The Crisp Crack Of Leather On Willow

[The Cheese 1,630]

4 hours ago, salty said:

100% agree. Firstly, The Hundred is a solution to a problem of the ECB's making in the first place. By giving it such a dominant position in the calendar and marginalising the Championship and 50 over comp it was always going to mean players were massively under-cooked for this Test series - and the NZ one before it. The policy of prioritising white ball cricket in the run up to the 2019 World Cup is now bearing fruit, but the collateral damage to the longer format is now becoming apparent - as was predicted by many. At least the Aussies are having a nightmare as well.

Having said that you have to question what the plethora of coaches around the England team are doing when you the techniques of players like Sibley and Burns. 

 

They won't be this winter if that tour goes ahead. 

Archer now ruled out of the Ashes (and T20 World Cup), big loss with Stone already a doubt. Elbow injuries aren't great for a fast bowler, every chance he'll never have that top pace again. 

 

Anyway... Kohli out first ball! How unfortunate 

Edited August 5, 2021 by The Cheese

[The Cheese 1,630]

Take out Crawley's 267 and he averages 18.8 in 25 innings. Good talent but he's not ready to bat in the top 3 at this level

[The Cheese 1,630]

Excellent innings from Root to end up saving the game thanks to the weather. Was great to see him enjoying himself and looking back to his best. I think Sibley deserves a mention too after the criticism he got in the first innings. It was crucial they didn't lose a couple of early wickets and without him facing 200+ balls India might well have had enough time to win on Day 4. 

Also, Australia  Zampa 3rd top scorer with 4 this afternoon in their 62 all out in Bangladesh

[The Cheese 1,630]

Brilliant start for India, perfect example from Rohit and Rahul of how to bat in difficult conditions. 

Not quite time to panic for England given India's long tail but they need a breakthrough quickly

[Bagpuss 8,030]

Good from England today so far. Let's see how the evening session goes.....

[screm 6,976]

1 hour ago, Bagpuss said:

Good from England today so far. Let's see how the evening session goes.....

After another iffy start, Root and Burns staging a decent recovery.

Edited August 13, 2021 by screm

[Bagpuss 8,030]

Match well poised with two days left, hopefully England can rip into the Indian top order this morning. 

[CrystalCastles 222]

Proper day of Test cricket, great effort from Pujara and Rahane.

Lesson in application and batting sensibly.

England dug in with the ball, big session tomorrow morning.

Hopefully they can bowl well again as a simply Tremendous batting effort from Root, has given them the opportunity to still win this game.

Root has been fantastic this year. Pleased that Bairstow got a 50 as well.

[Bagpuss 8,030]

Pant is the key man, we need him out pronto.

[The Cheese 1,630]

I'd say India are favourites now with a lead of 200, getting Pant early seemed a huge moment but the bowling has been poor since then

[The Cheese 1,630]

Partnership of 50+ from Shami and Bumrah is simply embarrassing, Root's captaincy here has been absolutely ridiculous. Spent too long trying to get revenge on Bumrah for bouncing Anderson on Saturday, just bowl at the stumps!

At the stage now where it's probably better to not get them out and just let them take time out of the game 

[Bagpuss 8,030]

Dreadful from England and Root this morning.

[Bagpuss 8,030]

And I imagine that's Sibley's international career over.

[The Cheese 1,630]

Root gone, England in huge trouble now. He's saved this batting line-up countless times recently, time for the lower order to step up now

[CrystalCastles 222]

Shambles.

When they play badly they are an embarrassment.

Same old excuses will be rolled out. They deserve every bit of criticism they get.

Bowled badly, batted appallingly and chucked away a winnable game.