But he's not an opener, it wouldn't be fair on him to expect him to make the jump from county to test cricket at the top of the order. Brook will get his chance at some point, Bairstow won't be able to play every game in every format, and he's a very important player for the white ball team. No guarantees that Pope will be fixed at 3 either, despite his innings in the last game.
I get what you’re saying but it’s such a weird situation not getting a game in 3 when he’s flying. We’re two up so get him in some way England. I bet he’s over the moon with his form but it’s not helping his confidence.
True, but once Pope and Bairstow both hit centuries, it pretty much shut the door on anybody that isn't a specialist opener. Long term, I still have question marks over whether Pope can consistently score heavily at 3, and wouldn't be surprised to see Root move up and open up a spot in the middle order. Also, there is a 50 over world cup in India next year, and Bairstow is going to be very important for that, as well as the t20 world cup in Aus later this year. There'll come a point where McCullum and Mott find themselves fighting for players' time. Especially if McCullum is serious about bringing back the likes of Ali and Rashid to the test team.
No comments today but you got to see Nicholls dismissal, don't know how to link it but it's on the BBC site NZ must think WTF is it about deflections playing England
Absolutely bizarre. Commentary said if it deflected off the umpire then it would be out as well. What’s precise rule in football regarding in off the ref ?
In football if it goes in off the ref it doesn’t count and you restart with a drop ball I didn’t know in cricket you can be caught off the umpire until todays freak dismissal. Though it was of the none strikers bat
Hawkeye and DRS are down at Headingley ! Just like old days now. And straight away, we get a wicket. Who needs technology ???
There's been a bit in it all game, we'd have bowled them out for much less if our keeper and slips didn't constantly get in each other's way.