The Cricket Thread 2017

[Proposition Joe]

Not good.  The game might effectively be over as a contest by the time I finish my beer.

[paul_e]

That's the biggest problem, we just won't take him on.  I really want mo to play his natural game and try to hit him out.

[OzVilla]

Jesus wept, Ali needs to switch on here.

[Proposition Joe]

That's the biggest problem, we just won't take him on.  I really want mo to play his natural game and try to hit him out.

We might well be at a stage now, effectively 50-odd for 4, where Lyon can't be hit out of the attack.  Smith can keep him on, no matter if Moeen goes after him, hits a few 4s and 6s, because there's obviously a wicket or three in him.  Our best counterattack probably still can't get us a defendable total from here.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

This is where England pay the price for failing to pick a veteran batsman, one who's at least in his forties. Such a player could not possibly be intimidated by a bowling attack that consists of three men with seventies sitcom moustaches. I don't remember Thompson and Lillee running up looking like Basil Fawlty, as Starc and Cummins do. Hazlewood is clearly aiming for the full Captain Mainwaring and is stuck at the Blakey from On The Buses stage. These are not people to fear. It's just a shame Lyon hasn't come as Mrs Slocombe.

[olaftab]

Who do you suggest Chinchilla?

[olaftab]

Crocodile Dundee has just been on the pitch looking for water I think!

[olaftab]

50 up for Joe and a good knock.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

I'd suggest Graeme Swann. Actually I don't think he's forty, but I'd still suggest him to get him out of the commentary box.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

Shit. Root's gone.

[OzVilla]

180 lead needed as a minimum. Not looking good.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

We need a century stand, at least, from Moeen and Bairstow. They're well capable of it. If we can bat through the day we might just avoid defeat. That's the best we can hope for now.

[taylorsworkrate]

Fucks sake. Everytime we start to put them under a bit of pressure, we fucking gift them something. No need for Moeen to be that close to the line with his foot. He has to know where the crease is. Awful awful way to get out. The difference in this match is shown by the contrast in determination and application of Smith vs our batsmen.

[OzVilla]

Poor decision to give Moen out there, the benefit of the doubt surely must to go to the batsman on those.

[taylorsworkrate]

Do not lose a fucking wicket before tea. Get there with Bairstow and Woakes still in and we give Australia something to think about again