Test Cricket 2022

[Belgrove]

A new season deserves a new thread. Such a lot has happened since the close of the last home Test series. Indeed, it hasn’t finished since the last match in the India series did not take place, its result to be decided at Edgbaston, slotted into the fixtures in July. Then there was disclosures of systemic racism at Yorkshire CCC and beyond, with Yorkshire losing their status as a Test venue, then being reinstated once they had demonstrated contrition and organisational change at the club. Then the debacle in Australia and the W Indies, then the managerial departures followed by Joe Root standing down as captain, and Rob Key as the new MD of men’s cricket persuading Ben Stokes to accept the captaincy. Phew! Stokes has already made a statement of intent with his record breaking innings at Worcester, and I wish him well in his new role with a semi-new-look squad.

On the positive side, this season marks the first in two years with full spectator access to the matches, comprising a three Test series against New Zealand (who deserve more) in June, and also against S Africa in August/September. Plus a liberal sprinkling of ODI’s and T20’s. The prognosis for England’s success is not good despite the new broom, but I’m particularly looking forward to seeing New Zealand, who play attractive and sporting cricket.

[gurnemanz]

I hope Stokes makes a good job of captaincy but previous all-rounder appointments have not been an unmitigated success - Botham, Greig, Flintoff.

I'm happy to see Broad and Anderson back in the team but the future they are clearly not.

[Historian]

Agreed on both counts re. Broad and Anderson. However, a disappointingly high number of England fast bowlers are currently out of action for the mid-/ long-term e.g. Archer, Wood, Robinson, Mahmood, Fisher. However, unless there is a major change in policy we will still probably see pitches which allow fast-medium bowlers suited to the conditions to prosper without preparing bowlers able to take wickets in unhelpful conditions.

[DracoM]

Planning for the future, are we?
As if...................

[Keraulophone]

Good luck England.

NZ 2 for 2 at Lord’s after three overs.

New Stokes-McCullum era begins on a good note.

[antongould]

Good luck England.

NZ 2 for 2 at Lord’s after three overs.

New Stokes-McCullum era begins on a good note.

Hell of a start …. Matty Potts played his early cricket on the pitch 100 yards from Gould Towers …..

[Keraulophone]

Matty Potts played his early cricket on the pitch 100 yards from Gould Towers …..

One of the world’s best batsmen was no match for Potts, and as I write, he’s rearranged Mitchell’s timbers - the perfect Lord’s and England debut.

[DracoM]

..........but NOW - other boot on other foot etc?

[Historian]

Not much use bowling well if you then collapse yet again. Mixed feelings for McCullum I imagine. At 59 for no wicket, flying high. By close of play not so much.

However, we should not forget some fine bowling by Potts (among others). If he stays fit then he may be a long-term prospect when Anderson and Broad finally call it a day.

[gurnemanz]

TMS reports that this the first time since 1954 in a test match in England that both teams have been out for under 150 in the first innings. Michael Vaughan suggested no England batsman was out to a good ball.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Michael Vaughan suggested no England batsman was out to a good ball.

But that's probably not for the first time since 1954.

[muzzer]

Stokes showing just now why you never make a bowler skipper, as there’s no one to take him off after he’s tried and failed to bounce someone out. Not until he’s had just one more over at him. I say that as a bowler,

Stokes will give his all in this job, and likely get a career threatening injury imho.

And the ticket prices are obscene. But at least you get proportionately more of the game in a day these days ;)

[DracoM]

Had it up to here with non-stop STATS
Just listened to R5L's cricket summary of yesterday and look forward to today - so, who do they get from the specialist TMS team to discuss the cricket?

B....y, Saltzman, the STATS 'guru' - R5L's word for him, not mine.
So, NOT J.Agnew, or Atherton, or Vaughan, or even the egregious Tufnell - all with big international experience.........

And same person interferes etc every ten minutes on commentary as well during the live cricket coverage.
Cricket for the BBC seems to have become a stats fest.

[gurnemanz]

Had it up to here with non-stop STATS
Just listened to R5L's cricket summary of yesterday and look forward to today - so, who do they get from the specialist TMS team to discuss the cricket?

B....y, Saltzman, the STATS 'guru' - R5L's word for him, not mine.
So, NOT J.Agnew, or Atherton, or Vaughan, or even the egregious Tufnell - all with big international experience.........

And same person interferes etc every ten minutes on commentary as well during the live cricket coverage.
Cricket for the BBC seems to have become a stats fest.

I can understand why Andy Zaltzman might irritate but I generally quite enjoy him. Sharp, clever and funny. TMS has always done stats, back to banter between Johnners and the Bearded Wonder years ago. Far from intruding, the best stats can support or contradict observations made by commentators and pundits, thereby furthering the argument and provoking further discussion and often offering a new perspective or insight into how players are performing. They can also point to trends in the ongoing match or the way the game in general is developing.

[Belgrove]

A topsy-turvy Test, which was pretty unpredictable until the morning session on the fourth and final day. Seventeen wickets falling on the first day, a fine debut from Potts and splendid no-hat-trick hat-trick from Broad enlivened an eventful third day. But the Test will most probably be remembered for Root simultaneously getting a fine century and accumulating 10,000 Test runs (on the anniversary that Cook attained his 10,000 haul). I think Root is probably the best and certainly the most consistent England bat I’ve seen in my lifetime.Nothing wrong with the pitch, just poor batting from both sides. Let’s hope that things are a little more sedate at Trent Bridge from Friday. Off to lie down in a darkened room now.