The Overture Overs: England in West Indies, 2019

[Satchmo Distel]

Grant Flower looks unique: 6 hundreds, 14 fifties, 15 ducks. He could clearly bat but was vulnerable early,

Jack Russell and Peter Willey were the only two England batsmen averaging under 30 since 1980 who fill the grinder bill I think. Tavare averaged 32.50.

[diggedy derek]

Both of those are great shouts.

Meanwhile, big thumbs up to Joe Root for this.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...ndies-joe-root

"Don't use it as an insult, there's nothing wrong with being gay."

Next time, I suggest Gabriel might simply try "who's won the series".

[hobbes]

Yes, nice work Joe Root. What with him and Stokes battering those chaps who had allegedly been having a pop at a gay couple, England cricket is pretty cool.

[Ray de Galles]

I'm not sure about Stokes, I know his defence in court was that he was protecting the gay men from homophobic abuse but it's veracity was never tested there. He was also filmed apparently mocking the couple himself and flicking a cigarette at them.

Agreed about Root, great work from him and seemingly very disappointing behaviour (to say the least) from Gabriel.

[Satchmo Distel]

I thought hobbes was being ironic.

[diggedy derek]

It's really hard to know what happened in Bristol, which was why he was acquitted, of course. I think it's possible Stokes might have been defending the gay couple, though it's just as likely that he spotted an opportunity for a fight on a pretext. What I think is less likely is that him flicking cigarettes around and dicking around outside the nightclub when extremely drunk presents solid evidence of him being homophobic. In short, it's possible, but we don't know, and other options are perhaps more likely also.

[Ray de Galles]

Well exactly, we don't know - which is why I said I wasn't sure that Stokes could be praised for anti-homophobia in the same way Root definitely can.

His "dicking around" seemingly including mocking, mimicking gestures aimed at gay men isn't a good sign however, though I'll agree it's not conclusive.

[ursus arctos]

Per our earlier conversation, here is a comprehensive statistical analysis of over rate offenses from Cricinfo.

[Duncan Gardner]

Stokes is an ill-disciplined pisshead. That's more likely to lead to court than Gabriel calling Root a faggot. Every team sledges, usually unpleasantly. If you want to cut it, give the umpire a set of cards.

Anyway, time to reprise my favorite:

McGrath: Hey Ronnie, what does Lara's cock taste like?

Sarwan: No idea. Ask yer wife?

[Ray de Galles]

This is going to be all done today then.

[ursus arctos]

Windies clearly inspired by England's trip to the beach

[Tubby Isaacs]

Both of those are great shouts.

Meanwhile, big thumbs up to Joe Root for this.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...ndies-joe-root

"Don't use it as an insult, there's nothing wrong with being gay."

Next time, I suggest Gabriel might simply try "who's won the series".

Yep, amazingly shit by Gabriel. Ought to be fined or banned for that.

Big thumbs up to Root indeed. I think I'd have been too taken aback to say anything. He was straight on it.

[diggedy derek]

He's clearly in the right, which is all that needs to be said I guess, but it was impressed that Root was very non-confrontational and matter of fact and just calmly set Gabriel to rights – considering Gabriel is a pretty imposing character.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Yes, exactly.

[Del Usory]

Sledging, according to Sky Sports.

https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/statu...602712064?s=20

No

It isn't

[Antepli Ejderha]

Per our earlier conversation, here is a comprehensive statistical analysis of over rate offenses from Cricinfo.

Thanks for this.

[Kevin S]

The win wasn't enough to preserve fourth place.

https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1095430850546675714

[Ray de Galles]

Gabriel banned for four of the ODIs.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/47230497

[Gangster Octopus]

Pleasant that it is knowing about trouble for Rangers, that seems to be the wrong link...

[Ray de Galles]

Ah, peculiar. Fixed (though largely redundant) now.

[ursus arctos]

Very much enjoyed this from Liew

https://twitter.com/IndySport/status/1096000315885871104

https://twitter.com/IndySport/status...00315885871104

[Duncan Gardner]

Good article, thanks. On Root's steeliness, I also liked when he declared with the Bristol Barnstormer on 48*

[Kevin S]

West Indies choose to bat in the first ODI.

[Kevin S]

Butcher making the case for England to put Jofra Archer in the 15-man squad once he becomes available.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Butcher making the case for England to put Jofra Archer in the 15-man squad once he becomes available.

Nasser Hussain did so yesterday. Is he any good?