The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

I'm not really sure why Woakes isn't bowling here.

[PaulWinch again]

Bowled Mo.

[PaulWinch again]

This game is slipping.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

This game is slipping.

Wonder Woakes!

[PaulWinch again]

Poor from Bairstow.

[PaulWinch again]

Congratulations Woakes excellent effort. Does beg the question why we persevered with Broad for so long. Don't get me wrong he's a quality bowler, but he just doesn't have that zip today.

[paul_e]

Woakes with 2 5fors, good lad!

[Colhint]

how long until we hear "your batsmen are terrified Chris Woakes is on fire"

[Dave Cooper please]

how long until we hear "your batsmen are terrified Chris Woakes is on fire"

Hopefully never.

[taylorsworkrate]

I think the testament to Wakes is that he's got a lot more out of a dead pitch than any seamer on both sides. Extremely impressive performance

[tomd2103]

Not gaining parity after the first innings could well cost us here, especially after seeing the problems Shah caused us. 

[Chris Jameson]

how long until we hear "your batsmen are terrified Chris Woakes is on fire"

First sign of that, drop him, shoot them.

[paul_e]

I liked the bit they did at the end talking about Woakes where they said they'd analysed him trying to see why he hadn't had a big impact before this test and they'd found nothing they could pinpoint.  I've felt the same for a while, he's shown he's capable of everything you need from a international bowler but it just hadn't led to wickets suddenly all the work has paid off for him in this match and he's shown why they've stuck with him and kept him around the squad.

Specifically on the match I think it will end up very close and I think part of the reason for that is that they've been on the right side of pretty much all the 50-50 decisions.  By that I means ones that were referred and it went with "umpire's call" I can think of 4 and all of them have favoured Pakistan and have probably caused a 80-100 run swing in this match.  The Moeen Ali dismissal is probably the harshest, to be out where 2 of the 3 tracking measures are umpires call is really tough on him and shows better than anything else the real advantage of getting the on-field umpire to make the call.

[adrenachrome]

how long until we hear "your batsmen are terrified Chris Woakes is on fire"

Hopefully never.

I note with interest that the Worcestershire supporters have dropped their hilarious "If Woakes can play for England, so can I" song this season.

[Villa Lew]

It does annoy me that 2 of the major sporting events of the summer, an England test match and the Open, have clashed once again. I would say the majority of sports fans want to see both events. It's the cricket officials, who to blame, as the Open dates are arranged quite a few years in advance. I shall probably watch the cricket until about 2 ish, and then turn over to the Open, when the leaders are due to go out, as there are another 3 tests to come.

Thankfully I understand now Sky have the rights to the Open, it will not happen in future.