The Cricket Thread 2017

[Risso]

If we are going to do anything in this match and the series then we have to find a way to play against Nathan Lyon. At the moment we look terrified with each delivery.

You have to wonder what Shane Warne in his pomp would have done to this team.

But back to Cook:  2, 7 and 16 is just unacceptable. The only batsman not to get any sort of score whatsoever.

[olaftab]

If England lose this and again in Perth it will be worth replacing Cook and recalling Hales.

[Proposition Joe]

The only time I can ever relax when England are batting is when both openers are still in. To borrow Sir Geoffrey's phrase, if you add a coupe of wickets to the score it doesn't look so clever; well, for me when watching England I always add "all out" to the score, as "all out" is always just round the corner.

Also, when England start scoring quickly, I'm convinced a wicket is imminent because we can never sustain it. And when England are not scoring and just blocking out I'm convinced a wicket is imminent...

[Risso]

Vince gone, another unnecessary, soft shot.  Way too many completely hopeless players in our batting line up.

[PaulWinch again]

That's idiotic from Vince.

[PaulWinch again]

Root gets a reprieve. Make it count.

[tomd2103]

This is pretty tense stuff.  It still looks a daunting total at this point, but if it were the other way around and Australia were chasing, I think we would be starting to get a bit edgy at this point.  I think we are relying on Root getting a big score and others chipping in around him if we are to stand any chance. 

[Risso]

This is pretty tense stuff.  It still looks a daunting total at this point, but if it were the other way around and Australia were chasing, I think we would be starting to get a bit edgy at this point.  I think we are relying on Root getting a big score and others chipping in around him if we are to stand any chance. 

100+ for Root, something close to a century for Malan and a Moeen contribution and they'll start to shit themselves.  Of course, we'll probably lose both Root and Malan for 6 in the next two overs now I've said that.

[paul_e]

For a chase like this you'd want 1-2 50s in the top 3 so it's disappointing that they've all gone pretty cheaply.

However the mentality should be to break it down in to small chunks, play it in 35s (i.e. 10%) or 50s and keep telling yourself no wickets down in this chunk and stick around for it.

Smith has reviewed like a moron, Root has had a bit of luck but has worked hard for his runs and Malan has stuck around, even though it's been streaky.

[tomd2103]

For a chase like this you'd want 1-2 50s in the top 3 so it's disappointing that they've all gone pretty cheaply.

However the mentality should be to break it down in to small chunks, play it in 35s (i.e. 10%) or 50s and keep telling yourself no wickets down in this chunk and stick around for it.

Smith has reviewed like a moron, Root has had a bit of luck but has worked hard for his runs and Malan has stuck around, even though it's been streaky.

Yep.  Really could do with losing no more wickets in the remaining 15 minutes and adding 10-15 more runs.   

[PaulWinch again]

Damn Malan gone. Come on guys keep fighting.

[paul_e]

Gutted but to be fair that was a brilliant delivery, I don't think Malan did much wrong.

[PaulWinch again]

No I've got a lot of time for Malan. He was got out rather than getting himself out.

[Proposition Joe]

... and so passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion ...

Aussie lead 180-odd. Need to get it below 150 with no more wickets gone. Make the Aussies sweat.

[PaulWinch again]

Fair play England that was a proper performance today both with bat and ball. Still massively in Australia's favour, but just got to chip away. Come on Joe double hundred please.