The Official Cricket Thread

[ScarfaceClaw]

That ball that got Stokes was a thing of beauty.

[Biffer]

That ball that got Stokes was a thing of beauty.

Indeed.

This lad Naseem looks dangerous

[JM2K6]

Root went, great catch off a spinner by keeper. Not that I'm making a point or anything. Buttler survives until close.

Ollie Pope has made batting look very easy compared to everyone else. 46 off 67 out of a total of 92/4 from 28 overs.

This has probably been my favourite Test of the summer so far.

[Biffer]

Root went, great catch off a spinner by keeper. Not that I'm making a point or anything. Buttler survives until close.

Ollie Pope has made batting look very easy compared to everyone else. 46 off 67 out of a total of 92/4 from 28 overs.

This has probably been my favourite Test of the summer so far.

Yeah, can you imagine the atmosphere this afternoon if there'd been 20,000 people in there? Would've been electric.

[And 1 guest]

It was massively enjoyable to watch. Masood played a fantastic innings, then Pakistanis steamers were brilliant. Good stuff from Pope, but he needs some back up tomorrow.

[Insane_Homer]

first hour this morning crucial for Eng.

[Biffer]

first hour this morning crucial for Eng.

Im confident Buttler will not last the first hour.

I saw this posted elsewhere

Anyone, anyone who has watched cricket and studied the game over many, many years, knows the genuinely gifted player when s/he sees one. When it comes to wicket-keeping, there is a wide ocean of difference between the player who is made into a w/k and one who is gifted in that capacity. That’s the difference between Buttler and Foakes.

Sums up wicket keeping for me. It’s an absolute joy to watch a great wicketkeeper work, but it seems now that having someone who averages 40 and can do a decent job behind the stumps is considered a better option than having someone who averages 30 and takes the opportunities Buttler missed yesterday. Which is obvious nonsense.

I really miss watching top quality wicketkeepers. There are so few allowed to play at international level.

[Big D]

Other than being a good mate of the captain and the selectors golden boy I don't see what Buttler brings to the test team.

Not the best wicket keeper available and the poorest batting average of the 3 available options (small sample size at test level for Foakes). I am a fan of his white ball cricket work but the very rare 50 here and there doesn't cut it.

Next time Stokes can't bowl I would consider giving the gloves to Pope and playing Crawley. On recent efforts 6 is about 1 maybe 2 spots too high for Buttler.

[Big D]

first hour this morning crucial for Eng.

Im confident Buttler will not last the first hour.

I saw this posted elsewhere

Anyone, anyone who has watched cricket and studied the game over many, many years, knows the genuinely gifted player when s/he sees one. When it comes to wicket-keeping, there is a wide ocean of difference between the player who is made into a w/k and one who is gifted in that capacity. That’s the difference between Buttler and Foakes.

Sums up wicket keeping for me. It’s an absolute joy to watch a great wicketkeeper work, but it seems now that having someone who averages 40 and can do a decent job behind the stumps is considered a better option than having someone who averages 30 and takes the opportunities Buttler missed yesterday. Which is obvious nonsense.

I really miss watching top quality wicketkeepers. There are so few allowed to play at international level.

Ironically Buttler is the one averaging 30 (32 I think) and Foakes mid 40's in a small sample size and would expect regression. Woakes or Bess may be Popes best hope for a partner.

[Un Pilier]

first hour this morning crucial for Eng.

Im confident Buttler will not last the first hour.

I saw this posted elsewhere

Anyone, anyone who has watched cricket and studied the game over many, many years, knows the genuinely gifted player when s/he sees one. When it comes to wicket-keeping, there is a wide ocean of difference between the player who is made into a w/k and one who is gifted in that capacity. That’s the difference between Buttler and Foakes.

Sums up wicket keeping for me. It’s an absolute joy to watch a great wicketkeeper work, but it seems now that having someone who averages 40 and can do a decent job behind the stumps is considered a better option than having someone who averages 30 and takes the opportunities Buttler missed yesterday. Which is obvious nonsense.

I really miss watching top quality wicketkeepers. There are so few allowed to play at international level.

Me too. I grew up in Derbyshire and used to love watching Bob Taylor. An artist with the gloves; he holds the world record for dismissals. Alan Knott was always a great watch too.

[JM2K6]

Other than being a good mate of the captain and the selectors golden boy I don't see what Buttler brings to the test team.

Not the best wicket keeper available and the poorest batting average of the 3 available options (small sample size at test level for Foakes). I am a fan of his white ball cricket work but the very rare 50 here and there doesn't cut it.

Next time Stokes can't bowl I would consider giving the gloves to Pope and playing Crawley. On recent efforts 6 is about 1 maybe 2 spots too high for Buttler.

By all accounts he's an excellent dressing room presence - let's face it, he's there almost all the time when we're batting - and is a solid and dependable lieutenant. But, more importantly, dropping him would be an admission by Ed 'FICJAM' Smith that he was wrong, so it can only happen in extreme circumstances.

[Biffer]

first hour this morning crucial for Eng.

Im confident Buttler will not last the first hour.

I saw this posted elsewhere

Anyone, anyone who has watched cricket and studied the game over many, many years, knows the genuinely gifted player when s/he sees one. When it comes to wicket-keeping, there is a wide ocean of difference between the player who is made into a w/k and one who is gifted in that capacity. That’s the difference between Buttler and Foakes.

Sums up wicket keeping for me. It’s an absolute joy to watch a great wicketkeeper work, but it seems now that having someone who averages 40 and can do a decent job behind the stumps is considered a better option than having someone who averages 30 and takes the opportunities Buttler missed yesterday. Which is obvious nonsense.

I really miss watching top quality wicketkeepers. There are so few allowed to play at international level.

Ironically Buttler is the one averaging 30 (32 I think) and Foakes mid 40's in a small sample size and would expect regression. Woakes or Bess may be Popes best hope for a partner.

Foakes also averages significantly higher than Buttler in First Class cricket. It seems it's only Ed Smith's stubbornness that's keeping Buttler in the team.

[Biffer]

Buttler is the worst wicketkeeper to spin bowlers in test cricket over the last two years

https://www.cricviz.com/jos-buttler-the-wicketkeeper

[And 1 guest]

No matter what the stats say, England won't drop Buttler. If and when they lose this game they'll fiddle with the bowling attack, like they always do.

[Insane_Homer]

first hour negotiated, should be able to push on and bat all day now. perfect conditions.

[Sandstorm]

Other than being a good mate of the captain and the selectors golden boy I don't see what Buttler brings to the test team.

Not the best wicket keeper available and the poorest batting average of the 3 available options (small sample size at test level for Foakes). I am a fan of his white ball cricket work but the very rare 50 here and there doesn't cut it.

Next time Stokes can't bowl I would consider giving the gloves to Pope and playing Crawley. On recent efforts 6 is about 1 maybe 2 spots too high for Buttler.

By all accounts he's an excellent dressing room presence - let's face it, he's there almost all the time when we're batting - and is a solid and dependable lieutenant. But, more importantly, dropping him would be an admission by Ed 'FICJAM' Smith that he was wrong, so it can only happen in extreme circumstances.

Smith will try to keep Buttler in the side after he tests positive for Covid.

[Biffer]

Watching Rizwan keeping up to the stumps to the seamer emphasises it even more. I wonder how much of that is a wee bit of psychology to get into Buttler's head.

[Big D]

Fairs fair. Buttler is digging in here. Hopefully doesn't throw it away and can get his rewards later in the day.

Pope is pretty sharp on the singles - good to see.

[And 1 guest]

And Pope's a goner. Brilliant ball from Naseem.

[Sandstorm]

Naseem gets Pope with an almost unplayable lifter on off stump. 62 runs

[JM2K6]

Pope gets an almost unplayable delivery from Naseem. Did well to hit it. Caught in the slips, gone for 62 - he looked very good, England should probably crumble from here.

[Biffer]

Pope gone. Vicious ball and a sharp catch low in the gully.

[Biffer]

Woakes taking one on the head from Naseem.

This Pakistan attack is exceptional.

[A6D6E6]

Woakes taking one on the head from Naseem.

This Pakistan attack is exceptional.

To be fair, that could be said of almost any Pakistan attack since I started watching cricket in the 80s. They produce some fantastic bowlers.

[Biffer]

Woakes taking one on the head from Naseem.

This Pakistan attack is exceptional.

To be fair, that could be said of almost any Pakistan attack since I started watching cricket in the 80s. They produce some fantastic bowlers.

Yeah, but with Shaheen at 20 and Naseem at 17, they could be right back up to the days of Waqar and Wasim. Chuck in Shadab as a 21 year old leg break bowler and it could be great to watch for the next ten years.

[Big D]

Buttler does a lot of good in the morning session but ultimately it is another failure.

[Biffer]

Buttler does a lot of good in the morning session but ultimately it is another failure.

Beautiful ball to dismiss him but that score isn't enough to defend him being in the team.

[And 1 guest]

There just seems to be a real threat from both ends with this Pakistan attack. It didn't feel like that when England were bowling.

[And 1 guest]

Awful shot from Woakes. It's Borad time so should be entertaining

[Biffer]

Terrible shot from Woakes. Ears are probably still ringing from the one he took on the head though.

[Sandstorm]

171/8

[JM2K6]

Terrible shot from Woakes. Ears are probably still ringing from the one he took on the head though.

When, 10 innings ago? He's a dismal batsman at the moment.

[Insane_Homer]

England looking like they're going to give Pakistan a healthy first innings lead. It's going to be tough to salvage the test from here.

[Biffer]

Terrible shot from Woakes. Ears are probably still ringing from the one he took on the head though.

When, 10 innings ago? He's a dismal batsman at the moment.

He took one today from Naseem. It bounced out to mid on.

[JM2K6]

Terrible shot from Woakes. Ears are probably still ringing from the one he took on the head though.

When, 10 innings ago? He's a dismal batsman at the moment.

He took one today from Naseem. It bounced out to mid on.

I know - it's just being too charitable to blame that. He's been a rabbit for a while unfortunately - I have no idea why.

[fishfoodie]

England looking like they're going to give Pakistan a healthy first innings lead. It's going to be tough to salvage the test from here.

Not much chance of rain saving England this week.

Given the weather, & the match, it really is a pity to be playing behind closed doors

[Biffer]

England looking like they're going to give Pakistan a healthy first innings lead. It's going to be tough to salvage the test from here.

Not much chance of rain saving England this week.

Given the weather, & the match, it really is a pity to be playing behind closed doors

Yeah, the atmosphere yesterday and today would have been excellent.

[Sandstorm]

I think England are missing the crowds more than any of their opponents this Summer. They really seem to respond to their fans.

[Sandstorm]

Pakistan fielding is shite. Several run outs missed, dropped catch and the tail is wagging.

[JM2K6]

Pakistan fielding is shite. Several run outs missed, dropped catch and the tail is wagging.

Shadab had no right to get the ball as close to the stumps as he did on that near run out of Jimmy. He was on his knees and throwing as he twisted and missed by an inch.

Anyway, enjoying England's commitment to stereotypes here. Facing a seam attack of prodigious talent, threat, and skill, in their first innings, and they still contrive to give the legspinners 6 wickets.