I think we can safely say that the experiment of Lawrence opening is one of the few that hasn't worked for McCullum
I think that was sort of the plan really. He gets a go having been the spare bat for ages but now can’t have any complaints if an opener is brought in in front of him in future. Never any chance we’d lose the series so worth the punt just in case it worked
Lawrence isn't worth his place in the squad. With Stokes returning, presumably Cox will be the spare middle order batsman but they will also have to take someone who is capable of batting up top. That probably will have to be another "punt" too.
I think we can safely say that the experiment of Lawrence opening is one of the few that hasn't worked for McCullum
I think that was sort of the plan really. He gets a go having been the spare bat for ages but now can’t have any complaints if an opener is brought in in front of him in future. Never any chance we’d lose the series so worth the punt just in case it worked
Lawrence isn't worth his place in the squad. With Stokes returning, presumably Cox will be the spare middle order batsman but they will also have to take someone who is capable of batting up top. That probably will have to be another "punt" too.
He’s a decent middle order batter and can bowl his weird spin, would expect to see him travel to Pakistan (or wherever it gets played). Realistically he’s just injury cover, doesn’t have to be great
I think we can safely say that the experiment of Lawrence opening is one of the few that hasn't worked for McCullum
I think that was sort of the plan really. He gets a go having been the spare bat for ages but now can’t have any complaints if an opener is brought in in front of him in future. Never any chance we’d lose the series so worth the punt just in case it worked
Lawrence isn't worth his place in the squad. With Stokes returning, presumably Cox will be the spare middle order batsman but they will also have to take someone who is capable of batting up top. That probably will have to be another "punt" too.
He’s a decent middle order batter and can bowl his weird spin, would expect to see him travel to Pakistan (or wherever it gets played). Realistically he’s just injury cover, doesn’t have to be great
I'm not sure that's "succession planning" though. This isn't about Pakistan but preparing for series against India and Australia. He averages 26.50 in 14 Tests with the bat and has only taken 3 Test wickets in 13 matches and 35 FC wickets in 129 matches so is rarely thrown the ball in red ball cricket. I'm not sure that they will take Cox and Lawrence either unless they want to see if Cox can do that job in the same way as they tried Lawrence.
If Hull and Bashir are example of "punts" it won't necessarily be those at the top of the averages they will trial.
I think we can safely say that the experiment of Lawrence opening is one of the few that hasn't worked for McCullum
I think that was sort of the plan really. He gets a go having been the spare bat for ages but now can’t have any complaints if an opener is brought in in front of him in future. Never any chance we’d lose the series so worth the punt just in case it worked
Lawrence isn't worth his place in the squad. With Stokes returning, presumably Cox will be the spare middle order batsman but they will also have to take someone who is capable of batting up top. That probably will have to be another "punt" too.
He’s a decent middle order batter and can bowl his weird spin, would expect to see him travel to Pakistan (or wherever it gets played). Realistically he’s just injury cover, doesn’t have to be great
I'm not sure that's "succession planning" though. This isn't about Pakistan but preparing for series against India and Australia. He averages 26.50 in Tests with the bat and has only taken 3 Test wickets in 13 matches and 35 FC wickets in 129 matches so is rarely thrown the ball in red ball cricket. I'm not sure that they will take Cox and Lawrence either unless they want to see if Cox can do that job in the same way as they tried Lawrence.
If Hull and Bashir are example of "punts" it won't necessarily be those at the top of the averages they will trial.
I think the punts they like to take are ones who are likely to go into the team pretty quickly, having a known quantity in the pavilion is useful. They'll know Cox can do the job but Lawrence has been in and around the group in a way Cox hasn't
Absolute joke to come off for this light. Can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to be there
Rain started a few minutes later & now persistent drizzle. I live less than 10 miles away from the Oval & I wouldn't want to be sitting out in this today.
Shame. And surprising that it's only been diagnosed now, as I assume he's not bowled for 2 weeks since the Old Trafford Test due to his hamstring injury.
Shame. And surprising that it's only been diagnosed now, as I assume he's not bowled for 2 weeks since the Old Trafford Test due to his hamstring injury.
it’s both, my guess is they gave the elbow time to calm down and then worked out the problem which stops him bowling in the winter
Ollie Pope is the first batsman in history to score his first seven Test hundreds against seven different opponents.
135 n/o vs South Africa, 1/2020 145 vs New Zealand, 6/2022 108 vs Pakistan, 12/2022 205 vs Ireland, 6/2023 196 vs India, 1/2024 121 vs West Indies, 7/2024 103 n/o vs Sri Lanka, 9/2024
Sometimes I honestly can’t believe how easily England throw away their wickets.
It's been a poor quality game so far. Poor bowling, and casual batting. Tough conditions, but bat like this against Australia and we'll be skittled for 200.
Sometimes I honestly can’t believe how easily England throw away their wickets.
It's been a poor quality game so far. Poor bowling, and casual batting. Tough conditions, but bat like this against Australia and we'll be skittled for 200.
Yes, they might get away with casual batting against teams like Sri Lanka and West Indies but they will get punished by stronger teams like Australia and India. I understand they are trying to apply pressure on the bowling team but sometimes they are throwing their wickets away and potentially bringing the opposition back into it.
I am usually all for the fame to carry on & often moan about overs not being made up the next day
But currently we are bowling spinners that are having no effect whereas the seasmrrsxjave been taking all the wickets. Perhaps its time to put England's interests first & put the seamers on. If we go off for bad light then so be it.
Comments
If Hull and Bashir are example of "punts" it won't necessarily be those at the top of the averages they will trial.
Forecast looking good for tomorrow though.
Archer and Wood are so injury prone it's a Joke.
When they went off for bad light we went to the pub for a couple of hours.
Came back & saw Pope get his 100.
I'd be surprised if Jof makes it through the T20 series without an injury scare.
135 n/o vs South Africa, 1/2020
145 vs New Zealand, 6/2022
108 vs Pakistan, 12/2022
205 vs Ireland, 6/2023
196 vs India, 1/2024
121 vs West Indies, 7/2024
103 n/o vs Sri Lanka, 9/2024
Bradman 138.25
Pope 88.00
...but Pope has power to add
Freddie is the new Lions head coach.
But currently we are bowling spinners that are having no effect whereas the seasmrrsxjave been taking all the wickets. Perhaps its time to put England's interests first & put the seamers on. If we go off for bad light then so be it.