England vs India 2014

(22-07-2014 02:32 )Hawaiian Brian Wrote:  It would appear we have a team that cannot think for themselves.

Ishant Sharma bowled 1 over of short balls (the last before lunch) roughed up Joe Root, who managed to get down the other end via a leg bye off his chest, and then Moeen Ali, who got out off the last ball before lunch.

As both seemed incapable of ducking or swaying out of the way, the orders in the dressing room seem to be : Go out there and hook and pull!

After lunch the happy hookers thrashed away and got out.

What happened to the old axiom : Play each ball on it's merits?

If it's there to hook, hook it!

If it's not, leave it, get out of the way, but whatever you do keep your bat and gloves below the ball so you don't give catches. If you have to take a body blow, do it!

Ah, it's so much easier behind a keyboard!

If it was me facing a short ball I would stand my ground and get hit.......remember kids sport hurts lol.

Despite the recent disasters I have a feeling England will knick something from the series.

Cook is a remarkably stubborn character, off the field. He should take stock of his own personal performances and do the proper thing which is to resign the captaincy and take time away from the England set up. He could then go back to Essex and try and find form in the County Championship.

Tickets for the 3rd test which starts on Sunday have reportedly been selling very slowly. The first day is fine with approximately 75% of the seats sold. However, the remaining days are not doing that well.

It is the first time that a test match has started on a Sunday in England. The reason why this match is commencing on this day is because India have a hectic schedule in their season and need to be away as soon as possible - so all the tests have to be crammed into a five week window.

(22-07-2014 17:23 )Billy_Nomates Wrote:  the proper thing which is to resign the captaincy

Who would they make captain then, Broad?

How about bringing back Eoin Morgan and making him captain?

I fear for Allistar Cook's career, what happens if/when he gets dropped as captain which he should in my opinion the low scores keep coming? Will they drop him from the current XI he needs a massive series and soon I mean getting one hundred with low scores around it is not enough. And the embarrasing home defeats don't say much about his captaincy of course all players are to blame somewhat.

In terms of captain replacement i have no idea but asking a opening batsman to do it is a stupid idea unless of course they show outstanding tactical and leadership qualities which i'm afraid Cook does not, Also i am a firm believer that natural leadership is something you are born with and cannot be taught.

Also England get a bloody full time spinner in, or at least James Taylor in to bat.

(24-07-2014 16:27 )cosmonaut Wrote:  

(22-07-2014 17:23 )Billy_Nomates Wrote:  the proper thing which is to resign the captaincy

Who would they make captain then, Broad?

How about bringing back Eoin Morgan and making him captain?

No, not Morgan. He's not up to test match standard as a player IMO. Neither Broad, far too temperamental. I'd plump for Bell. Solid and reliable with the essential qualities needed for a test match captain.

(27-07-2014 13:36 )Billy_Nomates Wrote:  I'd plump for Bell. Solid and reliable with the essential qualities needed for a test match captain.

But Bell doesn't score runs any more! In the last year his average is down to about 24.

England make 3 changes, Woakes and Jordan coming in along with Buttler behind the sticks. That means no Stokes or Plunkett.

Alastair Cook, Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, James Anderson.

Pankaj Singh will debut for India, in place of Ishant Sharma who is out with injury. England have won the toss and are batting first.

I hope England win just to shut up Piers Morgan. Insufferable man.

It's a big surprise to me that Plunkett has been dropped, as I don't think he has been anywhere near England's worst bowler. As for Woakes coming in, I hope he does well but I don't think he's test match quality.

England get a bit of luck anyway, as Cook gave a very catchable chance to slip early on but was dropped. England actually managed 50 for the first wicket before Robson went for 26, making England 55/1.