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As in ‘returned’. He hasn’t got ankylosing spondylitis or anything.
In Bangladesh, England typically made headway with the ball when they managed to get some reverse swing. Ben Stokes was far and away the most effective practitioner. Should England manage to get Anderson back into the team at some point they could then field a bowling attack that would effectively comprise two new ball bowlers, two spinners and two reverse swing bowlers.
This doesn’t exactly tip the balance in their favour, but it does give them a half-decent way of going about things.
This is fine. Life is mostly about making the best of things, hoping for a bit of luck somewhere along the way and then having a pint at the end of the week whether things have gone your way or not.
This will give England a pretty big boost. Just hope he isn’t coming back anything less than 100% fit.
And this is well worth your time: http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/1064756.html
Are we all enjoying crickets battle of the has-beens?
It remainds me of a concert I saw last year, Go West, T’Pau & Nik Kershaw doing a gig together. Entertaining, but you couldn’t help but feel their best was behind them.
That brings me nicely to Australia v South Africa. As a cricket fan it’s sad to see to previous heavyweights so laughably shite. Collect 5 coupons & claim your test debut seems to be their selection policy these days.
It got me thinking, over the past 20-25 years, which nation has produced the best cricketers, if you were able to pick them together in their prime?
It’s tight, batting is fairly even, saffa’s I think have better fast bowlers, but Warne is simply unanswered in the spinning department. Duminy makes my 11 as a part time spinner, says it all.
Smith —– Hayden
Kirsten — Langer
Amla —– Ponting
Kallis —- Waugh
De Villiers – Clarke
Duminy — Hussey
Boucher – Gilchrist
Pollock — Warne
Steyn —- Johnson
Donald — Lee
Ntini ——McGrath
They’d be my sides. Not a lot in it, maybe the spin edges it for the Aussies.
Thoughts?
The inclusion of Waugh implies that this is going back a fair way, in which case Gillespie should be in that Aussie side instead of Lee. We could quibble with other selections too, but mention this only because a lot of people forget just how good Gillespie was.
Saffers do at least have an all-rounder. That’s got to be a help.
Might depend on what Johnson turns up, that.
Rhino and Sarfraz somewhere ?
agree gillespie though
When following mainstream news in the media, one could be forgiven for thinking that the world is going crazy and off beam at the moment.
So it is reassuring this evening to return to this site and discover that the traditional ankylosing spondylitis joke by KC’s back…
…by which I mean, “returned”, obviously.
I do fear though that it’s not long now before this headline specifically for Anderson won’t turn out that he’s returned.
“Make Test Cricket great again!”
Could England roll the dice against India, gamble and beat them?
‘England have no spinners, India are expert players of spin.’ Neither are true but they have some foundations to them. I disagree with crickets stereotype, India play spin on a dusty turner as well as England play seam on an English green top, you don’t score 600 on a 300 wicket just because you’re used to the conditions. Cook’s mouth doesn’t water at the sight of a green Headingley in May anymore than Kolhi does at the sight of a dusty Mumbai.
That said, if you list England’s 10 best bowling options, you wouldn’t see a spinner in there. So why on Earth are we thinking about picking three or four spinners? Just because we have to because it’s the subcontinent? NONSENSE!!
Pakistan in the UAE couldn’t play our seamers. They took the wickets and conceded just over one run per over, their release came against our spinners. It was the same against Bangladesh.
I’d be hanged in the Lords long room for saying something so taboo, but why don’t England go in with five seamers, and part time Moeen? It’s our strength, and it’s successful in the SC. Five seamers would probably rough up the ball helping to create reverse swing earlier to further enhancing that claim, given we have Stokes & Anderson when he returns.
It’s a no brainier. They won’t do it, but should.
Thoughts?
Why wasn’t it posted the first time?
Dunno. You got held in ‘awaiting moderation’. Maybe it was the reference to hanging or something.
Aussies fail to capitalise on home advantage, extraordinarily good position after the first four sessions and Dale Steyn going down at what seemed to be a vital moment.
Borderline humiliation? Still, couldn’t have happened to a nicer team.
Slightly ominous signs for England, though, as the Saffers tour England next!
Australia struggled badly against Sri Lanka, mostly because they couldn’t play spin. Of course, that’s not an uncommon thing for non-subcontinent teams. Nevertheless, consistency in batting against all bowling types was required, and they knew exactly what they needed to do.
They appointed Graeme Hick as batting coach. He immediately taught them what he is best remembered for, and so ensured that they couldn’t bat against short, quick bowling either.
Rarely can a batting coach have had such an immediate impact. Well done Graeme.
Bert’s back! How’s your back, Bert? Have I got this right?
It’s a decent effort, Mike, but not quite right. It just goes to emphasise how difficult KC’s job is, and how effortless he makes what is in reality a very complex thing look.
Bert’s returned…
…as in, back…
…he’s not been rejected as “not known at this address” or anything like that.
It’s good that England infiltrating the Aussies.
Could England roll the dice against India, gamble and beat them?
‘England have no spinners, India are expert players of spin.’ Neither are true but they have some foundations to them. I disagree with crickets stereotype, India play spin on a dusty turner as well as England play seam on an English green top, you don’t score 600 on a 300 wicket just because you’re used to the conditions. Cook’s mouth doesn’t water at the sight of a green Headingley in May anymore than Kolhi does at the sight of a dusty Mumbai.
That said, if you list England’s 10 best bowling options, you wouldn’t see a spinner in there. So why on Earth are we thinking about picking three or four spinners? Just because we have to because it’s the subcontinent? NONSENSE!!
Pakistan in the UAE couldn’t play our seamers. They took the wickets and conceded just over one run per over, their release came against our spinners. It was the same against Bangladesh.
I’d be hanged in the Lords long room for saying something so taboo, but why don’t England go in with five seamers, and part time Moeen? It’s our strength, and it’s successful in the SC. Five seamers would probably rough up the ball helping to create reverse swing earlier to further enhancing that claim, given we have Stokes & Anderson when he returns.
It’s a no brainier. They won’t do it, but should.
Thoughts KC?
Hooray, this post’s back! As in, it’s been repeated. Welcome back, post! Hope your spine is holding up well.
Ridiculous idea, that you might be hanged in the Lord’s Long Room. Or the Committee Room for that matter.
The ceiling plaster would struggle to take the weight of a hanging.
No, no, no.
The hanging would take place in the Old Library.
In any case you wouldn’t be hanged for your opinions on cricket. What do you think we are? Savages?
No, no, no.
The only remaining MCC hanging offenses are:
1) Failing to wear a jacket and tie in the pavilion;
2) Taking a photograph of the inside of the pavilion (unless you are a Sky cameraman, of course);
3) (Stewards only) Failing to call a member/visitor “Sir” or “Madam”.
I overheard a security/steward at Lord’s say to his mate as he looked up at the MCC flag, “What’s all this got to do with Spain, then?”