ThePortForum.com

Posted: **20:54 Thu 23 Apr 2015**

Was today's performance by Ian Bell the sort of batting leadership we expect from an England captain?

Posted: **14:20 Fri 24 Apr 2015**

AHB wrote:Was today's performance by Ian Bell the sort of batting leadership we expect from an England captain?

I think it is fair to say it is what we have come to expect from the current captain over the past couple of seasons. Perhaps now that Cook has stopped displaying that particular quality Bell is well placed to replace him?

Posted: **21:27 Sat 25 Apr 2015**

Well, congratulations to the England team for their first test away win since 2012.

Posted: **02:01 Sun 26 Apr 2015**

AHB wrote:Well, congratulations to the England team for their first test away win since 2012.

Indeed. I watched lots of the last day and they (they being Anderson) managed to turn a dead pitch into a lively couple of hours to give themselves time to chase a modest score. Credit also goes to Cook for two decent innings in comparison to recent tests. Luckily Bell didn't get on the field on the last day.

Posted: **07:31 Fri 01 May 2015**

A thought. England are going to be flying straight to Dublin for the ODI against Ireland next Thursday, immediately after this Test against the Windies. They'll be exhausted. The game is Ireland's to lose. Get on to Betfair.

Posted: **21:31 Fri 01 May 2015**

What a strange first day. England finish 240-7 with Captain Fantastic scoring a ton and then getting himself out in the last over, Trott and Bell scoring nowt between them and only Ali putting in another noteworthy score of 58. Well done Cook. Nice to see him get another century after such a torrid time.

Lots of bullish stuff from Beefy about England ploughing on to a big score tomorrow but I just can't see it given the lack of firepower from the rest of the team.

Posted: **21:33 Fri 01 May 2015**

I think today was a good day. Aggers went so far as to say it was the best of the tour. Until the Windies bat we don't know if this is a low score, two horrible ducks notwithstanding. But otherwise I disagree entirely with everything Derek said.

Posted: **21:45 Fri 01 May 2015**

It's always good when we are on opposite sides of almost the same page.

Until tomorrow.

Posted: **06:36 Mon 04 May 2015**

It's good to see normal service has now been resumed. Hopefully the new regime at the ECB will have a bit of common sense when it gets round to selection in the future and pick spinners who can spin the ball.

Posted: **08:30 Mon 04 May 2015**

AHB wrote:It's good to see normal service has now been resumed. Hopefully the new regime at the ECB will have a bit of common sense when it gets round to selection in the future and pick spinners who can spin the ball.

And batsmen who can hit it.

Posted: **08:38 Mon 04 May 2015**

I watched most of the final day and must say that the Windies deserved their victory. They showed a great deal of maturity and patience whilst the English bowlers struggled to break them down and seemed bereft of ideas.

Bell finished this series having scored 143, 11, 1, DNB, 0 & 0. Well done.

Posted: **04:26 Tue 05 May 2015**

DRT wrote:Bell finished this series having scored 143, 11, 1, DNB, 0 & 0. Well done.

Thus averaging 31, which is a good enough score to cement his place in the side for the rest of the summer.

Posted: **07:53 Tue 05 May 2015**

So long Trotty. He did not average 31 this series.
One wonders exactly how jaded England are ahead of their ODI in Dublin on Thursday.

Posted: **08:53 Tue 05 May 2015**

djewesbury wrote:So long Trotty. He did not average 31 this series.
One wonders exactly how jaded England are ahead of their ODI in Dublin on Thursday.

I am sure the first team are very jaded after all of that free champagne on the flight back to Blighty but I suspect the youngsters who are actually playing against Ireland will be fully rested.

Posted: **21:15 Mon 11 May 2015**

The BBC, in an article entitled [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/32696838]Kevin Pietersen: England hopes boosted by triple century[/url], wrote: Kevin Pietersen hit the first triple century of his career to make a dramatic statement to England's selectors two months before the Ashes.

The 34-year-old scored 326 not out for Surrey against Leicestershire, one day before new England director Andrew Strauss faces the media.

Pietersen, who was sacked by England in February 2014, later revealed he will meet Strauss on Monday evening.

"What more can I do?" he said. "I'm ready to play for England."

Pietersen's triple hundred was the first in the County Championship since August 2011.

(The BBC URL might change: it does include the word “cycling”.)

Posted: **21:57 Mon 11 May 2015**

Subsequently, the BBC, in an article entitled [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32699465]Kevin Pietersen: No England recall despite scoring 326 for Surrey[/url], wrote: Kevin Pietersen has been told he will not be recalled by England despite scoring a career-best 326 not out for Surrey, BBC Sport understands.

The 34-year-old, sacked by England in February 2014, hit his maiden triple century against Leicestershire.

Pietersen met with Andrew Strauss, England's new director of cricket, on Monday and was told he would not play for his country again.

Posted: **18:32 Sun 24 May 2015**

Is anyone planning on being at Lord's tomorrow?

Posted: **19:22 Sun 24 May 2015**

Unfortunately not.

It looks like it could be an interesting day with a potentially nail biting finish. Or England could have a bowling collapse and it could be over by lunch.

Posted: **19:25 Mon 25 May 2015**

AHB wrote:Is anyone planning on being at Lord's tomorrow?

Well I was there and it was a fabulous day. Such fun.

Posted: **19:51 Mon 25 May 2015**

Even Nuala showed interest in the result. Something she has not done since 2005!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Posted: **20:18 Mon 25 May 2015**

I watched a fair portion of this test over the five days and I must say it is the best game of cricket I have seen. Well done to both teams for putting on a fabulous display and especially well done to England (apart from Ian Bell) for a fantastic victory and some world class performances.

As Bell is ginger he might be able to get a game for Scotland when they finally boot him out this team.

Posted: **06:06 Tue 26 May 2015**

benread wrote:Even Nuala showed interest in the result. Something she has not done since 2005!

On arriving home I found that Mrs B had been listening to TMS during the day so that she would know what had been happening. Most unexpected. Apparently it's not summer unless TMS is on the radio.

Posted: **22:44 Sun 31 May 2015**

Although it is late to comment the first test at Lords was brilliant. I know this may seem like hyperbole but it reminded me of those Ashes tests in 2005. It really was that good. I do not need to make the point that test match cricket is the greatest form of the game, the Lords test did it for me. The way the two teams went about their cricket was entrancing. The New Zealanders have taught us a lesson in manners and spirit which, for once, England were keen to learn from. It was the new guys in the England team who once again made it happen. I know that Stokes has been rightly praised to the rafters but for me it was Root who came in at a sticky point and turned the game, luckily Root is making a habit of this. The one old boy who needs a mention is Cook. He's back. As in 2005 either side could have won and I still would have counted it as one of the great matches. I am not often envious but I was a teeny bit when I read Alex was there on the last day.

As for this test again it is good cricket, not quite up to the Lords match, but very good nonetheless. I am less than very impressed with our opening bowling combo, both Anderson and Broad do not look penetrating. I do like the look of Wood though, genuinely quick at times and I love the accent. I don't know what to make of Lyth but he lacks the solidity of an opener to me. I think we might have lost this Headingley test. Shame it is just a two match series, but honours even would be just.

Posted: **01:06 Mon 01 Jun 2015**

LGTrotter wrote:honours even would be just.

Plus one.

As a novice who often falls into the trap of thinking he understands what is going on I must say that these two tests have taught me lots about test match cricket. I often obsess about the need for the top order to score big and to lead the pack into battle but these tests have shown repeatedly why a solid middle and an ambitious tail can more than save the day. Exciting and unpredictable outcomes are good. Which is another reason why Bell should not be in the team.

Welcome back Owen, I have missed you.

Posted: **22:23 Mon 01 Jun 2015**

Thank you Derek, likewise.

Down with rain, let them win if they have played better say I.

Posted: **21:19 Tue 02 Jun 2015**

Just to amuse you both, you might like to know that I put £10 on Bell to score a ton in the second innings (at 7-1). The reason I did this is that he has a remarkable track record of doing just enough to keep his place in the side and without a significant score in the second innings he surely can't have done enough to stay In the side for the Ashes.

Bring back KP.

Posted: **21:28 Tue 02 Jun 2015**

Justice was served. I am glad Cook has continued his good form. It bodes well. But surely the Bell has tolled for the final time.

Bring back anyone.

Posted: **22:16 Tue 02 Jun 2015**

What did we learn from the NZ series?

Stokes can stay!
Wood looks like a raw talent that could be refined - not unlike Jimmy in the early days...
Ballance is not good enough
Bell out of sorts
Root is solid
Cook is finding form again just at the right time
Buttler is in good shape
We have a spinner who is not frontline
We have no backup/alternative action spinner
Anderson and Broad are nowhere near their best
We'll have to make do with Lyth to partner Cook as opener

So for the Ashes, we don't have what it takes to threaten them with the ball, our middle order has at best 1 in 3 that will fire. who knows how the openers will survive the Aussie bowling attack.

Posted: **22:27 Tue 02 Jun 2015**

Why all this disparagement of Bell? This is the man who has a batting average of 158 against Bangladesh.

Just to add to the previous synopsis I would say the other thing England lacks is a skipper.

Posted: **22:54 Tue 02 Jun 2015**

LGTrotter wrote:Just to add to the previous synopsis I would say the other thing England lacks is a skipper.

Indeed. But in Cook they do at last seem to have discovered a half descent opening batsman. The boy shows promise.

Posted: **23:00 Tue 02 Jun 2015**

DRT wrote:a half descent opening batsman.

Hasn’t that been the problem for ages?

Posted: **23:04 Tue 02 Jun 2015**

LGTrotter wrote:Why all this disparagement of Bell?

{ignoring the irony} Fewer than 26 runs in 16 out of 23 test innings in 2014 and 2015. If only he could bowl or catch there might be hope for him, but surely his time is up?

Posted: **23:05 Tue 02 Jun 2015**

jdaw1 wrote:
DRT wrote:a half descent opening batsman.
Hasn’t that been the problem for ages?

Please reboot your sarcasm detection chip

Posted: **00:12 Wed 10 Jun 2015**

It is late, I rub my eyes in disbelief at the highlights of the one dayer against New Zealand. Did I see England score 400 and something in fifty overs? Was there not a direct hit from the boundary to effect a dismissal? Surely I saw a spinner who bowled two New Zealand batsmen out with a googly? There is much to ponder upon.

Oh and Root scored a hundred, in the nick of time with the assurance of a sleepwalker, again. *yawns*

Posted: **07:41 Wed 10 Jun 2015**

What a great win. Would have been a superb game to watch live. I hope the one day team can repeat the success a few times and dispel any suggestion that it was a fluke.

Posted: **13:00 Wed 10 Jun 2015**

If they play like they did there are bound to be some failures, but at least people will want to watch it. I always knew Buttler was a class act but Rashid has to be a serious option for the Ashes. The man has courage, which is essential for a spinner. And he can score runs, which is less relavent than some seem to think but helps.

What made my cold heart leap was the sight of an England side which does not think 270 is a par score in 50 overs.

Posted: **22:12 Wed 10 Jun 2015**

LGTrotter wrote:What made my cold heart leap was the sight of an England side which does not think 270 is a par score in 50 overs.

That's exactly how I feel. If I wasn't already taking the family to the Royal Albert Hall on Friday I would be in the Pavilion at the Oval.

Posted: **19:45 Fri 12 Jun 2015**

Is anyone at The Oval, or watching on the telly? Go away rain, just a few boundaries and England can win.

Posted: **13:48 Sun 14 Jun 2015**

A potentially exciting afternoon ahead following the English batting collapse from a healthy 288/6 to 302 all out in 46 overs.

Having just sat through the lunchtime analysis I can say with some certainty that this is just not cricket. But you should make yourself watch the video and judge for yourself.

Posted: **21:26 Wed 01 Jul 2015**

I stride to the middle, squint around at the field, take guard and twiddle my bat apprehensively.

I dare not make a prediction about this series because despite feeling twice as optimistic as before the New Zealand tour I think it is unlikely that England will win. But at least I dare to dream again. My hope is that the middle order batsmen (Root, Stokes, Buttler and the beard that is feared) will have sufficiently fast hands to get to grips with Johnson and Starc. My fear is that the selectors will not be bold enough and ditch the excess baggage.

I hope above all that it will be an Ashes worthy of the name, whoever wins. Thus far this summer the auguries are propitious.

Cardiff; draw, Lords; Australia win, Edgbaston; England win, Trent Bridge; England win, Oval; Australia win. Final result; 2-2

Oh and I see Rashid has been named in the squad. Good.

Posted: **21:41 Wed 01 Jul 2015**

LGTrotter wrote:the auguries are propitious.

LGTrotter wrote:Final result; 2-2

Propitious auguries prophesy a draw. We are damned by faint praise.

Posted: **21:53 Wed 01 Jul 2015**

The pedantic amongst us (not you Julian, obvs) will observe that I said the auguries were propitious for an Ashes worthy of the name. I will allow that having said 'I dare not' and then daring to predict is inconsistent, but I felt emboldened as the post wore on.

Posted: **05:53 Thu 02 Jul 2015**

Great to see you predict Aus wins for the two games for which I have tickets. Thanks.

Posted: **13:50 Thu 02 Jul 2015**

djewesbury wrote:Great to see you predict Aus wins for the two games for which I have tickets. Thanks.

Relax, I have no special powers to influence the actual outcome of these games. I simply thought that Australia always wins at Lords and the Oval might suit them better than the other grounds.

I see Bell is still in the squad. Marvellous to see hope triumph over experience, again. Enjoy watching him, those of you that like his Gower-lite grace, I think this may really be curtains for him, as I have been predicting for the last five seasons.

Posted: **17:35 Thu 02 Jul 2015**

I was at the Oval last night for the 20Twenty game Surrey v Gloucestershire. It was a relatively low scoring game thanks to some decent bowling by Surry, with Glamorgan setting a target of 155. Jason Roy and Tim Curran (who, in order to distinguish him from his brother Sam has the word CURRANT printed on his shirt to the endless amusement of us puerile fans) got off to a great start before Curran ran himself out and Roy was stumped by Geraint Jones when he forgot what a white line looked like. Surrey stuttered and spluttered but managed to more or less keep up with the D/L par score, helped by the fact that they had two extra overs bowled at them due to wides, no-balls, wides on free hits etc.

In the end, it came down to Surrey needing 9 to win off 6.

Then 8 to win off 6.

Then 7 to win off 6.

Then 6 to win off 5.

Then 6 to win off 4.

Then 6 to win off 3 but at least Azhar Mahmoud managed to cross before the skied catch was pouched.

Bowl, swish, "Oooh" went the keeper as Azhar was hit in the stomach when swishing and missing. 6 off 2.

Bowl, swish, "Oooh" went the bowler as Azhar swished over the top of and in front of a deliberate slow long hop. 6 off 1. The disgruntled crowd chuntered unhappily.

Bowl, swish, "WHACK". "ooooooOOOOOO..." went the crowd as the ball flew high towards the square leg boundary. Higher and higher flew the ball. Back and back went the deep square leg, lining himself up right on the edge of the boundary. The ball peaked and started to slowly descend, travelling ever so gradually towards the boundary. Back leant the fielder, stretching, stretching. The crowd gasping and willing the ball to make it.

And then the fielder fell over, the ball landing just beyond his outstretched hand.

A mediocre quality game but a fantastic finish. And Surrey's first home win in the T20 tournament this season.

Posted: **18:47 Thu 02 Jul 2015**

Excellent writing. Thank you.

Posted: **19:27 Tue 07 Jul 2015**

Nothing going on tomorrow which might be of interest...

Posted: **20:16 Tue 07 Jul 2015**

LGTrotter wrote:Nothing going on tomorrow which might be of interest...

That is wholly untrue. There is the Captain Bear Treasure Hunt to enjoy. And many other events.

Posted: **20:30 Tue 07 Jul 2015**

AHB wrote:
LGTrotter wrote:Nothing going on tomorrow which might be of interest...
That is wholly untrue. There is the Captain Bear Treasure Hunt to enjoy. And many other events.

Well, quite.

Is that the Queen's old canoe? She must be spitting feathers about teddy bear hunts on her boat.

For those of you who wish for an Ashes warm up the Beeb did a lovely interview between Brearley and Vaughan on captaincy. Irritating interruptions and jingles because it was on radio 5 but the substance was great. Nearly as good as that sleepy interview Brearley did with John Arlott all those years ago.

Edit; for those not into cricket it will be painful and arcane.

Posted: **11:25 Wed 08 Jul 2015**

HOW MANY TIMES MUST I SAY IT? DROP BELL!!!
And replace him with Rashid. Play Rashid and Moeen together. Beautiful.
Come on England, pull yourselves together.

"Ask not for whom Bell tolls; he has tripped over his shoelaces."

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