The International Cricket Thread

[olaftab]

Fantastic test match decided by perseverance and tactical bravery and guile. We don't need any rubbish spouted  about the wicket. Well done England and the Skipper specially.

[paul_e]

Fair play to Stokes on the declaration, got it absolutely spot on and got his reward, a truly fantastic win.

[olaftab]

Or start an hour earlier, it was perfect conditions when they were warming up this morning.

There are a couple of problems. This is winter season over there and Pindi suffers from huge amount of pollution, not quite Delhi or Shanghai standard but nevertheless enough to impact light both in the morning and late afternoon. Floodlights work best when atmosphere is clean and clear.

[Villa Lew]

Brilliant captaincy from Stokes and one of England's greatest ever wins.

[tomd2103]

That is a superb win and a great advert for test cricket.  Looked in a bit of trouble when they needed less than a hundred and had 5 wickets left.

[UK Redsox]

9 wickets for the seamers in the fourth innings of a test in Pakistan

I wonder if that's yet another record ?

[Villan For Life]

A remarkable win and it's good to see that test cricket is alive and well.

[Risso]

Let's hope Southgate was watching and draws inspiration from it.

[Dave Cooper please]

So now County cricket needs to get on the red ball bandwagon, more red ball cricket on weekends and no elongated breaks for contrived rubbish like The Hundred.
County coaches also need to look at this and play like this, if England are to continue playing "Bazball" for the next few years we need a conveyor belt of talent coming through who are able to shift seamlessly from county to Test.

[Gareth]

So now County cricket needs to get on the red ball bandwagon, more red ball cricket on weekends and no elongated breaks for contrived rubbish like The Hundred.
County coaches also need to look at this and play like this, if England are to continue playing "Bazball" for the next few years we need a conveyor belt of talent coming through who are able to shift seamlessly from county to Test.

100% spot on Dave…suits trying to milk money out of hopeless nonsense like Hundred rather than support proper cricket are a hindrance not a help

[Meanwood Villa]

Is it not the proliferation of shorter formats that have meant this England team can play in this way? Just saying.

[Beard82]

Absolutely brilliant!

Funnily Lords tickets went on sale today - and todays action convinced me to buy tickets for that!

Stokes and McCullum have done amazing job - goes against my instincts but am loving it!

[PaulWinch again]

I think the bit that annoys me is that detractors seem to suggest it’s just slog and no skill. Throughout the batting and, in particular, in the field it’s really skilful and considered. It’s just maximising aggression as part of that.

[Beard82]

I think the bit that annoys me is that detractors seem to suggest it’s just slog and no skill. Throughout the batting and, in particular, in the field it’s really skilful and considered. It’s just maximising aggression as part of that.

100% - its aggressive but not reckless.  I think it will catch on, and others will replicate and it will be the "style" of this generation of test teams

[Steve67]

Wow!  Brilliant win.  We know no bounds under this regime.  Stunning victory.