Cricket

[TheGayTent]

Dhoni gone already. So if we get the last wicket before the follow on target do we enforce it?

[TheGayTent]

They never enforce these days do they.... "Rest the bowlers" is the norm...

With the stupid schedules now it's an understandable response.

[TheGayTent]

Why is it so empty there?

Stupid start day and high ticket prices.

[TheGayTent]

I see the point but England NEED a win.... They should of enforced the follow on...

I just hope we don't bat too long... Risk of rain / running out of time... They can't blow this one... Surely....

Think they will win not enforcing it, and think they would have won it had they enforced it.

Surely we'll declare around tea. Gives 4 sessions to bowl them out on the worst day for batting with a massive score to get.

[TheGayTent]

Got to love the ECB...

Agreed. Though they're not the only ones to blame - BCCI are to blame too.

[kaosmark2]

Around 9 months ago me and my mate were assessing what cricket we could get to. Living in Bristol, we figured we could see days 3-5 in Headingley, or do one day down south, because of how much the ticket prices have been. Utterly ridiculous.

I agree with not enforcing the follow-on btw. I think Cook's field placings in the final innings are where he could stop us winning this test as a captain, not this decision (although I don't think he necessarily will, he has been improving).

[TheGayTent]

Around 9 months ago me and my mate were assessing what cricket we could get to. Living in Bristol, we figured we could see days 3-5 in Headingley, or do one day down south, because of how much the ticket prices have been. Utterly ridiculous.

Other than Lords, most of the other grounds are comparable ticket price wise? The Rose Bowl is no more expensive than Old Trafford, Trent Bridge etc.

I agree with not enforcing the follow-on btw. I think Cook's field placings in the final innings are where he could stop us winning this test as a captain, not this decision (although I don't think he necessarily will, he has been improving).

I think there's good arguments either way. The important thing once they've chosen to bat again is to ensure they score quickly and not score too many. A 400 lead would probably be plenty but I reckon Moores will want 450 before declaring.

[lharris92]

drs would have been very useful in this series... for both sides

[TheGayTent]

I'm pleased it isn't being used but it's crazy that it is for all tests bar ones India play in.

[TheGayTent]

So Kallis has retired from all forms of the game now.

Probably the best player I've seen live, arguably the best all rounder ever.

[TheGayTent]

Scored at 5 an over, and set India 445 to win with a minimum of 132 overs to get them. Job done by Cook and his batsmen.

Over to the bowlers, I hope Woakes and Jordan can come to the party and not just rely on Broad and Anderson. You'd think Ali will bowl plenty of overs too.

[Ed209]

Around 9 months ago me and my mate were assessing what cricket we could get to. Living in Bristol, we figured we could see days 3-5 in Headingley, or do one day down south, because of how much the ticket prices have been. Utterly ridiculous.

Me and my mates managed to get to Lords for £50 on the sunday of the India test by going down with a sign saying we'd pay £50 for spare tickets. Touts were offering £40 and charging £120. Managed to get them within 10 minutes (albeit with some threatening words from the touts). That's the benefit of living in London though. If it didn't happen we could go sit in the park with TMS and then wander on back home.

[lharris92]

glad they declared when they did, gave a bit more time tonight to get into their middle order before the end of the day. going well at the moment

[kaosmark2]

Other than Lords, most of the other grounds are comparable ticket price wise? The Rose Bowl is no more expensive than Old Trafford, Trent Bridge etc.

I think there's good arguments either way. The important thing once they've chosen to bat again is to ensure they score quickly and not score too many. A 400 lead would probably be plenty but I reckon Moores will want 450 before declaring.

Indeed. It was Headingley doing an offer for cheap tickets. Still though, Ashes aside, almost every test lacks attendance, why don't grounds reduce ticket prices?

Our scoring rate before declaring was around 5 an over. Excellent stuff.

Another shocking decision that got Ballance out. I'm a fan of DRS, but the umpiring standards shouldn't rely on it so heavily.

Still lots of talk of needing a specialist spinner, but Moeen's definitely doing a good job. Love how he's playing.

[kaosmark2]

Me and my mates managed to get to Lords for £50 on the sunday of the India test by going down with a sign saying we'd pay £50 for spare tickets. Touts were offering £40 and charging £120. Managed to get them within 10 minutes (albeit with some threatening words from the touts). That's the benefit of living in London though. If it didn't happen we could go sit in the park with TMS and then wander on back home.

Nice shout. But yeah, I'd have to travel to any test, so unfortunately not really viable for me.

[TheGayTent]

That's better.

Sets it up nicely for my 2 days at Old Trafford next week

[TheGayTent]

FINALLY!!!!!

I am at OT on the Friday

I'm there Thursday and Friday...if I hear someone talking bollocks on Friday I'll know it's you?

[kaosmark2]

I'm there Thursday and Friday...if I hear someone talking bollocks on Friday I'll know it's you?

They might be parroting Selvey.

[kaosmark2]

[kaosmark2]

Slowed down since the opening overs, but still look dominant. I like that Cook STILL has 3 slips and a gully in. Ridiculous that that's considered remarkable, but while it's been superb bowling, Cook's captaincy has improved at least.

[lharris92]

good wicket to get just before lunch, sets the afternoon session up nicely

[kaosmark2]

Considering Cook said he would of batted first if he won the toss makes me think its a bit early to be singing his captaincy praises right now...

As Boycott said... "If my captain had batted first on this, I would have hit him with my bat."

Its little to do with Cooks captaincy this and everything to do with great bowling and the conditions... England taking every opportunity given to them so far. Well besides a couple of dropped catches.

Its fantastic

I'm not singing his praises, I'm just emphasising that he's not made mistakes as a captain yet. Great bowling, uncomfortable batsmen and a morning that suited bowlers. I think at the moment it's fantastic batting conditions but scoreboard pressure and the advantage being so huge means that England are finding it easy to control India.

[kaosmark2]

England to have a lead before play starts tomorrow?

[TheGayTent]

+1

Looks like I have truly got tickets to the wrong day lol

Looks like I didn't

[TheGayTent]

Piss poor crowd. Shame given the play thus far.

Buttler's glove work has been shocking and Woakes bowling not an awful lot better. There's still plenty of weaknesses in this team.

Doff my cap to Broad. Again. Last time I saw him bowl was at Durham when he bowled that extraordinary spell to win the Ashes.