England v South Africa

6 test wins out of 7 this summer.

Very enjoyable cricket and good to see us back to winning ways.

Been a very good and unexpected summer.

Only real downsides you'd have to say is it looks like Lees and Crawley will somehow keep their places, and Stokes batting like a moron for some reason.

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 53 minutes ago
Somehow he actually averages more as an opener than Crawley as his 267 was at number 3

He is turgid though, should have been out 4 times for his 39
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It feels surprising that they're both averaging as high as 23. Despite his false shot percentage, at least that innings from Crawley is more productive in terms of what we expect from his inclusion. If he's going to play and miss a few and ride his luck but play in that positive way. I can understand his inclusion. Its not my personal preference but at least that's a strategy rather than having him trying to do his best Dom Sibley and look uncomfortable in the process.

Lees, I really don't see it. He sometimes tries to dig in, he sometimes tries to attack. He doesn't look good at doing either. It's like he's got Trescothick in one ear saying, trust your eyes and whack the ball with Cookie in the other ear saying, dig in, bat the day.

It's been a weird summer imo. I still have my reservations about baz ball, but you can't argue with results.

Good win. the only way a result was possible was if a team collapsed twice. and it happened to be SA.
6 wins out of 7 in tests this summer is a big improvement still a very long way to go

I completely forgot that this was Crawley's first 50 of the summer. Momumental effort after failing in his last 17 attempts. Though he did score 40+ 3 times so we can't be too critical.

Sweep well in Pakistan Creepy, sweep well.

I like Stokes captaincy; he never lets the game slip. Hes always trying do to something.
Root was to passive

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 10 hours, 5 minutes ago
comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 43 seconds ago
Would say it's a combination of one day comps being where the money is but also the bowling is insanely good in the current era.

Pretty much every Test playing nation has 2 top class bowlers minimum.
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I think you could argue 'twas ever thus' re two top class bowlers...every side you can recall has had a great pairing at most junctures
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I'd still say as a collective it's a lot better now.

In comparison to the mid 2000s for example, NZ & WI were crap bowling wise, India couldn't produce a fast bowler to save their life, SL was basically the Murali show, we had good bowlers but nobody world class.
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SL had Malinga the slinger too...WI weren't good to be fair, but historically they've had shed loads

comment by bestoftherest2021 (U22523)
posted 14 hours ago
I like Stokes captaincy; he never lets the game slip. Hes always trying do to something.
Root was to passive
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Agree, he's generally always looking to take wickets and attack. There may be times when containing is the best thing to do but you can't be overly critical if they're bowling to take wickets.

Not sure I agree with this need to bowl marathon second innings spells but at least he's doing it to preserve Broad and Anderson rather than because he thinks he has to take wickets on his own.

comment by Emile Death Rowe (TCM) (U8959)
posted 16 hours, 30 minutes ago
I completely forgot that this was Crawley's first 50 of the summer. Momumental effort after failing in his last 17 attempts. Though he did score 40+ 3 times so we can't be too critical.

Sweep well in Pakistan Creepy, sweep well.
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Plus he just has all that TALENT

Worth 10x its weight in runs