The Cricket Thread 2017

[Bernie]

Yep, that's some collapse. Though if the lower order can scrape 60/70 to put the target over 300 I'd still be reasonably confident

[paul_e]

The pitch looks horrible right now, offering some big turn and some really awkward bounce so I agree, if we can eek another 45-50 out of this you'd have to say we're on top, I think it's already a tough chase because these are the sort of conditions where Broad bowls one of his spells.

[paul_e]

Mo gone, 180-6

Good little bit of aggression from Bairstow to put the pressure back on them though.

Need the tail to stick with him now and he can just carry on as he is (which suits him anyway).  The target is pretty much there now so it's just about grabbing extra runs from here.

[paul_e]

Feel for Dawson there, that's a fucking rank delivery that you'd never expect to see in a test.

[paul_e]

Lead up to 317, I reckon we have to fuck up in the field to lose from here.

The other thing here is that it highlights the risks of going with 4 bowlers (and mirrors the problems England have had), once you get up to 80 overs and they've all thrown down 20 each they start to look a bit tired, add in an injury and you get bowlers that are throwing down horrid full toss rubbish and the opposition getting valuable runs in the tail.  Having a couple of proper all rounders so you get a fifth bowler is so much better.

[Villan For Life]

Lead now 323.

This is as bad a pitch that I've seen at Lords for many years. It's extremely dry and as a result is deteriorating badly.

[paul_e]

Happy with that, 330 is a massive target on a pitch that's falling apart.

Englands game to lose from here I reckon.

[Villan For Life]

Moeen will be vital for England in this innings. I can see him taking a 5fer.

[paul_e]

Moeen will be vital for England in this innings. I can see him taking a 5fer.

Good call.

I think he's been man of the match, he's bowled superbly and was very good with the bat first innings as well, playing a big part in the 3rd session on the first day which was, in my opinion, where the game was won.

[peter w]

6 now. 10 in the match. Great game for him - MotM.

[tomd2103]

Well that was a pretty straightforward win in the end.  If this weather continues, the pitches are going to be dry as bone come the end of August.

[peter w]

Didn't see it but I hate when matches are decided by bad pitches rather than 'homers'. Was this the former or the latter?

[Gareth]

It was decided by rank South African fielding in the first innings, pitch was same for both sides they just gave us 100-120 too many first knock.

Moeeeeeeeeeen

[paul_e]

Poor fielding but also a brilliant knock from Root and Ali, sessions like that are rare in test cricket and SA just never looked like they'd be able to make up for it.

[UK Redsox]

Didn't see it but I hate when matches are decided by bad pitches rather than 'homers'. Was this the former or the latter?

The pitch did what pitches are supposed to do; offered a bit to the seamers early on (when SA didn't take their chances) and then provided something for the spinners.