Cricket fred

[Banquo]

already got two leagues though, haven't we?

Yup, 18 teams - 10/8 split from 2020, 8/10 previously.
( Specsavers championship, 2020 ?..will resist this one )
Jarvis suggests 2 more, but the question remains how to ensure the 'best against the best' and scheduling more game time in the better conditions.

sorry, being dim, he's suggesting two MORE teams. The best idea might be four leagues of five teams for 4 day cricket. and then some sort of play offs with a big prize at the end of it.

[Galfon]

sorry, being dim, he's suggesting two MORE teams. The best idea might be four leagues of five teams for 4 day cricket. and then some sort of play offs with a big prize at the end of it.

Does seems odd but he's going for tweaking the status quo:
"I think by introducing more teams then we can have an increased participation and increase the quality..
Seem more like 'never mind the quality feel the width' tbh,
at least Aggers has got things rolling.It's definitely not knee-jerk given the continual slide over the last few years.

[Stom]

Someone insane at the Ganuaid is suggesting Root should be stripped of the captaincy and that the new captain should be...

Stuart Broad.

Lol.

Look, I get it, Root is a pretty poor captain. But England's problems are not from his leadership, they run deeper than that. I would look for a change, but Stokes has continuously said he doesn't want the job. If I were to give any player the captaincy, it would be bloody Ben Foakes. At least then they'd be forced to pick him, ffs. The anti-Owen Farrell.

I agree with the idea of a 10 team first class structure that runs throughout the actual summer and produces decks that are tough to bat on and give assistance to quicks and spinners, not just Tim Murtagh.

[Galfon]

There has to be room for optimism somewhere
wait!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60146528
now this boy Bethell...

[Banquo]

Great finish in the ladies ashes- good effort from both sides to conjure up a proper match.

[Banquo]

Anderson and Broad dropped for West Indies tour. Makes sense in one way, not at all in another!

[Big D]

Anderson and Broad dropped for West Indies tour. Makes sense in one way, not at all in another!

That squad is a bit all over the place. But changes needed to be made. Broad and Anderson will be back for the spring/summer tests and be rotared. They are too economical to leave out completely.

Although if Archer and Stone are back the bowling looks a lot stronger and plenty competition.

[Banquo]

Anderson and Broad dropped for West Indies tour. Makes sense in one way, not at all in another!

That squad is a bit all over the place. But changes needed to be made. Broad and Anderson will be back for the spring/summer tests and be rotared. They are too economical to leave out completely.

Although if Archer and Stone are back the bowling looks a lot stronger and plenty competition.

Ironic dropping who were still our best bowlers when the batting was sooo shyte. Same as the Ashes really, sticking with failed batters and not playing the best bowlers at the right time.

[Big D]

Anderson and Broad dropped for West Indies tour. Makes sense in one way, not at all in another!

That squad is a bit all over the place. But changes needed to be made. Broad and Anderson will be back for the spring/summer tests and be rotared. They are too economical to leave out completely.

Although if Archer and Stone are back the bowling looks a lot stronger and plenty competition.

Ironic dropping who were still our best bowlers when the batting was sooo shyte. Same as the Ashes really, sticking with failed batters and not playing the best bowlers at the right time.

I guess the thinking might be (extrapolating a bit), ist that the bouncier WIndies pitches may suit some of the younger guys and it is better to blood them there than at home with the ball swinging when they need to play the older two.

The thing with the batsmen is simply where do they go next. Pope was the beat country batsman last year IIRC.

[Banquo]

That squad is a bit all over the place. But changes needed to be made. Broad and Anderson will be back for the spring/summer tests and be rotared. They are too economical to leave out completely.

Although if Archer and Stone are back the bowling looks a lot stronger and plenty competition.

Ironic dropping who were still our best bowlers when the batting was sooo shyte. Same as the Ashes really, sticking with failed batters and not playing the best bowlers at the right time.

I guess the thinking might be (extrapolating a bit), ist that the bouncier WIndies pitches may suit some of the younger guys and it is better to blood them there than at home with the ball swinging when they need to play the older two.

The thing with the batsmen is simply where do they go next. Pope was the beat country batsman last year IIRC.

I'm just musing about the muddled thinking, that is driven- as you say- by nowhere to go with the batsmen.....who are simply not geared or up to test cricket through a combo of technique and zero mental strength.

[Big D]

Interesting that Strauss has said Foakes will keep and Buttler was dropped.

[Banquo]

Interesting that Strauss has said Foakes will keep and Buttler was dropped.

Both fair enough. Buttler should just focus on white ball, he's had his test match chance; YJB remains pretty lucky.

[Banquo]

RIP Rod Marsh- old school legend.

[francoisfou]

RIP Rod Marsh- old school legend.

Rod "iron gloves" Marsh, from the era of Thomson and Lillee. They don't make 'em like that no more!

[Banquo]

Really grim...RIP Shane Warne...very young. What a player he was, all time great.

[Banquo]

England doubling down on dropping Broad'n'Jimmy - Robinson crocked.... next man in line....Liam Norwell (nope...no clue)

[Big D]

England doubling down on dropping Broad'n'Jimmy - Robinson crocked.... next man in line....Liam Norwell (nope...no clue)

Dropping your two best then playing Woakes and Overton rather than having a look at AN Other is a bit questionable,

[Puja]

Down to 17-2 already. Brave new England.

Puja

[p/d]

Down to 17-2 already. Brave new England.

Puja

Made 27-3 look like a strong position

[Puja]

Down to 17-2 already. Brave new England.

Puja

Made 27-3 look like a strong position

48-4 is practically a recovery.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

It’s getting to the point where I’d support us invading the Canaries so I don’t have to watch our national sports teams being shit.

[p/d]

I blame Tavare

[p/d]

Down to 17-2 already. Brave new England.

Puja

Made 27-3 look like a strong position

48-4 is practically a recovery.

Puja

[fivepointer]

I blame Tavare

I'd take him in a heartbeat right now.

Still, we managed to crawl to lunch without losing another wicket. Small steps and all that....

[Mellsblue]

I blame Tavare

Jim?