English cricket.

[Darlo_Pete]

England wrap up a 4-1 series win, after a narrow victory in Perth today. The Aussies will be strong favourites to win the forthcoming 20/20, especially after the Big Bash.

[Darlo_Pete]

England beaten easily by Australia in the first T20, as Maxwell makes an unbeaten 103.

[Darlo_Pete]

Well that was nothing short of embarrassing, on a good wicket England were bowled out by New Zealand for 58, that's the 6th lowest England total in their history.

[Darlo_Pete]

Very embarrassing for the Australians ball tampering, wonder what'll happen to Steve Smith?

[Darlo_Pete]

England capitulate again, even with the weather trying to help us, as we lose to New Zealand by over an innings.

[Darlo_Pete]

England have a much better day, as New Zealand end the day on 192-6, lets hope England can press home their advanage on day 3.

[Darlo_Pete]

Good win for England yesterday to draw the series. India might be a tougher proposition later in the summer.

[Darlo_Pete]

Looks like it'll be a close fought test series against India. If we need a second spinner then surely John Denley should be picked, as he is proving an excellent spin bowler and leading batsman.

[DARL]

Who will open against Sri Lanka - Surely Burns but who will partner?

Ideally it needs to be somebody with test experience as you don't want tow debutantes at the top of the order especially with only six tests to get if right before The Ashes - my vote would be for Bairstow as a short term fix as Stoneman and Jennings cannot get any more chances.

the worry is six years on Strauss has not been replaced - how long will it take to replace Cookie.

[Darlogramps]

Who will open against Sri Lanka - Surely Burns but who will partner?

Ideally it needs to be somebody with test experience as you don't want tow debutantes at the top of the order especially with only six tests to get if right before The Ashes - my vote would be for Bairstow as a short term fix as Stoneman and Jennings cannot get any more chances.

the worry is six years on Strauss has not been replaced - how long will it take to replace Cookie.

Burns is a definite. But Bairstow to open? Not a chance. He doesn't have the game or style to open in a Test side. He's much better lower down the order so keep him where he's strongest. I don't even think he opens in the four-day game for Yorkshire does he? So it would be unusual for him to open at test level.

I wouldn't even say we need short-term fixes. We've got Sri Lanka and West Indies this Winter, where the pitches are flatter and better suited for batting. If anything now is the time to let two people try and bed in.

I wouldn't have a massive issue with two debutantes opening. Having two experienced players in Cook and Jennings wasn't working, so we're not losing anything by trying two newcomers.

I reckon they'll take someone like Joe Denly, who's been successful around the county game for a while and has done well at county level. And he can bowl spin, which will be handy in Sri Lanka. Or even James Vince again, who has Test experience and has had a decent summer (albeit he's never broken through at Test level and has had loads of chances). Nick Gubbins perhaps as well could be an idea.

But I don't see why you'd take Jennings. If we're building for the Ashes next year, you need to start afresh. Not with someone who averaged less than 20 this summer. The Aussies would marmalise Jennings so may as well chuck him now.

Given the shortage of quality at the top of the order, I'm guessing: Burns, Denly/Vince Moeen, Root, Bairstow, Buttler, Stokes, Curran, Anderson, Broad, Leach/Rashid.

Given the Sri Lankan pitches render seam bowling totally ineffective, they may even rest one of Anderson or Broad - which may be sensible as they're both cracking on now.

[Darlo_Pete]

Denly should be seriously considered as he has now added some extremely good spin bowling to his repertoire.

[Darlo_Pete]

England get pummelled by the West Indies by 381 runs in the first test. I thought England were supposed to be unbeatable against the previously poor West Indies?

[Darlo_Pete]

It'll be interesting to see how Jofra Archer does for England when he becomes eligible to play for them later in the year. I've enjoyed watching him in the Big Bash in Australia, playing for the Hobart Hurricanes.

Yet another poor display by England yesterday, still no surprise there.

[grytters]

Well.

Guess who went to the Notts v Durham at Grantham on Friday.


Bah.

[Darlo_Pete]

Jofra Archer must be picked for the World Cup a genuine all-rounder.

[grytters]

Vince and Dawson banned from the weekend's final.

Well done, ICC, explain exactly how that helps eh?

Yet the ECB sail ahead with the 100.

(Still. It stands a chance of snotting Hants prospects, so it's not all bad news)

[Darlo_Pete]

Good to see that Archer get's picked for the World Cup, sensible decision.

[grytters]

Dear England.

Do not run on a mis-field.

Even in one day cricket.

Thank you.

[Darlo_Pete]

Great win for England at the World Cup, although fairly fortuitous. But a lot of that good work has been undone in one morning, as they are bowled all out in a morning for 85 against the might of Ireland. Really embarrassing.

[BUSHEAD]

None of our batters look capable of batting a session, let alone a day currently.

Unless this changes drastically, 4-0 , dare i say it 5-0 looms.

Too much of a ODI mentality is killing us.

[Darlo_Pete]

Weather is bad for tomorrow, so England should scrape a draw, but it's embarrassing at times.

[BUSHEAD]

Will someone please tell our lads to leave the ball when its outside off stump early in their innings.

Its becoming embarrassing

[ralphb]

My problem with English cricket is we play all types of game in the same manner. Test cricket is a specialist element of the game, our players train for it by playing T20 and one day cricket. What is wrong with playing 4-day championship cricket in preparation for test cricket?

[Darlo_Pete]

We were lucky to win the World Cup & we've been now found out, that we are not a very good side. Today was just plain embarrassing. Root's dismissal was shocking. I'd be very surprised if he's remains captain after we fail to win the ashes.

[BUSHEAD]

We were lucky to win the World Cup & we've been now found out, that we are not a very good side. Today was just plain embarrassing. Root's dismissal was shocking. I'd be very surprised if he's remains captain after we fail to win the ashes.

Erm out of all the batters, Root can say he got a decent ball.

Now if you'd said Roy, Stokes, Butler ...........

[Darlo_Pete]

I think the team need wholesale changes, as we don't seem to be able to play test cricket.

[grytters]

Yay!

[BUSHEAD]

Sir Ben Fucking Stokes

Unbelievable

[Darlo_Pete]

Credit to England I thought like everybody else it was done & dusted.

[Bernie Rhodes knows]

Just got back from Leeds
That must be one of the best, No THE best innings by an England cricketer ever
Absolutely astonishing from Ben Stokes
You think of Botham 81,but surely that surpassed it