The England Cricket Thread

Pity that Shakeel's determined knock trumps Smith's. Stokes has not bowled himself in 95 overs - is he fully fit, and if not the England are in a bind. Also odd that Root has hardly bowled across the series.
 
Today was the start of the Australia V India series which in the past has seen some of the best test cricket in recent times. The last series in Australia was won by India with a inexperienced team battling for every run and wicket, and Pant's 89* in the last test, to chase down 328, was one of the best paced innings I have seen.
Today India were skittled for 150 after electing to bat first, but then ended the day on top with Aus 67/7 after some high class fast bowling from Start, Hazelwood and Bumrah.
 
So India get whitewashed at home by NZ, then go to Australia without their captain and absolutely thump them in first test. The swing in results we are seeing is so odd. Cummins had a mare as skipper, he had Labuschagne bowling bouncers with 20 over old ball that was still hard. Very odd sight.
 
So NZ v England starts tomorrow (technically the 28th in NZ) with England giving the gloves back to Pope after Cox was injured. Some relief for Pope as he is going to middle order with Bethell debuting at 3, though if Bethell succeeds then what?. NZ lost to Sri Lanka, then whitewashed India at home whilst England keep doing what England do. Stokes needs a decent series after struggling in Pakistan with bat, and the last test was poor for him as captain.
NZ have a hard decision to make now that Williamson is fit, do they drop Will Young who was the player of the series v India?
 
Great week for South Africa, gone from 5th to 2nd in test championship thanks to England beating NZ who were in 2ns, and SA beating Sri Lanka who were in 4th. Do they deserve to play the final at Lords, hell no. Will I go and support them? Hell Yes.
Marco Jansen's 7-13 in 6.5 overs in the first innings was part good bowling, but Sri Lanka continuing trying to drive with a ball whooping around corners was utterly stupid.
 
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