Eng v Windies - 2020 season .

[bwildered]

Stokes takes the captaincy while Root is on paternity leave . How will just training / practice cricket effect performances, would have thought bowlers will be on top.
England to strong to retrieve the Wisden Trophy back . Time will tell .

[Oldhasbeen]

Very surprised England chose to bat in these conditions.

[IlfordEagle]

England to strong to retrieve the Wisden Trophy back . Time will tell .
[/quote]

Pardon? Do you mean TOO strong? Do you also mean they will/won't win Wisden Trophy back as it isn't very clear?
FWIW Stokes is somewhat lucky to be Captain after what happened in Sept 2018 in Bristol, he really should have been jailed at the time for his behaviour, let's hope his 'new found' maturity stands him in good stead.

[bwildered]

Agree OHB, given the conditions would have fought England would have bowled, but with Bess included seems that they are hoping the wicket will dry out and turn .

Too ( not too or two ) strong I.E, with three back to back matches surely England have strength in depth, but with no form to speak of, need to hit the ground running.

[LeedsExile]

I bet the BBC are less than impressed with how today has turned out. It was supposed to herald the return of cricket to their channel but they will struggle to fill their hour tonight. I have listened to most of TMS today and they have been very unimpressed with the umpires and the lack of play. Cricket returns but has learnt nothing it seems.

[honkytonk]

Even the BBC cannot affect the weather

[bwildered]

Had only 17 overs play, might be able to squeeze it into all the highlights .
BBC could always fill in with Wimbledon highlights ( ! ) or just show somebody reading the shipping forecast .

[Andy]

Holder in particular bowled well in the conditions. Our bats were both rusty and have technical problems.

[bwildered]

 England concede a lead of over 100. Much vaunted pace attack of Archer and Wood both fail to make the Windies batsmen play enough. Stokes will not want to have a defeat in his one match in charge has England Captain. However losing regular wickets in the second innings will hamper in getting a competitive total to defend, if has predicted the wicket will turn on the last day.
At present all three results still possible .

[nat]

England picked the wrong captain, wrong team and wrong decision at the toss.

[Andy]

It’s been said that this England team prefers to bat first. The first morning, then let the opposition bat in the afternoon sunshine. Who else would captain? Adolf Burns?

[nat]

It’s been said that this England team prefers to bat first. The first morning, then let the opposition bat in the afternoon sunshine. Who else would captain? Adolf Burns?

Yep

[Oldhasbeen]

England concede a lead of over 100. Much vaunted pace attack of Archer and Wood both fail to make the Windies batsmen play enough. Stokes will not want to have a defeat in his one match in charge has England Captain. However losing regular wickets in the second innings will hamper in getting a competitive total to defend, if has predicted the wicket will turn on the last day.
At present all three results still possible .

I was a little surprised England went with Wood & Archer, considering the conditions and Southampton not being the fastest of wickets.  I thought Wood was  a bit unlucky but Archer was pants yesterday.  Hopefully he'll find his mojo again soon.

[IlfordEagle]

It’s been said that this England team prefers to bat first. The first morning, then let the opposition bat in the afternoon sunshine. Who else would captain? Adolf Burns?

Yep

Burns at least has a fair bit of Captaincy experience, albeit at County level but has done well, Stokes has no previous (Captaincy that is!!) & would surely be better served as a team member only. Burns also is now a regular & would be a reasonable choice imo, albeit only when Root is not available.

[Oldhasbeen]

It’s been said that this England team prefers to bat first. The first morning, then let the opposition bat in the afternoon sunshine. Who else would captain? Adolf Burns?

Yep

Burns at least has a fair bit of Captaincy experience, albeit at County level but has done well, Stokes has no previous (Captaincy that is!!) & would surely be better served as a team member only. Burns also is now a regular & would be a reasonable choice imo, albeit only when Root is not available.

Generally, I'm not keen on all-rounders as captains, but for one game while Root was away, it was inevitable the VC would step up.
A big Q: would Rory B want the captaincy, and all the cr*p that goes with it??