The Cricket Thread

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Hales gone, annoying he couldn't turn it into something big, but it's an excellent ball for the dismissal.

Need a big innings from one of these here, got to be looking at a minimum of 425 on this pitch, it's really offering very little.

He should have smashed one of those two wide balls that he got prior and I doubt he would have received that excellent ball that got him out.

 

[JJH]

Fuck sake - Compton gone on the stroke of tea, need someone to go on and make a score or we could find ourselves in trouble here.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Fuck sake - Compton gone on the stroke of tea, need someone to go on and make a score or we could find ourselves in trouble here.

Time for Root to step up and get himself a century, he likes batting with Taylor as well so hopefully a fruitful partnership between them.

 

[Super_horns]

Hope Root and Taylor can maintain their form after tea and score big.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Oh shit

 

[JJH]

For fuck sake, 167-2 to 167-4. Incoming collapse, pathetic.

 

[JJH]

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

 

[JJH]

 

[Pyeman]

Gotta love the commentator when Root gets his 50...

"For me that's a faultless innings. Obviously there was the big chance off Rabada, but putting that aside, it's been faultless."

Oh for fuck sake. JJ this is all your fault, nothing to do with me...

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Not sure why Amla is giving Morris this new ball but glad to see we are making them pay.

 

[JJH]

Stokes going strongly now, Bairstow sticking with it as well.

93 runs off the last 100, superb.

 

[JJH]

Very good first day in summary, definitely on top with Bairstow and Stokes counter attacking.

Very positive stuff, both could have gone into their shells, but both fearlessly played some extravagent shots and took the game back to the SA bowlers.

Sometimes it'll work, sometimes it won't, but that's the risk you take when playing this brand of cricket, and we have the players to put it into place, and the right balance in the batting lineup. Some potentially exciting Cricket to come from this side in the coming years.

 

[blademan89]

'kin hell mate, heavy night last night?!

6am back to digs on verge of being same again tonight love it.

 

[RavenBish]

R.I.P Matt Hobden

 

[Baz]

R.I.P Matt Hobden

Shocking news, especially at the age of 22. Nothing has been mentioned about potential cause at the moment either. Taken far too young whatever the reason. RIP

 

[Saddlerrad]

Shocking shocking news. RIP.

Wonder what's happened to him.

 

[Baz]

Windies putting up a bit of a fight in this test well done them. Aussies playing two spinners in a home test match for the first time in ages too.

 

[Super_horns]

Typically I took Stokes out of a Fantasy cricket side I do...knew he'd get a big one.

Really come out carrying on scoring quickly.

 

[Baz]

Stokes getting his one big innings in 10 out the way. Been brilliant viewing though.

 

[.V.]

6am back to digs on verge of being same again tonight love it.

Please tell me you're not missing this!

 

[Super_horns]

Will we declare when Stokes gets to 200?

 

[SpireiteDan]

Stokes brings up his 200. Brilliant.

 

[.V.]

Will we declare when Stokes gets to 200?

Why would we? We're only 4 sessions in to the test match.

 

[Baz]

It's a catch 22 now do you declare now at lunch as Saffers have been battered for a session or do you go for another hour? The aggressive captain would declare now as Saffers will be batting last on this pitch whatever now so stick them in and see what your bowlers can do. However I do expect them to go back out so Bairstow can get his maiden ton.

 

[markpvfc]

Only just got up, 196 runs in a session is obscene.

 

[Skinner]

Unbelievable viewing! So glad I was awake for that! One of the best knocks you'll see, arguably the best batting session you'll see.

Feel for the SA attack though, Stokes really was taking the piss, he's making Bairstow look like Compton lol

 

[silvergull]

It's a catch 22 now do you declare now at lunch as Saffers have been battered for a session or do you go for another hour? The aggressive captain would declare now as Saffers will be batting last on this pitch whatever now so stick them in and see what your bowlers can do. However I do expect them to go back out so Bairstow can get his maiden ton.

I'd look to grind the Saffers nose into the dirt. Bat aggressively after lunch and look to declare with 20 minutes before tea. Gives broad and Anderson a prolonged spell with the new Ball

 

[Saddlerrad]

I was awake until 2.30 watching the Aussies. I turned the TV off and thought 'I won't set my alarm for England' as whenever I do, we are turd. As I roled over I remembered that we had Stokes on fire at the crease and thought it would be worthwhile waking up. So I set it. Thank god I did. A truly amazing innings. We effectively played a T25 in the morning session - some of the striking power and bat speed was incredible. Special mention to Bairstow also who has been the perfect foil to Stokes.

As far as I'm concerned, it's a quick pitch coming onto the bat nicely - it's warm with not a cloud in the sky. I'd just bat into the mid 600's or let us get out. 650-680 and declare, see if Stokes can nudge a treble century. Let's not forget, we don't want to surrender a dominant position for the sake of chasing the game 20 overs earlier than we could do.

The key to bowling is getting Amla and ABDV in as early as possible - the latter can certainly produce a Stokes like performance.

 

[Super_horns]

Bairstow reaches 100 now.

As in the 1st test he has batted very well too.

 

[silvergull]

I'm not convinced the pitch as as good as we are currently making it look. This is an exhausted inexperienced attack who are bowling pretty awfully - not helped by the captains field placings. I think eyes enough bounce for Finn and Broad to cause big issues