CRICKET - at last

[flatandy]

England bowled poorly this morning. Way too short. Ironically, that set up the final two sessions perfectly. Chasing at 4 an over on a 5th day pitch for two sessions still leaves us pretty much dead on equal chances of the main three results.

On selection, Crawley clearly has to go. Leach seems to offer nothing of value as a spinner other than occupying overs - time to replace him with someone more dangerous but more expensive. And I hope he proves me wrong today, but I'd think Bairstow has to be at the end of his useful test lifespan (well, he's been there for two years but keeps getting picked).

[flatandy]

One session left. Still all four possible results on the cards. If England lose no wickets in the next hour they'd be favourites to win, I think. If one wicket falls I think the draw is favourite. If more than one falls then NZ is probably favourite. Properly exciting match this.

[flatandy]

f**k me. Went out for a 50 minute bike ride and that happened?

Not that I could have watched it because the stupid US cricket channel wanted to show an India T20 instead.

[unclejunior]

Come on England 👍🍻

[flatandy]

Someone at the ECB is going to be regretting the decision not to charge for entry on day 5.

[flatandy]

Jun 10, 2022 20:24:29 GMT wetkingcanute said:

If you win the toss, unless it's a very overcast rainy day, 9 out of 10 times Bat First.

on the 10th. time - think about it ...and then Bat First.

I feel like this should be recorded for posterity.

[voice]

Well that was exciting

[wetkingcanute]

...I always said that the pitch would improve and that if we win the loss to make them bat first.

[ootlg]

I thought that too.

[flatandy]

You have to feel sorry for Nicholls here:

[wetkingcanute]

Strange but wonderful game - cricket

[flatandy]

Well, this game has moved along at a fair pace today...

[wetkingcanute]

Jonny Bairstow 130 no
Overton 89

A partnership to completely change a Test Match!

...and it's only the end of day two!


at one stage England were 55 for 6!!!

now 264

[flatandy]

Well, it hasn't completely changed it. Boult's opening spell means that England are still in fairly serious trouble, 65 behind with a fairly long tail. A first innings deficit isn't great when batting fourth, even if the last two tests suggest otherwise.

[wetkingcanute]

for fcuks sake andy - wot more do yer want?

That was a fab day's Test Cricket

[perrykneeham]

Jun 24, 2022 17:23:05 GMT flatandy said:

Well, this game has moved along at a fair pace today...

Yes, almost into the post-war era.

[flatandy]

Jun 24, 2022 17:52:38 GMT wetkingcanute said:

for fcuks sake andy - wot more do yer want?

That was a fab day's Test Cricket

England to not be 6 wickets down, almost 300 runs behind, before they start playing well.

England not to bowl like complete puddings at the opposition tail.

It was a fantastic day of cricket, I'll agree. Southee's early morning assault. Boult's opening spell. And Overton and Bairstow's partnership.

Overton looks like a properly big lad. I imagine he could put the pounds on very quickly if he stopped playing sport.

[voice]

shame I cant get this on any of the streaming services here.

[flatandy]

Jun 14, 2022 12:37:48 GMT flatandy said:

...I'd think Bairstow has to be at the end of his useful test lifespan

I think this should be recorded for posterity.

[flatandy]

I’ve just learned that if Overton scores another 11 runs he’ll become only the second England player ever to score a century and take a wicket on Test debut.

The first? WG Grace.