England V India Test Match Series 2021

I can't be the only one who sees the use of a nightwatchman as complete folly - in principle in fact?? I know J Leach has had his moments in sticking around and 'protecting' the batsman, however, the downside outweighs the benefits. Particularly with England and their extended tail, is it really wise to surrender an extra wicket with the deficit so big as it currently is, resulting in Stokes batting out of position, and having only that weak 'tail' to accompany him or Bairstow as they try to chip away at the arrears - should they not repeat their performances against NZ?? (they are going to need too it seems). Is it not also a kop - out on the batsman's part - particularly the captain - who should lead?? I have to say that I don't see many instances - never have - where use of the nightwatchman is justified. Australia abandoned the concept and a good thing too at the time.

^^ Unless Stokes was caught short at the time of Roots dismissal, & the England management didn't want to expose Billings who is new to Test cricket, then otherwise, it was a bad choice. In any case, 25 minutes is too long for Leach to survive against a quality India pace attack.
I've heard it said that they ask the batsmen due in if they would like a nightwatchman ? Surely this is a management decision, this is a team game. As you've said, the concept is flawed, as the last recognized batsmen will just run out of partners quicker.
Todays move doesn't really fit in with the new positive approach. From the moment Pant put England on the back foot yesterday, it has been a series of bad decisions. The tone was set today with 7 overs to the new ball, Potts was asked to bowl short, when all his success has come with accurate full length bowling, which was good enough to dismiss top order batsman. Fair enough for Stokes to operate in that manner. We saw field placings that made no sense, Shami on strike & no slip ?
Broad clearly wasn't satisfied with the 6 sixes that Yuvraj took off him, he wanted to own the record in test cricket, 35 runs, 29 off Bumrah's bat, in an over that contained 8 balls. At one point 16 runs had come from just one legal ball after the four wides, & a no-ball which went for six. Brainless.
This is not hindsight, Broad was tired after 3 Test on the bounce, by his own admission, so just swap in Anderson. Jamie O wasn't amazing with the ball, but would provided a little more extra pace as a point of difference, & has a batting defense that might just cope against the 3 quicks that can all hit 90mph. I predict they will run through our lower order with ease.

(02-07-2022 20:21 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ Unless Stokes was caught short at the time of Roots dismissal, & the England management didn't want to expose Billings who is new to Test cricket, then otherwise, it was a bad choice. In any case, 25 minutes is too long for Leach to survive against a quality India pace attack.
I've heard it said that they ask the batsmen due in if they would like a nightwatchman ? Surely this is a management decision, this is a team game. As you've said, the concept is flawed, as the last recognized batsmen will just run out of partners quicker.
Todays move doesn't really fit in with the new positive approach. From the moment Pant put England on the back foot yesterday, it has been a series of bad decisions. The tone was set today with 7 overs to the new ball, Potts was asked to bowl short, when all his success has come with accurate full length bowling, which was good enough to dismiss top order batsman. Fair enough for Stokes to operate in that manner. We saw field placings that made no sense, Shami on strike & no slip ?
Broad clearly wasn't satisfied with the 6 sixes that Yuvraj took off him, he wanted to own the record in test cricket, 35 runs, 29 off Bumrah's bat, in an over that contained 8 balls. At one point 16 runs had come from just one legal ball after the four wides, & a no-ball which went for six. Brainless.
This is not hindsight, Broad was tired after 3 Test on the bounce, by his own admission, so just swap in Anderson. Jamie O wasn't amazing with the ball, but would provided a little more extra pace as a point of difference, & has a batting defense that might just cope against the 3 quicks that can all hit 90mph. I predict they will run through our lower order with ease.

I could not believe what I was watching at that point either!! It can't be laughed off with Baz ball (I see the same thing with the bowling) either, as it left England 'shell shocked' and contributed - even in part - to what happened when they came to bat. In fairness, the Indian bowling attack was up there with the very best (this attack overall is to be fair). How much rope - by the way - will S Broad be given in the way he has started 'interacting' with the umpires?? He is to my mind, sailing close to the wind!!

^^ I wonder if Broad had treated the umpires with more respect over the years, that he'd have more Test wickets. One of his worst faults has been celebrating a wicket, & not bothering to turn around & actually appeal to the umpire. He's always had a certain arrogance, believing he s always right, & the batsman s out, or when he's batting, he's never out.
Today it was good to see umpire Kettleborough stepping in when Kohli & Bairstow were gong at each other. Again we saw more finger wagging, & pointing from Kohli, towards Bairstow, something he has done to umpires. I'm no expert on the culture of India, but where I come from, to point or wag a finger at someone, is disrespectful, Kohli needs to be told that this is unacceptable.

(02-07-2022 11:56 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(01-07-2022 12:15 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(30-06-2022 14:06 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  England v India 5th Test - Edgbaston July 1 - 5 (10.30am BST) Day 4 Lunch
England elected to field
IND 416 & 229-7 (73 overs) Pujara 66 Pant 57 Potts 2-50 Broad 2-58
ENG 284 (61.3 overs) Bairstow 106 Billings 36 Root 31 Stokes 25 Siraj 4-66 Bumrah 3-68 Shami 2-78
India lead by 361

Broad gone!! Two quick wickets and now England staring down the barrel with a deficit still at 168. Baz ball is ok if you can persuade the oppo to play ball, but should England get rolled now with the arrears say 150, India will just compile (Pant aside) a sizeable lead and target.

Just a thought on the Crawley issue. Should he get the shepherds crook, I wonder - if everyone available - would England look at Moving Bairstow up to open, bring in Foakes again to keep behind the sticks (also solidifies batting line up I believe) and bring Buttler in to bat where Jonny currently is - against S.A, with a license to go at it, which is just the type of game he is made for?? It means a bit part for Billings in the team, but his time would come again.

^^ In a recent interview, Buttler admitted that he had deserved to be dropped in the Ashes series, & would be focusing on his white-ball captaincy.

(03-07-2022 15:21 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  ^^ In a recent interview, Buttler admitted that he had deserved to be dropped in the Ashes series, & would be focusing on his white-ball captaincy.

Times change though Booms - particularly with the new philosophy, which would free Buttler's mind up as well to just go out and play, and in the circumstances, it would be a potential 'two birds - one stone' solution with minimum disruption. It is clear to me that - at the very least - Foakes needs an immediate return when available! Certainly the keeper role needs looked at. Interesting that Athers started a conversation with Kumar on the role of WK/batsman and the priority in picking the right individual for the role. I was eagerly awaiting Kumar's considered (he is a class act to listen too) opinion. It never came as events in front of them intervened. I have never believed in the batsman/keeper dual role.

What are we thinking is it match gone from England or will it need a good start in morning?

I know Bumrah took a good catch but Stokes is batting so brainless at the moment! There is a big difference between having a positive mindset and simply slogging aimlessly at every ball like he is!

The bowling, oh for a real bit of pace! The problem is it doesn’t feel right leaving out Anderson, Broad of Potts.