Savage Henry

We did them over last night. Think of it as vicarious revenge.

Does Bob Willis ever get anything right? There's no way England will go with four bowlers, especially if the next pitch is as flat as this one, they'll go with two spinners. Wonderful, gripping test match, but I think Andrew Strauss's captaincy was shown up a little. They batted too long after not enforcing the follow on, and made an almighty mess by putting in a night watchman at the end of day 3.

I can't remember the last time that happened. Harmison came in ahead of Swann for some reason. Horses for courses I guess.

Still don't understand why they sent in Anderson last night.

Taken from sharks.nhl.com, here's the list of penalties from the second period in the Sharks Oilers game the other night - the Sharks won 4-2 for those interested. I'm surprised they got any playing done with all the fouls going on. 02:25 Marc Pouliot : Tripping - 2 min 03:30 Patrick Marleau : Tripping - 2 min 03:51 Marc-Edouard Vlasic : Tripping - 2 min 07:10 Alexei Semenov : Roughing - 2 min 07:10 Jason Strudwick : Roughing - 2 min 07:10 Claude Lemieux : Fighting (maj) - 5 min 07:10 Theo Peckham : Fighting (maj) - 5 min 07:10 Claude Lemieux : Misconduct (10 min) - 0 min 10:45 Steve Staios : Roughing - 2 min 11:01 Ethan Moreau : Cross checking - 2 min 11:01 Ryane Clowe : Roughing - 2 min 11:27 Shawn Horcoff : Hi-sticking - 2 min 16:42 Ethan Moreau : Roughing - 2 min 16:42 Ethan Moreau : Roughing - 2 min 16:42 Brad Staubitz : Roughing - 2 min 16:42 Brad Staubitz : Roughing - 2 min 16:47 Alexei Semenov : Fighting (maj) - 5 min 16:47 Zack Stortini : Fighting (maj) - 5 min

The point of that phone call, I think, was that it was completely in character. It wasn't really pivotal in the storyline, but it certain added depth to both characters. Artistic license, and necessary for those without much knowledge of either central character. I had no problems with it all. I'm not sure how you managed to sympathise with Nixon, he did it all to himself, and deserved every ounce of suffering he went through.

Horror is not my genre of choice by any means, but the Orphanage is genuinely brilliant.

Given they are two bowlers down, it was the only sensible option available to Strauss. England have won every session of this test so far, and it was be an injustice if it ended in anything other than an England win. The only problem I see is if England bat too long, or conversely, not long enough. It's a tough call. A lead of 450 should be enough as I think England can bowl the Windies out again.

I disagree, I think England, despite the first test, are a far better team and could easily win this game by an innings. Get Harmison tearing in, there's not much batting in that W.I lineup. Advantage England already.

Strauss said he would have done exactly the same, although he wouldn't have bowled KP half the day. I think it's fair to say that either the West Indies were awful or both teams have misread the pitch and selected completely the wrong teams. Or England have been bluffing all along...

301-3. That'll be England's day then.

I'd suggest that's why Shah hasn't had his chance before now. One of the dumbest run-outs you'll see.

It's a nasty one, and he'll be a marked man the next time the teams play, I suspect. You can usually spot when there's a bit of history as they start dropping the gloves after a minute and a half.

No other nation can do such a fantastic combination of laid back and absolutely furious. I think the Windies tests are my favourite on TMS. As for tomorrow's test, should it go ahead, I see it's a bit of a bouncer. Harmison may get an unexpected recall.

Bugger, I was just about to head down the pub for an evening's play. Bit ridiculous really. Perhaps they'll reschedule another test in Barbados?

Mike Selvey asked Bell how he felt about that particular capitulation. His answer, and I quote, "Just one of those days."

What's annoying me at the moment is when you buy anything remotely electrical - for example an electric toothbrush - you have to cut open the packaging with scissors to open it. I've also had to do this with a pair of cheap headphones and a plug adapter. When did they decide to do this?

Well, a penalty shoot out give the losers a share of the spoils, but the Penguins played pretty well all things considering.. It was a good game, but the Sharks were flat after the pounding they gave and took from the Bruins the night before. Crosby, as per usual, was Pittsburgh's main threat, but in all honesty, given a regular rest I'd take the Sharks to win comfortably. It was one of those odd games where you can hear the players making game calls.

It might be worth pointing out that New Jersey is actually a whole different state - literally and figuratively - to New York City.

Another one tonight against the Penguins. Quite a tricky wee run they are on at the moment. I reckon they'll be shattered after the tempo of last night's game and playing a forward down virtually all night.

Wow, a blow out win for the Sharks in Boston. Didn't see that coming - Boston's offence is frighteningly aggressive and quick. They were ripping the Sharks to shreds in transition, but their defence couldn't handle Patrick Marleau all night. It was a brilliant game, for anyone who followed my advice. Some of the hardest hits you'll see all year. And Big Joe, oh gosh, how good is Big Joe?

Anyone checking out the Bruins vs Sharks game on now? The link above is bloody excellent quality feed. Rare opportunity to see the Sharks at a reasonable hour.

I was going to say, this thread isn't the same without him. It's actually coherent for a start... He mustn't have been able to "find" me.

To be fair to Boycs, he's very much from the "in my day" school, but he usually supports technological advances such as the referral system. He can also put his finger on exactly where the batsman is going wrong, though very rarely where he is going right. I do wish he'd shut up about uncovered wickets and stop pimping his Yorkshire spin protege on TMS. And am I the only one to notice his curious habit of humming and hawing on mic whilst the commentator is describing the action?

Is Prior not going home for the final test because his wife is due to give birth? An absolutely disgrace, if you ask me.