The Cricket Thread 2017

[tomd2103]

What a day of cricket!  We have given ourselves a chance, albeit still a pretty slim one.  First hour tomorrow will be crucial. 

[paul_e]

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.

Not sure he needs that much, what we need here is a couple more partnerships like the root-malan one. Again, avoid looking at it as 177 runs, look at it as 9 lots of 20 runs and tick them off as you work through. Every time you get through a chunk without losing a wicket treat it like getting a fifty or a century and make a big show of celebrating each as a small victory.  Do that a few times and the pressure shifts to them and they start looking at a field to save runs as much as take wickets.

We're in no rush, and the longer the day goes the more pressure is on them after they declared in the first and then didn't enforce the follow-on so we need to let them stew.  I don't think the wicket looks like doing them many favours either, it looked in really good condition today.

[OzVilla]

This is why Test Match cricket is the best and most compelling form of the game. I just dont get people who don't love it, a bit like I don't get glory hunting fans or people who don't like dogs.

[manic-road]

Great days cricket for England, yes it's still a big ask but they have given themselves a chance. The last two days belong to England and are at last are showing some fight. I had already written them off I this game, if England produce a miracle Smith will be having nightmares for not enforcing the follow on and will get pelters from the Aussie press.

[paul_e]

Great days cricket for England, yes it's still a big ask but they have given themselves a chance. The last two days belong to England and are at last are showing some fight. I had already written them off I this game, if England produce a miracle Smith will be having nightmares for not enforcing the follow on and will get pelters from the Aussie press.

Absolutely, and that is why we need to make him feel that pressure, over the top celebrations over every little milestone make it clear that we think we're in control.

[PaulWinch again]

They have go out there with exactly the same attitude they've shown today.

[tomd2103]

Great days cricket for England, yes it's still a big ask but they have given themselves a chance. The last two days belong to England and are at last are showing some fight. I had already written them off I this game, if England produce a miracle Smith will be having nightmares for not enforcing the follow on and will get pelters from the Aussie press.

Absolutely, and that is why we need to make him feel that pressure, over the top celebrations over every little milestone make it clear that we think we're in control.

The partnership between Root and Woakes tomorrow morning will be crucial.  All attention will be on Root, but Woakes is more than capable of hanging around and can score as well. 

[Chris Smith]

Great days cricket for England, yes it's still a big ask but they have given themselves a chance. The last two days belong to England and are at last are showing some fight. I had already written them off I this game, if England produce a miracle Smith will be having nightmares for not enforcing the follow on and will get pelters from the Aussie press.

He’ll be regretting the wasted reviews too. Whatever ultimately happens in this test it will have given England an unexpected confidence boost. I am doing a spot of decorating this week but not getting started quite so early in the mornings as initially planned.

[olaftab]

Yes I agree whatever the result now this is immense for a confidence boost for the rest of the series. Well done to bowlers for skittling  out Aussies. Of course the score is get able it very unlikely.

[UK Redsox]

This is why Test Match cricket is the best and most compelling form of the game. I just dont get people who don't love it, a bit like I don't get glory hunting fans or people who don't like dogs.

I love Test Match Cricket but can't stand dogs

[paul_e]

Yes I agree whatever the result now this is immense for a confidence boost for the rest of the series. Well done to bowlers for skittling  out Aussies. Of course the score is get able it very unlikely.

Unlikely now but if Woakes and Root are still there after half hour or so I think the picture starts to change.

[Chris Jameson]

This is why Test Match cricket is the best and most compelling form of the game. I just dont get people who don't love it, a bit like I don't get glory hunting fans or people who don't like dogs.

I love Test Match Cricket but can't stand dogs

I love Test Match Cricket but not really a fan of dogs.

[olaftab]

The phrase "Mad dogs and Englishmen" is associated with cricket so you have to love both.

[Comrade Blitz]

This is why Test Match cricket is the best and most compelling form of the game. I just dont get people who don't love it, a bit like I don't get glory hunting fans or people who don't like dogs.

I love Test Match Cricket but can't stand dogs

I love Test Match Cricket but not really a fan of dogs.

I love Test Match Cricket but am also not really a fan of dogs. (I hate cats too)

[LeeB]

This is why Test Match cricket is the best and most compelling form of the game. I just dont get people who don't love it, a bit like I don't get glory hunting fans or people who don't like dogs.

I love Test Match Cricket but can't stand dogs

I love Test Match Cricket but not really a fan of dogs.

I love Test Match Cricket but am also not really a fan of dogs. (I hate cats too)

I love Test Match cricket and like dogs, but can't stand dog owners on the whole.