The International Cricket Thread

[Rory]

Wow. Don't think I've ever seen a declaration on day one before, unless the first few days have been ruined by rain.

Very bold move. We'll look pretty stupid if the Aussies are still batting at tea on Sunday!

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Increasingly cloudier weather forecast for tomorrow and culminating in thunderstorms on Sunday. Hopefully that will help us!

[bilsim]

I think psychologically the Aussies will struggle with this ultra-aggressive England approach. They want to be the aggressors, which will make for amazing entertainment.

[PaulWinch again]

Early but Warner looks ominous.

[Meanwood Villa]

Mental declaration. But maybe I'm just too old.

[PaulWinch again]

That little passage of play looked pretty straightforward. Still we have some runs on the board, let’s get into them tomorrow.

[Rory]

I'd rather have spent the last half an hour adding another 20-30 on our total and not allowing them to chip 15 off our lead.

Bold move, but with the pitch and weather as they are, I'm not sure nicking a couple of wickets ever looked that likely.

[paul_e]

I'd rather have spent the last half an hour adding another 20-30 on our total and not allowing them to chip 15 off our lead.

Bold move, but with the pitch and weather as they are, I'm not sure nicking a couple of wickets ever looked that likely.

I suspect he was hoping the shock factor might unsettle them, guess it was worth a go.

[Rory]

I'd rather have spent the last half an hour adding another 20-30 on our total and not allowing them to chip 15 off our lead.

Bold move, but with the pitch and weather as they are, I'm not sure nicking a couple of wickets ever looked that likely.

I suspect he was hoping the shock factor might unsettle them, guess it was worth a go.

Yeah, just seemed a little unnecessary on day one. Great day of cricket, though. Hopefully we'll bowl well tomorrow and really put some pressure on.

[PaulWinch again]

Yes I thought putting Boland under pressure would be interesting. Doesn’t mean he’s not good, but not some sort of phenom.

[tomd2103]

Was in the Raglan at Edgbaston earlier and although it was a great day of cricket, it was a bit of a strange one at times.  Cummins set some odd fields at times (I say Cummins but it looked pretty obvious that Smith is in charge on the field) and we looked so comfortable for long periods.  We then just kept finding ways of getting out when it looked like we might take the game way from them. 

The declaration was a bit of a surprise as Root had just moved into top gear and it was also a surprise when Jimmy Anderson didn't open the bowling.  Joe Root's hundred was sublime and he just looked on it from the first ball he faced.

All in all a good day at Edgbaston and pleasingly there were very few pissed up idiots (few annoying mouthy Aussies who found their voices at the end) in attendance where I was sat.

[LeeB]

Raining here now, lovely, moisture in the air and cloud cover, let's get that ball swinging around and skittle these bastards this morning

[PaulWinch again]

Yeah hopefully that’ll juice it up a bit.

[Proposition Joe]

Let's see, but I have this nagging feeling that when Australia pass England's score, Smith and Labuschagne will still be at the crease.

[olaftab]

There was nothing in the pitch yesterday and probably even less today so it's going to be hard work. After these two it's only the number 1, 2 and 3 coming along.