Well it's another nail in the Test match coffin

[nat]

So we get a pitch that 'does a bit' for the bowlers and lo and behold the new generation of English batsmen haven't got a clue.

This is what happens when the likes of Duckett are brought up on roads because 'that is what the public want'.

So we'll see more and more Test match pitches that favour batsmen which in turn will further kill off Test match cricket.

[Andy]

So we get a pitch that 'does a bit' for the bowlers and lo and behold the new generation of English batsmen haven't got a clue.

This is what happens when the likes of Duckett are brought up on roads because 'that is what the public want'.

So we'll see more and more Test match pitches that favour batsmen which in turn will further kill off Test match cricket.

Nothing to do with being 'brought up on roads', they just don't have the experience of facing quality spinners in the heat of a Test Match. You fail to note that our 18 year old 'you opportunities' guy (whom I suspect was not meant to play much on the tour) has proven to have a sufficiently good technique and temperament for the longer format. He plays at OT which is not exactly a seamers paradise.

Perhaps if we went back to the good old fashioned idea of not packing the order with left handers and picking the best players in their specialist positions - e.g. rather than randomly picking Ali to become our main spinner or Duckett to open the innings - then we might do OK.

[JasonP]

After the 1st day when the pitch was by far at its best for batting it was only really Kohli that did look particularly comfortable on it not just the "new generation of english batsmen"  The main problem the English batsmen have is that the quality of spinners in county cricket is awful and so they don't get any practise against good spinners.

[Andy]

After the 1st day when the pitch was by far at its best for batting it was only really Kohli that did look particularly comfortable on it not just the "new generation of english batsmen"  The main problem the English batsmen have is that the quality of spinners in county cricket is awful and so they don't get any practise against good spinners.

Agreed. Trouble is, even when we had a lot of quality overseas/home spinners back in the 70s/80s they weren't valued, then when the mystery spinners turned up in the 90s our batters just looked bemused.  However, we did improve last time Saqlain was with the team.

Is it me, or should Duckett just open his stance more to the offie?  I know he wouldn't be as still but half his problem is just shoving the front pad straight down the line of leg stump.

[afinetickletoleg]

Best bit of advice I've seen came from Alec Stewart on The Verdict.

He said that he should go in to the nets and work on moving his head towards the ball as his first movement. His feet will then automatically follow and the bat will come down straight.

[nat]

Best bit of advice I've seen came from Alec Stewart on The Verdict.

He said that he should go in to the nets and work on moving his head towards the ball as his first movement. His feet will then automatically follow and the bat will come down straight.

Trouble is ... his current technique has got him all his runs in 1 day cricket when the ball doesn't deviate off the straight. He can simply hit through the line of the ball.

[JasonP]

didn't he get a couple of very large tons in 4 day cricket? ...

He had four scores over 100 this year in the CC, the lowest of them 185.  282*, 185, 189( against us) and 208.  The problem is there were no half decent spinners he played against.  It's a totally different game in the sub continent both with the pitches and the quality of spinners.

[Andy]

Why has nobody picked up on the performance of Haseem? Seems to be making a positive start to his career. Clearly he's gotto do something about his 'popadum fingers' but even batting with a broken finger he was far superior to the likes of Duckett.

[Valentines Park]

The main problem the English batsmen have is that the quality of spinners in county cricket is awful

Or non-existent where Essex are concerned.

[Blocky]

didn't he get a couple of very large tons in 4 day cricket?  including over 200 against the pikeys?

He had four scores over 100 this year in the CC, the lowest of them 185.  282*, 185, 189( against us) and 208.  The problem is there were no half decent spinners he played against.  It's a totally different game in the sub continent both with the pitches and the quality of spinners.

Totally agree Jason, but I was kind of refuting the point that he was just a "one day" wonder.  he's a red ball cricketer who's not stepped up a level yet, and he needs practice in the sub-continent, as do all our lot by the looks of it...

Still I'm off to Chennai in 2 weeks time so will convey our best wishes!