The International Cricket Thread

[simboy]

Pretty much the same team again for this game. Really like the look of it to be honest, but just wondering where (and maybe if) Anderson will fit in. 

I think there’s no doubt that Jimmy will get back into the test team, looking at the current line up he would replace Curran. I expect to see a fit again Jimmy opening the bowling on Boxing Day at Centurion.

Curran is the future but I think that for now, if he stays fit then he will continue until the end of the next Ashes series in 2021/2022. He reminds me of Teddy Sheringham, a natural athlete with longevity.

Agree Jimmy plays when fit, but taking Curran or Woakes out makes the tail quite long.  Having Woakes or Curran at 8 does give a good balance to the side, but I suppose you have to put trust that the top 7 can score runs on a regular basis.

I heard Root say that the England management are speaking to Mo Ali about a return to the test team. If you take out Leech for Ali, Anderson's return for Curran works. Appreciate Leach has reached almost cult status but from what I saw over the summer i would be very surprised if he ripped a team apart bowling-wise and if Ali has sorted himself out mentally then it would be a good move.

Disappointed to see Curran picked ahead of Woakes for this test. I would guess Pope and Bairstow are fighting for the number six spot, as Denley seems to be growing into the number 3 role. 

Waking up to a score of 400 tomorrow would be very pleasing.

[tomd2103]

Pretty much the same team again for this game. Really like the look of it to be honest, but just wondering where (and maybe if) Anderson will fit in. 

I think there’s no doubt that Jimmy will get back into the test team, looking at the current line up he would replace Curran. I expect to see a fit again Jimmy opening the bowling on Boxing Day at Centurion.

Curran is the future but I think that for now, if he stays fit then he will continue until the end of the next Ashes series in 2021/2022. He reminds me of Teddy Sheringham, a natural athlete with longevity.

Agree Jimmy plays when fit, but taking Curran or Woakes out makes the tail quite long.  Having Woakes or Curran at 8 does give a good balance to the side, but I suppose you have to put trust that the top 7 can score runs on a regular basis.

I heard Root say that the England management are speaking to Mo Ali about a return to the test team. If you take out Leech for Ali, Anderson's return for Curran works. Appreciate Leach has reached almost cult status but from what I saw over the summer i would be very surprised if he ripped a team apart bowling-wise and if Ali has sorted himself out mentally then it would be a good move.

Disappointed to see Curran picked ahead of Woakes for this test. I would guess Pope and Bairstow are fighting for the number six spot, as Denley seems to be growing into the number 3 role. 

Waking up to a score of 400 tomorrow would be very pleasing.

Agree that if Ali can return to form with bat and ball, then he comes in at 8 and that makes room for Anderson to return.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Bit of a boring run rate. What happened to the England of the 2000s that would try to get 350-400 on the first day when they were on top?

I've just finished watching the whole day (recorded). The pitch is dead flat, the ball barely swung for a few overs, and didn't come on to the bat well. All four wickets were from poor shots, and apart from bits of the last session, when Denly, Stokes and Pope gave it a bit of a biff I was tempted to watch on fast forward.

Still, a good position to be in, it's a five day match etc. and so forth, but judging by comments by Silverwood this represents a new approach to Test cricket (again hard to argue with if it wins games).

[Steve67]

I like the look of Pope.  Reminds me a bit of Ian Bell.

[olaftab]

Well that's a shame he deserved a century however brilliant catch.

[olaftab]

Bad England have returned. 3 gone for 9 runs so time for bed.

[cdbearsfan]

And... this is why you need to score at a reasonable rate when you're on top, not less than three an over. That gives you breathing space if you have a typical England collapse like this.

[Steve67]

Silly shots. Will be interesting to see what we do with the swing with ball in hand.

[PaulWinch again]

Curran always makes things happen.

[Villafirst]

Get Archer on! Commentators baffled by him not bowling....

[Rory]

NZ are batting well, but this is a little uninspiring. Apart from the brief spell of Leach/Root before lunch, we don't look like we believe we can take wickets.

[Rory]

In fact, I think our shoulders dropped within half an hour today. Not sure we're up for it at all. Just a lack of energy all-round.

[Villan For Life]

I watched for a couple of hours from the start, it was turgid stuff and very hard going. The pitch offers nothing and in typical England style they collectively shrugged their shoulders and threw in the towel. They’ve just been going through the motions.

[Lsvilla]

Having sat on the embankment all day (in roasting conditions exacerbated by a lack of ozone in these parts of the world) I think the above comments are harsh. It is a slow pitch but to suggest there was no effort to make chances is out of order - Watling was dropped by Stokes on about 30 and Burns missed the big man whilst Santner batted with the luck of the devil - I’m no apologist for this team but on another day England would be batting again now with a lead.

[PaulWinch again]

Poor day’s cricket from England. Broad and Archer look flat, both we’re down on pace. In these conditions we need Archer’s pace to be up.

We’re going to have to hit them hard in the morning.