The Cricket Thread

[Skinner]

The ball is swinging a bit, it'll probably start turning late on day 3/day 4. Cracks will open and it will be difficult to bat in the 4th innings.

Just because it's a road for India, doesn't mean it's a completely lifeless batting track

 

[ProfessorGreen]

A much needed day for English test cricket and a much needed couple of lifelines early on else it could have been different.

Opinions on the Root catch/non-catch?

 

[blademan89]

A much needed day for English test cricket and a much needed couple of lifelines early on else it could have been different.

Opinions on the Root catch/non-catch?

The lifelines early on didn't play a huge part in extra runs as cook went early anyway and hammeed went soon after too. But I agree being 0-1 with you're captain out plays a part mentally.

 

[claret50]

A ton for Moeen, well played sir.

 

[RavenBish]

Hands up who thought we'd score over 500 and 3 players who get a ton in our first innings in India?

Don't really care what the surface is like, the narrative for weeks is that they were going to go to India and get spun out for less than 200 every time by Ashwin and Jadeja. This has been a very pleasant surprise and puts the 5-0 talk to bed right off the bat. pardon the pun.

 

[Skinner]

Clever move to stick around at the crease now and let it wear some more. Ideally India come in to bat with an hour or so left of the day.

 

[hodge]

Read its been a few years since an overseas player scored a ton in India? When was the last time 3 tons were scored by the opposition in the same innings...

 

[Aber gas]

Bit gutted about not getting a wicket but I though Mo and Ansari bowled sensibly with good control. Nothing spectacular but if we can tie them down this pitch will deteriorate and with Stokes still to have a burst there will be opportunities.

 

[Skinner]

Stokes in 2016

8 matches, 663 runs at 60.27, HS 258, 25 wickets at 19.80, best 4/26

 

[RavenBish]

my only hope is that Stokes becomes the modern day unanimous choice for best all-rounder because Jacques Kallis was the most boring cricketer of all-time.

 

[RavenBish]

wickets really shouldn't be like this in this day and age. I'm no expert in groundsman-ing(?) but there must be enough tools at their disposal to consistently produce competitive conditions - especially at Test level.

 

[Modernist]

My concern is can we get 500+ each innings?

 

[RavenBish]

Only half watching it this morning slyly on my second screen at work but I thought England bowled pretty well. Rashid seemed well controlled which he certainly wasn't in Bangladesh

 

[Skinner]

Agreed. Woakes offered them nothing. Restricting the RR could be vital if the ball starts doing stuff tomorrow.

 

[Ciderhead]

Australia falling apart again. 85 all out (including 48* from Smith) in the first innings of the 2nd test against SA. Lose this and they lose the series

 

[Skinner]

Pitch has been doing a lot this morning, can see this being a result now, and I still don't fancy our chances

 

[Aber gas]

Can't be dropping those chef!

 

[Aber gas]

Really good showing from Rashid. Wickets and good control. Shows some mental fortitude after the poor showings in Bangladesh.

 

[Aber gas]

Got a bit expensive at the end there. Ashwin was magnificent. Still a useful lead though dependant on our batsmen getting a good start.

 

[Super_horns]

Anyone feel sorry for the Aussies..



Going to be a draw isn't it unless we have a sudden collapse...which isn't impossible with our record!

 

[Ciderhead]

Tricky innings to pace this now. We'll have to go pretty hard if we want to force a win but we could very well lose it yet.

If we can get 200-250 by about lunch tomorrow, could be interesting

 

[Aber gas]

Bowled out for 180 would be the one. 230 on a crumbling pitch would be interesting.

 

[Aber gas]

Anyone feel sorry for the Aussies..



Going to be a draw isn't it unless we have a sudden collapse...which isn't impossible with our record!

No one feels sorry for the Australians. Not even the Australians.

 

[hodge]

Kinda half feel for smith a bit being 48 not out.

 

[Aber gas]

Shot young man.

 

[Aber gas]

Dismissive from Hameed. Really impressive.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Excellent performance so far.

Hameed looks ready made for test cricket on his showing so far, dare I say he reminds me of another young lad that debuted in India a few years back.

Let's hope so.

EDIT - That blonde can't be Strauss's wife?! Nope it's Broad's girlfriend.

 

[RavenBish]

some player this kid. Seeing his Dad in tears has made my weekend too - all hail The Bolton Wall.

EDIT - That blonde can't be Strauss's wife?! Nope it's Broad's girlfriend.

She's downgraded massively as she was engaged to Alan 'Captain Handsome' Sheehan when he was at Notts.

 

[Destruction]

Good lad. Oh lanky lanky.

 

[Ciderhead]

I think we've finally found Cook a partner