Comments on: Test cricket is what Mark Wood wants to play – but even if he’s keen enough and fit enough, modern cricket won’t allow him to do so https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/ Independent and irreverent cricket writing Tue, 13 Feb 2018 07:19:34 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.3 By: King Cricket https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254442 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 07:19:34 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254442 In reply to Ant.

Well, it’s both. It’s certainly possible to select players who aren’t playing regular first-class cricket, but anyone in a position to make such a decision will be wary of criticism should the player underperform – particularly if lack of fitness appears to have played a part.

]]> By: daneel https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254441 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:55:56 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254441 In reply to Mike.

Rather feel like Afghanistan should have played out a few more dot balls.

]]> By: Ant https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254440 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 17:07:33 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254440 Root could take a leaf out of Kohli’s book. Bumrah hadn’t played a first class game in years and years (sounds better than looking up the actual numbers). Then he plays three tests on the trot.

It’s not the game that’s doing this to us. It’s the players. Or the selectors. Or something.

]]> By: Steve https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254439 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:47:08 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254439 In reply to King Cricket.

I can fix this. If they have a series in 2019, then 2019/20, then 2021, 21/22 and 2022, it will sort everything.

]]> By: King Cricket https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254438 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:57:10 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254438 In reply to Ameya.

Yup. Almost as if that explanation wasn’t the full story, isn’t it?

]]> By: Ameya https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254437 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:18:52 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254437 Ok, one important, albeit tangential question – Didn’t they have a surfeit of Ashes so as to sync the calendar to avoid playing the Ashes in a World Cup year? Now, as I learn, they’re going to be playing both in the same month!?

]]> By: Ged https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254436 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:32:36 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254436 In other news, fans of King Cricket match reports might be pleased to see that I have adopted the KC “gonzo-style, don’t mention the actual sport itself” literary style for a tennis report:

http://ianlouisharris.com/2018/02/10/mcc-v-the-dedanists-society-lords-10-february-2018/

Daisy did admittedly break the golden rules with her photo/video journalism though.

The KC writing style seems to have gone down surprisingly well with the dedanists/Dedanists, if the feedback so far is anything to go by…

…no law suits, yet.

]]> By: Ged https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254435 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:29:04 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254435 Twas always thus, KC.

My pal Lord Aberdare’s eponymous grandad, aka The Honourable Clarence Bruce, must have had similar problems choosing between cricket, tennis, rackets and Olympic sports…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_Bruce,_3rd_Baron_Aberdare

…with a world war or two thrown in for good measure. Heady days.

]]> By: Mike https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254434 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:21:07 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254434 Go here and check the two most recent results (from 09 and 11 Feb) for a mini statsgasm.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/teams/afghanistan/results

]]> By: King Cricket https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/test-cricket-is-what-mark-wood-wants-to-play-but-even-if-hes-keen-enough-and-fit-enough-modern-cricket-wont-allow-him-to-do-so/2018/02/12/#comment-254433 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 10:47:53 +0000 https://www.kingcricket.co.uk/?p=19417#comment-254433 In reply to Steve.

We can already hear the counter-argument: “Ridiculous. He’s not even a first-class regular for Durham.”

That point’s always presented as some sort of measure of ability, rather than the inevitable impact of the player in question turning out for England whenever there are first-class matches.

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