England's Summer of Cricket 2021

by JDizzle Tue 06 Jul 2021, 10:21 am

First topic message reminder :

Jacks, Crawley, Hain, Stokes, Salt (WK), Lawrence, Gregory, Overton, Saqib, Ball, Parkinson?

Will MacPherson suggests Hales won’t be picked, which is a bit odd given they hinted he would get a chance this summer.

You also have Vince, Duckett and keep an eye out for Harry Brook.

by Duty281 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 2:51 pm

1 Rory Burns, 2 Dom Sibley, 3 Zak Crawley/Haseeb Hameed, 4 Joe Root (capt.), 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Craig Overton/Saqib Mahmood

Cricinfo reckoning that for the England team. Apparently England may still take a chance on Crawley rediscovering his touch. Pope not expected to return, meaning Bairstow will retain his place ahead of Lawrence. Moeen in, Broad and Anderson certainly out with Overton and Mahmood battling for the final spot.

1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Cheteshwar Pujuara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rishabh Pant (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin/Ishant Sharma, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj

India's team more clear-cut. Thakur ruled out with injury, Ashwin expected to come in as a straight replacement, but if India don't want two spinners Sharma may find his way back in after injury put him out of the 1st test. No other Indian changes anticipated.

Good weather and a good batting wicket expected - plenty of players in both batting line-ups need to score some runs, so that's welcome news for them.

Favouring an England win in this one.

by king_carlos Wed 11 Aug 2021, 3:14 pm

No Anderson, Broad, Archer, Woakes or Stokes. I can't say I share your optimism, Duty.

If Overton and Surran both play then we are banking on two out and out swing bowlers so will need the conditions in our favour. I sometimes think Overton's height has drawn people into thinking he's a different bowler to what he is. From everything I've seen of him he's a very skilled swing bowler but doesn't have a huge amount else in his armoury. If the conditions are right then Surran and Overton could do damage but if not they lack the control or skill of Anderson to keep things tight and apply pressure.

Robinson will presumably take the new ball which I will be excited to see.

I hope Hameed plays as I simply think he's a better batsman than Crawley.

by Jetty Wed 11 Aug 2021, 4:00 pm

Duty281 wrote:
JDizzle wrote:Jimmy now struggling for tomorrow with a thigh strain…

Yeah, looks like he won't be playing as he missed training today, and England will always take the safety-first approach with Anderson (rightly so).

Meaning England's bowling attack will be Curran, Wood, Robinson and Mahmood or Overton (hopefully Mahmood), with Moeen and Root the spin options.

I wouldn't say Anderson missed training today. According to Getty pics he was running at full speed, with a tight quad. I do think it will be Mahmood rather than Overton. Giving him some Tests before Australia as we are without Archer and Stone.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 11 Aug 2021, 4:05 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:
alfie wrote:
JDizzle wrote:
alfie wrote:
Soul Requiem wrote:
JDizzle wrote:If Overton did play over Jimmy, England would go from potentially having a huge tail a few days ago to a line up where numbers 9 and 10 have FC hundreds.

Robinson and Overton have been the two stand out seamers in the last few seasons of the CC. Would be interesting to see them take the new ball together.

Mark Wood would be one of the better number 11's in world cricket too. I do wonder if that seam foursome negates the need for Mo?

Not getting too excited over the batting of Wood and Overton ! It remains a tail in any case I think : after all that "huge tail" had Broad (one Test Century ! Yeah a while ago , I know) at ten and Jimmy with a top score of 80 odd - against India - at eleven. If you are hoping for serious runs from the last pair you are clutching at straws...

Overton would be closer to Curran than Jimmy/Broad in terms of batting. He has a FC hundred and has had some useful knocks at International level (in NZ in the collapse and vs Aus at OT where he batted for a long time) so has some pedigree at playing international bowling - unlike someone like Archer who has runs at FC level but has looked clueless at international level. Certainly a factor when it comes to balancing the side, if not a huge bonus for England.

Oh I agree he's a better bat : just not sure whatever he might make at ten will make up for his shortcomings as a bowler at Test level ! I think I'd sooner Wood and Mahmood over him rather than trying to scrape up a few more from the last two wickets. Though I do admit he's apparently been in good form with the ball this season.

Yes there have been many reports from reputable sources that Overton is a much improved bowler from what we have seen in his fleeting appearances in 2018/19, I do think if he was in the original squad over Mahmood he should be given the nod (I would then rotate Wood/Mahmood throughout the rest of the series, especially as it sounds like Broad's injury from initial reports is going to be more than a game...)

And there it is - Broad confirmed out for the whole series.

by Soul Requiem Wed 11 Aug 2021, 4:11 pm

I think that Robinson could do a real number on India with the benefit of the slope at Lords, he bowled very well on debut there against New Zealand. It was also one of Wood's better performances at home so the two of them should go into the game tomorrow full of confidence and Broad has been below his best recently, the Indian top five all being right handers doesn't help him.

by Duty281 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 4:15 pm

Thought Broad would be out for more than one test when I heard England were calling up a replacement. Big loss, but England have the depth to ride it out.

I said Anderson missed training today because of what the BBC and Cricinfo said, that may be incorrect.

by JDizzle Wed 11 Aug 2021, 4:16 pm

king_carlos wrote:No Anderson, Broad, Archer, Woakes or Stokes. I can't say I share your optimism, Duty.

If Overton and Surran both play then we are banking on two out and out swing bowlers so will need the conditions in our favour. I sometimes think Overton's height has drawn people into thinking he's a different bowler to what he is. From everything I've seen of him he's a very skilled swing bowler but doesn't have a huge amount else in his armoury. If the conditions are right then Surran and Overton could do damage but if not they lack the control or skill of Anderson to keep things tight and apply pressure.

Robinson will presumably take the new ball which I will be excited to see.

I hope Hameed plays as I simply think he's a better batsman than Crawley.

I would say Overton can also seam it about - check out his dismissal of Marnus in 2019. And he also can ‘bowl dry’ more effectively than SCurran by just banging away on a length from his Robinson esque height. As a Somerset fan, my feelings are mixed on him on and off the field but we won’t go there again!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 11 Aug 2021, 4:30 pm

Duty281 wrote:1 Rory Burns, 2 Dom Sibley, 3 Zak Crawley/Haseeb Hameed, 4 Joe Root (capt.), 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Craig Overton/Saqib Mahmood

Cricinfo reckoning that for the England team. Apparently England may still take a chance on Crawley rediscovering his touch. Pope not expected to return, meaning Bairstow will retain his place ahead of Lawrence. Moeen in, Broad and Anderson certainly out with Overton and Mahmood battling for the final spot.

1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Cheteshwar Pujuara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rishabh Pant (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin/Ishant Sharma, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj

India's team more clear-cut. Thakur ruled out with injury, Ashwin expected to come in as a straight replacement, but if India don't want two spinners Sharma may find his way back in after injury put him out of the 1st test. No other Indian changes anticipated.

Good weather and a good batting wicket expected - plenty of players in both batting line-ups need to score some runs, so that's welcome news for them.

Favouring an England win in this one.

Highly highly doubt India would go with a tail from 8-11 of Shami, Sharma, Bumrah and Siraj

by sirfredperry Wed 11 Aug 2021, 4:32 pm

Broad out for the series (at least it strengthens the batting!). I guess if they were thinking of leaving Curran out they may change their minds now.

If Anderson fails to make it this could be the weakest England line-up for a very long time.

by guildfordbat Wed 11 Aug 2021, 6:46 pm

alfie wrote:The Mahmood call up is just for this match , as cover , no ? I'd expect Wood to play but in case he breaks an ankle at nets they have a pace option.

Talk seems to be Moeen will play so it is just a question of whether it is him followed by three pace men or a five bowler attack : in the latter case I presume Curran is one of them and I think I would then bat him at seven and keep Moeen for eight as I'm not expecting him to do great things with the bat. However he isn't really being picked for his batting . I tend to agree with thoughts above from one or two posters that in English conditions it is less important for the spinner to exert "control" (as Leach would likely do rather better) than be able to take a vital breakthrough wicket or two - something Moeen does have a fair record in doing.

Look I am neither a Moeen fan ( like our Indian correspondents - both of whom I do believe , by the way , are totally sincere and not wishing to push his case because they reckon he'll be a sitting duck for the Indian seamers !) ; nor one who thinks he's overrated /washed up/a daft choice... I think it is fair to say he wouldn't be in the conversation if Stokes and Woakes were available right now : but they ain't. He isn't an unreasonable option , and is probably as good a chance as Leach to have some influence on the match. If they pick him , fine ; and I hope he does a job , even if I probably won't be adding him to my fantasy team.

Think getting the batting right remains the main issue.

Sad that I am, I've enjoyed catching up on this thread. That said, a search for the Holy Grail might be simpler and more successful than coming up with a solution to balance England's side at the current time.

The post from my friend and ever reliable Alfie seems a good place to start although I appreciate things have moved on since he posted and not for the better for England with now both Broad and Anderson expected to be missing tomorrow.

I agree that Moeen has a knack of picking up valuable wickets. However, he can't be relied upon to keep it dry and so I don't believe he could be safely accommodated in a four man only attack. I reckon India's batsmen - and I don't just mean Pant - would target him, running the risk of undue bowling for the three seamers whoever they might be.

As part of a five man attack though, that could work and would bring - at least on paper - some balance to the side which was blatantly missing last time. Part of the conundrum though is that, as Alfie says, the batting was the main issue in the first Test. So to get Moeen in - and I note the concerns about his Test batting in recent years - as one of five frontline bowlers, we need to ditch a batsman. Hmmm.

As of last night, I would still have plumped for Moeen with Laurence making way. Mainly in the hope that Moeen batting at 7 or 8 could score 70 to 80 match runs (talk about his past centuries and inability to repeat that now is not a relevant consideration for me) and pick up, say, 4 match wickets.

However, with neither Broad or Anderson likely to play, I'm even less sure. Without our two premier seamers, I would want our best spinner and believe that is Leach. Whilst it seems that Moeen is going to get the selectors' nod, I would therefore instead opt to play Leach, rather than Moeen, in place of Laurence. Whilst Leach's batting is generally weaker than Moeen's, I trust it would be compensated for to some extent by Overton and Wood coming in for rabbit like Broad and Anderson.

A couple of final points.

Whether we play Moeen or not, I'm unconcerned by him being 34. Too much emphasis is on the next Ashes tour. We need to concentrate on the best team to play the current opposition.

Whatever side England picks for tomorrow will not be fully right. In all the circumstances, we have to trust it is the least wtrong.

by msp83 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 7:26 pm

alfie wrote:Anyway it seems India have had their selection problem settled for them with Thakur ruled out with injury. So Ashwin is presumably an automatic pick , I would imagine.

That's the sensible option alfie, even if Shardul was available, I'd have brought Ashwin back, now that Thakur is out, there shouldn't be much to get confused about.
Except, it seems Virat is getting ready to unleashe one of this utterly ridiculous selection stupidity that he averages one for the series! He has He was going on and on about the 4 fast bowlers option even if Thakur is not available, saying that he's thinking 20 wickets and isn't bothered about some additional runs and all that! Could be usual pre-match talk as such, but with Kohli, it could mean a selection disaster is round the corner. So don't be surprised if Ishant Sharma is unleashed as the number 8 in that batting lineup tomorrow! Ishant, Shami, Bumrah and Siraj!
Think he should get Ashwin back in for Shardul, and Ishant in for Siraj. Hope sense prevails. Can't expect Shastri to talk some into Virat, so Kohli hopefully will sort himself out, all by himself!

by msp83 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 7:28 pm

Indians will breathe easy if Anderson's not playing. Would be a shame if he misses out though, him v Kohli was nicely setup with that 1 delivery at TB. They both bring the best out of each other...

by msp83 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 7:33 pm

Cricinfo's Nagraj Golapudi reports that Kohli is all set to go mental on the selection department tomorrow! https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/eng-vs-ind-2021-2nd-test-virat-kohlis-new-template-may-not-be-ditched-yet-1272956

by msp83 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 7:45 pm

msp83 wrote:Cricinfo's Nagraj Golapudi reports that Kohli is all set to go nuts on the selection department tomorrow! https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/eng-vs-ind-2021-2nd-test-virat-kohlis-new-template-may-not-be-ditched-yet-1272956

by VTR Wed 11 Aug 2021, 7:47 pm

Sounds like India are about to unleash their answer to Caddick/Giddens/Mullally/Tufnell. Would say Jadeja is a bit of a better all rounder than Ronnie Irani though!

by msp83 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 7:47 pm

I hope India would go in with
Rohit, Rahul, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, Pant, Jadeja, Ashwin, Ishant, Shami, Bumrah
And England
Burns, Sibley, Hameed, Root, Bairsstow, Pope, Moeen, Curran, Robinson,, Wood, Anderson/Overton if the former is unfit.
India might go for Siraj in stead of Ashwin, and England Crawley in place of Hameed...

by msp83 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 7:49 pm

VTR wrote:Sounds like India are about to unleash their answer to Caddick/Giddens/Mullally/Tufnell. Would say Jadeja is a bit of a better all rounder than Ronnie Irani though!

England had a few versions of that with Malcom and a couple of others involved didn't they?

by guildfordbat Wed 11 Aug 2021, 8:09 pm

msp83 wrote:
VTR wrote:Sounds like India are about to unleash their answer to Caddick/Giddens/Mullally/Tufnell. Would say Jadeja is a bit of a better all rounder than Ronnie Irani though!

England had a few versions of that with Malcom and a couple of others involved didn't they?

They did but the 8, 9, 10 and Jack highlighted by VTR was outstandingly bad.

by VTR Wed 11 Aug 2021, 8:11 pm

They did have plenty, that one is so infamous though I think as it was fielded in the defeat that took England to the bottom of the world rankings, in the same summer they crashed out of a home World Cup in the group stage. Truly awful times

by Duty281 Wed 11 Aug 2021, 8:15 pm

That would be a lovely long tail for England to get in. Six down and there's essentially one number ten and three number 11s left. Five down and it's Jadeja, who won't succeed two tests in a row. Before that - Pujara and Rahane in no sort of form, Kohli and Pant struggle in England, and I'm not fancying the Indian openers to succeed again.

England have certainly got problems, but they're small compared to that Indian batting order.

England as far out as 17/10 to win the second test - excellent for a lump-on.

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 5:26 am

msp83 wrote:
alfie wrote:Anyway it seems India have had their selection problem settled for them with Thakur ruled out with injury. So Ashwin is presumably an automatic pick , I would imagine.
That's the sensible option alfie, even if Shardul was available, I'd have brought Ashwin back, now that Thakur is out, there shouldn't be much to get confused about.
Except, it seems Virat is getting ready to unleashe one of this utterly ridiculous selection stupidity that he averages one for the series! He has He was going on and on about the 4 fast bowlers option even if Thakur is not available, saying that he's thinking 20 wickets and isn't bothered about some additional runs and all that! Could be usual pre-match talk as such, but with Kohli, it could mean a selection disaster is round the corner. So don't be surprised if Ishant Sharma is unleashed as the number 8 in that batting lineup tomorrow! Ishant, Shami, Bumrah and Siraj!
Think he should get Ashwin back in for Shardul, and Ishant in for Siraj. Hope sense prevails. Can't expect Shastri to talk some into Virat, so Kohli hopefully will sort himself out, all by himself!

That is a tail that would suit a diplodocus ! Although I know Ishant , for example , can make people fight for his wicket ; he is no number eight.

We all say bowlers should be picked for their bowling , with batting very much a secondary consideration. But there is a general principle ; and there is common sense... What is wrong with Ashwin anyway ? Has done pretty well bowling to England bats in the past , I think. I'd back he and Jadeja to do a decent job giving the pace men a break even if they aren't wrecking balls in the first innings at least : and if it came to bowling last they could be very dangerous.

Not sure how much of Kohli's pre-match comment to take seriously. He doesn't seem to mind playing with the press and the opposition's heads so will wait and see what actually happens...

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 5:32 am

msp83 wrote:I hope India would go in with
Rohit, Rahul, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, Pant, Jadeja, Ashwin, Ishant, Shami, Bumrah
And England
Burns, Sibley, Hameed, Root, Bairsstow, Pope, Moeen, Curran, Robinson,, Wood, Anderson/Overton if the former is unfit.
India might go for Siraj in stead of Ashwin, and England Crawley in place of Hameed...

You forgot wk Buttler for England there , msp...

Your Indian line-up looks sensible , especially for Lord's - though I am hearing now that it may be a bit wet for day one. Heaven knows what England will end up putting out : hope no-one slips on a shower mat in the morning or trips over a cone in the warm-up Smile

Edit : rowing back a bit re the weather comment . Looking closer at the forecast it looks more like a lot of cloud but not too much chance of rain ; although there could well be some showers early morning. Not that anyone ever lost a fortune betting against British weather reports Smile

by KP_fan Thu 12 Aug 2021, 6:01 am

If shardul has a hamstring strain, then playing ashwin is a no brainer
given that no other bowler has any batting abilities & pitch seemingly have something for the spinner
BUT
with Kohli you cannot be sure
he grossly screws up selection in one test per series....generally the first test...but it could be here, this one...and he could end up playing 4 tailenders

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 6:08 am

Article on cricinfo suggests the four pace man plan may well be on : makes some interesting statistical points re (lack of) recent success for spinners from any country at Lord's.

Hmm.

by KP_fan Thu 12 Aug 2021, 9:08 am

alfie wrote:Article on cricinfo suggests the four pace man plan may well be on : makes some interesting statistical points re (lack of) recent success for spinners from any country at Lord's.

Hmm.

that article also stated that the LAST SUCCESSFUL SPINNER at Lords was one who had a 10-fer ( or a near 10-fer)....and hold your breath its none other than our Maligned Ali Cool

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 9:38 am

KP_fan wrote:
alfie wrote:Article on cricinfo suggests the four pace man plan may well be on : makes some interesting statistical points re (lack of) recent success for spinners from any country at Lord's.

Hmm.

that article also stated that the LAST SUCCESSFUL SPINNER at Lords was one who had a 10-fer ( or a near 10-fer)....and hold your breath its none other than our Maligned Ali

Are you Moeen's agent , by any chance , KP_fan ? Smile

I am aware he has had success here...though the match to which you refer was four years ago. Hope your confidence in him is proved justified over the next few days...

by JDizzle Thu 12 Aug 2021, 9:39 am

On my way to Lords, and it’s very overcast. I wonder if anyone is getting a bit twitchy about what to do winning the toss…

by Duty281 Thu 12 Aug 2021, 9:41 am

Oh dear, Ollie Pope released from the squad to go and play in the One-Day Cup for Surrey, as he continues his recovery. Oh dear oh dear, some rain around early in the morning. That wasn't on the forecast.

Would definitely say that whichever captain wins the toss should field first - both batting orders are brittle, heavy cloud around, and Lord's is generally better to bat on during days two and three.

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 9:54 am

Duty281 wrote:Oh dear, Ollie Pope released from the squad to go and play in the One-Day Cup for Surrey, as he continues his recovery. Oh dear oh dear, some rain around early in the morning. That wasn't on the forecast.

Would definitely say that whichever captain wins the toss should field first - both batting orders are brittle, heavy cloud around, and Lord's is generally better to bat on during days two and three.

Does this give people second thoughts about picking spinners ?

Makes sense to let Ollie Pope get some game time in at Surrey. (Which by the way seems to confirm they are going with five bowlers.) They do seem to be quite flexible with their squads this season - obviously no longer impaired by quarantine restrictions as that really tricky 2020 summer : which really was a nightmare for selectors and the poor beggars who had to carry drinks for months...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:06 am

Sounds like Hameed for Crawley is going to happen...and Anderson was on the outfield with England this morning...so maybe he's ok?

by guildfordbat Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:09 am

Duty281 wrote:Oh dear, Ollie Pope released from the squad to go and play in the One-Day Cup for Surrey, as he continues his recovery. Oh dear oh dear, some rain around early in the morning. That wasn't on the forecast.

Would definitely say that whichever captain wins the toss should field first - both batting orders are brittle, heavy cloud around, and Lord's is generally better to bat on during days two and three.

And that is a problem? Surely, he just replaces Nico Reifer in the eleven.

Wink

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:11 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Sounds like Hameed for Crawley is going to happen...and Anderson was on the outfield with England this morning...so maybe he's ok?

Hope so. From the sound of the latest weather stuff it would suit him rather well. And the control he brings really can't be replaced - which also rather impacts on the Moeen selection.

Would want to be pretty sure he is right though : don't want another Ashes First Test disaster...

by guildfordbat Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:15 am

Twenty or so miles south of Lord's, there's the very slightest drizzle in the air and it's overcast with a bit of breeze about. Should be ok to play if the same or similar at the ground but not the sunny day expected.

I would typically bat (''back your batsmen'') but can well understand the captains thinking about it today.

by Duty281 Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:18 am

Might be a good toss to lose. India might be dropping Shami from the team, with Ashwin and Sharma coming in.

And it looks as though Anderson is playing. What a comeback. Have England decided to take a gamble on his fitness, thinking they can't possibly go in without both Broad and Anderson?

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:22 am

guildfordbat wrote:Twenty or so miles south of Lord's, there's the very slightest drizzle in the air and it's overcast with a bit of breeze about. Should be ok to play if the same or similar at the ground but not the sunny day expected.

I would typically bat (''back your batsmen'') but can well understand the captains thinking about it today.

Sticking with the Doctor's Dictum , eh , guildford ? . DD part two : think about it , and then bat Smile

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:22 am

Duty281 wrote:Might be a good toss to lose. India might be dropping Shami from the team, with Ashwin and Sharma coming in.

And it looks as though Anderson is playing. What a comeback. Have England decided to take a gamble on his fitness, thinking they can't possibly go in without both Broad and Anderson?

I really really hope not. Last thing they need is him breaking down mid game and then being out longer.

by Duty281 Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:24 am

There's five minutes of drizzle over Lord's.

Means the toss will probably be delayed by about 45 minutes.

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:25 am

But ... it is raining Sad

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:28 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Might be a good toss to lose. India might be dropping Shami from the team, with Ashwin and Sharma coming in.

And it looks as though Anderson is playing. What a comeback. Have England decided to take a gamble on his fitness, thinking they can't possibly go in without both Broad and Anderson?

I really really hope not. Last thing they need is him breaking down mid game and then being out longer.

Surely they wouldn't have him play unless he is fine ? Of course as they get older injuries are more likely to happen anyway ; but if he were in any way impaired pre-game I would expect them to be cautious. Really would not want both he and Broad missing for the rest of the series !

by GSC Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:29 am

There's a slightly damp patch in the outfield, better take an early lunch

by guildfordbat Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:34 am

alfie wrote:
guildfordbat wrote:Twenty or so miles south of Lord's, there's the very slightest drizzle in the air and it's overcast with a bit of breeze about. Should be ok to play if the same or similar at the ground but not the sunny day expected.

I would typically bat (''back your batsmen'') but can well understand the captains thinking about it today.

Sticking with the Doctor's Dictum , eh , guildford ? . DD part two : think about it , and then bat

For sure, Alfie.

If they're not confident enough to bat in these conditions and put runs on the board, they shouldn't be playing. Smile

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:40 am

alfie wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Might be a good toss to lose. India might be dropping Shami from the team, with Ashwin and Sharma coming in.

And it looks as though Anderson is playing. What a comeback. Have England decided to take a gamble on his fitness, thinking they can't possibly go in without both Broad and Anderson?

I really really hope not. Last thing they need is him breaking down mid game and then being out longer.

Surely they wouldn't have him play unless he is fine ? Of course as they get older injuries are more likely to happen anyway ; but if he were in any way impaired pre-game I would expect them to be cautious. Really would not want both he and Broad missing for the rest of the series !

I'm not confident in this current England medical staff after what they've done with Archer in the last year or so...

by GSC Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:41 am

Toss in 10 and start at quarter past apparently

by Duty281 Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:41 am

Toss at 10:50, play starts at 11:15. Why can't they start at 11:00?!

Oh well, there's no more rain forecast. The only overs lost will come from the painfully slow over rates. That last burst of rain may have pushed both captains into wanting to field first.

by GSC Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:51 am

Hameeb back

by Duty281 Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:53 am

England bowling first. Fantastic news. Tear into that Indian batting order.

Moeen, Hameed and Wood all coming in - Anderson is fit to play. Shocked

by GSC Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:54 am

Wonder if we'd be bowling if Jimmy was out

by alfie Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:57 am

Well Joe hasn't lost his skill with a coin...hope the right decision has been made (due respect to guildford and Dr Grace)

Hameed gets his chance - probably was time to give Crawley a break. And Jimmy's "tight quad" presumably was just very much a precaution (really hope I am right on that last !)

Let battle commence...

by Duty281 Thu 12 Aug 2021, 10:58 am

Indeed! Sharma in for Thakur as India's only change meaning no Ashwin (perhaps a late call? yes, confirmed by Kohli as a last minute decision based on conditions) and a super-long tail.

Think England can bowl India out today for under 250, maybe under 200. Got a very good feeling about this test.

England: 1 Rory Burns, 2 Dom Sibley, 3 Haseeb Hameed, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Mark Wood, 11 James Anderson

India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Cheteshwar Pujuara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rishabh Pant (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Jasprit Bumrah, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Mohammed Siraj

Bumrah at 8. Laugh

by king_carlos Thu 12 Aug 2021, 11:01 am

Looking overcast. Opting to bowl first on a pitch you think will take spin requires early inroads though. Hopefully England can make them.

A big morning for Sam Curran if it's hooping around. These are the conditions where he needs to make contributions.

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