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[Manormanic]

Its not fair to bowl a young lad at the death.  However, one thing we know about Stokes is that he learns quickly!

only way he'll learn!

[smokem]

Who wants to see the finish again???

http://cricketa.us/LoJEyg

[csnew]

Stokes didnt bowl bad balls as such, but with respect, im not sure 1/74 is bowling well.

Bresnan has indeed past his best, and his B game isn't up to international standard.  Happens to everyone, and hes been a hell of a cricketer.

Didn't England use to select bresnan because he was their good luck charm. Wonder why they continue to select him now.

As I said previously tredwell would have been a better selection given how root and maxwell bowled.

[Cedrictoad]

I think you also have to question Cook's captaincy... he should be bowling his best/hardest to hit bowlers in the batting powerplay to restrict the scoring.  It was the batting powerplay that kick started Australia with Bresnan being plundered.

I know Root is only a youngster but surely continuing to bowl around the wicket to Maxwell who was reverse sweeping/pulling him with ease knowing he couldn't be out LBW was probably not the brightest idea.

[leeroy]

Even with Aus 9 down they still looked pretty helpless to stop Faulkner from controlling the game. What a innings!

[Cedrictoad]

That is the second big "closing" innings Faulkner has played... at some stage he will probably move up the order you would think.

He seems to have good technique, can play straight and is reasonably coordinated.  He has a first class century so we are often reminded by the commentators!

[Manormanic]

To be honest he impresses me more with the bat than he does with the ball!

[Cedrictoad]

Ha ha well yes... he also impresses on twitter with his witty and insightful tweets.

[blocka]

A bit late but it was so good to be at this game, was such a close game, Bell and Morgan where great to watch and of course so was Faulkner, the last 10 overs I really didn't care who won it was that good of a game.  But the roar when those last three 4s came was immense

[Cedrictoad]

You have got to love a close finish... pity 95% of all ODIs aren't that close

[blocka]

You have got to love a close finish... pity 95% of all ODIs aren't that close

Yep and even as an Aussie I love seeing Cook, Morgan and Bell who is probably my favourite batsman at the moment, in form as they are great to watch, so these last couple of ODIs have been promising.  Close finishes in cricket are always good and I think ODIs need more of them if they are going to survive.

[awp]

yep, not much of a spectacle when the side batting second cruises to victory in second gear......