England Cricket 2021
- Thread starter Monkeygrinder's Organ
- Start date
SpookyFrank
A cheap source of teeth for aquarium gravel
Channel 4 has mainly Indian commentators which makes a nice change from the familiar TMS voices.
planetgeli
There's no future in England's dreaming
OK. I think we might get a first innings lead now.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Shame that final catch didn't stick, but hopefully will take the last four wickets reasonably quickly tomorrow to give a lead of more than 200. No chance they'll enforce the follow-on and they must be wary of being generous with the declaration with Pant around the place.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
Need to wrap this innings up quickly in the morning, with a lead of 250 plus. If we're to bat again rather than enforce the follow on (which we will) we should be looking at leaving 4 sessions to take the 10 wickets, which means we need a lead of 400+ to take the India win completely out of the equation.
Maybe we'll see the batting order re-jigged, let Buttler, Stokes and Root have a swing?
Maybe we'll see the batting order re-jigged, let Buttler, Stokes and Root have a swing?
Monkeygrinder's Organ
Dodgy geezer swilling vapid lager
I think they'd only do that if they have a big lead but not much time and are looking to put on a very quick 80-100, and I don't think that will be the situation tomorrow. If India are out quickly there'll be enough time for the openers to take the shine off the ball, and if they bat long then England will probably feel they need more runs in their innings.
I could imagine there'd be a point where they'd be telling Sibley to get himself out of the way though.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Tbh I don't mind England closing India out tomorrow. A draw is a good result and to lose from here would be spirit-sapping. They can still give themselves a decent shot at victory.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Yep. Bat sensibly till tea and probably a bit after, then hit berserk mode with wickets in hand.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
Oh dear Rory Burns...
241 the lead. 2 overs before lunch, just bat sensib... Um, 1st ball Ashwin and gone.
Spinners to the fore, 241 might be enough. 242 now, slow left armer bowling a no ball. Village.
241 the lead. 2 overs before lunch, just bat sensib... Um, 1st ball Ashwin and gone.
Spinners to the fore, 241 might be enough. 242 now, slow left armer bowling a no ball. Village.
Something about every day in lockdown being Groundhog Day has someone made me miss England’s winter tours. I’m going to follow this thread in the hope of reminding myself that it isn’t still December 4th.
From here, any reason why I shouldn’t expect England to win it? Other than the usual, that is.
From here, any reason why I shouldn’t expect England to win it? Other than the usual, that is.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
India would need 300 to win now. Another quick 100 needed to take the India win out of the equation, not just on total but on run rate too. 4 sessions on a pitch that's breaking up, and with swing for Sharma - 70% England win, 29% draw, 1% India win I reckon.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
With every wicket and every passing over the likelihood of a draw decreases, but India are giving themselves a tiny, tiny chance.
Root ticking along at a fair rate, signs of intent from Pope, Buttler to come. Fireworks before tea?
Root ticking along at a fair rate, signs of intent from Pope, Buttler to come. Fireworks before tea?
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Pitch is now up and down as well as turning. Lead of 360 is already massive on this. Kind of wicket now where you have a dash cos you know an unplayable one is around the corner. England maybe score another 50 then pull out?
Monkeygrinder's Organ
Dodgy geezer swilling vapid lager
Maybe now actually is the time to tell Buttler to go after it like he would in a one day game. Generally it hasn't worked for him in tests but there's not much to lose here I don't think.
As an aside, it's good to see the umpires actually enforcing the no-balls. The commentators were saying Ashwin hadn't had a no-ball against him for something like 75 tests and were talking about what he was doing differently. Pretty sure it's not him that's doing it differently there.
As an aside, it's good to see the umpires actually enforcing the no-balls. The commentators were saying Ashwin hadn't had a no-ball against him for something like 75 tests and were talking about what he was doing differently. Pretty sure it's not him that's doing it differently there.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
I think Root at al will be looking at time as much as anything. 360 with roughly 120 overs, 3 an over - these runs simply aren't achievable at this rate without taking risks that will bring regular wickets.
The right man is at the crease in Buttler - 5 or 6 overs max at a good rate, make it 380-390 in 110ish and it's then 100% draw or England win, maximise the time to get those 10 wickets. The pitch is turning into a minefield but these are some serious batsmen to get out.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
Long overdue. Quite what a pair of spinners are doing pushing the line is anyone's guess, it'll be carnage for a test or 3 then they'll all learn, alter their run up and no balls shouldn't be a problem anymore.
SpookyFrank
A cheap source of teeth for aquarium gravel
I could love without the comedy no ball klaxon though.
Idaho
blah blah blah
I've been calling this one right so far. I'm going to round it off by saying that India will lose by 200 runs.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
England are doing this backwards. Had a dash before tea and lost a few wickets. Now shutting up shop. 
Bess rather hogging the strike atm.
Bess rather hogging the strike atm.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Bess has faced 44 balls out of 56 so far in this partnership. He's a bit stuck.
Still, shows the nature of the pitch. this isn't easy.
Still, shows the nature of the pitch. this isn't easy.
Zapp Brannigan
Built like a steakhouse, handles like a bistro
400 lead, come on now surely?
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
I think that's enough now. It's four an over for India to win from here.
Spymaster
Plastic Paddy
Imagine how much that fucks-off the bowlers.
Spymaster
Plastic Paddy
It's been more than enough for ages. When you're leading by nearly 400 with 3 wickets in hand, surely you just have a go. Bizarre. If the game's a draw you can put it down to this session.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Now Bess is out, this is officially pointless.
