The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

Lovely knock from Bairstow.

[PaulWinch again]

Blowers just screamed that Root had been bowled and he was completely wrong.

[Ron Manager]

Lovely knock from Bairstow.

Root on 96.

and now its a hundred!

[Chris Jameson]

Blowers just screamed that Root had been bowled and he was completely wrong.

He's an embarassment these days.

[KevinGage]

Blowers is the pits.

[cheltenhamlion]

Great ton from Root.

[Villan For Life]

As a homeworker I really picked the wrong day for an office meeting! Back home now and watching the live coverage. I'm looking forward to the highlights later.

I cannot recall a day of test cricket where we have completely dominated from the 1st ball let alone an Ashes test.

[Chris Jameson]

Think my dad was right about him all along, he loved cricket on the radio but whenever Blofeld came on he would always turn it off.

[Villan For Life]

Think my dad was right about him all along, he loved cricket on the radio but whenever Blofeld came on he would always turn it off.

He's the last of a generation of commentators where the school you went to or the club you're a member of meant you got a plum job at the BBC. I much prefer the modern commentators, most of who are ex-players who give a real insight into what's going on. I particularly like Ed Smith who has the makings of a great commentator. As long as they keep Dagnall off air then I will be more than happy!

[aj2k77]

A 200 lead on the first day? How many times has this ever happened?

[UK Redsox]

Blowers is also an ex-player. His career was cut short when he was hit by a bus.

Given that, it's surprising that he's fascinated by the bloody things......and cranes.......and pigeons.......and butterflies


Daggers is far worse though

[Villan For Life]

Good innings by Bairstow but the decision to send in a nightwatchman is one of the strangest decisions of the day. The Aussies are mentally shot. Sending in the next listed batsman on the scorecard sends a message to the Aussies that their attack does not worry us.

Still who am I to criticise?

[Villan For Life]

Blowers is also an ex-player. His career was cut short when he was hit by a bus.

Given that, it's surprising that he's fascinated by the bloody things......and cranes.......and pigeons.......and butterflies


Daggers is far worse though

Did he play first class cricket? I thought he played for Oxford or Cambridge or someone like that. He's a likeable old sod really but he is well past his best. He was virtually lost for words as the wickets tumbled in the first 30 minutes this morning. You could hardly hear him above the noise of the crowd.

[Villan For Life]

A stunning days cricket from England. I cannot see how the Aussies can come back from this, so the Ashes will be regained sometime on Saturday.

[paul_e]

Hmm, there goes our only batter capable of getting really big tons, so our lead won't be huge at the end of the innings.

When was Joe Root out?

Ah, I'll give you that. I didn't think he had a test double century. He strikes me as a bit flash harry like Bell. Players like Cook and thw Trott of old were players I felt had the temperament to bat for days.

Players like Cook and Trott are becoming out of date, test sides will be full of top and middle order players who can score 100-150 at 80% strike rate going forward, Root and Smith are the best examples of what a world class test batsman post T20 looks like.

I am not so sure, I think there is still a place for the doughty batsman.

Smith has an incredible eye and quick hands, but has struggled badly when the ball moves about, though of course he is in good company.

What I meant is you won't see many of them after the current generation retire, it's just not how players are going to develop any more, scoring quickly will just be the default.