came in for Woakes, not a batsman.

I guess it depends on the balance of the side they are looking for, on the flip side NZ have Williamson and someone else who can make up their 5th bowler to bowl 10 overs between them so if England did fancy bringing in Bairstow then as you say Nemo they'd look to Root/Trott to make up 10 overs.

1st go at Australia today this summer, anyone heading to Edgbaston?

[Nemo]

123-1 off 28.1, Bell and Trott have scored 68 at 4 an over...which works as long as Morgan and Buttler fire, but could be a bit embarrassing if they don't.

[kerry red]

Typical timid England.

Trott should not be let near anywhere near a limited overs side.

Boring as fuck

[Nemo]

ODI Averages:

Cook Averages 39 SR 78
Bell Averages 37 SR 75
Trott Averages 52 SR 76

I don't think we can sustain all three in an ODI side but Trott should not be the one dropped- Cook is the captain so Bell, regrettably, has to go.

KP being in this side improves it massively not just because he's a fantastic player but he helps the balance of the side too. That said, the Aussies are missing their best batsman too (although you could make a case for Watson being better in ODIs) so a couple of quick wickets and 260-270 is defendable.

With KP injured I'm not really sure how you'd structure our top 6, particularly with Morgan in no form at all (just out for 8 off 12). Tricky.

212/5 - Buttler needs to serve up a few quick runs

...and bowled for 1. You can't rely on a young kid to dig you out of a hole the top 6 have dug every time.

[fittons_coaching_badge]

Buttler gone.

That England top 3 is far to ponderous! Left Morgan and Buttler to much to do ....

Par on this featherbed is about 290

[Nemo]

We have a good team for tricky pitches with a bit in for the bowling where you have to play proper shots- the 240/250 par pitches. Not so much for the flat beds.

Ravi's delivering now though, first 6 of the innings in the 49th over. 270 is below par but we could do something with a good bowling performance.

[BruceChatwin]

SWING THE FUCKING BAT

[Nemo]

Mitchell Johnson bowls a wide, much to the delight of the Barmies.

Ravi slams the penultimate ball for four and a single off the last ball, 270 to win, game on. Well batted Ravi, 46 off 37

A lot rests on dismissing the openers quickly, Warner and Watson are the two I fear here.

[Summerof69]

Comfortable win in the end, but I thought the Aussies performance with the bat was poor, and if that was a pre-cursor to the Ashes, they are going to struggle with the bat. Thought their attack did well in the final 10 overs to keep us down to 269.

[leefer]

Comfortable win in the end, but I thought the Aussies performance with the bat was poor, and if that was a pre-cursor to the Ashes, they are going to struggle with the bat. Thought their attack did well in the final 10 overs to keep us down to 269.

Agree...except the last bit....our batting kept it down to 269 i reckon.

Keep saying it but cannot fathom why Prior isn't in this team.....brilliant Wiki and just what you need with the bat in the middle order.

[Reg Smeeton]

Agree...except the last bit....our batting kept it down to 269 i reckon.

Keep saying it but cannot fathom why Prior isn't in this team.....brilliant Wiki and just what you need with the bat in the middle order.

Prior has had a decent chance in the past, and never really quite done it....68 matches, 3 50's and an average of 24.  Wicketkeeper is always a highly contested place in an England side, because more or less all counties have an England qualifies keeper, and many of them are very good.

[leefer]

Get what your saying Reg...but Prior is a much better player these days than his last stint i reckon.

[Reg Smeeton]

Get what your saying Reg...but Prior is a much better player these days than his last stint i reckon.

Maybe being out of the ODI's has helped Prior improve his keeping and Test batting who knows?