The Official Cricket Thread

[Spy Bee]

They might as well stop the voting for sports personality of the year now!

[Guest Pistonbroke]

SA 33/1 to win. I've chucked an euro on it just for the laugh. 

[Guest Pistonbroke]

Be nice to see Hales not out when we overhaul the runs needed. 

[thegreatelephant]

can't wait to get in the boozer tomorrow and put right my Indian friend who called me 'delusional' before the series. fucking love it when shit goes down like today

[Stickman]

Tough chance for Bavuma , Taylor would have had that......I wonder who'd win in a fight between England's and SA'a little players ?

[Spy Bee]

can't wait to get in the boozer tomorrow and put right my Indian friend who called me 'delusional' before the series. fucking love it when shit like goes down like today

India will be top of the world rankings, so I wouldn't get too cocky!

[thegreatelephant]

India will be top of the world rankings, so I wouldn't get too cocky!

he was giving it SA are top you've got no chance blah blah blah. all part of the fun- an away series win is gold so going to enjoy it

[s(k)aturation]

Fuck and off.

 

So, this "mental fragility" in drawn games of a series that you've otherwise comprehensively won 0-2 away against the No 1 team in the world... really needs working on, doesn't it?

 

I don't want to hear another bad word against Broad on here again, you ungrateful English whinging cunts.

 

Anyone does, I get out the red gun, and that's not to be taken lightly, because I NEVER get out the red gun.

 

Congrats, England.

 

You are a gem, Broad.  A gem.

 

Very very well played.

[s(k)aturation]

India will be top of the world rankings, so I wouldn't get too cocky!

 

I would if I were you.

 

You've beaten the best team in the world away, comprehensively.

 

Perhaps just enjoy mate.  Gloat away even, I'd suggest.

 

In Australia we do, when we're winning.

[s(k)aturation]

And Root.  An absolute star.

[Spy Bee]

You've beaten the best team in the world away, comprehensively.

They are miles away from being the best team in the world. 

 

I am however very much enjoying it and enjoying this new brand of English cricket. The knock between Stokes and Root exemplified the character of this team I think.

 

Great catch from Morkel just then.

[Stickman]

Brilliant performance by England I was hoping Hales could be England's Warner at the top of the innings but I just don't see it....

 

England collapsing here....can they blow this ?

[s(k)aturation]

They are miles away from being the best team in the world. 

 

I am however very much enjoying it and enjoying this new brand of English cricket. The knock between Stokes and Root exemplified the character of this team I think.

 

Great catch from Morkel just then.

 

Yes mate. But they are ranked No 1, based on results.

 

A certain round ball team I follow weren't anywhere near the best team in Europe when they won a certain final in Istanbul either, but I bet the "better" Italian team they beat would still have rather won that game.

 

Anyhow, yep, enjoy.

 

A brilliant performance from you English cunts this.

[Frankenhooker]

Brilliant performance by England I was hoping Hales could be England's Warner at the top of the innings but I just don't see it....

 

England collapsing here....can they blow this ?

I'm confident now.

[Guest Pistonbroke]

Quite fitting that Root hit the winning runs with a 4. Well done England, test series victory wrapped up. 

[s(k)aturation]

I'm confident now.

 

Yes, a 7-wicket victory makes the game safe, I think.

[Frankenhooker]

Brilliant from England. Broad will rightfully take the plaudits, but England's whole attack are deadly when on form. Great knocks from Root, Stokes and Bairstow. Impressive series win.

[s(k)aturation]

Basil D'Oliveira would be pleased.

 

Good old Dolly.

[s(k)aturation]

So, this "mental fragility" in drawn games of a series that you've otherwise comprehensively won 0-2 away 

 

Although there is one still to play, so apologies for the rant somewhat.

[Manny]

Broad's always been capable of spells like this - he's just become much more economical in the innings without them than he used to be.

 

Good times to be an English cricket fan. Two players in the ranks who can more-or-less win a match in a session: Broad with the ball and Stokes with the bat (and Stokes can surely improve further). The middle order looks solid, Root is one of the best batsmen around and we've also a decent battery of swing bowlers. Some question marks over one opener and a spinner, but openers don't exactly grow on trees and Ali is solid enough with the bat to make his spin bowling worth persevering with (he's doing more than Giles with bat and not much less than him with ball either, and we stuck with him as he was just in the side to give the quicks a rest).

 

Still lots of room for improvement, but a really competitive (and suddenly likeable) side...

[George Costanza]

England & New Zealand are the only entertaining Test teams around at present.  There's no reason why England can't regain the number 1 status and keep it for a prolonged period.  A top class spinner and opener still remain our biggest question marks.  Can Hales & Moen grow into those players.

 

Very good away series win for England but i was very disappointed with South Africa. 

[Jairzinho]

Firstly, we were ace.

 

South Africa though, fucking hell. Without Steyn and Philander they're a very average bowling attack, and without Smith and Kallis they seem to have lost all the grit with the bat.

 

Really looking forward to our tests this Spring/Summer.

[Yozzer]

Great Test series win abroad; been pretty convincing in the three tests apart from a couple of days during the second. It was good to see numerous players chip in with key performances, not just relying on Anderson to bowl a team out or Cook/Root to hit a double century. Looking to the summer tests, I'd keep the same team and hope that Hales can play in a couple of County games beforehand.

 

Only concern was Anderson, who I think was not fully fit coming back into the team - it's why I suggested maybe Woakes should have remained in the team. He was a good 4mph down on his average pace during this match.

[s(k)aturation]

Firstly, we were ace.

 

Really looking forward to our tests this Spring/Summer.

 

Who are they against, J?

[s(k)aturation]

England & New Zealand are the only entertaining Test teams around at present.  There's no reason why England can't regain the number 1 status and keep it for a prolonged period.  A top class spinner and opener still remain our biggest question marks.  Can Hales & Moen grow into those players.

 

Very good away series win for England but i was very disappointed with South Africa. 

 

Yes, a 5-Test Series between England and NZ round about now would be fucking boss, Georgie.

 

But that wouldn't suit the ICC at all.