International cricket thread

dohboy wrote: »

Bairstow is out in India atm in quarantine, so I'd imagine he will get back into the team for the next test as a batsman, replacing Lawrence maybe. They'll stick with Foakes for another test, and then have Buttler back in the gloves for the last test. That was the plan anyway afaik.

Actually Buttler isn't coming back for any more tests, so it seems Foakes will keep for the next two.

This day/night test will be a bit of a lottery, you'd think. They generally tend to be a bit one-sided. Toss will be huge.

Yeh, pink ball, under lights. India seem to be bringing back Pandya and Bumrah, so spin likely to be less of a factor in this one.

boccy23 wrote: »

Will dew be an issue as seen elsewhere around the world?

I think these day/nighters can be very unfair based on time alone. I know that is always the case over 5 days with cloud/sun/rain etc. but this is an artificially introduced item which can have a dramatic effect on the game.

It's hard to know about the dew. India has only had one D/N test ever before, so we're in a bit of uncharted territory here.

I agree that it makes the game a bit of a lottery but I wouldn't necessarily be against it. If it makes tests more viable then I think it's worth it, personally.

VillaMad wrote: »

Just caught the T20 international between New Zealand and Australia. Easy win for New Zealand.

New Zealand getting better and better in all formats now and also look to be getting more strength in depth. Devon Conway being a case in point with him being another successful South African import to follow in the footsteps of Neil Wagner and Grant Elliott. Conway hit an ultimately match-winning 99 not out and in his past 4 innings, including 3 at domestic level, he has scored 69 not out, 91 not out, 93 not out and the 99 not out today.

Conway is a high class player, I watched the domestic T20 from New Zealand, and he was always in command of his shots, and hardly ever slogged, just brilliant timing, and paces his innings so well. He opened with Finn Allen for the Wellington firebirds, and Allen is a fine prospect also, quick scoring power hitter. Conway often batted through the innings, and anchored a chase of 175 in the domestic final. Didn't see today's game, but absolutely unsurprised by Conway excelling.

Mysterypunter wrote: »

Conway is a high class player, I watched the domestic T20 from New Zealand, and he was always in command of his shots, and hardly ever slogged, just brilliant timing, and paces his innings so well. He opened with Finn Allen for the Wellington firebirds, and Allen is a fine prospect also, quick scoring power hitter. Conway often batted through the innings, and anchored a chase of 175 in the domestic final. Didn't see today's game, but absolutely unsurprised by Conway excelling.

The innings today was pretty much as you described. They were going at 6 an over with him building a platform before he exploded at the end with an array of just fine cricket shots and quick bat speed. Sad that at 29, he is only now making it onto the international stage.

Gillespy wrote: »

Conway has some impressive First Class and List A stats too so now he's eligible will be soon in all three teams. It's unbelievable the talent in South Africa.

Quite sad that South Africa keeps losing so many players due to lots of reasons. The quota system has often been blamed, but then you have the huge financial issues where you have the likes of Duane Olivier, Simon Hamer and Kyle Abbott all playing in England on settled contracts and opting out of an international career. Brexit may help in this regard however, as some will return home.

Simon Harmer has too. He will continue at Essex as an overseas player but wants to play for SA again. I bet England would have loved to nab him, best spinner in the county championship by a mile.

Big contrast in selection thinking

England definitely in trouble now...81/6. Some poor shots by England top order but good bowling too. Ball is spinning so India may have got selection right but there's something in the pitch for the other bowlers.

I know we say wait until both sides bat but surely India can't bat as badly as England have?

The English selectors have to take a lot of the blame...

Johnny Bairstow is not a number 3 batsman at test level...that’s been proven...Bairstow averages 35 having played 72 tests... most of those runs he was a number 6.

Too many English batsmen averaging in the mid-late 30’s having played a good number of tests.. proven at international level they are not quite cut out for it...cut out is averaging 40 or over..

Unfortunately for them, and England by virtue they score bucketfuls of runs domestically, they keep getting selected... domestic form should get you in, should not keep you in....

Stokes trying to laugh that off even though it clearly touched the ground...

Impressive start by Anderson, four overs bowled, just one run conceded...

Third Umpire in an awful rush. Needlessly causing tension with the players. Go through it thoroughly using all the angles.

Getting Kohli at the end of the day will lift England a bit. India sending out Rahane instead of a nightwatchman shows their confidence.

India imitating England here with a mini collapse, lead by just 3 with 5 down. India playing Leach poorly, they need to build a partnership..