England cricket team

[nirvana]

2005 was something of a one-off as a comparator

Such a heightened experience because England were at last competitive again after so long and the sides were pretty well matched.

Some bowling skill levels today are as good as any at any time and so it's not a complete surprise that teams get blown away from time to time.

I've enjoyed cricket for a long time, even when test cricket was just about the dullest thing in the world of sport. On balance, I'd rather watch these abbreviated, fast scoring matches than some of the turgid stuff I watched in the past.

[horseplayer]

It didnt look a weak middle order pre the ashes so maybe we should get some credit.

Thought Shane Warne was disgusting today on comms, suggesting Cook had slagged of Clarke regularly (no such evidence) and constantly referring to how Haddin (his best mate) should be playing. Certainly his views give you a great indication as to who he hates, mildly dislikes and loves in the Aussie camp.

Even argued with the Clarke captaincy away stats (that i posted pre series) as being "misleading" (how?!!) and that he is not in bad form. Pointing by contrast was excellent very balanced and able to be critical of people you can tell he respects and possibly even likes.

Has Punter done commentary in Oz before this or have Sky just struck oil? He's a real Gary Neville. Suberb.

I have heard him briefly on the Big Bash stuff before but was not particular taken either way. Obviously more time in the tests, just superb.

Still nothing quite beats Michael Vaughan on TMS late evening he knew the Aussies were "not up for this test" by the body language before the toss on Wednesday morning. Quite how he garnered this i have no idea, i have never heard such an after-timer on any media form.

[nirvana]

Find McGrath has a really good dry sense of humour on TMS - knowledgeable too izzit

[Longy]

It didnt look a weak middle order pre the ashes so maybe we should get some credit.

Thought Shane Warne was disgusting today on comms, suggesting Cook had slagged of Clarke regularly (no such evidence) and constantly referring to how Haddin (his best mate) should be playing. Certainly his views give you a great indication as to who he hates, mildly dislikes and loves in the Aussie camp.

Even argued with the Clarke captaincy away stats (that i posted pre series) as being "misleading" (how?!!) and that he is not in bad form. Pointing by contrast was excellent very balanced and able to be critical of people you can tell he respects and possibly even likes.

Has Punter done commentary in Oz before this or have Sky just struck oil? He's a real Gary Neville. Suberb.

I have heard him briefly on the Big Bash stuff before but was not particular taken either way. Obviously more time in the tests, just superb.

Still nothing quite beats Michael Vaughan on TMS late evening he knew the Aussies were "not up for this test" by the body language before the toss on Wednesday morning. Quite how he garnered this i have no idea, i have never heard such an after-timer on any media form.

Botham is pretty terrible after timer as well. Vaughan has been a massive disappointment to me post career, he is just a bit of a prat IMO. Was a big fan of his captaincy and his style when batting.

[Woodsey]

It didnt look a weak middle order pre the ashes so maybe we should get some credit.

Thought Shane Warne was disgusting today on comms, suggesting Cook had slagged of Clarke regularly (no such evidence) and constantly referring to how Haddin (his best mate) should be playing. Certainly his views give you a great indication as to who he hates, mildly dislikes and loves in the Aussie camp.

Even argued with the Clarke captaincy away stats (that i posted pre series) as being "misleading" (how?!!) and that he is not in bad form. Pointing by contrast was excellent very balanced and able to be critical of people you can tell he respects and possibly even likes.

Has Punter done commentary in Oz before this or have Sky just struck oil? He's a real Gary Neville. Suberb.

I have heard him briefly on the Big Bash stuff before but was not particular taken either way. Obviously more time in the tests, just superb.

Still nothing quite beats Michael Vaughan on TMS late evening he knew the Aussies were "not up for this test" by the body language before the toss on Wednesday morning. Quite how he garnered this i have no idea, i have never heard such an after-timer on any media form.

Botham is pretty terrible after timer as well. Vaughan has been a massive disappointment to me post career, he is just a bit of a prat IMO. Was a big fan of his captaincy and his style when batting.

Vaughan is just a shameless media whore these days, saying shit just to keep him in the cricketing public eye.

[vegaslover]

because it is mainly there to eliminate howlers from an umpire, although often not sued like that by teams

in tennis its in or out, with cricket there are a lot of really tight judgement calls an umpire has to make, in tennis if its in and called out its a mistake  .

in cricket its there to support the umpire not help the player

Tennis is more black and white as you know where the ball landed. Cricket they are often predicting the trajectory of the ball so a lot more chance of error, so it's a computers best guess basically.

Same for Tennis as cricket. 3mm give for Hawkeye in Tennis.

As Rich and Mark have said, the review system is there to get rid of the howlers, unfortunately too often the reviews are tactical.

Yeah but the ball lands where it's gonna land in tennis, no element of predicting future trajectory unlike cricket.

I know what you saying, but it still not completely accurate in tennis. makers themselves say 3mm leeway. Pretty obv watching Wimbledon this year where there are occasional errors, as clearly evident on the faces of players.
Everyone knows it is not 100% for cricket, but does what it supposed to do and prevents the howlers

[HutchGF]

I agree with comments made on Ponting's commentary - he really is very good. I envisaged him being very dry and matter of fact but his tactical nous shines through and for such a fierce on-field competitor he is surprisingly balanced.

I also will admit to enjoying Warney's commentary despite his seemingly endless search for controversy. The banter between him and some of the England lads (Hussein et al) is fun to listen to and adds a bit of spice.

The same bit of spice which seems to be lacking on the field tbh.

[buzzharvey22]

Find McGrath has a really good dry sense of humour on TMS - knowledgeable too izzit

Mcgrath has been bang on so far, really enjoyed listening to his stints on TMS but i think he is about the only one i do enjoy listening to on there.

Booked the day off graft today so i could have a good weekend watching the cricket. That's went down the shitpan. I was doing a bit raindance at 11.30 on wednesday morning.

[Tal]

Open with Lyon and get in a second over before lunch?

[JohnCharver]

bell knows hes got 3 days right lol.

Hope lyth gets out, he needs dropped and think selectors make mistakes based on us winning= no need to change.

[Longy]

bell knows hes got 3 days right lol.

Hope lyth gets out, he needs dropped and think selectors make mistakes based on us winning= no need to change.

Who are you replacing him with?

[JohnCharver]

bell knows hes got 3 days right lol.

Hope lyth gets out, he needs dropped and think selectors make mistakes based on us winning= no need to change.

Who are you replacing him with?

Anybody.

Not sure, seen some debate from people who follow the county game and obvious its not an easy solution but might as well roll the dice on someone.

[TightEnd]

bell knows hes got 3 days right lol.

Hope lyth gets out, he needs dropped and think selectors make mistakes based on us winning= no need to change.

Who are you replacing him with?

Anybody.

Not sure, seen some debate from people who follow the county game and obvious its not an easy solution but might as well roll the dice on someone.

thats the exact opposite of what England do

better to suggest things that are realistic.

there is no easy ready made solution, hence the difficulty and why he might stay.

i would pick compton, but england won't.

[JohnCharver]

bell knows hes got 3 days right lol.

Hope lyth gets out, he needs dropped and think selectors make mistakes based on us winning= no need to change.

Who are you replacing him with?

Anybody.

Not sure, seen some debate from people who follow the county game and obvious its not an easy solution but might as well roll the dice on someone.

thats the exact opposite of what England do

better to suggest things that are realistic.

there is no easy ready made solution, hence the difficulty and why he might stay.

i would pick compton, but england won't.

Stoneman, geordies have great records in ashes adversity.

[swinebag22]

Tough one with the opener role. Opening the batting is very tough. Just shows how great Cook has done. The possible (already tried) contenders to replace Lyth for me are (in no order)

Carberry
Robson
Compton

who have all had a dip with minimal success and have all been treated fairly harshly. Can't think of anyone untried who could step in here.

The best thing the selectors could do would be to put an arm round Lyth, tell him he is the future and will be opening for the final 2 tests. Having said that, his confidence does seem shattered and he has looked outclassed.


A left field option for me would be promoting Moin Ali to opener and given Rashid a run out at 8. Trouble is, England won't really need a second spinner at Trent bridge so this is lefter than left field