International cricket thread

I think Stokes is a guy who is quite adept at both the old unjustly talking things up and misplaced loyalty…dangerous.

problem with that is it becomes too easy to position yourself as a bit of a BS merchant and he’s heading that way after his positive comments in the wake of a comprehensive 4-1 series defeat…

He needs to realise that he can be honest, frank and reasonable with people, without throwing his team under the bus…

the press and fans will and probably are already are turning on him… this a fella who had millions of tonnes of support, goodwill and likability…. People don’t like being bullshîtted, especially when they are paying money to go watch you, support you and then the BS….

you have to balance honesty and loyalty.

look at the margins of defeat though,

one defeat by an innings and 64 runs..

one defeat by 5 wickets..

one defeat by 434 runs

one defeat by 106 runs

thats not close in fairness. And yep, watched it but those stats there speak for themselves.

Laying into them nope, being critical for a pretty disastrous series.

New Zealand now on 345/6. 251 in front. My 80 all out prediction was miles off the mark. Still looking for 70 or 80 more I'd say

Australia struggling 34/3 but a solid century partnership would steady their ship.

Smith, Khawaja and Labuschagne out very cheaply…. Green and Head struggling to score… id say NZ with that lead and having taken early wickets are the favourites. Green gone as I type, another for Sears, this has been a classic.

Yep, NZ slightly favourites and two early wickets it’s essentially game over and 1-1…

Two all rounders making the NZ attack look suddenly blunt… 77 needed now and the favourites title fairly swing back to Australia…. Some average bowling… 2-0 incoming…. Been a good contest but 80/5 —-> 209/5….. some recovery but NZ will be dismayed going from having them 80/5 and in a world of shît to practically cruising.

220/6 now Marsh out for 80 after a stand of 140 with Carey who is 71*

Starc gone too, 7 down! Maybe it's not over.

Fûck, about an inch over the gully fielder …. Australia have as they do, some luck, could be 9 down…

Ended 98* but wasn't too bothered. 32* for Cummins. 281/7 win by 3 wickets

Two observations…

Thought Southee was a bit negative the last 15 overs with his field placement. Waiting till single digit runs were needed before packing the slips cordon and having more close catchers…. Don’t get that…. Could have applied a bit more pressure, weird from a bowler captaining , needed to risk it….

also after lunch the accuracy from the bowlers in general seemed to dissipate, made it a lot easier for Cummins and Carey.

Southee only knows one way to bat unfortunately. Looks like he's unsure of staying on as captain. His output has dropped off a cliff in the last year or so. Captaincy is the only thing keeping him in the side.

Long wait now to the next Australia test match and it's the big one, India at home either side of Christmas. India going for their third straight series win there. Be interesting to see the Aussie batting lineup for that first game. Smith to open or go back to four. Labushagne will continue as there seems to be no one to replace him.

Was extremely ineffective last summer. A bit better over the winter but definitely time for England to move on now, he got to 700 which is probably what he was aiming for. I went to the Oval in 2011 purely to see the legend Sachin Tendulkar play before he retired, but I can now say I saw the legend Jimmy Anderson play that day too.

the USA beat Bangladesh by 6 runs. Bangladesh totally collapsed in their reply to the US total but a slight tail wag gave them a chance , alas not enough wickets and they get bowled out.

England were set for 200+ vs Pakistan but losing a glut of wickets for 144/3 to 169/7 really stifled them.

Good start with the ball though , Ali gets Rizwan, third delivery, no runs on the board.

if lots of overs and or entire matches are lost due to adverse weather… the ICC will take a real hammering and rightly so.

A few of the matches are in locations like Texas where the rainy season is finishing around late May / early June …. And further inclement weather such as storms and hurricanes can be prevalent throughout mid summer.

Haven’t looked at every venue in such detail but be nice if we get a good load of cricket….

Going to be a real unknown element to certain aspects of the tournament seeing as so little international cricket has been played there or covered from there…

Hopefully the US have their shît together and we have good consistent cricket pitches, quick enough flat outfields giving appropriate value for good shots.

England 67/0 after 5 overs. Tearing Pakistan a new one. Brilliant batting but not good bowling… or wicket keeping, first chance put down.

This is a walk in the park for England. Pakistan are so hit and miss.

anybody know if West Indies vs Australia is being broadcasted / streamed anywhere ? Starts in about 12 minutes but can’t see any listings or streaming info, thanks.

Edit : WI 68/1 after 5.. big score in the offing

England with Jofra back look like the side to beat in the world cup. Any weakness you'd say was the bowling. Rashid the only banker with Sam Curran's loss of form and no more Woakes. He comes back and transforms it. Bowls the difficult overs taking pressure off the other seamers. Batting looks more devastating if anything with Salt and Jacks in.

Pakistan look a rabble. Rauf takes a wicket and makes a hand gesture to say that should his third wicket having two dropped by the keeper. Doesn't say much for team harmony. Although he has a point about the keeper. Looks so out of place and played like it too.

You've gotta admire the Pakistani selectors' commitment to diversity! (it's the only reason I can think of as to why Fatso Khan is being repeatedly selected as the national wicketkeeper!)

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/20876/13151393/andrew-flintoffs-son-rocky-flintoff-in-england-u19s-squad-for-series-vs-sri-lanka

Yet to make his full Lancashire debut but been involved in the Lancs setup since U10s.

right-handed all-rounder apparently like his old man….

I suspect this will be one of England's easier test summers with WI and Sri Lanka and makes sense to make some changes. The West Indies may get a victory but weather permitting England should win both series.