Friday, August 25, 2017

England Skittled In First Test.

The persistent problems in the upper reaches of the England batting order were showing through again at Headingley, today.
The three newcomers: Stoneman, Malan and Westley ALL failed and with the latter beginning to look below test class. 
The jury is still out on Stoneman and Malan - although both might have done rather better with the balls which dismissed them.
Cook was out cheaply but little blame attaches to the former skipper.
Ben Stokes.
It was left to a half century from skipper, Joe Root and 100 from Ben Stokes to drag the England total from disastrous to borderline mediocre. 

Had it not been for a succession of dropped catches by the Windies fielders - England's pathetic display could have been catastrophic!
Where do the England selectors go next?
Do they go back to Ballance? - If not - where can you possibly find an orthodox batsman whose game has not been damaged by excess exposure to the crash-bang-wallop of limited over cricket.
Every other facet of England's game is progressing nicely.
258 all out was feeble! At stumps, W. Indies 19 - 1. Opener Powell dismissed by Anderson.

Farewell, Frank.

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