The Cricket Thread 2016

[UK Redsox]

A few minutes ago Blowers mistook Bairstow for Moeen. I think that he must have had a few sherries

[olaftab]

Good batting by this pair just what was required. Cook should declare now if he wants to win the match as Pakistan will have to motor to get  an unlikely 300 to win so time is important. This has been fantastic test match so far.

[PaulWinch again]

Most of the batting unit has done well today. I was impressed by Vince's 42 as it's laid the platform for great knocks by Mo and Jonny.

[olaftab]

In the past team's in England's position used to bat on for a few overs in the morning based on batting captain can choose the roller. They would choose the heavy roller in the hope that that will help to break up the pitch on the last day however not sure if that is still the case these days?
My view is that if Cook bats on he defensive mindset will deny a win to the only side that can win this match now.

[Villan For Life]

I thought Hales, Vince and Balance finally started to look like Test players in this innings and deserve a run in the side. Each of them needs a ton though.

Tickets are £16 for tomorrow and judging by the on-line queue that I'm sat in its going to be a decent crowd.

[tomd2103]

In the past team's in England's position used to bat on for a few overs in the morning based on batting captain can choose the roller. They would choose the heavy roller in the hope that that will help to break up the pitch on the last day however not sure if that is still the case these days?
My view is that if Cook bats on he defensive mindset will deny a win to the only side that can win this match now.

Cook tends to be quite pragmatic, so I'm sure the approach will be to make sure we don't lose the game first and foremost.  I expect we will bat until lunch and have two sessions of bowling.

[paul_e]

In the past team's in England's position used to bat on for a few overs in the morning based on batting captain can choose the roller. They would choose the heavy roller in the hope that that will help to break up the pitch on the last day however not sure if that is still the case these days?
My view is that if Cook bats on he defensive mindset will deny a win to the only side that can win this match now.

Cook tends to be quite pragmatic, so I'm sure the approach will be to make sure we don't lose the game first and foremost.  I expect we will bat until lunch and have two sessions of bowling.

I'd tell Bairstow to go out swinging for his century and declare once he's out or got the runs. might only take 4-5 overs out of the game for 20-30 runs but it means a required rate of 4+ an over with a team with a very poor tail and 2-3 batsman who've been out of form, if we want to win we have to give them a sniff, we bat til lunch and they'll just try to defend til stumps.

[adrenachrome]

In the past team's in England's position used to bat on for a few overs in the morning based on batting captain can choose the roller. They would choose the heavy roller in the hope that that will help to break up the pitch on the last day however not sure if that is still the case these days?
My view is that if Cook bats on he defensive mindset will deny a win to the only side that can win this match now.

Cook tends to be quite pragmatic, so I'm sure the approach will be to make sure we don't lose the game first and foremost.  I expect we will bat until lunch and have two sessions of bowling.

I'd tell Bairstow to go out swinging for his century and declare once he's out or got the runs. might only take 4-5 overs out of the game for 20-30 runs but it means a required rate of 4+ an over with a team with a very poor tail and 2-3 batsman who've been out of form, if we want to win we have to give them a sniff, we bat til lunch and they'll just try to defend til stumps.

I agree. They should easily survive 2 sessions on that strip. We need a couple of wickets before lunch to sow the seeds of doubt.

[Villan For Life]

I was disappointed with the attendance yesterday, just over 15k or so they said on TMS. The Hollies looked pretty full but from my seat in the Motorsport stand, the rest of the ground looked no more than 60% full.

Hopefully the weather, cheap tickets and the prospect of a result will see a better attendance today. I'm in the Stanley Barnes, close enough to the Hollies to see the fun & games but far enough away to enjoy the Cricket!

[Risso]

In the past team's in England's position used to bat on for a few overs in the morning based on batting captain can choose the roller. They would choose the heavy roller in the hope that that will help to break up the pitch on the last day however not sure if that is still the case these days?
My view is that if Cook bats on he defensive mindset will deny a win to the only side that can win this match now.

Cook tends to be quite pragmatic, so I'm sure the approach will be to make sure we don't lose the game first and foremost.  I expect we will bat until lunch and have two sessions of bowling.

I'd tell Bairstow to go out swinging for his century and declare once he's out or got the runs. might only take 4-5 overs out of the game for 20-30 runs but it means a required rate of 4+ an over with a team with a very poor tail and 2-3 batsman who've been out of form, if we want to win we have to give them a sniff, we bat til lunch and they'll just try to defend til stumps.

Exactly that.  Go out and swing the bat for as few overs as possible.  Try to smash a few boundaries then get stuck into their batsmen ASAP.  The pitch seems to have held together pretty well, so a decent last day score is possible for them, so the target needs to be set just right.

[Chris Jameson]

*has a quick check a certain somebody isn't on this thread*

Okay if I spend today with the usual reasonable and well informed folks in here today please?

Reckon Cook will tell Bairstow to get a hundred if he can as quick as possible and declare, although it would make more sense doing it overnight.

[Chris Jameson]

Or maybe not!

[pooligan]

Yawn !!!

[taylorsworkrate]

What a pathetic shot from Hafeez

[four fornicholl]

Great start, awful shot tho.