Idle cricket musing

[Loz]

maxxi Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> good bowling by Bresnan means there's a dilemma for

> next test - do you drop Bresnan after a fine

> performance or bring Tremlett back and - with the

> batting strong and deep - drop Trott?

Never muck around with having six batsmen. The last time England tried to play Prior at six they lost games due to a weak batting lineup. The tail won't always wag, and the bowling won't always be, as Tuffers put it, "flans of the highest flan order".

Mind you, the question is, if Trott is injured who comes in. There's not a lot of test-level batting depth at the moment in the counties.

[maxxi]

Broad is improving as a batsman and Bresnan will get confidence from his knock.

If you bring in another batsman for Trott (if injured) then do you leave Bresnan out? Or Tremlett? I would be tempted to go with the squad as is (i.e. play Tremlett and Bresnan) for one test and rethink it when Trott's recovered. Now Bresnan has a fivefer how can you leave him out?

[Loz]

I actually don't rate either highly, anyway, and I can't see either of them being long term holders of test places and will go the way of Sidebottom. Both are solid bowlers, but I really expect something better to some along soon. But, since he's in and has done nothing to be dropped, I'd retain Bresnan.

I'd still go for another batsman, if no other reason than to take a rare "2-0 up after two" opportunity to blood someone new. You'd better just hope they don't recall Bopara.

[Huguenot]

A loss and a draw would stop England making the world number 1 slot - maxxi's is a really risky strategy....

[mockney piers]

I'm pretty sure Ramprakash still thinks he's in with a shout. Someone needs to sit the man down and explain things to him very sloooowwwwwly.

[Loz]

He seems to have assumed Graeme Hick's role in that one. Smear county attacks around season after season with zero hope of a recall.

[maxxi]

Dammit - Boycott has just agreed with me... I can't have thought it through properly...

[Atticus]

you were quick to point out how many of the England set-up weren't born in the country, then you moved on to the spirit of the game. Instead of picking bones, how about a sporting acknowledgement to what is one of the greatest England Test sides in a generation?

[Alan Medic]

Sure I know f all about cricket.

[maxxi]

so... to stick to the point... If Trott is a no-show do you keep Tremlett AND Bresnan as previously suggested or drop Bresnan for a replacement batsman (after he got five) or drop Tremlett for same reason?

And who, if not Bopara, do you bring in? The only other name mentioned on TMS was James Hildreth of Somerset but feeling seemed to be (well GB's 'informed' opinion) he's not a Test batsman. As for others, my county knowledge is scant indeed so any suggestions?

[Ted Max]

These Syrian stumps are a big target, but they're well-defended.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Admin/BkFill/Default_image_group/2011/8/2/1312272071671/Syria-tanks-007.jpg

[mockney piers]

Too soon?

;-)

[Ted Max]

Believe me, if I could have said, "Look at that monument, it looks a bit like a big set of stumps" without seeming to make light of the plight of an oppressed people, then I would have done.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I'm bored.

[Alan Medic]

Are you at the Oval then?

[Loz]

I think PGC is not only at the Oval but also facing the Indian bowling.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Just at home - not even TMS can raise my spirits.

[Alan Medic]

Is this boredom relating to cricket or just a general feeling?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Cricket particularly, life generally. I think we need to invent an urban John MacNab.

How about a side of beef from William Rose; a brace of salmon from Soper's and a toy fawn from a passing bugaboo?

[maxxi]

Aren't all those currently queuing at Camberwell Magistrates urban MacNabs?

*still raining and even TMS have run out of waffle - though I hear tell of a lemon drizzle cake...*

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Maxxi dear, read the original: it was always intended to give back the spoils, and permission was sought in advance.

[maxxi]

Yes but that's what an urban slant gives you; Advance notice of intention? "You shoulda seen this coming" And intention to return? "I found it and I was looking after it 'til I could take it back".

There was a similar problem in the C21st urban update of Jerome K Jerome's 'Three Men On The Bummel' which involved mountain bikes racing from Currys in Peckham to Phone4U in Camberwell and finishing at a lite-bite in Croydon.

[Loz]

The Argus report into the future structure of Aussie cricket is out today.

The chairman of the panel, Don Argus, joked "I was thinking of putting in a recommendation that we put in a Zimbabwean coach and get four South Africans into the side..."

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Stiff summing-up from the judge. Good man.

Part of me feels very sorry for Amir, all that promise down the drain.

Pakistan Corruption Trial

[Loz]

Whilst I agree that they deserved to be arrested, I was a bit shocked at the sentences, especially Amir and Asif's. I mean, who got hurt? Six months for bowling two or three no balls that meant (usually illegal) bookies lost out? Seems harsh.