England 2012 Cricket Thread

[LeeB]

If we can get 300 we've done well. Anyrthing more would be great. If Monty and Swann get into them again then we could be looking at another victory yet.

I think if we manage 300, the momentum will have swung back and they'll crumble.

[tricky59]

Beautifully balanced test, as the old maxim goes, wait to see how India bat before going on at our batsmen too much. On that subject though, just when England are in a hole lately, Bell comes along and jumps in. 

[fbriai]

Shouldn't you be at work, Tricky!

[PaulWinch again]

KP reckons it's the toughest pitch he's ever played on for scoring shots, that's interesting. It may be the case that 200-5 isn't so bad, and if we can add another 100 on that'd be good.

Saw most of the lunch to tea session and echo the thoughts of KP on scoring.  If he can't score quickly then, as long as we bowl with discipline, then India shouldn't be able too either.   The caveat to that is Sehwag of course, 3/4 hours of him and it's a different ball game.

My initial thoughts are we are nothing more than okay with what we have scored.  Agree if we can cobble together another 100 or so then that will be reasonable.   But the real aspect of this game is that India HAVE to win so you would think they will have to force it.  If it's that hard to score on, how long will it take India to get enough runs to get in front and put us under pressure?.

All very interesting but I would be a lot more confident with Finn in the team, although from a batting point of view I am now glad that Bresnan is there.

Problem is that Bresnan hasn't got runs in ages and his bowling looks pretty ordinary now.

[tricky59]

Shouldn't you be at work, Tricky!

It's called multi-tasking. Correct punctuation please son.

[Villan For Life]

KP reckons it's the toughest pitch he's ever played on for scoring shots, that's interesting. It may be the case that 200-5 isn't so bad, and if we can add another 100 on that'd be good.

Saw most of the lunch to tea session and echo the thoughts of KP on scoring.  If he can't score quickly then, as long as we bowl with discipline, then India shouldn't be able too either.   The caveat to that is Sehwag of course, 3/4 hours of him and it's a different ball game.

My initial thoughts are we are nothing more than okay with what we have scored.  Agree if we can cobble together another 100 or so then that will be reasonable.   But the real aspect of this game is that India HAVE to win so you would think they will have to force it.  If it's that hard to score on, how long will it take India to get enough runs to get in front and put us under pressure?.

All very interesting but I would be a lot more confident with Finn in the team, although from a batting point of view I am now glad that Bresnan is there.

Problem is that Bresnan hasn't got runs in ages and his bowling looks pretty ordinary now.

Out of his last 14 tests Bresnan hasn't batted in half of them. When he does bat he will generally contribute a useful 20 or 30 which isn't bad for a test number 7 or 8. His bowling has lost that zip but he's a workhorse when we need one, just like Hoggard used to be.

[PaulWinch again]

KP reckons it's the toughest pitch he's ever played on for scoring shots, that's interesting. It may be the case that 200-5 isn't so bad, and if we can add another 100 on that'd be good.

Saw most of the lunch to tea session and echo the thoughts of KP on scoring.  If he can't score quickly then, as long as we bowl with discipline, then India shouldn't be able too either.   The caveat to that is Sehwag of course, 3/4 hours of him and it's a different ball game.

My initial thoughts are we are nothing more than okay with what we have scored.  Agree if we can cobble together another 100 or so then that will be reasonable.   But the real aspect of this game is that India HAVE to win so you would think they will have to force it.  If it's that hard to score on, how long will it take India to get enough runs to get in front and put us under pressure?.

All very interesting but I would be a lot more confident with Finn in the team, although from a batting point of view I am now glad that Bresnan is there.

Problem is that Bresnan hasn't got runs in ages and his bowling looks pretty ordinary now.

Out of his last 14 tests Bresnan hasn't batted in half of them. When he does bat he will generally contribute a useful 20 or 30 which isn't bad for a test number 7 or 8. His bowling has lost that zip but he's a workhorse when we need one, just like Hoggard used to be.

He hasn't batted that much in Tests, but his ODI and county batting hasn't been up to much. Problem is that a workhorse is ok in a 5 man attack, less so in a 4 man attack. Hopefully he'll get his zip back, but I reckon his elbow is knackered.

[paul_e]

I think this pitch will actually be really good for bres.  Looks like one suited for a shorter quick bowler, think we might see a few staying really low from him.  Needs to start out wide and angle in at the stumps a little and he'll get a lot of joy.  Swann and Monty will have a good time as well.

[tricky59]

Re Tim Bresnan
Advantage PaulWinch again.

[Villan For Life]

KP reckons it's the toughest pitch he's ever played on for scoring shots, that's interesting. It may be the case that 200-5 isn't so bad, and if we can add another 100 on that'd be good.

Saw most of the lunch to tea session and echo the thoughts of KP on scoring.  If he can't score quickly then, as long as we bowl with discipline, then India shouldn't be able too either.   The caveat to that is Sehwag of course, 3/4 hours of him and it's a different ball game.

My initial thoughts are we are nothing more than okay with what we have scored.  Agree if we can cobble together another 100 or so then that will be reasonable.   But the real aspect of this game is that India HAVE to win so you would think they will have to force it.  If it's that hard to score on, how long will it take India to get enough runs to get in front and put us under pressure?.

All very interesting but I would be a lot more confident with Finn in the team, although from a batting point of view I am now glad that Bresnan is there.

Problem is that Bresnan hasn't got runs in ages and his bowling looks pretty ordinary now.

Out of his last 14 tests Bresnan hasn't batted in half of them. When he does bat he will generally contribute a useful 20 or 30 which isn't bad for a test number 7 or 8. His bowling has lost that zip but he's a workhorse when we need one, just like Hoggard used to be.

He hasn't batted that much in Tests, but his ODI and county batting hasn't been up to much. Problem is that a workhorse is ok in a 5 man attack, less so in a 4 man attack. Hopefully he'll get his zip back, but I reckon his elbow is knackered.

Clearly I know jack shit about anything. I'm sure Bresnan read this thread the bastard!

[Villan For Life]

Nice to see Swann and Root (before he was out) batting in caps rather than helmets, Root looked about 12 years old!

I think reaching 300 + from 139-5 will be a pivotal moment in this test. It's a dog of a pitch, Swann & Monty will bowl the lions share of the overs and hopefully skittle them out cheaply.

[fbriai]

Great recovery, making it to 330, and a good start getting Sehwag in the first over as well.

[PaulWinch again]

I'd have taken 300, but I'm wondering if we're a bit short. Still hopefully we'll get into them.

[LeeB]

I'd have taken 300, but I'm wondering if we're a bit short. Still hopefully we'll get into them.

Reckon we'll take 5 in the next session.

[PaulWinch again]

I'd have taken 300, but I'm wondering if we're a bit short. Still hopefully we'll get into them.

Reckon we'll take 5 in the next session.

Let's bloody hope so. I have a horrible feeling we won't get any.