In support of Liam Dawson, of course
What is the likely situation regarding spinners at Southampton in June? I did read that Lords, where the game was originally to be played, isn't as spin friendly as Southampton.
Thankyou Jasper. NZ is much better off if we can go in with Boult, Southee, Wagner and Jamieson, and not bother with a specialist spinner. Williamson might have to bowl a few overs and Conway is so good he could probably learn how to bowl spin by then as well.Kevin, Hampshire v Middlesex game just finished at Southampton
Seam: 32 wickets for 640 runs average 20.00
Spin: 2 wickets for 285 runs average 142.50
Seems like the Middlesex and Hampshire spinners are about the same quality as the Kiwi candidates...Thankyou Jasper. NZ is much better off if we can go in with Boult, Southee, Wagner and Jamieson, and not bother with a specialist spinner. Williamson might have to bowl a few overs and Conway is so good he could probably learn how to bowl spin by then as well.
The longevity of a fine claret.There's a young lad at Kent who is looking quite promising. A 9th wicket stand of 166 comprised as follows:
D Stevens 160
M Cummings 1
Extras 5
I am sure when Stevens matures a bit he will be quite promising....
I think it would be reasonable to suggest he is currently the best player in the team, which is an unusual thing to say about someone on debut.Devon Conway has just reached 100 on debut at Lord's.
I thought I was having a good day, enjoying the glorious weather in the East Neuk of Fife. Lunch at Craig Millar in St Monans was pleasant indeed. However, Conway is having the day of my dreams.
Test rankings are irrelevant when it comes to the Ashes, will be either deepest gloom or uncontainable joy and the abundance of deep gloom since I started watching in 1968 means they are far more important than relative rankings!I do love the comment I have seen a few times recently that England are using their games against the two best teams in the world as warm up opportunities before playing the 4th best team in the world.
He has always looked class whenever he has had an opportunity. Unfortunately he is a bit of a one man band with the rest of the lineup collapsing in typical fashion. The bottom six are all supposed to be able to bat a bit and for a couple of them that is the main reason they are in the team. Taylor and Santner will both need to do something in the remainder of this game to hold their places.Yes, to bring up his double-ton with a six was something else. An almost chanceless innings, which was only ended by the closest of margins.
I mainly meant he turned out to be a one man band in that innings. But some of the others are a worry. Obviously Williamson is all class, but he does only average 28 in the UK. Latham who is quite solid at the top hasn't scored a test century for about 18 innings. Taylor and Watling, who are both nearing the end of their careers, have also had about 17 goes since their last tons. Santner who is thought of as an allrounder has only passed 50 three times in over 30 goes. De Grandhomme has hardly played for the last 12 months and has never been a reliable test batsman.Looking at the recent records of many of the Kiwi batsmen, especially Williamson - who is an utterly class player, I am perplexed by the view that Conway is a one-man batting line up.
Malan? For Test cricket?!
I have been surprised by the lack of interest in the cricket on here recently. Wasn't this test the first time big crowds were allowed at an event for months, and isn't it exciting to be playing one of the top two teams in the world? Or at least the B team from one of the top countries.I’m not sure I can feel the love to drive down the A38 tomorrow am? Oh well. A nice brunch and another bbq followed by more pyrotechnics will have to do!
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