England Cricket - Spring 2015 (matches against WI, IRE & NZ)

Won by 9 wickets.

It would appear that a comfortable England victory with Cook and Balance in the runs doesn't really interest the majority of CL's self appointed cricket correspondents. Unbelievable lack of comment during the run chase and after the subsequent victory from the usual suspects. As one of them asked me the other day when discussing KP, "Would you rather see Emgland lose?" Looks like he and the others would.

lordromford said:

Thank god for your constant, run-by-run updates...

I've got a pub to run mate but stil managed to post the result.

Riviera said:

It would appear that a comfortable England victory with Cook and Balance in the runs doesn't really interest the majority of CL's self appointed cricket correspondents. Unbelievable lack of comment during the run chase and after the subsequent victory from the usual suspects. As one of them asked me the other day when discussing KP, "Would you rather see Emgland lose?" Looks like he and the others would.

Sorry I was out with the family yesterday.

What can I say. Well it was a win and you can only beat what's in front of you.

Behind us we had an inspired Anderson, signs that Broad can still put in a spell, a brillaint innings from Root and clinical performances from Cook and Ballance. Ali needs more overs but was getting there by the end.

In front of us it would appear that the Windies offered very little resistance but I think we all knew that this was only ever going to be a stepping stone to greater challenges ahead of us this summer.

To put things in perspective, the Windies' top five included a 33 year old opener with a Test average of 24 and a soon to be 41 year old who simply looks like he's been "kept in training" too long.

As for their bowling, well the Windies possess a decent opening bowler, when he's on his game, in the shape of Roach but who, with figures of 0-118, clearly wasn't here. His opening partner, Gabriel, has pace but is still raw and lacking stamina and first change Holder has height but no pace. Bishoo isn't the worst spinner in the world but Samuels has never been Test class as evidenced by his average of 60 plus.

Our opposition resorted in the first innings to tossing the ball to a modern day Nasser (Brathwaite - just one Test and three first class wickets to his name). Can only think they hadn't checked his career record prior to the match but probably did following his 14 run single over. Hence the reason they asked him to end proceedings as quickly as possible.

So, I repeat, we did all we could. We probably now know at least nine of the team (and if Trott doesn't fail in the final Test then we will have all bar one) that will play in the First Test against N Z. And that, I suspect, will be a Test.

Ooh, I'd better step aside. I'm sure everyone's queuing up to get there excuses in lest they irritate a self-important barman.

Sorry Riv. I was in The Ramblers Rest.

Good to see some more positive cricket at least, superb from Anderson in particular on such a lifeless wicket.

I'd like to see Lyth in for Trott, he's more aggressive and deserves a chance, Trott looks uncomfortable opening and it's too defensive a top 3, as many have said.

North Lower Neil said:

Good to see some more positive cricket at least, superb from Anderson in particular on such a lifeless wicket.

I'd like to see Lyth in for Trott, he's more aggressive and deserves a chance, Trott looks uncomfortable opening and it's too defensive a top 3, as many have said.

Positive result, certainly. We won't beat many sides playing that brand of cricket.

Addick Addict said:

Hales has followed his double ton in the first CC match with a 141 in the second.

Is Alex Hales going to become the next David Sales? I sincerely hope not.

Is this squad not a bit insulting to Ireland - I know we need to look at the youngsters but this is wholesale change.

We have moaned that they won't try out younger, fresher players who will express themselves. And now they do - you still get people moaning.