The International Cricket Thread

[UK Redsox]

Sounds like you've watched cricket all over! Are you in the Barmy Army or something?

Yes and no Rory. A group of us travel together and we use the Barmy Army for information on tour dates, ticket availability and suitable accommodation. They get hold of good information early however we keep away from the gatherings whilst on tour. Some of them seem to have an ordained sense of importance as the only fans fit to support England and everyone else is an imposter. Mind you having said that one of their main songwriter/starter  is a lad from Alvechurch a massive Villa fan. So he's ok .

Watching cricket on TV is far better without the Barmy Army. They strike me as people best avoided

[Moonraker]

Tenuously related story, I was in Antigua in January 3 years ago, and having lunch in a great bar/restaurant called OJ's on the west coast. Got talking to two scruffy-looking locals in the bar who were good fun and they introduced themselves as Cheeky and Gravy. Started chatting about cricket and Gravy told me that when David Gower brought England over, (and got stuffed) he made up songs slagging England and Gower off and got the crowd singing. After the match he met up with Gower and had a few beers with the team. Yeah yeah yeah I thought. Anyway, in March of that year I was at a lunch at the Hyatt where David Gower was speaking. I said to him I had been at OJ's a couple of Months earlier and a bloke there said he knew him and lead the singing. "Oh yes" said Gower "that would have been Gravy...."

[Steve67]

I'd like to see Olly Stone given a chance on this tour, Woakes back in the side too.  Moeen in for Curran, Stone and Woakes in for Broad and Wood.  Gives us some more pace and energy and deepens the batting line up too.  I like to look of Dan Lawrence.

[Villan For Life]

I'd like to see Olly Stone given a chance on this tour, Woakes back in the side too.  Moeen in for Curran, Stone and Woakes in for Broad and Wood.  Gives us some more pace and energy and deepens the batting line up too.  I like to look of Dan Lawrence.

I couldn’t disagree more. Sri Lanka is a quick bowlers graveyard.

Wood should play, Jimmy will replace Broad on a rotation basis. Moeen will be well short of match fitness and as recently as Friday Woakes was self-isolating so he will also be short Of match fitness too. I’d keep Curran in the starting XI, he is a special talent.

[JD]

Brilliant win for India. A great run chase to get 329 in the fourth innings.

[OzVilla]

First time Australia have lost a test match at The Gabba since 1988.

[PaulWinch again]

That is a remarkable win - especially given the injuries they have.

[manic-road]

Superb result for India, just seen some clips of lots of byes going past Paine, couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke.

[Rory]

Well played India. Great series.

[Ads]

Giving Lyon a signed shirt at the end is absolutely peak shithousery haha! Well done India!

[olaftab]

I am not laughing but losing the series after being one up to India's 2nd XI takes some doing. Roll on end of the year

[Lsvilla]

I am not laughing but losing the series after being one up to India's 2nd XI takes some doing. Roll on end of the year

Looks like we won’t be there though.

[PaulWinch again]

It’s a bit weird that Buttler will leave the India tour after the first Test. Now I’m quite the cheerleader for Foakes and think he’ll do an excellent job. But Buttler is clearly number 1 in England’s mind so it begs the question if he needs resting why not do it for this tour? Rather than playing one Test of the next tour and then leaving.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Wow. Only one change for the second test - Anderson for Broad. I expected at least one more bowling swap.

[Villan For Life]

Atherton is saying in the Times today that Ollie Stone is in line for selection.