The Cricket Thread

[Skinner]

The tour is the least of their worries, he's looking at being out for up to a year, could be the end of his career.

 

[Super_horns]

Shame as he is close to the South African record for most wickets.

Not affecting their batting though - built a 350 run lead with 6 wickets down.

 

[Skinner]

I wanna post this before his wicket falls, but how long until De Kock earns his place alongside the 'fantastic four'?

 

[lordofthepies]

I wanna post this before his wicket falls, but how long until De Kock earns his place alongside the 'fantastic four'?

not long if he carries on playing like this, I've not watched any of it this morning but he was superb in the first innings.

 

[Skinner]

He's a class 'keeper too. Pisses all over his peers, and a superior batsman to in-form Bairstow. Walks into a World XI, in all formats too.

Warner
Cook
Williamson
Kohli
Root
De Kock +
Stokes
Ashwin
Starc
Steyn
Anderson

 

[lordofthepies]

Absolutely sensational piece of fielding from Bavuma to get rid of Warner. When your best bowler is out of action, it really helps if your fielders can do things like that...

 

[lordofthepies]

What's the coverage and commentary like on BT? Hopefully it's good for The Ashes.

Dunno if you've been watching any of it, but I think they're just using the Channel 9 commentators - so it's all massively pro-australia and you have to listen to Shane Warne. BT also have got their own studio with Vaughan, Ponting and Swann. The coverage is presented by someone I've never heard of called Greg James, who seems ok so far. I've watched a bit of it every day apart from yesterday but this morning is the first time I've really had the sound on.

 

[Skinner]

Can see India whitewashing us, God I hope not though.

Imagine their internet fans if it did happen. I'd love nothing more than for us to turn them over. The way Kohli is regarded as Bradman, really grates me too. Would love it if he didn't even make a 50, while Root scores a century in every test in a 5-0 England win. Back to reality though...

 

[lordofthepies]

Can see India whitewashing us, God I hope not though.

Imagine their internet fans if it did happen. I'd love nothing more than for us to turn them over. The way Kohli is regarded as Bradman, really grates me too. Would love it if he didn't even make a 50, while Root scores a century in every test in a 5-0 England win. Back to reality though...

Kohli is kind of magnificent. Their fans can be unbearable on the internet though... Bumble was enjoyable on twitter the other morning as he carried out his usual India-trolling - someone asked him to list his top 5 all-time batsmen and he left Sachin out, which obviously angered the Indian internet. Then someone asked him his top 5 current batsmen and he didn't include Kohli. Loads of Indian fans exploded. I laughed.

 

[Skinner]

Kohli is good, but I don't think he warrants his place beside Root, Williamson and Smith for test cricket. He's in the second tier, with the likes of De Kock, Warner, Rahane ect

 

[lordofthepies]

Kohli is good, but I don't think he warrants his place beside Root, Williamson and Smith for test cricket. He's in the second tier, with the likes of De Kock, Warner, Rahane ect

I can't agree with you there and I'm interested in why you say that. I think he's every bit as good as the other 3 and I'd much prefer to have him than Smith in a test team.

 

[blademan89]

I can't agree with you there and I'm interested in why you say that. I think he's every bit as good as the other 3 and I'd much prefer to have him than Smith in a test team.

I agree with you I'd say he is probably number 1 in the world and maybe number 1 in all formats too.

 

[RavenBish]

Kohli's improved his Test form a bit and he's undoubtedly the best limited overs batsman. I wouldn't even hesitate in taking him over Steve Smith.

 

[lordofthepies]

I agree with you I'd say he is probably number 1 in the world and maybe number 1 in all formats too.

I'd definitely have him as number 1 in the world overall and he's pretty damn close to the top in test cricket too.

 

[TomPNE94]

Dunno if you've been watching any of it, but I think they're just using the Channel 9 commentators - so it's all massively pro-australia and you have to listen to Shane Warne. BT also have got their own studio with Vaughan, Ponting and Swann. The coverage is presented by someone I've never heard of called Greg James, who seems ok so far. I've watched a bit of it every day apart from yesterday but this morning is the first time I've really had the sound on.

Greg James is a Radio 1DJ. He's the only one I actually like, didn't realise he was doing the BT stuff.

 

[Aber gas]

Hameed confirmed as opening with Duckett batting at four. The right move but probably 2 tests late. Big ask for Hameed to debut in India. He seems quite a stoic chap though so hopefully he won't be overawed.

 

[appletablepenny]

Dunno if you've been watching any of it, but I think they're just using the Channel 9 commentators - so it's all massively pro-australia and you have to listen to Shane Warne. BT also have got their own studio with Vaughan, Ponting and Swann. The coverage is presented by someone I've never heard of called Greg James, who seems ok so far. I've watched a bit of it every day apart from yesterday but this morning is the first time I've really had the sound on.

I can not have Swann at any price. Hearing his voice, with his fucking stupid impressions and "fight you in the car park" shtick makes me want to rupture my own eardrums

 

[lordofthepies]

I can not have Swann at any price. Hearing his voice, with his fucking stupid impressions and "fight you in the car park" shtick makes me want to rupture my own eardrums

Yeah, Vaughan is terrible too. He should be good - he should have something to add but he's only interested in getting involved in cringeworthy #bantz

 

[RavenBish]

Chucking Hameed in now is so ridiculous. a bit like when Hales got thrown in the deep end against South Africa (admittedly he got some luck with Steyn's injury).

You always knew he was playing in one of the 7 tests, why not give him one against Bangladesh?

The cynical argument might be that he now has 10 pressure free innings as no-one expects a lot on this tour.

 

[Super_horns]

Lets just hope they keep faith with him and others even if its a pretty bad series score wise.

We know its going to be really tough so there should not be great pressure on the young lad.

 

[claret50]

England win the toss and elect to bat.

http://crichd.tv/watch/live/india-vs-england-test-live-streaming

 

[Skinner]

Cook dropped twice in the first innings, the first one was a real chance.

Hameed started ok, trouble free so far. Fantastic leave for his first ever ball in tests

Edit Hameed dropped, should have been taken, these are more than half chances

 

[slaphead]

Cook gone, was on borrowed time, he looks hideously out of form.

EDIT: Should have reviewed it, was missing another set.

 

[Skinner]

Rooooot

 

[blademan89]

Cracking afternoon session from root and Ali. Let's try and get to the end of the day without no collapse. 300 or so for 4 would be a great day for us.

 

[Super_horns]

Well done Root and Ali - created a great platform for us to go on and put on a competitive total.

 

[Skinner]

First overseas centurion in India since Michael Clarke in 2013

What a chap

 

[Saddlerrad]

Superb innings from Root and Ali, solid from Stokes at the end of the day too. Make no mistake though, this is flat and the easiest batting innings we will play on in the entire series, so lets make the most of it and post 500+ see if we can apply the pressure on them infront of an expectant home crowd.

 

[blademan89]

Superb innings from Root and Ali, solid from Stokes at the end of the day too. Make no mistake though, this is flat and the easiest batting innings we will play on in the entire series, so lets make the most of it and post 500+ see if we can apply the pressure on them infront of an expectant home crowd.

You couldn't just praise them and leave it at that could you.

 

[Saddlerrad]

You couldn't just praise them and leave it at that could you.

My post is literally agreeing with the entire commentary staff and all 3 of the experienced, ex/current pro's involved with all filming and footage of the entire days play on Sky Sports, so no, it's a good start and well played, but if we crumble tomorrow morning with 6-70, which is very plausible in the sub-continent, regardless of if the wicket is flat, then today loses it's 'very impressive' tag.

England's entire cricket infrastructure, from grass roots upwards, is basically the best and one of the most expensive in the entire world. Same as football 'money' doesn't always mean success, but I expect the very best from the England team and I don't see why we shouldn't.