The Cricket Thread 2017

[Chris Jameson]

What I saw before I went to work I thought Malan and Bairstow batted brilliantly. Bairstow early in his innings played the short stuff brilliantly.

[tomd2103]

Nice to be on top after a days play.

Malan played beautifully and Bairstow dealt with the negative publicity in the most positive way.

The Aussies were clueless and at times looked leaderless and devoid of ideas since lunch. Long may that continue.

As someone said on the BBC website, it is difficult to predict what will happen with this England team though and we could end up being all out for less than 350!! 

Regarding the point about the Aussies, I thought they began to look that way at the end of the fourth day in the last test.  Had that gone on for another hour or so, I think we would have been looking at a much smaller total on the final day.  As it was, they came out firing on the final day and blew us away.  That might of course happen tomorrow, but we have got a big opportunity here and need to take it.   

[Risso]

Nice to be on top after a days play.

Malan played beautifully and Bairstow dealt with the negative publicity in the most positive way.

The Aussies were clueless and at times looked leaderless and devoid of ideas since lunch. Long may that continue.

As someone said on the BBC website, it is difficult to predict what will happen with this England team though and we could end up being all out for less than 350!! 

Regarding the point about the Aussies, I thought they began to look that way at the end of the fourth day in the last test.  Had that gone on for another hour or so, I think we would have been looking at a much smaller total on the final day.  As it was, they came out firing on the final day and blew us away.  That might of course happen tomorrow, but we have got a big opportunity here and need to take it.   

That's the worry.  We need Malan and Bairstow to continue tomorrow, but a rested Aussie attack with the new ball are going to come out all guns blazing.  If Bairstow and Malan do a Joe Root and get out quickly in the morning, it could well be a 350, which would be hugely disappointing.  On the other hand if Bairstow gets his ton, and Malan makes it 150+, with Moeen chipping in, we'd be looking at around the 500 mark which would be fantastic.

[OzVilla]

As has been said Malan and Bairstow were superb in that last session, looked in great touch.

We must, must, must make this count though as the outfield is like lightening and the track looks very flat indeed.

[manic-road]

If that was the Aussies on over 300 for four wickets I would be thinking that England have already lost the game, but as it's England we are always liable to a collapse at some point.
Tomorrow is a big day.

[Proposition Joe]

As has been said Malan and Bairstow were superb in that last session, looked in great touch.

We must, must, must make this count though as the outfield is like lightening and the track looks very flat indeed.

That very much sounds like Warner is nailed on for a century...

[olaftab]

Cook fails, again. You can’t keep picking him on this form, beaten by a straight ball again.

As I said after the last test match may be his time has gone. Get Hales over there for Mel and Syd.

[Villan For Life]

Cook fails, again. You can’t keep picking him on this form, beaten by a straight ball again.

As I said after the last test match may be his time has gone. Get Hales over there for Mel and Syd.

I was scratching my brain to work out who Mel and Syd were and where they batted.

[olaftab]

Number 4 and 5😉

[OzVilla]

Cook fails, again. You can’t keep picking him on this form, beaten by a straight ball again.

As I said after the last test match may be his time has gone. Get Hales over there for Mel and Syd.

Cook is only 32 (33 in a couple of weeks). He should have 3 or 4 years left at the top level.  He's just in a bit of a rut against quality new ball bowling. I wouldn't expect this to be a career ender.

[PaulWinch again]

It depends on whether he still has the desire. If he wants to pull it back he can, if he doesn't have that desire anymore he won't.

[olaftab]

I hear what you are saying OzVilla but age thing is different for different people. Some players stick around at 30 plus others disappear over the cliff age alarmingly. I hope Cook can regain his desire but so far in 5 innings he has let the side and himself down badly.

[manic-road]

200 partnership up for Bairstow and Malan,

[manic-road]

Bairstow 100 up, get in.

[manic-road]

Crap shot from Moeen, out for a second ball duck.