The Cricket Thread 2013

[Monty]

Bodyline in the 'bad light' from Harris here.

[taylorsworkrate]

No need to take too many risks here England. Doesn't matter about the run rate for the last half hour, just don't lose a wicket

[taylorsworkrate]

Fuck Fuck Fuck. Please don't send a nightwatchman in

[Monty]

Of course they do. If they went 8 down with an hour to go they'd send Jimmy Anderson in to shore things up.

[taylorsworkrate]

Every time we look like getting a stranglehold, we lose a wicket. Bairstow did ok, but not quite enough to justify retaining his place for the last test in my opinion

[taylorsworkrate]

Can't afford to collapse again here. We need another 100 runs to be in a strong position

[Yossarian]

Can't afford to collapse again here. We need another 100 runs to be in a strong position

Another 100 should be the target. Get that and I think the game is ours.

[Yossarian]

Can't afford to collapse again here. We need another 100 runs to be in a strong position

Another 100 should be the target. Get that and I think the game is ours.

Unless the rain comes.

[paul_e]

I have no problem with Bresnan coming on here, and I've have considered it even if it wasn't late in the day.  we're just about at the minimum you'd want to think you stand a chance here.  "Par" is probably another 50.  If Bresnan and Bell can see off the majority of those we can let Prior, Broad and Swann  come out swinging and try to add some big late runs.  If they'd put Jimmy in I'd have a bigger issue with it but Bresnan can rotate the strike and build a partnership.

[taylorsworkrate]

Of course they do. If they went 8 down with an hour to go they'd send Jimmy Anderson in to shore things up.

The nightwatchman has always struck me as daft. It sends the wrong message to the opposition, that we're worried about losing wickets. It also hurts the following morning if the nightwatchman stays in and slows the run rate down.

My viewpoint has always been that the recognised batsman should be mentally strong enough to go and see out the last 10 minutes. You never see nightwatchmen for the openers when there's only 4 or 5 overs to bat

[taylorsworkrate]

Blimey that was a heart in mouth moment. I think Bell needs to put thoughts of his ton to the back of his mind. The match situation is more important

[taylorsworkrate]

Yep, well played Bell. Lovely hundred, full of class and authority. Now make it a big one.

That's the only minor criticism of Bell this series. Out twice just after the hundred

[Monty]

Of course they do. If they went 8 down with an hour to go they'd send Jimmy Anderson in to shore things up.

The nightwatchman has always struck me as daft. It sends the wrong message to the opposition, that we're worried about losing wickets. It also hurts the following morning if the nightwatchman stays in and slows the run rate down.

My viewpoint has always been that the recognised batsman should be mentally strong enough to go and see out the last 10 minutes. You never see nightwatchmen for the openers when there's only 4 or 5 overs to bat

Too right. I always liked the three particulars of Steve Waugh's captaincy: 1) don't enforce the follow-on - bat them into submission; 2) no nightwatchmen for the reasons you mention; 3) have one of the best teams in history. Seems to work.

[taylorsworkrate]

Wonderful knock today from Bell. He's made batting look remarkably easy all series when all others have toiled.

He's come in nearly every time after a top order failure and has delivered almost at will.

Just hope he goes on to make it at least a 150 tomorrow, which would put us in a strong position.

[taylorsworkrate]

Pietersen must be kicking himself the way he got out. He'd done all the hard work when the ball was harder, then got out to another innocuous  one from Lyon.

Its almost as if Pietersen has overrated Lyon in both innings and played for spin when there was none