The Cricket Thread 2016

[Villan For Life]

That wicket has reignited any hope we had of winning this test, they are six down and the lead is 187. We need to take the remaining four wickets pretty quickly and certainly for a lead of less than 200.

It will be a huge ask on this pitch against decent spinners and someone like Cook will need to play with patience which will be ideal for him.

[Dr Butler]

plenty of time left in the game but I think the maximum that England want to chase is 250, hopefully they will only need 200

UTV
The Doc

[PaulWinch again]

That 200 has already gone, we're really struggling here. We need to get them out quick.

[Dr Butler]

yep just seen that...

[PaulWinch again]

We have missed too many chances in this innings and all three spin bowlers have bowled pretty terribly.

[PaulWinch again]

This innings has been as bad of a demonstration of spin bowling as I have seen.

[PaulWinch again]

Very difficult chase now. It's really poor that the spinners were so inconsistent with their length, it was frequently either a long hop or a full toss. Not good enough at international level.

[Dr Butler]

need to be about 75/80 at the end of the day for 1 or 2 wickets and it is really is game on...

UTV
The Doc

[Dr Butler]

Moeen gone for 22...LBW and lost a review too

[Monty]

Anyone get the feeling that might be the last ball we see Ian Bell face in Test cricket?

[lovejoy]

Only one word for that...classic Bell.

[Richard E]

Only one word for that...classic Bell.

That's 2 words.

[lovejoy]

Magic darts.

[taylorsworkrate]

I think considering Pakistan are an extremely difficult side to compete with in these conditions, and that we've lost 3 crucial tosses, overall we have done ok even if we lose this match.

We'd have won the 1st match if not for bad light, One session cost us in the 2nd match and we've competed well in the 3rd, let down by a poor spinners performance in their 2nd innings.

Clearly there remain issues with a couple of the batsmen. Moeen is not an opener in test cricket and hopefully Hales will get his long overdue chance in South Africa. Bell is a weird one, he's got a couple of useful scores in the series but doesn't look his usual fluent self. Bairstow I suppose needs to be given a run with the gloves now.

Spin remains a huge problem for this England team, not sure where they go in SA. Huge mention for Broad and Jimmy this series. I think they have been heroic considering the conditions couldn't possibly have been less helpful.

I think there is clearly the makings of a very good team in there.

[PaulWinch again]

I think up until Pakistan's innings we've competed well in this series, but the spinners massively let us down yesterday and today. Bell as usual when the pressure is on does nothing. Moeen is clearly not an opener. It's a tough ask, but it's not impossible.