England Cricket 2021

[strung out]

They want to time the declaration so they can get an extended session tomorrow morning while the new ball is still hard.

 

[Idaho]

That's it joffra - run up that pitch!

 

[Spymaster]

Not sure how you're looking to win a series in India if you don't push hard to win the first test when you led by 250 in the first innings.

 

[Zapp Brannigan]

413 FFS! That's 6 sessions at a sensible, cautious 2 an over.

The India win is off the table, we're just batting their time for them. This is madness.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Not sure how you're looking to win a series in India if you don't push hard to win the first test when you led by 250 in the first innings.

I thought they were really positive before tea. This is just weird now. Less than an hour's play left when India bat today.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Right so Ashwin has his fivefer. Fucking declare!

 

[Idaho]

Done!

 

[Spymaster]

Ashwin 6fer.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

And now he has six.

Ashwin owes Joe Root a beer.

 

[Teaboy]

England have been ultra careful with their declarations for some time now and more than often they still seem to find a way to win. This being said I can't imagine they will be in this position too many times on this tour. They really need to take this advantage and not bat themselves out of time.

 

[Idaho]

Come on, let's get a brace this evening.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

This is just weird now. It's not like Leach and Anderson are going to be scoring many is it?

 

[Spymaster]

Ashwin owes Joe Root a beer.

Correct

 

[littlebabyjesus]

This is just weird now. It's not like Leach and Anderson are going to be scoring many is it?

Exactly. Sending in Broady to have a swing would have made some sense. Sending out Leach and Anderson was just wasting time.

 

[strung out]

This is just weird now. It's not like Leach and Anderson are going to be scoring many is it?

It wasn't about scoring, they wanted to get a specific number of overs in tonight and then still have a relatively new ball in the morning. I suspect they had their plan in place since last night and didn't see any reason to change that plan.

Not saying it was the right decision, but that would have been their thinking.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

It wasn't about scoring, they wanted to get a specific number of overs in tonight and then still have a relatively new ball in the morning. I suspect they had their plan in place since last night and didn't see any reason to change that plan.

Not saying it was the right decision, but that would have been their thinking.

Not sure I like that thinking. If you're Sharma and Gill, would you rather have 50 minutes to survive tonight or an hour and a half?

Anyway, that's done. England have about 100 overs to get 10 wickets. They will have 20 overs or so with the second new ball if required.

And the wicket is now pretty horrible.

 

[Idaho]

This pitch is going to be horrible... Look at that first ball - big climber.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

It wasn't about scoring, they wanted to get a specific number of overs in tonight and then still have a relatively new ball in the morning. I suspect they had their plan in place since last night and didn't see any reason to change that plan.

Not saying it was the right decision, but that would have been their thinking.

Deliberately having fewer overs to bowl in order to have a better ball tomorrow? Doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Up with the required rate so far...

 

[Idaho]

Get in!

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Nine to go

 

[Idaho]

It will be fantastic for the series if Leach can get a bag here.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

It will be fantastic for the series if Leach can get a bag here.

Yep agree. Fantastic ball to get that wicket. I didn't think he bowled that badly when Pant was taking him apart. Pant was in t20 mode and it was his day. On another day, he'll hole out early.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Pitch turning out to be exactly what was promised.

3 wickets Day 1. Flat
5 wickets Day 2. Still flat
8 wickets Day 3. Starting to change
15 wickets Day 4. Minefield

 

[Zapp Brannigan]

Pitch turning out to be exactly what was promised.

3 wickets Day 1. Flat
5 wickets Day 2. Still flat
8 wickets Day 3. Starting to change
15 wickets Day 4. Minefield

2 main factors - the brilliance of Joe Root with the bat, and the toss. Pick an order, because I don't think we'd be winning quite like this without either.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

2 main factors - the brilliance of Joe Root with the bat, and the toss. Pick an order, because I don't think we'd be winning quite like this without either.

Totally agree, but England getting India's top order out cheaply in the first innings is also on the list. Wicket was still pretty good at that stage, and India scored about 260-6 subsequently. Reducing them to 70-4 was also key. The score at the fall of the fourth wicket in the first innings is the difference between the sides, essentially.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Ishant Sharma reckons India will chase down the total for the win.

Good spirit and all, but it's not him that's gonna have to get the runs is it?

 

[MrSki]

Should be a good watch & am so pleased it is on Channel 4. Something worth getting up for.

 

[MrSki]

Pretty good morning session.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

Looking good for England. Part of me, most of me, wants them to wrap it up quickly but part of me was looking forward to catching a few overs on TV when he get home from work in 4 hours!