That is such an unbalanced side - we have six batsmen and it only needs one of Topley, Wood or Atkinson to break down and Root will have to bowl more than he might otherwise have done
We are gambling that we can get the Saffers out reasonably cheaply and then chase it down. As opposed to batting first and having to risk losing two or three wickets early by going too hard.
Livinstone hasn't been great with the bat (30 in 3 innings) but he did get 98* half a dozen games ago against NZ and at 4.37 an over, he has been our most economical bowler.
I always want a 6th bowler if Willey is playing, he is very good with the new ball but it's 2nd and 3rd spells that worry me. Not that they can be much worse than what Woakes and Curran have been dishing up mind.
With a deviation and a noise of that nature, the umpire has to give that out especially in the knowledge that the batsman will send it straight upstairs if he hasn't done so.
Atherton says that England "have gone with the extra batter". Bet Livingstone loves not being considered a batter! We've got the same number of batters but one less bowler. And we've swapped the batting ability of Willey for Curran (arguably, on current form, potentially not that different) and the batting of Woakes for Atkinson (big difference). We were, admittedly, in a very difficult position and I would have dropped those two but, as I say, I'm not sure that the changes have strengthened our batting as Atherton intimates.
That is such an unbalanced side - we have six batsmen and it only needs one of Topley, Wood or Atkinson to break down and Root will have to bowl more than he might otherwise have done
Atherton says that England "have gone with the extra batter". Bet Livingstone loves not being considered a batter! We've got the same number of batters but one less bowler. And we've swapped the batting ability of Willey for Curran (arguably, on current form, potentially not that different) and the batting of Woakes for Atkinson (big difference). We were, admittedly, in a very difficult position and I would have dropped those two but, as I say, I'm not sure that the changes have strengthened our batting as Atherton intimates.
Would you pick Livingstone as one of England's top 6 if he couldn't bowl?
He always looked one place too high for me. So I agree with Athers on that.
Atherton says that England "have gone with the extra batter". Bet Livingstone loves not being considered a batter! We've got the same number of batters but one less bowler. And we've swapped the batting ability of Willey for Curran (arguably, on current form, potentially not that different) and the batting of Woakes for Atkinson (big difference). We were, admittedly, in a very difficult position and I would have dropped those two but, as I say, I'm not sure that the changes have strengthened our batting as Atherton intimates.
Would you pick Livingstone as one of England's top 6 if he couldn't bowl?
He always looked one place too high for me. So I agree with Athers on that.
I don't disagree that Livingstone is probably one too high. But Livingstone is a batsman (averages 33.28 at 113.65) who can bowl. Which is why, with losing both Curran and Woakes, we are, to my mind, worse off whereas Atherton suggests that we have the extra batsman.
We are being taken apart now. As soon as Topley hurt his finger Hendricks and VDD decided to put their foot down. From 20-1 off 6.3, the score has raced to 59-1 off 10 i.e. 39 off 15 balls.
Comments
Much appreciated to you all.
Topley has hurt his finger trying to stop the ball but is now resuming his over. Edit - He's been hit for two boundaries and is now off the pitch
He always looked one place too high for me. So I agree with Athers on that.