Cricket

[Quagmire]

He should, but Bairstow is not alone in having very low standards catching. For all the athletic brilliant stops, England drop a lot of catches across the side.

The main reason Bairstow was put in over Foakes was because of his batting, and he’s been poor other than the first innings.

[Qunk]

Bairstow was phenomenal last summer, but if he’s not scoring runs he should be out of the team for Foakes who should score at least as many runs but not drop the ball

[Posh Red]

Taking their catches has been the biggest difference between the two teams so far.

Bairstow (whilst probably the biggest) is not the only culprit here.

As for this game, you have to think England need to get another 100 or so to keep themselves in the game

[Nomoreheroes]

Bairstow was phenomenal last summer, but if he’s not scoring runs he should be out of the team for Foakes who should score at least as many runs but not drop the ball

The problem with Bairstow is similar to that with Alec Stewart a few years ago.

England want him to be a top Test batsman and a top Test wicket keeper - He is neither. He is an all rounder. A number 6 batsman who can be a bit hit or miss. As a wicket keeper, he is a stopper who is prone to mistakes.

As with Alec Stewart, who was nowhere near the keeper Jack Russell was, he is being asked to do a job that is very difficult. Batting early after keeping wicket for a couple of days isn't easy.

P.S. Another problem is that Foakes is half the keeper that Jack Russell was! He's good, but he isn't great! On the batting side, he is less of a batsman than Bairstow (who is less of a batsman than Stewart was)

[RedRag]

 

Is it really within the spirit of cricket for Australia to catch everything? I wouldn't want to win that way.

[JoeMezz]

Not really sure what that session was. Stokes and Ali looked to be batting “proper test match batting.” Ali got away with one then decided to hit it straight to the fielder that got moved there next ball. Woakes trying to swing at everything just before lunch. Completely brain dead cricket

[swindon74]

This is just such brain dead cricket! Bairstow, Ali and woakes all pathetic dismissals! 13 dropped catches!? 0 fight in this team

[JoeMezz]

This is just such brain dead cricket! Bairstow, Ali and woakes all pathetic dismissals! 13 dropped catches!? 0 fight in this team

Bazball is Bayliss-ball with more stupid shots

[Quagmire]

Mark Wood is ace.

[BambooToTheFuture]

Looks like Stokes has realised it's time to just go for it as a one man team again at this stage. Although he's with Broad again so maybe they can frustrate the Aussies a little longer - keep Stokes on strike and Broad can tickle away a few singles whilst Stokes thrashes it about for an hour.

I'll be impressed if England get to 250 from here. But as been stated - catches win matches.

[Nemo]

Mark Wood is ace.

to "catches win matches" add "if you're gonna swing, swing hard" to the village cliches that are still true for the pros list!

Fuck me they've dropped one!

Ben Stokes is turning into Boromir here, getting increasingly injured and still whacking people right left and centre. If he plays all five tests it'll be a miracle.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey]

Stokes dropped twice in 2 balls.

Luvverly!

[Nemo]

And then Broad not dropped. Every England wicket so far has been caught, and six of Australia's ten (plus three major drops).

[Nemo]

I do feel like Stokes is the absolute opposite of what Ian Bell was (perhaps unfairly) accused of being. He absolutely only scores runs when England really, really need them. Injured players at both ends now!

[Matchworn Shirts]

I guess 250 was not a bad score afterall