The Cricket Thread 2014

[UK Redsox]

For a bloke only in his late 30s, Daggers sounds a lot older.

Unfortunately with Blowers appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe, we're probably stuck with him for the rest of the series.

[cheltenhamlion]

After such a shitty run I don't mind Cook spending time in the middle as long as we are swinging at the other end.

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I agree, but I find it very odd that Buttler isn't in now.

[cheltenhamlion]

Perhaps they want Root to get some runs after his first innings 3. I would have sent in Buttler mind. Full on T20 style with ramp shots and all.

[paul_e]

Bring Root in makes no sense to me, 'm all for Cook keeping one end ticking over and letting the other end up the rate, but if you're going to do that and you have one of the best T20 finishers in the world in the changing room you really should be getting him on early, the ball is old enough now that it's a good time for a slogger as well.

[PaulWinch again]

We need to get a shift on now.

[Villan For Life]

For a bloke only in his late 30s, Daggers sounds a lot older.

Unfortunately with Blowers appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe, we're probably stuck with him for the rest of the series.

He sounds really contrived to me. It's as if he wants to be a cross between Blowers, Johnners and Arlott. Quite awful my dear old thing.

Assuming Simon Mann is working on the Commonwealth Games, he should be back for the next test so we can drop Daggers.

Blowers doesn't cover every test anyway.

[peter w]

I don't think we're need to rush too much. A lead of 400 should be enough. Get another 30 in 30 odd minutes and we will have enough runs, overs, and time to bowl India out.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't understand the people commenting on the BBC criticising Cook for not enforcing the follow on. It makes much more sense for us to be batting now, but we need to get a move on.

[olaftab]

I'd have enforced the follow on but the general trend seems to be not to.

Genral trend is not to do so but  only if there is lot of time left and  your bowlers have been  out there for about two sessions. Today conditions were ideal to enforce follow on. Bowlers were fresh  and less than 2 days left.  India would have struggled to make the difference and take any reasonable lead. However Cook is far too negative and defensive captain to do that. He will probably bat too long as well. It's shame but he has now given India an escape route.

[olaftab]

I don't understand the people commenting on the BBC criticising Cook for not enforcing the follow on. It makes much more sense for us to be batting now, but we need to get a move on.

A poor decision to bat on more akin to not losing rather than going for a win. He has given India a chance now to save the Test.

[peter w]

I think the fear would be that they'd get a lead of 150 say, and on a turning last day track could cause us some problems. As it is only two results lookm on and one is still the most likely. If we declare half and hour before tea then have a crack at them. Tear in for 30 mins, have a break for tea, and then go at them again. 2 or 3 down tonight and we'll be unstoppable tomorrow.

[PaulWinch again]

I don't understand the people commenting on the BBC criticising Cook for not enforcing the follow on. It makes much more sense for us to be batting now, but we need to get a move on.

A poor decision to bat on more akin to not losing rather than going for a win. He has given India a chance now to save the Test.

Not really, he's given us a much better chance of winning if he declares in time.

[PaulWinch again]

It's absolutely the right decision to bat again, 100%. But we need to be declaring soon.

[peter w]

Only want to give the bowlers a 30 minute burst. Batsman need an eye on the clock declaring now will give them too much time to play their natural game. Declare in about 20 minutes.