The Cricket Thread

[kieran_vale]

I did..kind of. I said change the make up of the side. Drop Ali out for an extra fast bowler with pace. Plunkett/Wood/Footitt. We just need someone who can consistently swing it..OR someone who can come in and bowl at 90-95mph for 3-4 overs twice/three times a day.

On occasions I could see an argument for that sure. That said and this is just a personal preference I would never want to go into a Test match with no spin bowler. If for no other reason than you want someone to hold an end and rotate the quicks from the other. Not to mention I think spin could be a factor in this as the match goes on.

Taylor gone, in trouble now I fear.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Taylor gone. This is getting embarrassing.

What is?
It was the bowling performance and choices of Cook that was embarrassing - this is a tough pitch to bat on.

 

[kieran_vale]

Got to give credit where it's due. This has been some excellent bowling by SA. Fast and hostile, if it was against any other team than England would really appreciate it more.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Something tells me Stokes isn't going to last long today.

 

[kieran_vale]

Certainly nothing wrong with England's run rate in the last hour or so if nothing else. Does have a feeling of here for a good time but not a long time definitely.

 

[Ciderhead]

Whatever happens this is a cracking Test match. If only more pitches were like this

 

[Luke_1884]

It's like a 20/20 at the moment, great viewing! Every ball has got me on the edge of my seat.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

50 for Root - now go on and get yourself a hundred you lovely man.

 

[Ciderhead]

Fair enough Saddlerrad, you may have had a point on this occasion

We've gone to attack, to hit the ball hard and it's paying off big time

Love this attacking cricket. You've got to be adaptable and I wasn't sure it was the right situation for it on this occasion but they're proving me wrong

 

[kieran_vale]

Brilliant session of Test cricket from both teams there. Had pretty much everything.

 

[blademan89]

Never panic when we lose wickets early doors cos we have an incredible middle order which can take the game from teams in a session

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

I don't think "Nails" has got the fitness for test cricket.

 

[JJH]

What a player Root is. Him and Stokes have put us in a decent position, with Bairstow Ali and Broad still to come.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Fair enough Saddlerrad, you may have had a point on this occasion

We've gone to attack, to hit the ball hard and it's paying off big time

Love this attacking cricket. You've got to be adaptable and I wasn't sure it was the right situation for it on this occasion but they're proving me wrong

No gloating on my behalf as I'm wrong quite often, but that's what I mean. Hit out, take a chance and reverse the pressure. Although a quick innings, that has put us back in with a shout. It would have taken Compton the entire day to go 57 or whatever Stokes scored. Can someone keep Root company now and get us up to 300?

 

[kieran_vale]

No gloating on my behalf as I'm wrong quite often, but that's what I mean. Hit out, take a chance and reverse the pressure. Although a quick innings, that has put us back in with a shout. It would have taken Compton the entire day to go 57 or whatever Stokes scored. Can someone keep Root company now and get us up to 300?

Fair point, I still think there's a role for a slower scoring batsman. You can argue that by having the more defensive players at the top of the order they can use up a lot of the bowlers deliveries and wear them out for the hitters like Stokes.

Either way brilliant from Stokes and Root. Hopefully Bairstow and later on Ali can keep the pressure on the SA bowlers. We may get to a point soon enough they will regret not having a front line spinner especially with this game being played at high altitude.

Edit - brilliant century from Root, probably his best yet given the situation (maybe Cardiff being the other I can think of).

 

[Ciderhead]

Brilliant knock. He's had trouble converting of late but what a time to do it, with the game right in the balance

 

[hodge]

fantastic knock from Root. He (and Stokes) has put England in a good position now. If these two can go well for a while till the new ball then we could be in a great position.

 

[JJH]

ROOOOOOOOOT. About time he turned one of these scores into 100 - top job fella.

 

[JJH]

238-5 off 52. Not too long ago that would have been a just below par ODI score!

 

[blademan89]

ROOOOOOOOOT. About time he turned one of these scores into 100 - top job fella.

Hes a blade and hes a hes a blade nananana

 

[Saddlerrad]

Root out in the second over. No chance of a lead now.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Root out in the second over. No chance of a lead now.

He gets out the next morning far too often for a player of his calibre.

Time for Moeen to make a contribution with the bat.

 

[kieran_vale]

So long as we up about level with them I'm pretty confident of Englands chances. Got a feeling SA are due another collpase.

Still got two essentially front line batsmen at the crease and one of whom has played superbly on this tour so the situation isn't too bad right now.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

So long as we up about level with them I'm pretty confident of Englands chances. Got a feeling SA are due another collpase.

Still got two essentially front line batsmen at the crease and one of whom has played superbly on this tour so the situation isn't too bad right now.

If Anderson can get himself in any kind of bowling rhythm and actually trouble the openers then that will be a huge factor.

 

[silvergull]

Broad will be vital I think. The sort of pitch that could see him steam-roller a team.

I don't want to be chasing 250 in e 4th innings, so we need a huge bowling session or 2. Could be 25 runs down before we start.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Broad will be vital I think. The sort of pitch that could see him steam-roller a team.

I don't want to be chasing 250 in e 4th innings, so we need a huge bowling session or 2. Could be 25 runs down before we start.

Cook needs to be decisive as well, if Broad and Anderson aren't at it from the start then get Finn and Stokes on early.

 

[silvergull]

Andersons the concern. I'd give him a couple to see if it swings, and en look to Finn early

 

[silvergull]

Mature batting here. Picking the singles and chipping away at the target

 

[kieran_vale]

Aye, I especially like the fact Broad hasn't gone into slogging mode. Smart stuff, nearly level anyway then can look at having a burst.

Great Test match.

 

[silvergull]

Cracking delivery. Surprised to see that the kookaburra is still swinging a bit. Promising if the overcast conditions remain