The Cricket Thread 2013

[spangley1812]

Rubbish review by Prior

[PGW]

389-6
Haddin b a bear.......Trott though not Woakes

[PGW]

Woakes takes his first wicket a catch taken by Trott.
James Faulkner ct for 23.
He is bowling much better today....may not be as threatening as i thought but speeds up to 86+ mph, bowled more maidens than any other bowler and economy only bettered by Swann and Anderson which isnt a surprise i suppose. The other debutant has NOT been given the ball at all today.
425 - 7 now

[Ad@m]

Being smashed to all corners of the ground now.  Could be a dodgy hour or so for our batsmen this evening if they declare soon.

[PGW]

492-9 Declared

Could be dodgy hour indeed

[Ad@m]

I think we'll be two wickets down by close of play.  I think the decision to throw Woakes and Kerrigan in shows that mentally the team aren't taking this test match too seriously - I think that will translate in to a poor batting display (like it arguably translated in to a poor bowling display).

[taylorsworkrate]

I think we'll be two wickets down by close of play.  I think the decision to throw Woakes and Kerrigan in shows that mentally the team aren't taking this test match too seriously - I think that will translate in to a poor batting display (like it arguably translated in to a poor bowling display).

To be fair I thought Anderson bowled exceptionally well considering the conditions. Broad and Swann have done all right also.

What doesn't help on an ideal batting deck is having 40% of your bowling attack clearly not good enough for international cricket. I hate to say it as a big bears fan, but Woakes just isn't good enough. I know its two different forms of the game, but his performances in the ODI's have been so far below an acceptable standard that it should be clear to the selectors he isn't of the quality required.

As far as the batting goes it will all depend on mindset. If they are willing to knuckle down and treat the innings with the usual test match focus, then theres no reason why a no of the players can't get big scores. Start being complacent with the series won and then they may get  beat.

They should take it seriously, individual test matches count towards the rankings

[Ad@m]

Happy days - safely through to the close without needing to introduce a night watchman.

Sounds like the Aussie bowling was pretty shambolic in that session.  Hopefully they'll do the same tomorrow and we can be well on our way to a first innings lead!!!

[eastie]

Very heavy rain for most of Saturday in London - bat through today and we will still be in our 1st innings on the final day of the test - nailed on draw .

[Villan For Life]

I think we really need to dominate the rest of this test. Give the Aussies the tiniest bit of hope and they will capitalise on it.

The next test that we play will be in Brisbane in November. The home series has been closer than a 3-0/4-0/3-1 score line suggests. We could struggle down under and cannot afford to bat so poorly as a unit again.

[aj2k77]

Run rate terrible as usual.

[eastie]

Really negative batting by England - giving the Aussies the impetus here, so many players in our team have under performed this series and yet we are still going to win 3-0.

Bad sign for the Aussies is that England have been so below par and are still cruising 3-0 .
This pitch is poor for test cricket , nothing for the bowlers and too easy for batting - pieterson never looks good just hanging around at the crease , needs to play his natural game.

The only test England have played really well was lords - strange series.

[eastie]

I really don't like way England waste time in test matches - poor stuff and we should be above those sort of things - cook needs to really be more positive as a captain  down under.

[eastie]

Light dodgy at the oval- England will be more than happy to leave the field - with torrential rain tomorrow its pretty much comfortable draw from here.

[tomd2103]

Woakes with a big challenge here.  Not sure he is a number six in county cricket let alone at test level.