The summer of cricket 2020

First topic message reminder :

A very strong position for England with runs on the board and a series lead in hand.

Pakistan going to have to produce something special from here to rescue the series

Further inspection at 4 but restart at 4.15 with 42 overs if it passes

The frequency of the inspections must mean we're close if nothing else

Gooseberry wrote:

alfie wrote:Yeah I'd not like Jimmy to be stuck on 599 either.  But the thing I really didn't like was Ramps saying it would be good for the selectors if he got the 600 now : only his opinion of course but the implication that it would be a "good thing" to have the selectors feel free to discard him sooner rather than later annoys me .
The man has just taken five (despite drops) and frankly looked as good as he has been for the last few seasons. And surely still , along with Brioad , England's top pace man - certainly at home.
Time will get us all in the end but I do expect Anderson to be playing next season whatever Ramps might prefer...

I took a slightly different take on the ramps opinion. His concern was mostly around the prospect of Jimmy playing beyond his years and implying that the selectors wouldnt feel able to overlook him if he kept going. We saw an element of that last summer when he was picked half fit for the ashes and then again in the winter both with disastrous results.

the ideal for everyone is that Anderson is selected for games because hes the best option, when fit, and that he goes out on a high. The last thing he, the team or the selectors want is even the perception that hes being selected because they dont dare not.

I would absolutely see him as part of a touring party in the winter as the only bowler England currently have who's delivered on the sub continent. But Ramps was basing his opinion on a thought that those tests might not happen, and being realistic about how fit Jimmy really will be with another year in him.

Regardless it really would be nice if he could just get that wicket today. Theres a few England catchers who will owe him a drink or two if not.

I agree with Goose there. I've long thought Jimmy is a bowler who needs to play to be in a rhythm. The nature of him being outstanding and consistent for England for almost a decade was that he played regularly enough to not really fall out of that rhythm for many years.

Once he stopped playing white ball cricket he'd play the odd CC game with Lancs to get in his stride early each summer, then that'd be Jimmy running smoothly for 9 months until the usual break between the winter tours and first summer Test series.

After the injuries it seemed he fell out of his rhythm for the first time in many years and the lack of CC this summer meant he seemed to be trying to find that form and match fitness in the Test arena, which wasn't ideal for anyone, least of all the man himself. He also seemed to be picked for the Ashes without full match fitness. Again, not ideal for anyone. Once he's got that form back he has looked excellent once again in the later Tests though.

I hope he plays for Lancashire early next summer, takes CC wickets, plays on merit and gets at least one more summer playing in front of a full house.

Play confirmed for 16:15. Come on, Jimmy, just one more.

Handshake at 6?

Fair enough , goose and king Carlos ... Though I don't really believe the selectors are sentimental ...
We will see what happens.

For now : we have cricket !

Either light or handshakes will intervene before we get the overs in I guess but this does seem set up for anderson

Jofra running through the wind to bowl bouncers Ali won't go near seems a bit of a waste

Can't see much point in having Archer pounding the middle of the pitch...not expecting these two to play too many speculative hooks...

Truth is there isn't much in this pitch for the bowlers anyway which really does render this attempt to bowl them out a forlorn hope - unless a couple of batsmen make silly mistakes they really should play this out pretty comfortably.

Kind of a pity that the series should end fairly tamely , especially after the previous game being so drastically curtailed. The first match was a ripper and I'd love to have seen a couple more such tight contests.

Should have stayed in Manchester

There it is

There it is! Not dropped that time.

Well done, James Anderson.

Yes

Had a feeling he was going to get it this over...

Azhar too. Good enough , game is still alive

A couple more in quick succession and they might get excited

Only the third legitimate bowler to get 600 test wickets, good stuff Jimmy.

Pity there was no crowd ; but even though the match is still likely headed for a draw it is not as if it was just a "junk time" wicket while playing out time...

Now they really need to go hard at Asad. Neither he nor Fawad look like walls so we could yet see a bit of proper action.

Don't think England have any ambitions of victory. Likely to just go through the motions until they can shake hands and call time.

No I think they've achieved their main aim of this session

That said, if you aren't going particularly hard at this, seems like a better idea to let Bess get some overs under his belt and rattle through the allotment

And to be fair, they've all been sat in this bubble since the start of the WI series so I don't really begrudge them not being particularly enthusiastic to chase 8 wickets in a session during a storm

I don't think they will be all that shattered at not getting a win ; but I wouldn't say they're just going through the motions - at least not yet.

Imagine it's more hope they might get a couple of quick wickets at the moment : but if they could grab a couple I reckon they'd be switched right on .

Unlikely , I know.

Soul Requiem wrote:Only the third legitimate bowler to get 600 test wickets, good stuff Jimmy.

It's such a joy having a poster who never misses the chance for a pointless, snide, banal remark.

A hell of an achievement from an incredible bowler. Congrats Jimmy.

It's remarkable that the tearaway bowler of those early years who found the white ball easier to control than the red ball has become the attack leader of Jimmy's longevity. Action being remodeled unsuccessfully at first then brought back to it's basics before his Test return.

The upturn started when Broad and Anderson first came together in 2008. Then his stats and form leapt forward around 2010 when England started their ascent to number 1 in the Test rankings. Truly phenomenal. Taking wickets in the UAE, India and also Australia albeit in one standout series show he was more than the swing bowling, home track bully some have made him out to be.

His fielding at it's prime and also becoming a nightwatchman for a time are illustrations of his work ethic. When he broke through he was a usual clumsy seamer in the field and a genuine rabbit with the bat. For a time he was a brilliant slip fielder, standing at 1st slip to Swann in Collingwood's stead at one point, and capable of hanging around like a limpet with the bat.

A remarkable cricketer and bloke.

Any suggestion that Buttler and Burns might have donated a few quid to the opposing capatin to surrender his wicket with the match dead?

[quote="GSC"]seems like a better idea to let Bess get some overs under his belt/quote]

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Joe Root time as we hurry towards the new ball...but since they couldn't get another wicket to follow up Azhar this is rather winding down now...

Have to give Pakistan credit : sure a lot of time was lost ; and the pitch very flat ...but they will still have played out over 80 overs in this second innings to secure a deserved draw. Lot of teams don't do that these days. Particularly admirable as they'd looked so down and out when they finished day two at 23/3 chasing 583. Would have been easy to fold .

alfie wrote:Joe Root time as we hurry towards the new ball...but since they couldn't get another wicket to follow up Azhar this is rather winding down now...

Have to give Pakistan credit : sure a lot of time was lost ; and the pitch very flat ...but they will still have played out over 80 overs in this second innings to secure a deserved draw. Lot of teams don't do that these days.  Particularly admirable as they'd looked so down and out when they finished day two at 23/3 chasing 583.  Would have been easy to fold .

Yes, credit to Pakistan for their fighting spirit. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, some teams fold very easily when they come over here, but Pakistan are never one of those. Nearly always a proud team.

A shame that the rain has meant we've only had one good test match between these two sides.

Into the comedy hour with Sibley (guildford's tip !) having a bowl...

Looks like a man you wouldn't want bowling for your pub team ! Wade bowled a couple of overs for Australia last year...this bloke makes him look like Warne

Thankfully the Sibley experiment was quickly killed.

And Root has the breakthrough ! Asad gone...

Good fifty for Babar But he will be hoping Fawad doesn't get out quickly and rekindle some interest...

Bess has wet himself

What nonsesne....shook hands with an hour left? Poor show. Why bother with all the pre new ball nonsense if they were just quitting.

Unsatisfactory end to what had been a great summer.

It's been a strange summer.

The West Indies series was on the whole enjoyable with an exciting finish to the first test and a race against time in the third, the second drifted at stages but suddenly exploded into life mainly thanks to Stuart Broad. The Pakistan series was a bit anti climatic because of the weather, the first test again saw an exciting finish but the second and third tests were from very early on always going to end in a draw.

Great work from everyone involved getting everything set up so we could see some test cricket this summer.

Gooseberry wrote:What nonsesne....shook hands with an hour left? Poor show. Why bother with all the pre new ball nonsense if they were just quitting.

Unsatisfactory end to what had been a great summer.

I suppose they couldn't finish until 6 ? Thought they might have bowled a couple more with the new ball but really six wickets in 15 was impractical.

Weather spoiled what might have been a really good series. But grateful we got to see some cricket.

Good for Jimmy to get his 600 . Quite an achievement

Much thanks to Pakistan for coming out for this . And on to the t20 ...

The main aim of today was achieved at least - superb from Jimmy. Here’s to plenty more!

Now onto the proper cricket Friday

alfie wrote:Into the comedy hour with Sibley (guildford's tip !) having a bowl...

Looks like a man you wouldn't want bowling for your pub team ! Wade bowled a couple of overs for Australia last year...this bloke makes him look like Warne

I did say Sibley's bowling would be something different.

Belated congratulations to Anderson on reaching 600 Test wickets. Great ability and character to reach that landmark.

I think again, both teams and everyone involved should be commended for having the will to get this series and cricket played again. A shining example to the rest of the world.

It's a shame weather ruined this series. Was shaping up as a really good contest.

Apparently Roots playing in the Blast on Thursday, his first game in the competition since 2018 and was last in a Yorkshire shirt April last year. Hasnt played a T20I since last May either (Pakistan funnily enough). Obviously realises he needs the practise and doesnt just assume he walks back into Englands first XI in that format..
Would be easy for him to go put his feet up and see family of course, but speaks volumes about his character after an extended quiet spell for England.

Just hope he has time to stop by a barbers on the way home.

Gooseberry wrote:Apparently Roots playing in the Blast on Thursday, his first game in the competition since 2018 and was last in a Yorkshire shirt April last year.  Hasnt played a T20I since last May either (Pakistan funnily enough). Obviously realises he needs the practise and doesnt just assume he walks back into Englands first XI in that format..
Would be easy for him to go put his feet up and see family of course, but speaks volumes about his character after an extended quiet spell for England.

Just hope he has time to stop by a barbers on the way home.

Doubt the game will go ahead with the weather up here right now. Could happen today, but looks like tomorrow will be as wet yesterday (where my daughters and I returned from Whitby soaked to the skin).

king_carlos wrote:

Gooseberry wrote:

alfie wrote:Yeah I'd not like Jimmy to be stuck on 599 either.  But the thing I really didn't like was Ramps saying it would be good for the selectors if he got the 600 now : only his opinion of course but the implication that it would be a "good thing" to have the selectors feel free to discard him sooner rather than later annoys me .
The man has just taken five (despite drops) and frankly looked as good as he has been for the last few seasons. And surely still , along with Brioad , England's top pace man - certainly at home.
Time will get us all in the end but I do expect Anderson to be playing next season whatever Ramps might prefer...

I took a slightly different take on the ramps opinion. His concern was mostly around the prospect of Jimmy playing beyond his years and implying that the selectors wouldnt feel able to overlook him if he kept going. We saw an element of that last summer when he was picked half fit for the ashes and then again in the winter both with disastrous results.

the ideal for everyone is that Anderson is selected for games because hes the best option, when fit, and that he goes out on a high. The last thing he, the team or the selectors want is even the perception that hes being selected because they dont dare not.

I would absolutely see him as part of a touring party in the winter as the only bowler England currently have who's delivered on the sub continent. But Ramps was basing his opinion on a thought that those tests might not happen, and being realistic about how fit Jimmy really will be with another year in him.

Regardless it really would be nice if he could just get that wicket today. Theres a few England catchers who will owe him a drink or two if not.

I agree with Goose there. I've long thought Jimmy is a bowler who needs to play to be in a rhythm. The nature of him being outstanding and consistent for England for almost a decade was that he played regularly enough to not really fall out of that rhythm for many years.

Once he stopped playing white ball cricket he'd play the odd CC game with Lancs to get in his stride early each summer, then that'd be Jimmy running smoothly for 9 months until the usual break between the winter tours and first summer Test series.

After the injuries it seemed he fell out of his rhythm for the first time in many years and the lack of CC this summer meant he seemed to be trying to find that form and match fitness in the Test arena, which wasn't ideal for anyone, least of all the man himself. He also seemed to be picked for the Ashes without full match fitness. Again, not ideal for anyone. Once he's got that form back he has looked excellent once again in the later Tests though.

I hope he plays for Lancashire early next summer, takes CC wickets, plays on merit and gets at least one more summer playing in front of a full house.

Well apparently England have asked him to stay on till after the next Ashes! It would now be true to form for them to not select him when it comes to it. Does suggest they arent overly impressed by the quicks or the spinners ability to turn flat wickets into err wickets. Anderson is the one England bowler with pedigree all over the world, although hes had two stinkers from his four tours in Aus (FOUR).

i am a great Anderson fan ; but I am unsure whether he will be an asset on the next Ashes tour ...not ruling it out ! If he is still bowling as well as this week then I could see him being a useful control factor alongside a couple of tall/fast options ; but it is a long way off yet so think we will have to wait and see.
I do think though he is a must for a tour of India (if it happens) Perhaps less important for Sri Lanka. And I would be astonished if he doesn't play a part next home summer.

Someone apparently asked him last night if he'd thought about going for 700. Understand he smiled...

Forecast for Manchester on Friday is pretty dire too

alfie wrote:i am a great Anderson fan ; but I am unsure whether he will be an asset on the next Ashes tour ...not ruling it out !  If he is still bowling as well as this week then I could see him being a useful control factor alongside a couple of tall/fast options ; but it is a long way off yet so think we will have to wait and see.
I do think though he is a must for a tour of India (if it happens) Perhaps less important for Sri Lanka.  And I would be astonished if he doesn't play a part next home summer.

Someone apparently asked him last night if he'd thought about going for 700.  Understand he smiled...

Lot of water to go under the bridge before then - at this point last summer, if you'd told us we had three young promising batsmen in the side who've all made centuries in test cricket we might have had to ban you from the forum for delusion!

But, providing he is fit, would be surprised if he is not part of the touring party. You mention the control factor, but also if there is a pink ball test he will be useful for too...

Jason Roy out of the T20 series against Pakistan with an injury. Fortunately, England's batting has tremendous depth.

Could do with playing his way back to form mind. Hes played very little cricket since March and has been rank awful when he has.

Despite the rain that has eliminated all but one of the T20 blast fixtures, we should still get a game in between England/Pakistan tonight, though it might be a reduced overs contest.

I see Pope is out for four months having dislocated his shoulder

Yeah, bad news for Pope, but with the timing of the injury he shouldn't miss too much cricket.

Hopefully he'll be back for England's next test match which, I think, is meant to be post-Christmas.

Same shoulder he had surgery on in 2019 too. Not ideal

Duty281 wrote:Yeah, bad news for Pope, but with the timing of the injury he shouldn't miss too much cricket.

Hopefully he'll be back for England's next test match which, I think, is meant to be post-Christmas.

Yeah, the next series are meant to be in Sri Lanka and India early 2021. Timing therefore could be a lot worse although concerning he's now suffered this injury twice.

Pakistan win the toss and bowl first. Big advantage to bowl first in these conditions, and DLS might come into play as well which usually favours the chasing side.

Banton opening due to Roy's injury, and Lewis Gregory returns to the England XI.

This looks a tough wicket to score quickly on which usually leads to much more engrossing one day cricket. Hopefully England can consolidate and put on a good score.

This is excellent from Amir in his first over.