The Official Cricket Thread

[Thor Sedan]

Going to be interesting to see how England manufacture a loss from this position.

Don't think it will happen this time.

Are you 100% sure about that?

It's England - so no. But this is not a great Indian side (especially outside of India) and England will always have to one great test they rip out every now and then. perhaps it will be this one.

[Insane_Homer]

21/0 after 7 - game over red rover

[ScarfaceClaw]

England will only need to bat once in this match if they keep their head down.

[Torquemada 1420]

Genius to bat first at Headingley.

[Slick]

Calm down England, I've got a ticket for Saturday.

You lucky bugger. I was just saying to the wife that one of the main things I miss about London is going to Tests regularly

[Biffer]

Calm down England, I've got a ticket for Saturday.

You lucky bugger. I was just saying to the wife that one of the main things I miss about London is going to Tests regularly

I go most years with a couple of mates to Trent Bridge. This is just fortunate - another friend had a spare for Saturday, so a day trip to Leeds

[Slick]

Calm down England, I've got a ticket for Saturday.

You lucky bugger. I was just saying to the wife that one of the main things I miss about London is going to Tests regularly

I go most years with a couple of mates to Trent Bridge. This is just fortunate - another friend had a spare for Saturday, so a day trip to Leeds

Yeah, I’ve been hanging out for Durham tests but i guess I need to be more adventurous!

[Gumboot]

From 120 all out to 120 without loss - must be fun being an England supporter.

[Paddington Bear]

Highly recommend Trent Bridge as a venue for test watching, excellent set up.
With the redevelopments even Headingley is looking a pretty pleasant place to watch cricket.

[Torquemada 1420]

Highly recommend Trent Bridge as a venue for test watching, excellent set up.
With the redevelopments even Headingley is looking a pretty pleasant place to watch cricket.

TB was always my favourite for viewing.

Cricinfo has this right on yesterday:

Forget the wickets, if an evenly matched opposition is drawing one more mistake per over than you, you have got the wrong end of the conditions. In this case, you chose it.

I has assumed Eng won the toss until I found out otherwise in the evening. Up there with Wasim's Einstein moment to bat first against Aus in the WC final 1999.

[Paddington Bear]

Highly recommend Trent Bridge as a venue for test watching, excellent set up.
With the redevelopments even Headingley is looking a pretty pleasant place to watch cricket.

TB was always my favourite for viewing.

Cricinfo has this right on yesterday:

Forget the wickets, if an evenly matched opposition is drawing one more mistake per over than you, you have got the wrong end of the conditions. In this case, you chose it.

I has assumed Eng won the toss until I found out otherwise in the evening. Up there with Wasim's Einstein moment to bat first against Aus in the WC final 1999.

I sense that this series has got a lot of people trying to 'alpha' the opposition rather than necessarily keep their heads. Kohli was never going to stick us in, just as we were never going to pitch it up on day 5 of the last test.

[duke]

Highly recommend Trent Bridge as a venue for test watching, excellent set up.
With the redevelopments even Headingley is looking a pretty pleasant place to watch cricket.

TB was always my favourite for viewing.

Cricinfo has this right on yesterday:

Forget the wickets, if an evenly matched opposition is drawing one more mistake per over than you, you have got the wrong end of the conditions. In this case, you chose it.

I has assumed Eng won the toss until I found out otherwise in the evening. Up there with Wasim's Einstein moment to bat first against Aus in the WC final 1999.

It was a good toss to lose and Joe Root will be thanking his lucky stars he didn't have to choose

Stats are reasonably even, surprisingly, on the advantage/disadvantage of batting first at Headingley. Narrowly in favour of bowling first and not a gimme although more pronounced in the recent past.

Per Cricket Connected:

Of the 78 test matches held here, 29 teams won first batting and 31 won second batting, and 18 matches were drawn.

In the last 5 Test matches held here, the team batting first has won 2 matches and 3 matches was won by the team batting second.

[Torquemada 1420]

It was a good toss to lose and Joe Root will be thanking his lucky stars he didn't have to choose

Stats are reasonably even, surprisingly, on the advantage/disadvantage of batting first at Headingley. Narrowly in favour of bowling first and not a gimme although more pronounced in the recent past.

Per Cricket Connected:

Of the 78 test matches held here, 29 teams won first batting and 31 won second batting, and 18 matches were drawn.

In the last 5 Test matches held here, the team batting first has won 2 matches and 3 matches was won by the team batting second.

Maybe stats are not the whole story? If I take the period I can remember as "modern" i.e. from the 70s, we have to keep in mind that England will make up half those stats. And through that period, they were routinely hammered by the Windies and Aus and that might be slanting the nos? I haven't looked and so this could be nonsense!

[tabascoboy]

Ted Dexter RIP

Former England and Sussex captain Ted Dexter has died aged 86.

Nicknamed 'Lord Ted', Dexter was an aggressive batsman and useful seam bowler who played 62 Tests for England and was captain between 1961-1964. He led Sussex to victory in the first two editions of the limited-overs Gillette Cup and went on to make a surprise two-Test comeback in 1968.

In a statement, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) described Dexter as "one of England's greatest ever cricketers".

"He was captain in 30 of his 62 Test matches and played the game with the same sense of adventure and fun that captures much of the story of his remarkable life."

The statement added that Dexter passed away peacefully in the Compton Hospice in Wolverhampton at midday on Wednesday, 25 August, surrounded by his family.

An attacking middle-order batsman, Dexter scored 4,502 runs at an average of 47.89 for England and took 66 wickets at 34.9.

He was renowned for the power with which he hit the ball and arguably his most famous innings was against the West Indies at Lord's in 1963 when he came in at 0-1 and smashed 70 off 73 deliveries. And six of his nine Test centuries were bigger than 140.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58337771

[ScarfaceClaw]

Turned on the cricket and first ball I saw was Burns getting his off stump tickled. The collapse is on.

[Biffer]

Hameed looking like the batsman we all hoped he would be when he first featured. Hope he can be a fixture for the next 8-10 years.

[Thor Sedan]

Shame for Hameed - all that work but no ton.

But you can see that him and Burns together might be a good opening partnership for England.

[Paddington Bear]

Solid stuff so far. Have to get a 200+ run lead

[Biffer]

Solid stuff so far. Have to get a 200+ run lead

New ball will be available just under an hour after lunch. That could be the critical point. If the Indians get another wicket after lunch they could get into the tale with the new one and look to bat again today and give themselves a target to bowl at on Saturday. If England can get through to tea with only one or two down, then you can see them batting on to 400+ and looking to give themselves a target to bowl India out for an Innings victory.

[Paddington Bear]

This is a hell of a platform. Don't cock this up trying to gun it and the innings victory really is on the cards. Bat well into tomorrow.

[Thor Sedan]

Game over now - just whether England can win by batting once.

[ScarfaceClaw]

England should look to bat into tomorrow afternoon. Stick 500 on the board and then go hard at India. Aggressive field placements and constant pressure.

[ScarfaceClaw]

Ton up for Root. He’s been head and shoulders above anyone else in this series.

[Slick]

England should look to bat into tomorrow afternoon. Stick 500 on the board and then go hard at India. Aggressive field placements and constant pressure.

What I don’t understand, and this is a question not making a point, is why when England are 350 up with the bowlers coming in to bat they don’t just declare?

Why not give the bowlers a break from going in to bat and have a go at India for a few overs at the end?

[Biffer]

That ended well

[Paddington Bear]

England should look to bat into tomorrow afternoon. Stick 500 on the board and then go hard at India. Aggressive field placements and constant pressure.

What I don’t understand, and this is a question not making a point, is why when England are 350 up with the bowlers coming in to bat they don’t just declare?

Why not give the bowlers a break from going in to bat and have a go at India for a few overs at the end?

I think they're right to be cautious - this Indian batting lineup could very feasibly leave us chasing a nervy 120ish and we've seen how we've batted most of this series.

[Thor Sedan]

England should look to bat into tomorrow afternoon. Stick 500 on the board and then go hard at India. Aggressive field placements and constant pressure.

What I don’t understand, and this is a question not making a point, is why when England are 350 up with the bowlers coming in to bat they don’t just declare?

Why not give the bowlers a break from going in to bat and have a go at India for a few overs at the end?

I think they're right to be cautious - this Indian batting lineup could very feasibly leave us chasing a nervy 120ish and we've seen how we've batted most of this series.

This Indian batting line up is not in the form - or conditions to allow it to get to a score of around 450-500 in their second innings. England could have declared last night and the match would be essentially over by Tea time today.

Yes England is prone to a collapse or 2 - but this match result isn't going to turn on the collapse of the English side this time. They have done the hard work by winning the first 2 days comfortably. Even taking into account England's ability to be a bit shite sometimes - it is very much a case of 'job done lads'.

If....IF....England find a way of losing this match - then they should be expelled from test cricket for a decade and every single person involved in the set up should be investigated for match fixing.

[Biffer]

England should look to bat into tomorrow afternoon. Stick 500 on the board and then go hard at India. Aggressive field placements and constant pressure.

What I don’t understand, and this is a question not making a point, is why when England are 350 up with the bowlers coming in to bat they don’t just declare?

Why not give the bowlers a break from going in to bat and have a go at India for a few overs at the end?

I think they're right to be cautious - this Indian batting lineup could very feasibly leave us chasing a nervy 120ish and we've seen how we've batted most of this series.

Exactly. This India side could easily score 550-600, leaving England to chase 150 on a fifth day Headingley pitch. If they'd been in that position at the end of day three, maybe. But leaving India two days to bat and a day to get you out? No.

[Biffer]

What I don’t understand, and this is a question not making a point, is why when England are 350 up with the bowlers coming in to bat they don’t just declare?

Why not give the bowlers a break from going in to bat and have a go at India for a few overs at the end?

I think they're right to be cautious - this Indian batting lineup could very feasibly leave us chasing a nervy 120ish and we've seen how we've batted most of this series.

This Indian batting line up is not in the form - or conditions to allow it to get to a score of around 450-500 in their second innings. England could have declared last night and the match would be essentially over by Tea time today.

Yes England is prone to a collapse or 2 - but this match result isn't going to turn on the collapse of the English side this time. They have done the hard work by winning the first 2 days comfortably. Even taking into account England's ability to be a bit shite sometimes - it is very much a case of 'job done lads'.

If....IF....England find a way of losing this match - then they should be expelled from test cricket for a decade and every single person involved in the set up should be investigated for match fixing.

England won three of the five days at Lords. India are very capable of a big score. They're also capable of an innings loss. Isn't test cricket great?

[Paddington Bear]

I think they're right to be cautious - this Indian batting lineup could very feasibly leave us chasing a nervy 120ish and we've seen how we've batted most of this series.

This Indian batting line up is not in the form - or conditions to allow it to get to a score of around 450-500 in their second innings. England could have declared last night and the match would be essentially over by Tea time today.

Yes England is prone to a collapse or 2 - but this match result isn't going to turn on the collapse of the English side this time. They have done the hard work by winning the first 2 days comfortably. Even taking into account England's ability to be a bit shite sometimes - it is very much a case of 'job done lads'.

If....IF....England find a way of losing this match - then they should be expelled from test cricket for a decade and every single person involved in the set up should be investigated for match fixing.

England won three of the five days at Lords. India are very capable of a big score. They're also capable of an innings loss. Isn't test cricket great?

Exactly this. When you've got a team by the balls you don't let go. Overton and Robinson can both bat, we could easily pile on another 50 or so here. Leave nothing to chance.

[duke]

This Indian batting line up is not in the form - or conditions to allow it to get to a score of around 450-500 in their second innings. England could have declared last night and the match would be essentially over by Tea time today.

Yes England is prone to a collapse or 2 - but this match result isn't going to turn on the collapse of the English side this time. They have done the hard work by winning the first 2 days comfortably. Even taking into account England's ability to be a bit shite sometimes - it is very much a case of 'job done lads'.

If....IF....England find a way of losing this match - then they should be expelled from test cricket for a decade and every single person involved in the set up should be investigated for match fixing.

England won three of the five days at Lords. India are very capable of a big score. They're also capable of an innings loss. Isn't test cricket great?

Exactly this. When you've got a team by the balls you don't let go. Overton and Robinson can both bat, we could easily pile on another 50 or so here. Leave nothing to chance.

There's also the psychological effect of a couple of tailenders having some fun - guaranteed to have Virat's temper under pressure

[Slick]

This Indian batting line up is not in the form - or conditions to allow it to get to a score of around 450-500 in their second innings. England could have declared last night and the match would be essentially over by Tea time today.

Yes England is prone to a collapse or 2 - but this match result isn't going to turn on the collapse of the English side this time. They have done the hard work by winning the first 2 days comfortably. Even taking into account England's ability to be a bit shite sometimes - it is very much a case of 'job done lads'.

If....IF....England find a way of losing this match - then they should be expelled from test cricket for a decade and every single person involved in the set up should be investigated for match fixing.

England won three of the five days at Lords. India are very capable of a big score. They're also capable of an innings loss. Isn't test cricket great?

Exactly this. When you've got a team by the balls you don't let go. Overton and Robinson can both bat, we could easily pile on another 50 or so here. Leave nothing to chance.

Thanks chaps. Much as I love cricket I’ve never played and relatively new to it so very interested in the views.

As I said, my thoughts were why make the bowlers go through the trauma of batting when they could be fresh and have a real go at them. But I guess the end of day 2 isn’t the time!

[Paddington Bear]

Fwiw I think there is a strong argument for declaring rather than have Jimmy face.

[Torquemada 1420]

Exactly. This India side could easily score 550-600, leaving England to chase 150 on a fifth day Headingley pitch. If they'd been in that position at the end of day three, maybe. But leaving India two days to bat and a day to get you out? No.

Doubt it. How often has a side batting 2nd scored more than 400 at Headingley? Not saying it can't be done but "could easily score" is just silly.

Just checked and average 3rd innings score is ............. 240.

[ScarfaceClaw]

Fwiw I think there is a strong argument for declaring rather than have Jimmy face.

Michael Holding was making the same point on the commentary. What is the point of letting Pammy get worked over by Bumrah. Get hit and getting hurt. Made no sense.

[ScarfaceClaw]

Exactly. This India side could easily score 550-600, leaving England to chase 150 on a fifth day Headingley pitch. If they'd been in that position at the end of day three, maybe. But leaving India two days to bat and a day to get you out? No.

Doubt it. How often has a side batting 2nd scored more than 400 at Headingley? Not saying it can't be done but "could easily score" is just silly.

Just checked and average 3rd innings score is ............. 240.

Anyone with tickets tomorrow will see England wrapping this match up comfortably.

[Thor Sedan]

Exactly. This India side could easily score 550-600, leaving England to chase 150 on a fifth day Headingley pitch. If they'd been in that position at the end of day three, maybe. But leaving India two days to bat and a day to get you out? No.

Doubt it. How often has a side batting 2nd scored more than 400 at Headingley? Not saying it can't be done but "could easily score" is just silly.

Just checked and average 3rd innings score is ............. 240.

Anyone with tickets tomorrow will see England wrapping this match up comfortably.

If England get 1 or 2 early - India will be skittled by end of play today.

[ScarfaceClaw]

Pammy hooping it around already. Any play tomorrow is going to be a short day.

[Thor Sedan]

England won three of the five days at Lords. India are very capable of a big score. They're also capable of an innings loss. Isn't test cricket great?

Aye - but there is a huge difference between a 30 run first innings lead and a 350 run first innings lead. Also - India have scored over 400 runs in this series how many times so far?

India struggle against seam and bouncy movement at the best of times - but add to the fact that their entire top order is in form that can be best described as patchy - this test is done.

But that shouldn't take away from the fact that England bowled extremely well as a unit on the first day - Burns and Hameed could be a very good opening duo, Malan looks like someone who could solve the number 3 position (if given a chance and time).

[Biffer]

In recent years there have been some sizeable scores in the third innings at Headingley - 2017 England 490/8 dec, 2015 NZ 454/8 dec, 2014 Sri Lanka 457.

It should be noted I'm clutching at straws because I've got a ticket for tomorrow.