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[Nickauger]

When you're having to pull full length balls at the WACA because they're up around your chest, I would suggest that is a problem against Johnson!

[Vic Nicholas]

Fair play to young Stokes on an entertaining innings.

Livened up the game.

[Cumbrian Pete]

I think Taylor just didn't get the century he needed in the few test match opportunities he had, hopefully he will come again.  Being very small never did Sunil Gavaskar any harm and he prospered against the Windies quicks in the 1970s.

[Alvaro]

I remember stories of KP openly questioning the ability of Taylor in front of everyone....

For what it's worth, Borthwick making runs at Chester le Street bodes well. He can play. Five or six overs when the ball's old could be a decent bonus. English captains can't skipper legspin though... 

A fresher attitude and rest are more important than new personnel for the foreseeable.

[wcc]

Does anyone know much about Borthwick?  I thought he was coming along nicely a couple of years back, although I'm sure I read they've been batting him up the order and bowling him less?

Also (whisper it) Durham can't be the best place for him to be playing half his games?

From a Durham supporter, i would think if he does wants keep progessing his leg spin, which hasnt really kicked on since he came on the scene. It would have to be away from the Riverside, most games there he doesnt get much of a whirl, but to his credit his batting last season came on leaps and bounds when he was given the chance after the loss of Diva and Benks, he was given the chance up the order and scored 1000+ fc runs.

[MD2812]

I remember stories of KP openly questioning the ability of Taylor in front of everyone....

England collapsing, Taylor comes in and holds an end to stop the collapse. KP gets his century, with KP scoring freely at one end Taylor rotated the strike so England went along nicely.

End of the day they go into the changing room and KP calls him the worst player he's ever played with.

Or so the rumour has it.

[MD2812]

Also my thought on this topic:

Ben Stokes will be hailed the next Ian Botham/Freddie Flintoff. Especially with Botham being the pheonix rising from a dreadful ashes.

Therefore Stokes Century means:

He will have an awesome career but be overplayed cutting it short, develop a fearsome character and personality on the pitch.
And of course: Stokes outdoing Beefys and Freddies antics to make him a bad boy in the press.....

[horseman]

England collapsing, Taylor comes in and holds an end to stop the collapse. KP gets his century, with KP scoring freely at one end Taylor rotated the strike so England went along nicely.

End of the day they go into the changing room and KP calls him the worst player he's ever played with.

Or so the rumour has it.

Hahaha. Seems a nice bloke that mr pietersen, lovely team ethic, would never see him batting for himself rather than the team. Oh wait.....

[uknsaunders]

to be fair after the way KP batted that day most batsman would seem terrible in comparison - apart from Bell of course. Not convinced by Taylor at all. Has no front foot and looks a nailed on LBW candidate. He has been effective though.

[uknsaunders]

To me Stokes has proved he can play test cricket. However, whether he can make a long term career remains to be seen.

[Tumo]

to be fair after the way KP batted that day most batsman would seem terrible in comparison - apart from Bell of course. Not convinced by Taylor at all. Has no front foot and looks a nailed on LBW candidate. He has been effective though.

You can't really argue with the results he's produced though. Watched him bat at Trent Bridge quite a few times and always looks a class apart. He's scored loads of runs, had a really good second season with Notts (to make up for the average first one) and has scored runs playing for England A. And he can bat anywhere between 3 and 6, giving you options. Got done over a bit by the England management after his 3 tests!

[Mtown Don]

Also my thought on this topic:

Ben Stokes will be hailed the next Ian Botham/Freddie Flintoff. Especially with Botham being the pheonix rising from a dreadful ashes.

Therefore Stokes Century means:

He will have an awesome career but be overplayed cutting it short, develop a fearsome character and personality on the pitch.
And of course: Stokes outdoing Beefys and Freddies antics to make him a bad boy in the press.....

Not sure how much of this post was tongue in cheek but will take the Flintoff/Botham comparisons at face value.

I don't think England will end up overbowling Stokes as I don't think he will ever become the best seamer in the attack as they were. I also don't believe that he will become a 'talisman' for the side (if you'll pardon the cliche) but he will provide a balance that will strengthen the team significantly. I think that comments that he is not a true number six are harsh based on what I have seen of him before this test and even more so now and he will prove a good impact bowler with his extra pace and aggression, especially if his workload is carefully managed.

So not a 'once-in-a-generation' player by any means but an all rounder who I think will justify his selection in both disciplines in due course


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[yogi206]

England collapsing, Taylor comes in and holds an end to stop the collapse. KP gets his century, with KP scoring freely at one end Taylor rotated the strike so England went along nicely.

End of the day they go into the changing room and KP calls him the worst player he's ever played with.

Or so the rumour has it.

I had this backed up by a certain England captain no longer player and KP had lunch apart from the rest of the team on captains say so...... it was the start of text gate.......

[jamielsn15]

That one innings can be analysed within an inch of its life? 

[Coach]

Cook is too attacking.

Are you sure?! 
Cook is one of the most negative captains on the international circuit.
It has worked in the past but only works if your batsman are scoring big runs, which for the last two ashes series they haven't done consistently enough.