The Cricket Thread

[Mudball]

Very nicely poised game.. a proper test match - unlike what we thought on Day 1

Next generation stepping up on both sides. Anything beyond 150-170 it will be difficult one for India. Question is what approach will Eng take. Rush to get there or play it out. I am assuming 100/125 lead tonight and then bazball after a 150/175.. win for 250.

Then we will all praise pitch and bazball as we head 2-2 into the final match. On that note, good to have a proper 5 test match series rather than a Mickey Mouse ‘1 off’ or 2 or 3 match..

Brain dump over

 

[Mudball]

watching some cricket on either side of tea.. pitch is still a taking point. It seems to swing from praise for playing well and then spinning like a top. What is it? It seems to go to sleep and then wake up.. can’t make its mind up.

Either way.. above 200 will be a tough ask. Unless BCCI relays the pitch overnight ..

 

[Billysboots]

I’m not sure I understand Foakes’ approach here. It’s all well and good occupying the crease but, given the state of the game, he surely has to keep the board ticking over. If he’s still there at the close and we’ve added half a dozen there are still two days in this game.

 

[Billysboots]

So there you have it. India rattling along at 5 an over on a pitch England found impossible.

I absolutely get it that India’s spinners are world class. But with Foakes almost out of partners surely he had to go on the attack. Eating up a dozen overs whilst scoring the same number of runs seems a futile exercise, when another 20/30 runs may well have put the game beyond India.

I may well wake tomorrow to find the series level at 2-2, and me eating a huge slab of humble pie for breakfast. But I doubt it.

 

[Mudball]

interesting approach by Foakes.. run on the 4th ball.

 

[Mudball]

Just woke up and they are still playing.. India 3 down !! Another couple and this is 2-2

 

[Billysboots]

Just woke up and they are still playing.. India 3 down !! Another couple and this is 2-2

I will say this just makes a dozen overs of Foakes blocking even more frustrating!! I still think we’re 30 or so short.

 

[Hobbit]

Oh for a hat trick of wickets now… Gill looks very calm and settled. Time for breakfast

 

[Norrin Radd]

All over series defeat 3-1

 

[Hobbit]

England’s 2nd innings collapse lost that game. The pitch held up better than expected and looked like a 300 run wicket. All out for 145 was criminal.

 

[Mudball]

All over series defeat 3-1

 

[Mudball]

England’s 2nd innings collapse lost that game. The pitch held up better than expected and looked like a 300 run wicket. All out for 145 was criminal.

On the positive, looks like we have some new young stars (on both sides).... How much time before Bashir is seduced by shorter format and gives up red ball cricket

 

[Grizzly]

On the positive, looks like we have some new young stars (on both sides).... How much time before Bashir is seduced by shorter format and gives up red ball cricket

Do you see him as a short format player? I would have thought his skill set - height, control, over spin - are more suited to long term success in the longer format of the game.

 

[Mudball]

Do you see him as a short format player? I would have thought his skill set - height, control, over spin - are more suited to long term success in the longer format of the game.

but the shorter format translates to money.... Was it Nick on commentary who was saying that Bashir was struggling with the age-group cricket with Surrey and Middlesex, and Minor Counties like Berkshire. He got some mentoring by Leach which turned his game. It will be great if we can keep him spinning in the ashes, but there is too much competition for red ball spinners once Leach is back. So he will be thinking for himself too (cant blame it, after being knocked around in the early years).

 

[fundy]

but the shorter format translates to money.... Was it Nick on commentary who was saying that Bashir was struggling with the age-group cricket with Surrey and Middlesex, and Minor Counties like Berkshire. He got some mentoring by Leach which turned his game. It will be great if we can keep him spinning in the ashes, but there is too much competition for red ball spinners once Leach is back. So he will be thinking for himself too (cant blame it, after being knocked around in the early years).

too much competition for red ball spinners? seriously?

 

[Mudball]

too much competition for red ball spinners? seriously?

Currently who do we have Leach, Hartley and Bashir as pure spinners. Maybe even Rehan Ahmed. Usually we have a slot for 1 spinner, max 2. this is not counting the option of Rashid.

 

[fundy]

Currently who do we have Leach, Hartley and Bashir as pure spinners. Maybe even Rehan Ahmed. Usually we have a slot for 1 spinner, max 2. this is not counting the option of Rashid.

doesnt sound like too much competition to me

 

[Mudball]

doesnt sound like too much competition to me

how many playing slots are there per series?

 

[sunshine]

I absolutely get it that India’s spinners are world class. But with Foakes almost out of partners surely he had to go on the attack. Eating up a dozen overs whilst scoring the same number of runs seems a futile exercise,

I agree but don't think we can blame Foakes, he was just trying to survive.

I think the turning point was Jurel and the tail adding 50 runs more that expected at the end of India's first innings. That was enough to spark a fight back and England just crumbled. Either pre or post bazball, I always feel this England group is never far away from a batting collapse when put under pressure.

 

[Grizzly]

Currently who do we have Leach, Hartley and Bashir as pure spinners. Maybe even Rehan Ahmed. Usually we have a slot for 1 spinner, max 2. this is not counting the option of Rashid.

Its odd competition - Hartley and Bashir will be second choice for their counties next season after all - though I can think of a few more who look decent enough bowlers (to the extent that you can tell in the seam friendly conditions that persist in the Championship) - Dom Bess has test experience, then you have the two Parkinson's, Dan Moriarty, Jack Carson.