The Cricket Thread 2013

[Villan For Life]

Broad really owes us an innings. He's been far too ordinary with the bat for too long.

When was his last big score? In fact, I don't think we necessarily need a 'big' score from Broad as much as we need him to hang around and have Bell go on to get his century. But either way, if he's still there at the close it'll have been a good knock.

Its 31 tests since he got a 50, against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in January 2012.

Jeez, that's crap for his role in the order. But it's also shocking how that's 18 months ago and we've played 31 Tests since.

Sorry the heat has got to me! 31 innings across 16 tests and there are a few DNB's scattered around. Still poor though.

[curiousorange]

Ah, I thought that sounded wrong! I'm never quite sure about Broad - sometimes he's a passenger with both bat and ball. But he seems to take an important wicket or two which takes the heat off him. I'd imagine as an opposition cricketer they see him as more of a dangerman than we do.

[bilsim]

Ah, I thought that sounded wrong! I'm never quite sure about Broad - sometimes he's a passenger with both bat and ball. But he seems to take an important wicket or two which takes the heat off him. I'd imagine as an opposition cricketer they see him as more of a dangerman than we do.

He has the attributes to be a solid all rounder, but his batting has lacked and he never kicked on from that century against Pakistan. Let's hope he can hang around this evening. Cracking test match.

[paul_e]

did we just run 4, don't see that often!

[The Left Side]

run em up

[bertlambshank]

This is Ian Bells best for quite some time.

[curiousorange]

This is the 200 lead coming up. Anything after this is going to give the Aussies problems. If these two stay in for another 45-60 mins and Swann gives an effective cameo I think 250 will be a superb lead.

[paul_e]

It's been a very mature performance from Bell, keeping it safe and steady, I just hope he keeps it up and bats through, If he does I reckkon we're looking at at least another 70-80 for a lead well over 250.

[PaulWinch again]

Play sensibly Broad.

[Brend'Watkins]

I'm listening to the test match special via lap top there was almost but not quite a 'leg over moment' with Blofeld coming out with "blowjob".  Tufnell has held it together, not so the production team.

[PaulWinch again]

Don't get frustrated Broad, you'll got all the time.

[paul_e]

Reagrdless of what happens from here Broad has come in and done a good job so far, getting the lead over 200 was an important milestone, doing it with wickets intact and the guy at the other end looking fairly set deserves some credit, if he can go on and get a 50 then great it will put us in a really good position but lets not be too upset if that doesn't happen.

[PaulWinch again]

He certainly has, more responsible. Needs to keep it down now though, we need as many as we can get.

[The Left Side]

Just checked out for half an hour, what did I miss?

[PaulWinch again]

No more of those shots Broad please.