The summer of cricket 2020

First topic message reminder :

We have actual cricket news for the first time in forever...and some hope that we will see some test matches this summer!

England bowlers began a return to individual training on Thursday, with batsmen and wicketkeepers scheduled to make a return on 1st June, in anticipation of the West Indies series being rescheduled to begin on 8th July (all according to various reports).

There was also reports a few weeks back they might play some one day games, whilst tests are happening too. Not seen anything else about that, but with England’s depth in the shorter format it could be done you’d think players wise (and actually would present a good opportunity to some on the fringes)

ECB is going to confirm the full list of players who will resume training next week. Murmurings about Hales in the one day stuff don’t go away...

So anyways - let’s keep fingers crossed, and hope everyone who posts here is healthy and staying safe too

Really dicey start from the batsmen, Wood on the money right away. Don't know how they survived the first 20 minutes.

Runs starting to flow now, however. Don't think Brathwaite and Hope will mind Bess coming on.

No reward for England from this initial patch of play. Wood quick again but the batsmen weathered the storm and again Anderson looked the most likely to strike. Bess not Stokes in to join the attack , which is interesting. Think England may need him to play a bit of a part today as it doesn't look as if things are going to happen quickly...

Don't want Archer - or anyone - to get carried away with the short ball ; but that bouncer last over wasn't played too easily. I think a few lifting at the body mightn't be a bad idea.

That’s dead. But it is a no ball. Oh Jof.

Well that sums up England's first hour. Archer gets Hope trapped in front...but it's a no-ball.

44/0 in the first hour. Plenty of loose shots and edges, but no joy for England.

Shai Hope appears to have inherited Rassie Van Der Dussen's ability to just somehow never get out despite being rubbish

At last. Hope batted like a nightwatchman out there.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Shai Hope appears to have inherited Rassie Van Der Dussen's ability to just somehow never get out despite being rubbish

Not this time! One of the more painful innings I've seen that. No wonder his average has been so dreadful the past two years

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Shai Hope appears to have inherited Rassie Van Der Dussen's ability to just somehow never get out despite being rubbish

His luck runs out, the more I see of him in tests the more baffling that Headingley test becomes.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Shai Hope appears to have inherited Rassie Van Der Dussen's ability to just somehow never get out despite being rubbish

Not this time! One of the more painful innings I've seen that. No wonder his average has been so dreadful the past two years

Sky Graphic showed he only calendar year he has averaged over 21 (!) in his five year career was 2017. Incredible really. He averages 52 in ODIs - clearly got some ability but just looked clueless.

JDizzle wrote:That’s dead. But it is a no ball. Oh Jof.

Well was actually marginal on impact , but irrelevant really. Hasn't cost much anyway...Archer will be relieved !

Good breakthrough from Bess...and a sharp catch well taken by the skipper.

Needed that one. Now to press the new man...

This chapter of Broads autobiography is going to be a good read

Good battling fifty for Brathwaite

Didn't look comfortable at times but he's still there and setting his side up quite well if he can find a partner or two...

Would like to see Archer go hard at Brooks now - but it might be time to bring Jimmy back ?

Very assured hand from Brathwaite. Rode out the tough times and is now starting to cash in.

England overdoing the short stuff and Bess, though he got Hope, is serving up some right pies.

They've followed up not batting well, with not bowling particularly well either. Not a great recipe for success that

Stokes all over the shop this over

Duty281 wrote:Very assured hand from Brathwaite. Rode out the tough times and is now starting to cash in. His fourth test fifty, but he's never gone on to score a test ton so far.

England overdoing the short stuff and Bess, though he got Hope, is serving up some right pies.

You've got the wrong Brathwaite there Duty, Kraigg has 8 test centuries but alas won't get a ninth.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Stokes all over the shop this over

Should've waited until he'd bowled the 6th ball...

Got that one in the right place...

Brathwaite gone...though he might feel a bit unlucky as it was fairly marginal.

Soul Requiem wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Very assured hand from Brathwaite. Rode out the tough times and is now starting to cash in. His fourth test fifty, but he's never gone on to score a test ton so far.

England overdoing the short stuff and Bess, though he got Hope, is serving up some right pies.

You've got the wrong Brathwaite there Duty, Kraigg has 8 test centuries but alas won't get a ninth.

I have, yes! Got a tough out there, two yellows on the ball tracking.

Looked quite good live to be fair. I thought height might be the issue - and it nearly was. The impact call seemed fairly clear cut.

But certainly the umpires seem to have treated the England appeals more generously than they did the tourists' yesterday !

Important twenty minutes now to lunch...

I see that Carlos Brathwaite is getting infuriated by the umpiring but the umpires will realise that they're misjudging the bounce slightly and compensate for that, it's just unfortunate that it seems to have favoured England.

Soul Requiem wrote:I see that Carlos Brathwaite is getting infuriated by the umpiring but the umpires will realise that they're misjudging the bounce slightly and compensate for that, it's just unfortunate that it seems to have favoured England.

Indeed - and it's what DRS is there for - it's correctly rectified the wrong decisions. Also, while the luck of the umpires hasn't been with WI, the weather gods have...so I don't think he can complain too much!

West Indies' session and they're ahead in this test match. 102/2 in those two hours - never mind 3 an over, they were nearly rattling along at 4 an over!

The door was ajar for England after Brathwaite's dismissal, but they didn't capitalise fully. Still too much short stuff and too many loose deliveries which have been sent to the fence.

Next session is slightly extended - the West Indies could have a commanding lead by the tea break.

Soul Requiem wrote:I see that Carlos Brathwaite is getting infuriated by the umpiring but the umpires will realise that they're misjudging the bounce slightly and compensate for that, it's just unfortunate that it seems to have favoured England.

I'm seeing a few complaints about bias... I'd prefer to think it is , as you say , adjusting their sights after the early calls. In which case the trend should continue and England bats will need to make sure they don't get hit on the pads too often second time around...

That said , drs has ensured no one has actually been shafted in the match. On another day Brathwaite might have got away with that one : but that happens all the time. The pity is that the three erroneous not out calls yesterday have left the umps between a rock and a hard place : should they really go against their own judgement just to avoid any impression of favouritism ? Sort of play a game of "your turn for a lucky break now" ?
I really can't see that as a sensible way to adjudicate. Drs isn't perfect , of course - the on field umpires call margin matters ...but it is , on balance , better than the old days in terms of accuracy.

Will be a talking point though this week...

The door was ajar when West indies came out to bat yesterday and frankly is gaping one of the barn variety but they just arent bowling consistently in the right areas to force wickets. Its really quite frustrating to be an England fan at times.

C Brathwaite is now saying that K Brathwaite was clearly not out despite the technology showing he was correctly given out.

Soul Requiem wrote:C Brathwaite is now saying that K Brathwaite was clearly not out despite the technology showing he was correctly given out.

If only we had neutral umpires on the field like his brother

Gooseberry wrote:The door was ajar when West indies came out to bat yesterday and frankly is gaping one of the barn variety but they just arent bowling consistently in the right areas to force wickets. Its really quite frustrating to be an England fan at times.

That's the risk the selectors took by leaving out both Broad and Woakes. If Archer and Wood get it in the right areas they are lethal but they can't bowl the same long spells threatening a 4th stump line in these situation that Broad has so much experience doing.

It's been a frustrating day so far.

Anderson and Bess after the interval...

Trying to play on patience a bit I think. West Indies clearly want to get on with it so not a bad tactic.

I'm impressed with Brooks. He's not missed many chances to score and is making Duty's prediction overnight of a 140 lead by the close look quite feasible. Especially as West Indies last five are reputed to be more reliable than the top six these days...

Gooseberry wrote:

Soul Requiem wrote:C Brathwaite is now saying that K Brathwaite was clearly not out despite the technology showing he was correctly given out.

If only we had neutral umpires on the field like his brother

They're not related but are friends from childhood. It is the slight problem having active players commentating, their natural bias does come to the fore.

Soul Requiem wrote:C Brathwaite is now saying that K Brathwaite was clearly not out despite the technology showing he was correctly given out.

Clearly we should get those notoriously brilliant West Indian umpires in, like Steve Bucknor or Joel Wilson!

alfie wrote:Anderson and Bess after the interval...

Trying to play on patience a bit I think. West Indies clearly want to get on with it so not a bad tactic.

I'm impressed with Brooks. He's not missed many chances to score and is making Duty's prediction overnight of a 140 lead by the close look quite feasible.  Especially as West Indies last five are reputed to be more reliable than the top six these days...

Not sure about Bess in these increasingly murky conditions with the floodlights on. Anderson still a fraction short and serving up at least one loose ball per over.

Stokes probably wishing he had Broad or Woakes to call upon.

Duty281 wrote:

alfie wrote:Anderson and Bess after the interval...

Trying to play on patience a bit I think. West Indies clearly want to get on with it so not a bad tactic.

I'm impressed with Brooks. He's not missed many chances to score and is making Duty's prediction overnight of a 140 lead by the close look quite feasible.  Especially as West Indies last five are reputed to be more reliable than the top six these days...

Not sure about Bess in these increasingly murky conditions with the floodlights on. Anderson still a fraction short and serving up at least one loose ball per over.

Stokes probably wishing he had Broad or Woakes to call upon.

Almost like dropping your leading wicket taker in South Africa, and the Ashes, was a bad idea...

Well that's an odd review. He looked like he knew he hit it but chose to review it anyway.

Gets England back into the mix. Can one bring two?

Took a long time for Brooks to decode to review that ! Imagine he must have realised he'd nicked it but tried a Hail Mary...

Jimmy getting a vital break ...but England really need to follow this one up as the margin is down to just 31

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

alfie wrote:Anderson and Bess after the interval...

Trying to play on patience a bit I think. West Indies clearly want to get on with it so not a bad tactic.

I'm impressed with Brooks. He's not missed many chances to score and is making Duty's prediction overnight of a 140 lead by the close look quite feasible.  Especially as West Indies last five are reputed to be more reliable than the top six these days...

Not sure about Bess in these increasingly murky conditions with the floodlights on. Anderson still a fraction short and serving up at least one loose ball per over.

Stokes probably wishing he had Broad or Woakes to call upon.

Almost like dropping your leading wicket taker in South Africa, and the Ashes, was a bad idea...

Still not happy with the selection , eh , Olly ? I think most of us would have picked Broad but we're stuck with what we have for now. (next game selection might be interesting !)

Unlike Duty I am happy with the Bess/Anderson pairing. Not leaking runs like the two quicker men , and dots do bring wickets...

Big opportunity for England to pick up another couple quickly.

The difference in economy rates between Anderson/Bess and Archer/Wood/Stokes is telling.

king_carlos wrote:Big opportunity for England to pick up another couple quickly.

The difference in economy rates between Anderson/Bess and Archer/Wood/Stokes is telling.

Anderson in particular will just bowl the same ball over and over again until the batsmen make a mistake but Archer and Wood seem to be trying 2 or 3 different things an over allowing the batsmen a free shot every over.

Blackwood's sole test ton came against England five years ago (Bell and Tredwell were playing; it was a lifetime ago). His test average against England (13 innings) is a princely 56 - compared to his test career average of 30.

Another West Indies player who saves his best for England!

Not today for Blackwood...Bess does the trick again

Playing on Blackwood's patience is often a good plan.

Just a sniff now for England ; but still some good batting to come. This spell from Archer needs to be a good one...

But not his best this time. Really poor dismissal.

Scorecard looks a lot healthier for England with those two wickets inside the last 30 minutes.

Hmm. Stokes reacts to a couple of boundaries by removing Bess immediately : think I'd have given him one more to see if Dowritch might overdo it...

Pleased to see Archer has started this spell better : not straining to beat the speed gun , but targeting Chase to his discomfort.

Should have had a gully !

Dowrich had a torrid time against the pace men in England last time, as they alluded to on comms. Like the move.

Thought Bess bowled as good as you can expect - particularly after lunch. On a first innings pitch in England, he kept it tight and snared a couple. Can’t ask much more.

JDizzle wrote:Dowrich has a torrid time against the pavement in England last time, as they alluded to on comms. Like the move.

Thought Bess bowled as good as you can expect - particularly after lunch. On a first innings pitch in England, he kept it tight and snared a couple. Can’t ask much more.

Hi JD - yep, agree with you about Bess there. I do feel though he's probably best suited to bowling in the opponents' first innings. In other words, keep it dry and pick up a couple as he's done today rather than looking to him to rattle through 'em on the last day.

That's fair I think Guildford. Trying to be as realistic as possible with England's spin options, it isn't like he is keeping out a Swann-esque bowler who can be a wicket taking threat in all innings and conditions out of the side. Be interesting to see how he goes in India this winter (fingers crossed) when he will be expected to do a bit more.

Much better tight spell from Archer this time...but still no wickets for him or Wood. Unfortunately you don't get extra points for exceeding 90mph regularly...

Bess back now. Really need the next two wickets fairly quickly if they're to keep the deficit within manageable size. Wonder if Dowritch will take him on again ?

Tbf to Bess, I see his value and he would be in ''my Test side'' at the current time. Valuable runs from him first dig as well. As you say though, he's no Swann and we shouldn't jump to the mistake of thinking that 2 or 3 first innings wickets will equate to 4, 5 or 6 in the second.

Anyway, he's going again now ....

guildfordbat wrote:

JDizzle wrote:Dowrich has a torrid time against the pavement in England last time, as they alluded to on comms. Like the move.

Thought Bess bowled as good as you can expect - particularly after lunch. On a first innings pitch in England, he kept it tight and snared a couple. Can’t ask much more.

Hi JD - yep, agree with you about Bess there. I do feel though he's probably best suited to bowling in the opponents' first innings. In other words, keep it dry and pick up a couple as he's done today rather than looking to him to rattle through 'em on the last day.

He's certainly making some good progress, still only 22 years old! And if we're going to be fielding seam lineups like this (ie. No Woakes or Curran), his batting at 8 is also handy...

Chase has stuck it out really well. 23* off 90, but not throwing his wicket away with a rash shot like Hope or Blackwood. Crucial for the Windies he remains until the new ball comes.

Lead up to 21. Even with a very weak 9/10/11 the tourists should fancy making that three figures.

Well, it’s certainly been a day to silence the hubris of those who thought the Windies would collapse to this England attack