The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

Denly watch the bloody ball.

[taylorsworkrate]

A partnership of over 30 now. The coaching staff will be cracking open the champagne soon.

[PaulWinch again]

For fucks sake Denly, no fucking wafty drives.

[Villafirst]

For fucks sake Denly, no fucking wafty drives.

Totally agree with you. Well over 2 days to go in this match and the reckless fecker flashes at another wide ball. I hope captain Root has a word in his ear!

[Risso]

Good discussion on R5 Extra earlier. Apparently Roy’s longest ever innings in terms of actual time is just over 3 hours. Not exactly the best preparation for a test opener expected to take the sting out of the new ball.

[Rory]

Good discussion on R5 Extra earlier. Apparently Roy’s longest ever innings in terms of actual time is just over 3 hours. Not exactly the best preparation for a test opener expected to take the sting out of the new ball.

I've heard lots of talk in the past about England wanting an aggressive opener like Hayden. Problem with that is that Hayden was a once-in-a-generation player who was very solid defensively and would then accelerate once he got in. You don't get 30 test centuries by throwing the bat at everything from the first over.

[Rory]

Going well today, though. If they all bat like this, we have enough batting to get close.

[paul_e]

Roy needs time,  he can become a good option with some time to find his feet but the ashes isn't the place to give him that.

If we could fit him in down the order I'd be ok with keeping him in but he can't be opening for us.

[taylorsworkrate]

Going well today, though. If they all bat like this, we have enough batting to get close.

Root and Denly batting sensibly in good batting conditions.

1 wicket inevitably leads to a quick 2 or 3 with England though.

[Steve67]

Probably the most important innings Denly has played so far.  Doing well, but it all comes undone and worth sod all if he gives his wicket away.

[UK Redsox]

Roy needs time,  he can become a good option with some time to find his feet but the ashes isn't the place to give him that.

If we could fit him in down the order I'd be ok with keeping him in but he can't be opening for us.

Agreed. He’s an old style pinch-hitting one day opener. He could bat further down the order in Tests but only if Buttler isn’t playing.

[UK Redsox]

Whilst fielding in the boundary, Nathan Lyon has just taken time out to sign the shoe of a bloke dressed as a wrestler.

[Rory]

Root is key here. If he can bat out the day and survive the first couple of overs tomorrow, I'd start to fancy us.

Pitch is still doing enough for the bowlers, though. It's not comfortable. Doing really well to stick in there and tough it out.

[PeterWithesShin]

We'll get to 200+ for 2 and then collapse

[Rory]

We'll get to 200+ for 2 and then collapse

That would be the most depressing thing imaginable. So yes, probably.

I was feeling optimistic earlier but the pressure is really building now.