Cricket

[TheGayTent]

Today's play will reignite the discussion about how much influence the BCCI has over the ICC...

[TheGayTent]

3 England batsmen played poor shots today but I think (again) the criticism is OTT.

2 shocking decisions by the umpires and the the changing of the ball (replacement not a new one) really helped the Indians.

[TheGayTent]

Brilliant, just brilliant.

I'm quite emotional, well played Jimmy

[kaosmark2]

It's fantastic isn't it? Great cricket even though it'll probably end in a draw.

[TheGayTent]

Level at 457 after being 202-7.

Wonder whether Dhoni will get crucified like Cook was...?

[kaosmark2]

Doubt it. It's fashionable to criticise Cook, it's not fashionable to criticise Dhoni in India.

While Cook has deserved some of the criticism that's come his way (particularly during The Ashes), I think his captaincy in this Test and for most sessions of the Sri Lanka series has been fairly good. He's made mistakes and decisions that I disagreed with both at the time and with hindsight, but so does every captain. He's certainly the best option now even if that's due to a lack of others.

[kaosmark2]

I thought this prediction was meant in jest:

England to post 600+

Currently looks like it could happen!

[TheGayTent]

I thought this prediction was meant in jest:

It wasn't.

Currently looks like it could happen!

Ha!

Wouldn't a century for Jimmy and a double for Root be lovely

[pink_triangle]

Great to be watching the cricket live in the sun. Pity Jimmy didn't get a century. Trent bridge may be my favourite test ground. Used to always do old Trafford, but Trent bridge is always warmer and less idiots.

[TheGayTent]

Certainly prefer it to Edgbaston but can't beat the oval for me.

[pink_triangle]

Certainly prefer it to Edgbaston but can't beat the oval for me.

Too many southerners !

[pink_triangle]

Good first session, but a really dull game since.

[kaosmark2]

Still looks like an almost certain draw, but as you saying, England giving themselves a chance.

[TheGayTent]

Well Dhoni hit 82 for starters....

Not sure what that has to do with his captaincy during the 10th wicket stand

[pink_triangle]

Funny atmosphere in the ground today, one of the hottest crowds I can remember in the morning. However for the bulk of the other 2 sessions I cant remember a game where such a large proportion of the crowd appeared to be very bored. There was some criticism for Root for not given Anderson more of the strike, I thought it was a very mature performance.

[TheGayTent]

I didn't know that is the only factor worth taking into question... Which of course it isn't...

Allan Lamb

[kaosmark2]

Not sure I'd agree it's been a good start to the series. Pitch has done little, from the England perspective there's still no positives to take that there weren't from the Sri Lanka series, and our bowlers are much more worn out than theirs will be.

[Ed209]

it's been a very poor start to the series. We had Cook doing Bob Willis impressions at the end ffs. That pitch was a disgrace. I liked Athers suggestion this morning that test grounds should get official warnings for producing pitches that turgid, two of them and you lose a test.

[Ed209]

I am talking from an England performance perspective. Some good batting and bowling, besides that three wicket disaster mid-innings and Cooks now usual no show.

As a spectacle its a fucking disgrace. As I said on day one whoever produced that pitch needs shooting.

But as far as the overall England performance goes, yes it was good....

hmmm. Not sure I agree, remove that freak 10th wicket stand and we quite possibly would have lost that test.

[Ed209]

Although having large tenth wicket stands against us is nothing out of the ordinary. Before this test we had conceded 8 10th wicket 50 partnerships since our last 10th wicket 50 in 2008.

[TheGayTent]

Not seen any today but from what TMS have said we've bowled well in one session and poorly in two - anyone been watching? Agree with that analysis?

[kaosmark2]

I've had it on rather than been watching. First session was really poor, second session was great, third was OK, could have been better but I wouldn't say it was poor.

Edited July 17, 2014 by kaosmark2

[kaosmark2]

The worst thing was putting the field back for the number 10. Disgraceful captaincy. It didn't work when giving Mathews free singles against Sri Lanka, and it hasn't worked today. Back your bowlers to take any wicket, unless you can't stop them scoring anyway.

[kaosmark2]

Second session was our best spell surely ?

I missed out the word "great". I'll edit it in.

[TheGayTent]

I'll whisper it quietly but Gary Ballance is beginning to look like a decent number 3. Far more Trottesque than Goweresque but I don't mind that if the average continues to hover around 50.

If Bell ever regains his form (largely being ignored due to Cook's woes at the minute) they could compliment each other very well.

An intriguing test match thus far - the new ball will be key.