Cricket 2026

[andrewjohnsmith]

Root on 65 now. Starting to cut loose.

I think my biggest enjoyment is watching Wagner get pelted around the park (again)

[weasel]

I love this Bazball - Stokesball. It's brilliant. Test cricket is dying. I love test cricket, Been watching for over 40 years. It's the pinnacle of the game. But there's no point if noone watches it.

Was in an argument on facebook recently. The Windies were playing someone s**t (Bangladesh maybe?) They were limping along first innings at 2 an over with no wickets down. I said it was a bad show for test cricket. I got accused of being T20 man. I'm not. Actually detest that stupid entity. But I think something needs to be shaken up in test cricket to keep it relevant. I love test cricket. It needs to survive. But it won't if nobody watches it. If players (Quinton DeCock) abandon it for $$$. At least Stokes is taking the initiative and making test cricket exciting again.

And I absolutely love watching the Yorkshire boys. Brooks, Root, Bairstow.

Totally agree. I love test cricket, it is the true test of players but it was dying on its ar$e. T20 or 50 overs just doesn't do it for me. it almost felt pedestrian at times today listening to it on the radio in bed yet we were still jogging along at 4 an over

[weasel]

He fits in for sure. Number of options. And it's hard to predict in this system what they will go for.

Foakes has done well - brilliant keeper and good anchor man down the order. But They could bring Jonny back to keep wicket. But batting at 7? I doubt it. Stokes won't bat at 7 either.

Probably opening or number 3. It's not his strong suit. He's never done well at 3. But Bazball is different. I'd bet on him replacing Crawley and opening. Jonny's not a test opener. But this is not your typical test team either.

On that last point, I was even thinking about Jason Roy. He was unfaily put at the top order in the 2019 Ashes. It was based on all the hype after the world cup. And he failed miserably. I think Roy could be a test opener under this system. And so could Bairstow.

I would think Crawley's place is most under threat. A lot of low scores and even when he makes a score he still seems to never be in control. His catching is poor too, he just doesn't look ever like he is confident catching - a very poor catching technique.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I would think Crawley's place is most under threat. A lot of low scores and even when he makes a score he still seems to never be in control. His catching is poor too, he just doesn't look ever like he is confident catching - a very poor catching technique.

Love his style. But he's still living off that 200 against a team that was struggling under the covid bubble. James Vince is a similar player and would probably have done just as well if given the same chances.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Totally agree. I love test cricket, it is the true test of players but it was dying on its ar$e. T20 or 50 overs just doesn't do it for me. it almost felt pedestrian at times today listening to it on the radio in bed yet we were still jogging along at 4 an over

I really want test cricket to survive. I grew up in the Clive Llloyd Windies era. That was brilliant. Test cricket might need to tweak the rules to keep it relevant. Fielding restrictions maybe. Make it more batter friendly just for the crowds. Not talking about pajamas or fireworks, but just a slight adjustment to keep the fans interested.

[andrewjohnsmith]

At Tea Day 1. Great to see Root talking to Brook all the way back to the dressing room.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Root scores his hundred off the last ball.

Still stands back tels Harry Brook "Goo on" and applauds him.

Class

[andrewjohnsmith]

Is Joe Root England's GOAT?

[andrewjohnsmith]

Interesting watching the replays. All 3 wickets were edged deep in their crease. Root and Brook batted outside their crease. Don't think much changed. Just 4 and 5. seeing what happened to 1, 2, 3 and making the adjustment.

[weasel]

I really want test cricket to survive. I grew up in the Clive Llloyd Windies era. That was brilliant. Test cricket might need to tweak the rules to keep it relevant. Fielding restrictions maybe. Make it more batter friendly just for the crowds. Not talking about pajamas or fireworks, but just a slight adjustment to keep the fans interested.

England have shown that the rules don't really need tinkering with. Make it too batter friendly and it is just like T20. Better to have a fair fight between bowlers and batters.

[whiteswan]

England have shown that the rules don't really need tinkering with. Make it too batter friendly and it is just like T20. Better to have a fair fight between bowlers and batters.

Good points weasel. I love test cricket, but I also love one day and T20. To me they are all different in their own way. Keep 'em that way.

Like I say, I love all things cricket, especially whacking hector over the head with a bat when he steps out of line

[The Subhuman]

Brook goes early, great catch

[whiteswan]

Brook goes early, great catch

Switched on a tad too late and he was already out.

[Kennyb41]

Is Joe Root England's GOAT?

If he isn't, he will be.

[The Subhuman]

And Root runs out Brook without facing a ball... looks like we're about to lose a test and series already won... Root needs to redeem himself now

[The Subhuman]

and he is

[andrewjohnsmith]

Great game. Mega bummed. But can't fault the entertainment.

[weasel]

It was just bizarre from England. The last 3 days were just like going back to us being sh*te and seemed completely against Bazball. The decision to enforce the follow on was ludicrous. With a lead of just over 200 and a good pitch it was always likely NZ would make us have to bat again, the attacking call would have been for us to have batted again, playing with no real pressure and tring to rack up a quick 300 to put us 500 up and then have a few overs that night to try to get a couple of wickets.

Then last nigh where was the bazball approach, where was any real attempt to dominate and play shots? We simply nudged and nurdled and invited pressure on. It was jus bizarre watching Root taking singles of the first balls of the over and making an injured Stokes have to bat out the next 5 balls. Root then got into the 90s at a run a ball but the scoring had slowed right down, he then slows right down, scoring 1 or 2 from 20 deliveries. He then seems to panic, first going for his ramp shot but deciding against it and then when Stokes gets out loses his head. It was just like everything they have been doing succesfully for the last few matches they decided to ditch and revert to playing a way that has continually seen us fail.

[The Subhuman]

Oh we completely blew it, it's not a great way to go into the Ashes.. Losing after forcing a follow on situation is a bit like being 3-0 up at HT and losing 5-3.

[whiteswan]

I watched it all last night/early morning. I couldn't believe what I was watching. How we lost that from such a strong position. I also thought we shouldn't have enforced the follow on, but we did so hey ho. And yes, there were some bizarre goings on in Englands second innings which have already been mentioned here.