The International Cricket Thread

[PaulWinch again]

We’ve done well in that second innings, but reality is we were about 100 runs short in the first innings. I give us about a 2% chance.

[simboy]

Root injured will make chasing the biggest fourth inning total to win in India even more difficult. Think if England can get within 150 then that’s been a decent test. No experienced spinner for half the match, and a batting lineup that was pretty fragile first time up.

Yadev to take a Michelle.

[taylorsworkrate]

Don't care what DRS says. That Crawley wicket is bullshit

[PaulWinch again]

Decent fist of it, but that gap on first innings was too much.

[simboy]

Totally agree. Cannot be 140 behind on a pitch that is only going to get worse after first knock. To get within 110 with our best batter (and bowler?) injured is definitely something to build on.

No Englishman did what Pope did last game and get a big ton (or a ton at all!). That makes a huge difference in mind set, even though Crawley was only 20 away in each inning.

Another positive is we are not 17-2 every game with Root strolling to the crease.

Kholi back for the third test? It will only get more difficult but, win the toss and give yourself a chance.

[taylorsworkrate]

Totally agree. Cannot be 140 behind on a pitch that is only going to get worse after first knock. To get within 110 with our best batter (and bowler?) injured is definitely something to build on.

No Englishman did what Pope did last game and get a big ton (or a ton at all!). That makes a huge difference in mind set, even though Crawley was only 20 away in each inning.

Another positive is we are not 17-2 every game with Root strolling to the crease.

Kholi back for the third test? It will only get more difficult but, win the toss and give yourself a chance.

Brook is a big miss for us. If there is any chance of him being back for the third test that would help.

We've performed way way above expectations in this series so far. It was ultimately a brilliant spell of reverse swing from Bumrah in our first innings that turned the game and though we battled admirably with bat and ball afterwards, too much was left to do.

[PaulWinch again]

Kohli and potentially Shami back is massive for them.

[simboy]

I wonder if England will play Dan Lawrence if Root is injured? Perhaps move Stokes to four and play both Anderson and Wood. Rahul back as well for the Indians, although where he will fit in I shudder to guess.

Brook is a big miss I agree, but perhaps a blessing in disguise this game as if he was batting 5 England would probably not have started all three young spinners, and, with Root unavailable in the second inning, that would have been a big ask of the two who would have played.

[taylorsworkrate]

I wonder if England will play Dan Lawrence if Root is injured? Perhaps move Stokes to four and play both Anderson and Wood. Rahul back as well for the Indians, although where he will fit in I shudder to guess.

Brook is a big miss I agree, but perhaps a blessing in disguise this game as if he was batting 5 England would probably not have started all three young spinners, and, with Root unavailable in the second inning, that would have been a big ask of the two who would have played.

I dare say that Foakes (unluckiest cricketer in England), would be taken out of the team to accomodate Brook and Bairstow given the gloves.

[simboy]

I wonder if England will play Dan Lawrence if Root is injured? Perhaps move Stokes to four and play both Anderson and Wood. Rahul back as well for the Indians, although where he will fit in I shudder to guess.

Brook is a big miss I agree, but perhaps a blessing in disguise this game as if he was batting 5 England would probably not have started all three young spinners, and, with Root unavailable in the second inning, that would have been a big ask of the two who would have played.

I dare say that Foakes (unluckiest cricketer in England), would be taken out of the team to accomodate Brook and Bairstow given the gloves.

You may be right, but I don't see that happening in India. May be in Australia or South Africa where it's pace and bounce at least for a large part of the game. 

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah I think Bairstow drops out potentially.

[tomd2103]

Decent fist of it, but that gap on first innings was too much.

Bit like the first test in that one superb knock practically won the game.  Means we were well beaten in the end, but totally wiped the floor with.

[PaulWinch again]

Good pitches for the first two games - helps the bowlers, but if you bat well you can get runs.

[dcdavecollett]

You almost called it perfectly, PW.

If Gill hadn't got a scratch on the ball that hit him in front, that just might have been 2-0.

[taylorsworkrate]

Don't care what DRS says. That Crawley wicket is bullshit

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/feb/05/cricket-hawk-eye-england-india-stokes-crawley

Stokes saying the same now. I still don't think that pitched in line at all