Cricket - England vs Pakistan.
- Thread starter Red Astaire
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Love test cricket @Red Astaire call me a traditionalist! Beats all this 20twenty crap. From what they were saying it does kind of make sense if Cooky knew it was going to rain then why should they ball with the wet ball. Gives the bowlers a little break however I agree with Warne in that the England bowlers haven't really been troubled or hammered into the ground
Yep - Completely agree. There's tons of time and the weather is ok. Btw - I have yesterdays channel 5 coverage on and just watching Roots innings (again) on while the rain kicks on. Just WOW! as @tony said yesterday we really are watching one of the absolute greatest. It's glorious to witness! 😎
The answer to most puzzles in sport is . . . . money.
Putting my tinfoil hat on, I suggest that the LCCC and/or ECB officials had a word with Cookie. They told him that a 3-day match would lose them a fortune in ticket sales, beer and pie money and corporate hospitality refunds. That's the only logical reason why Cook didn't put Pakistan back in.
Putting my tinfoil hat on, I suggest that the LCCC and/or ECB officials had a word with Cookie. They told him that a 3-day match would lose them a fortune in ticket sales, beer and pie money and corporate hospitality refunds. That's the only logical reason why Cook didn't put Pakistan back in.
If that's true (and I think it might be) that's a little sad. Anyway @Portly dear chap - I hope you've been enjoying this test as much as me. I wasn't expecting such a great series but as always with cricket I'm often left surprised by the complexity and sheer enjoyment factor of it. Bring on tomorrow 🙂
This series has been full of interest and intriguing incidents. What an insult to Woakes to put him in as a night watchman when on current form he is one of England's better batsmen. Yet from Woakes' point of view, he was probably glad of getting a chance to bat up the order.
I am relishing the opportunity that retirement has given me to watch test matches on TV from start to finish! Just as I did on the black-and-white TV when I was a student 50 years ago, and it was the likes of Colin Cowdrey, Ted Dexter and Ritchie Benaud playing.
I am relishing the opportunity that retirement has given me to watch test matches on TV from start to finish! Just as I did on the black-and-white TV when I was a student 50 years ago, and it was the likes of Colin Cowdrey, Ted Dexter and Ritchie Benaud playing.
Yep - I get the Woakes point. He batted beautifully and seemed to bat like he had a point to prove. Night watchmen???? Pftttttt! Loving your memories of watching Cowdrey, Dexter and Benaud. My love was first started in 1997 and the Ashes. Gough skittled them for 118 ( I still think we lost though!) Looking forward to coming up to Liverpool again soon. I'll buy you an iced tea and blag you into telling how retirement is. In return I'll tell you about the time I saw Lara cut loose at the SCG 😉
I suspect in the circumstances Cook had quite a lot of takers for nightwatchman !
As for the declaration, I think that is a bit cynical PortlY if you don't mind me saying, if it does go to a fifth day it could actually cost Lancashire money if there isn't much of a crowd. So long as the weather plays ball I can see where they are coming from, let Pakistan bat as the pitch deteriorates a little more, and rest particularly Stokes and Anderson who are coming back from injury and need to be treated with kid gloves.
As for the declaration, I think that is a bit cynical PortlY if you don't mind me saying, if it does go to a fifth day it could actually cost Lancashire money if there isn't much of a crowd. So long as the weather plays ball I can see where they are coming from, let Pakistan bat as the pitch deteriorates a little more, and rest particularly Stokes and Anderson who are coming back from injury and need to be treated with kid gloves.
I think you're logic has proven correct Tony with the re-injury of Stokes. I thought the non-follow-on was probably due to having 2 bowlers coming back from injury. Those who suggested that we were concerned about facing Yasir and chasing 100 on a turning last-day pitch were making the suspect assumption that we believed Pakistan might score 500 when following on.
As an aside - what an effort from the List A team - 367* for second wicket. Bell-Drummond cannot be far off getting a chance for England. As for Duckett - how many wicket-keeper batsmen have we got? Buttler, Bairstow, Duckett, Billings, Davies, Foakes (though he wouldn't yet gain consideration as a batsman alone). Could maybe add Joe Clarke to that. Top young batting prospect and listed as a 'keeper too. I would not be surprised to see the first 4 listed above in a one-day/T20 team soon.
As an aside - what an effort from the List A team - 367* for second wicket. Bell-Drummond cannot be far off getting a chance for England. As for Duckett - how many wicket-keeper batsmen have we got? Buttler, Bairstow, Duckett, Billings, Davies, Foakes (though he wouldn't yet gain consideration as a batsman alone). Could maybe add Joe Clarke to that. Top young batting prospect and listed as a 'keeper too. I would not be surprised to see the first 4 listed above in a one-day/T20 team soon.
Well you can't tell what caused his injury, but I agree that they took that in consideration when not enforcing.
Billings scored 175 the other day, I think he's unlucky Bairstow and Buttler are in such good one day form, he and the Curran brothers are really good prospects too particularly Sam - not a bad bat too. There really is a lot of up and coming talent around, if only one of them was a spinner!
I'm interested to see how Parkinson of Lancashire develops. He's made a good start at any rate.
There is no obvious candidate and I guess the pitches and weather haven't been conducive to develop them. If I was Strauss I would get all these potential young spinners together and get them over to India for some spin camps during the winter, see who comes out of it well.
Interestingly, I read that a lot of people turned up on the day to buy tickets, and it took 45 mins for them to get in because they just weren't prepared for it.
That's amateur.
Also, was wonderful to see the Pakistani players making a beeline to shake Roots hand after they dismissed him in the first innings.
In the past, they've been easy to dislike, but I'm really warming to these guys. Sure they're still unpredictable, but they're showing some backbone.
I'm at the Oval for the first day of the final test. Can't wait.
That's amateur.
Also, was wonderful to see the Pakistani players making a beeline to shake Roots hand after they dismissed him in the first innings.
In the past, they've been easy to dislike, but I'm really warming to these guys. Sure they're still unpredictable, but they're showing some backbone.
I'm at the Oval for the first day of the final test. Can't wait.
Hey I might well be there that day myself mate. I'll drop you a line if you fancy a coffee and catch up 🙂
Give me a shout mate. Be happy to catch up, it's a long old day!
It just goes to show you don't need all the stupid over aggressive sledging.
Ha - I hope you have more luck than me - I had Ashes tickets for the 4th day at Trent Bridge and the 5th day at the Oval !!
My memory is hazy. Game won before your days?
I'd hope that on day one the game won't be over! Or if weather, I'd like to think that mid August at the oval should be safe for weather.
I'd hope that on day one the game won't be over! Or if weather, I'd like to think that mid August at the oval should be safe for weather.
Haha what a berk I am, the Alzheimers kicked in and I read that as the final day at the Oval!
I did indeed miss both Ashes days booked due to the matches being over, not getting the 1st day at Trent Bridge is a big regret as that was a real "1966 " moment!
I remember watching that first session at Trent Bridge sitting up in bed drinking vodka (Oz time) and munching crisps. It was surreal, I'd had a shit day at work and it was as if God was apologising by way of utterly humiliating Australia. Stokes' catch, Broad embarrassing them after the shit he copped from Australia during the previous series.....that was up there with Istanbul in terms of spunk spunked
Utterly amazing day wasn't it. It must have been all the sweeter for actually being in Oz at the time, I bet work the next day was fun!
Indeed, there was nowhere to hide during the 5-0 drubbing when Johnson was utterly unplayable. My only regret was not being in the pub for Trent Bridge
Bloody right it was!! The double thumbs up celebration from Root. Stokes amazing snaffle and subsequent look on Broad's face was priceless. I was at Edgbaston on the Saturday and that was seriously the best day of cricket I have seen 'in the ground'. Trent Bridge day one though - Wow!
I was at the SCG when we won it in 2009. The sprinkler celebration. My favourite bit was the barmy army dude that sings 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' - You ever seen him? Seriously funny. Cook that series was utterly amazing.
A true wish you were there moment watching it on the telly over here in the small hours.
Funny how it matters more winning against some teams, always improves the weekend when you hear utd have lost, and I have to admit to a little tingle this morning watching the Aussies lose to Sri Lanka!
Haha me too. Slightly hampered by the fact I'm married to an Aussie! 😀
@tony @TheFasterBlade - Here you go. If you look closely you can see me above the St George flag on the balcony 🙂
That should make it all the sweeter!
Haha hilarious - happy days - peeps on here just don't understand how good cricket can be !
