The Official Cricket Thread

[Paddington Bear]

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).

I see it like going for posts with a 13 point lead. We should win anyway, but why leave it to chance?

[Torquemada 1420]

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.

Maybe it will rain this afternoon!

[Thor Sedan]

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.

That should be noted as a very valid point.....I am now going for India today to allow your Saturday to be a wonderous cacophony of cricket.

[ScarfaceClaw]

That looked absolutely plum to me. Surprised to see it missing on the review.

[Biffer]

Looks like I'm on the 0707 from Edinburgh in the meoning

[Biffer]

In all honesty, that's going to be a cracking day's cricket whatever happens.

Just have to brace myself for the racism from the western terrace terrace

[Tichtheid]

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.

I was in Headingley yesterday.

You wouldn't catch me near a cricket match*, though I heard the roar of the crowd at times.

Having said that I did love reading Frank Keating on a sport I had absolutely no interest in.

*figure of speech, I was near a cricket match, I suppose

[Paddington Bear]

Looks like I'm on the 0707 from Edinburgh in the meoning

Enjoy, should be an absolute cracker tomorrow

[Slick]

Point taken

[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.

I was in Headingley yesterday.

You wouldn't catch me near a cricket match*, though I heard the roar of the crowd at times.

Having said that I did love reading Frank Keating on a sport I had absolutely no interest in.

*figure of speech, I was near a cricket match, I suppose

You don’t know what you’re missing. If I was only allowed to go to one type of sport in person for the rest of my life, it would be test match cricket.

[ScarfaceClaw]

That’s as plum as you like. Strange that it wasn’t given by the umpire. Odd odd decision to play no shot to that.

[Sandstorm]

Top bowling by England this morning, torn India a new one.

[Sandstorm]

Caned ‘em by an innings and 76 runs

[Thor Sedan]

Hee hee....India absolutely shamed.

Personally - I think England will kick on from here and win the next two tests comfortably.

[Masterji]

Has anyone followed the Saffer cricket hearings and Bouchers admission to racist songs is just shocking.

[Biffer]

Ah well, bit of a long journey for less than two hours cricket! Was hoping Pant and Jadeja might have a lash for an hour and have England knock off 50 runs about 4pm

[Kiwias]

Hee hee....India absolutely shamed.

Personally - I think England will kick on from here and win the next two tests comfortably.

That is what the cricketing world said after India were skittled for 36 in Adelaide.

[Thor Sedan]

Hee hee....India absolutely shamed.

Personally - I think England will kick on from here and win the next two tests comfortably.

That is what the cricketing world said after India were skittled for 36 in Adelaide.

Indeed - but this result was more about England finally playing well in their own conditions. They bowled better, batted better and fielded better. The top order got runs.

So I think England will kick on and India (not great in English conditions) will tumble.

[Slick]

T20’s Sco v Zim on the 15th, 17th and 19th at The Grange I see. Will get along to at least one of those.

[Big D]

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.

I was in Headingley yesterday.

You wouldn't catch me near a cricket match*, though I heard the roar of the crowd at times.

Having said that I did love reading Frank Keating on a sport I had absolutely no interest in.

*figure of speech, I was near a cricket match, I suppose

You don’t know what you’re missing. If I was only allowed to go to one type of sport in person for the rest of my life, it would be test match cricket.

It is a good day out. Was at Durham the day England won the Ashes a few years back. Was great to watch.

[I like neeps]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... d-job-cuts

This bonus seems pretty indefensible. Game leaking money and sadly fans. The players taking pay cuts and counties on their knees. Seems bizarre he's getting this pay out.

[Paddington Bear]

Yep seems very hard to defend. The game is crying out for cash at all levels - grassroots, women's salaries etc, not to mention there is significant discontent about remuneration leading into the Ashes. Got to wonder whether running a mid-sized sport in a mid-sized country really requires the senior leadership to cosplay as CEOs of a FTSE firm.

[Thor Sedan]

And there it is.

England bowl first - not a lot of movement in the first 6 or 7 overs. India comfortable.

Then almost like a switch is turned on and the ball starts moving around - gaining a bit of bounce and movement and boom - wickets go down and the morning session is England's.

India cannot cope with pace and movement.

[Happyhooker]

quite a 50 by thakur there

[ScarfaceClaw]

quite a 50 by thakur there

Six or out stuff from him.

[Happyhooker]

quite a 50 by thakur there

Six or out stuff from him.

fastest ever international 50 at the oval apparently!!

glad i've got a ticket for tomorrow rather than sunday like my mate has

[Happyhooker]

maybe i'll get to see a result!!

[ScarfaceClaw]

maybe i'll get to see a result!!

Won’t see Root batting though. Unless India collapse again.

[Happyhooker]

maybe i'll get to see a result!!

Won’t see Root batting though. Unless India collapse again.

You'd be stunned by how many people have just messaged me this. stunned

[ScarfaceClaw]

maybe i'll get to see a result!!

Won’t see Root batting though. Unless India collapse again.

You'd be stunned by how many people have just messaged me this. stunned

How can so many people have the same idea. It’s baffling in this modern age.

[SaintK]

Not a good morning for England so far!
82/5

[Insane_Homer]

Not a good morning for England so far!
82/5

. . 4 4lb 4 4 |. . . 4 4 4|

28 runs in 2 overs won't hurt

[Torquemada 1420]

Kohli: finished?

I'd been wondering if Kohli is living on reputation because I could not recall him doing anything significant for years. So....
- his 2 year average is 26
- his 3 year average, if you take out the 254 against SA on a dead track, is 29.

Hardly world beating stuff. Throw in his questionable captaincy including his personal dislike of Ashwin being put ahead of the team's interest (Rahane FFS!) and it's hard to argue that he is more harm to his own side than good.

[Cartman]

Well now, 291 to get on the last day with all 10 wickets in hand
So all out by lunch then

[Slick]

It’s an entertaining series!

[handyman]

What a day to look forward to. Hoping for a final hour result.

[JM2K6]

Kohli: finished?

I'd been wondering if Kohli is living on reputation because I could not recall him doing anything significant for years. So....
- his 2 year average is 26
- his 3 year average, if you take out the 254 against SA on a dead track, is 29.

Hardly world beating stuff. Throw in his questionable captaincy including his personal dislike of Ashwin being put ahead of the team's interest (Rahane FFS!) and it's hard to argue that he is more harm to his own side than good.

Eh, he played all of 3 matches in the entirety of 2020. Taking out his 254 is a bit sus as well given the low sample count. He's had periods like this before, and he's only 32.

Indian fans are definitely starting to point at his lack of recent runs but at the moment it's more "out of form and fewer matches" rather than anything else, and they'll also want him to focus on the T20 WC anyway. Bit early to say he's finished.

[ScarfaceClaw]

I’m picking England to cruise this today. Will win comfortably with 4 wickets to spare. Pitch is flat, sunny weather. It’ll be a long day in the field for India.

[duke]

I’m picking England to cruise this today. Will win comfortably with 4 wickets to spare. Pitch is flat, sunny weather. It’ll be a long day in the field for India.

[Paddington Bear]

We're going to do this