The Cricket Thread

[Savage Henry]

You’d have to think a lead of anything approaching 100 puts India out of the game.  I’d say the drawn is almost impossible. 

[jaggyness]

You’d have to think a lead of anything approaching 100 puts India out of the game.  I’d say the drawn is almost impossible. 

Yeah this seems pretty spot on. Although this being England they could lose their next 3 wickets for 15 runs quite easily. There's a lot to like about the look of this England team and those who are currently out may struggle to get back in. Personally I wouldn't be bringing Buttler back I've never been his biggest fan in tests but Bairstow has been decent this series, better than Buttler anyway. In Australia you need pace so you'd imagine Woakes and Overton would drop out but that still means Stokes, Archer and Broad are all potentially fighting for 2 spots unless they're going without a spinner in some tests.

[Left Back]

59 minutes ago, Savage Henry said:

You’d have to think a lead of anything approaching 100 puts India out of the game.  I’d say the drawn is almost impossible. 

I don’t think England will be overly worried about batting last either.  It won’t get anywhere near day 5.

[peasy23]

Pope drags one on to the stumps that he didn't need to play at all, out for 81 and given the game situation when he came in, that was a great knock.

[Jimi Shandrix]

Nothing you like to see more than Tommy Robinson's furniture rearranged. Hopefully get this tidied up sharpish.

[die hard doonhamer]

50 minutes ago, jaggyness said:

1 hour ago, Savage Henry said:

You’d have to think a lead of anything approaching 100 puts India out of the game.  I’d say the drawn is almost impossible. 

Yeah this seems pretty spot on. Although this being England they could lose their next 3 wickets for 15 runs quite easily. There's a lot to like about the look of this England team and those who are currently out may struggle to get back in. Personally I wouldn't be bringing Buttler back I've never been his biggest fan in tests but Bairstow has been decent this series, better than Buttler anyway. In Australia you need pace so you'd imagine Woakes and Overton would drop out but that still means Stokes, Archer and Broad are all potentially fighting for 2 spots unless they're going without a spinner in some tests.

Archer has already been ruled out of the ashes, and imo shouldn't play another test for England. I agree that Buttler shouldn't come back in, but I expect that he will because England seem to be far too loyal to a small group of player, of which Buttler is one (Bairstow has also benefited from this in the past, but he's justifying his spot at the moment).

[Savage Henry]

Woakes is some player to have batting at 9.

[Jimi Shandrix]

99 is a very good lead but as it's still only day 2, it's not a decisive lead. If the batsmen actually start, you know, batting on what is a flat pitch, then there is plenty left to play for. Really poor from the Indian bowlers though. Had them on the ropes at 62-5 If England take 3 or 4 tonight, you can start the car.

[Aubrey Maturin]

2 minutes ago, Jimi Shandrix said:

99 is a very good lead but as it's still only day 2, it's not a decisive lead. If the batsmen actually start, you know, batting on what is a flat pitch, then there is plenty left to play for. Really poor from the Indian bowlers though. Had them on the ropes at 62-5 If England take 3 or 4 tonight, you can start the car.

Intriguing cricket so far, shows why test match cricket is the number one format of the game.  Delighted to see Woakes do well a fella that has been treated pretty poorly over the years by England.

[Jimi Shandrix]

No way is Rohit an opening test batsman. An accident waiting to happen. Stick to the one day stuff lad.

[Scorge]

Nicely poised, especially if India can bat four sessions and set them 260-ish to win.

[Jimi Shandrix]

Decent effort by the openers. Knocked off about half the lead. Another intriguing day ahead.

[peasy23]

England slightly in front but that could change quickly tomorrow if India can get in front with plenty of wickets still in hand.

Both batting lineups are a bit flaky, but if India can get a lead of 200 plus then it will be interesting to see how England cope with the pressure of a 4th innings run chase.

[jaggyness]

Marginally India's day after getting to the close without loss. England still ahead however slight. India probably need to bat all day tomorrow to be in a good position, a lead of anything more than 250 would be a very difficult chase

[peasy23]

Decent start for India, but survive their first scare of a day. Rahul scudded a Woakes bouncer for a 6, then next ball was trapped lbw and given out. Overturned on review though as it showed the ball had done too much and was missing the stumps.

Bizarrely, winviz has India as favourites even though they are still trailing.

[peasy23]

One thing you have to praise England's bowlers for is their discipline, they have only bowled 1 no ball so far in the match.

[Jimi Shandrix]

They were very quick to reverse the umpires decision. I thought he hit his pad. 

[Jimi Shandrix]

There goes the lead for only 1 down. A couple of wickets can change things but as it stands India are in a very good position. That was a dreadful review from England.

[Jimi Shandrix]

Effectively 9-1 at lunch. This is shaping up to be a cracking test match. I almost wish I wasn't going out to the game this afternoon.

[peasy23]

India will be quite happy with that, leading with 9 wickets in hand at lunch. Moeen got a few balls to turn just before lunch so England will take a bit of heart from that.