The Crawley debate is a tough one. Clearly miles out of form but I think Baz sticks with him and you see him open in The Ashes next winter. I just don't see an obvious alternative really , Bethell would be a big gamble in Aussie conditions and a lot of the players that have scored big in county cricket recently are players we know all about (Hameed,Burns, Jennings, Vince)
Ultimately I think the ECB need to release Crawley to actually play the first few rounds of the CC for Kent and see how that goes.
When was the last time there was such a clamour for England's highest scorer in one Ashes series to be dropped for the next one?
And if he continues to fail in the summer would you still take him ? What other player gets this many chances ?
I'd take him if there wasn't an obvious, better candidate. So, I'd search round to see how many other openers have won tests against Australia, before making a decision.
Who would you pick to open in the Ashes?
To be honest I’m not a massive follower of county cricket so I don’t know who’s up and coming but all I know is that Crawley looks like an accident waiting to happen nearly every time he’s at the stumps.
The Crawley debate is a tough one. Clearly miles out of form but I think Baz sticks with him and you see him open in The Ashes next winter. I just don't see an obvious alternative really , Bethell would be a big gamble in Aussie conditions and a lot of the players that have scored big in county cricket recently are players we know all about (Hameed,Burns, Jennings, Vince)
Ultimately I think the ECB need to release Crawley to actually play the first few rounds of the CC for Kent and see how that goes.
McCullum is the last person to be afraid of gambling as evidenced with his selection of Bethell in the first place but also by the fact that his other life is breeding and owning a string of race horses and punting on them. The one thing that makes Bethell different to others is where he grew up and played his informative cricket - in the West Indies on fast, bouncy tracks.
Equally, I'm not sure Crawley playing for Kent will make any difference to his game - if the ball is doing nothing he will score runs at county and international level but he will always struggle if there is movement simply when his technique does not stand up to that scrutiny. In the same way, he scored 92 in the warm up game and one would have thought that he had his eye in coming into this series but facing someone like Henry (4-0 against him here) has been too much of a challenge.
There is someone else who was also "educated" on the same tracks as Bethell and plays in the same way as Crawley, is used to opening (albeit not in red ball) and that is Phil Salt - providing he wants to become a dual player again. He didn't play a single game of red ball last season but is centrally contracted (for the first time) and averaged over 43 in both 2022 and 2023. There's no way that you would gamble in sending him to Australia without looking at him against India but, perhaps, he is just the sort of person that McCullum might feel is worth a "punt". And McCullum, as we know, does love a punt. We would still have Crawley in reserve and perhaps taking him out of the firing line and working relentlessly with him on not playing so far in front of him might be the making of him.
Great couple of days for England.What a player Harry Brook is.What a special talent we have there.Fantastic BATSMAN..(am i allowed to say that nowadays),Im liking Jacob Bethell too.Looks a good cricketer.People, me included were worried how he'd fit in but he's done ok.will it mean when Jamie Smith comes back do they drop him or keep him at 3 or put Pope back there? .Good decision to have i suppose.
Where did Brydon Carse come from?.Very good bowler.Reminds me a bit of Simon Jones.Quick and very straight.About time we had that type of bowler.I would love to see him and Jofra Archer bowling at the Aussies next year.Take a bow Gus Atkinson superb bowling for his hatrick.He has had a great start to his England career.
Its great seeing the Basin reserve packed.Its a lovely ground.Gutted i couldnt be there this time but will try and make Brisabane next year to make up for it.
The way England think, it's surprising they batted to the close. Yes there are 3 days to go, but England usually try to get the win as quickly as possible (more time on the golf course)
When was the last time there was such a clamour for England's highest scorer in one Ashes series to be dropped for the next one?
And if he continues to fail in the summer would you still take him ? What other player gets this many chances ?
I'd take him if there wasn't an obvious, better candidate. So, I'd search round to see how many other openers have won tests against Australia, before making a decision.
Who would you pick to open in the Ashes?
To be honest I’m not a massive follower of county cricket so I don’t know who’s up and coming but all I know is that Crawley looks like an accident waiting to happen nearly every time he’s at the stumps.
Emilio Gay would be an interesting one. Had a very good season this year. Will be interested to see how he does for Durham this season. Other names would be younger players who could kick on this year Freddie McCann at Notts and Ben McKinney at Durham.
I watched the cricket live as I was enjoying the Duckett, Bethel partnership and the way they played. After Ben Duckett was out I finally called it a night and watched the rest at 8.30 am. I felt gutted for both but especially Bethel who had suddenly became frantic in the 90's after being so cool and calm. Both had elements of luck, not being out earlier but they are a joy to watch after the early exit of Crawley to his nemesis Henry.
To accommodate Crawley in the 3rd test, if Robinson comes in for some gloves work then a batsman will be dropped who doesn't deserve it.
I know Bethel only played because of Jordon Cox's injury but when a young 21 year old takes his opportunity does he deserve to be dropped/rested ?
The way England think, it's surprising they batted to the close. Yes there are 3 days to go, but England usually try to get the win as quickly as possible (more time on the golf course)
I’m surprised they didn’t put NZ in for half an hour before the close. The biggest run chase at the Basin to win a match is less than 300 and there’s no way England are going to lose from here. And the weather for the remaining days may be a problem.
Why isn't there some kind of DLS to calculate a fair number of overs a team should be able to bowl in a day's play when teams bowl more fast/seam bowlers? NZ and England both play entertaining cricket with a result within 3 days - yet both get penalised for their over rate. It's like it is biased towards one team and the 'I' in ICC isn't 'International'
Two disappointingly one sided and quick Test matches, England winning in 3 days, and Australia in 2.5 days. I had hoped to be able to watch some of the Australia India game this morning!
Worse then W Indies (Kanhai, Sobers, etc.) being bowled out by Ireland for 26?
Relative to their respective standings in the game, that Windies innings was definitely worse. They were, actually, 25 all out and although they had rested the likes of Kanhai and Sobers, they still had legends of the game such as Clive Lloyd and Clyde Walcott in their side as well as Kent's very own John Shepherd. This was the late 1960s and there was no Associate structure.
Nigeria are currently ranked 5/18 in the African Region of World rankings (behind Namibia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) whereas the Ivory Coast were only granted Associate Membership in 2022 and have no ranking as yet. Ivory Coast's scores this year have been 26, 41, 31, 7 & 21 which rather says it all in terms of their ability.
Chizz choose to be somewhat pedantic in saying 26 is a better score than 7. But, then, that's really missing the point of you asking the question. Perhaps their comment was an attempt at being humourous or perhaps they even mistook who posed your question.
Worse then W Indies (Kanhai, Sobers, etc.) being bowled out by Ireland for 26?
Relative to their respective standings in the game, that Windies innings was definitely worse. They were, actually, 25 all out and although they had rested the likes of Kanhai and Sobers, they still had legends of the game such as Clive Lloyd and Clyde Walcott in their side as well as Kent's very own John Shepherd. This was the late 1960s and there was no Associate structure.
Nigeria are currently ranked 5/18 in the African Region of World rankings (behind Namibia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) whereas the Ivory Coast were only granted Associate Membership in 2022 and have no ranking as yet. Ivory Coast's scores this year have been 26, 41, 31, 7 & 21 which rather says it all in terms of their ability.
Chizz choose to be somewhat pedantic in saying 26 is a better score than 7. But, then, that's really missing the point of you asking the question. Perhaps their comment was an attempt at being humourous or perhaps they even mistook who posed your question.
I posted it simply because it broke the record for the lowest score in any international match, Test, ODI or T20. You might think that the West Indians being bowled out in a non-First Class, friendly, one-day, two innings per side match was worse, and that's fair enough. But the record for the lowest score in an international is now and remains 7.
Comments
Ultimately I think the ECB need to release Crawley to actually play the first few rounds of the CC for Kent and see how that goes.
Equally, I'm not sure Crawley playing for Kent will make any difference to his game - if the ball is doing nothing he will score runs at county and international level but he will always struggle if there is movement simply when his technique does not stand up to that scrutiny. In the same way, he scored 92 in the warm up game and one would have thought that he had his eye in coming into this series but facing someone like Henry (4-0 against him here) has been too much of a challenge.
There is someone else who was also "educated" on the same tracks as Bethell and plays in the same way as Crawley, is used to opening (albeit not in red ball) and that is Phil Salt - providing he wants to become a dual player again. He didn't play a single game of red ball last season but is centrally contracted (for the first time) and averaged over 43 in both 2022 and 2023. There's no way that you would gamble in sending him to Australia without looking at him against India but, perhaps, he is just the sort of person that McCullum might feel is worth a "punt". And McCullum, as we know, does love a punt. We would still have Crawley in reserve and perhaps taking him out of the firing line and working relentlessly with him on not playing so far in front of him might be the making of him.
Where did Brydon Carse come from?.Very good bowler.Reminds me a bit of Simon Jones.Quick and very straight.About time we had that type of bowler.I would love to see him and Jofra Archer bowling at the Aussies next year.Take a bow Gus Atkinson
superb bowling for his hatrick.He has had a great start to his England career.
Its great seeing the Basin reserve packed.Its a lovely ground.Gutted i couldnt be there this time but will try and make Brisabane next year to make up for it.
Both had elements of luck, not being out earlier but they are a joy to watch after the early exit of Crawley to his nemesis Henry.
To accommodate Crawley in the 3rd test, if Robinson comes in for some gloves work then a batsman will be dropped who doesn't deserve it.
I know Bethel only played because of Jordon Cox's injury but when a young 21 year old takes his opportunity does he deserve to be dropped/rested ?
Yet another ton. I'm surprised they're still continuing, maybe Stokes wants a 50. Or even a ton himself!
It's a difficult balancing act. You don't want to be reckless, but sometimes you need to challenge the bowlers more.
England win by 323 runs.
Nigeria are currently ranked 5/18 in the African Region of World rankings (behind Namibia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) whereas the Ivory Coast were only granted Associate Membership in 2022 and have no ranking as yet. Ivory Coast's scores this year have been 26, 41, 31, 7 & 21 which rather says it all in terms of their ability.
Chizz choose to be somewhat pedantic in saying 26 is a better score than 7. But, then, that's really missing the point of you asking the question. Perhaps their comment was an attempt at being humourous or perhaps they even mistook who posed your question.