The International Cricket Thread

[Brazilian Villain]

WICKATIOOOOOOOO

BOWWLLLIOOO'D?

[Rory]

At the moment, it feels like whatshisname has gone into the phone booth, changed into his Superman outfit, then got stuck in traffic.

[PaulWinch again]

Got to be honest, it might be the pitch but Anderson and Robinson have been well below par today. Add in the missed chances and it’s been a pretty sloppy day. Going to need a massive morning to avoid getting significantly behind in the game.

Not sure If they will run away with it but that remains to be seen. Love our agressive approach with a 5+per over run rate. We declared on 8 wickets down and to me that was throwing down the gaunlet to them. I would not want to talk Stokes out of what is doing.

Well no neither would I - it’s sloppiness that has prevented us being absolutely in the box seat, not the decision to declare. Hopefully the bowlers can be re-energised from a night’s rest and make early breakthroughs.

[Rory]

Root was really in his stride when we declared. We could conceivably have got to 450 by close of play.

Even if Aus had still finished today 311-5 we'd be saying "well, we have a 140 lead, couple of wickets and we're into the tail".

Instead we're going to have to bowl well to keep the scores roughly level. After winning the toss on a good wicket and choosing to bat, that's not great.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Pretty sure former West Brom player Stephen Reid was sat in our row today at Edgbaston, with his son.

England on top first session, but struggled once the cloud cover went and only got one more wicket; from a poor shot by Head.

Kawaja no ball wicket was a real kick in the teeth.

[Villafirst]

I thought the early declaration was premature. I agree 450 was possible with Root looking dominant. Looks like it will be cloudy tomorrow morning so that might help. Bairstow has had a poor day apart from that spectacular catch. I've a feeling the Aussies could well get ahead of us by 20 or 30 runs, or even more.

[tomd2103]

Looks like there will be interruptions tomorrow, so even if the Aussies do get a sizeable lead, it will probably be well into day four by that time.  Will be very interesting to see England's approach from there.

[olaftab]

Root was really in his stride when we declared. We could conceivably have got to 450 by close of play.

Even if Aus had still finished today 311-5 we'd be saying "well, we have a 140 lead, couple of wickets and we're into the tail".

Yes the declaration was incomprehensible. It was probably appropriate if there was a time issue for example the first days play was totally lost due to rain etc.  As it was why do it? Unnecessary bravado. It also denied the demoralising effect of a wagging tail undoing the good work of the fielding team by adding 70 to 100 runs.

[Rory]

Root was really in his stride when we declared. We could conceivably have got to 450 by close of play.

Even if Aus had still finished today 311-5 we'd be saying "well, we have a 140 lead, couple of wickets and we're into the tail".

Yes the declaration was incomprehensible. It was probably appropriate if there was a time issue for example the first days play was totally lost due to rain etc.  As it was why do it? Unnecessary bravado. It also denied the demoralising effect of a wagging tail undoing the good work of the fielding team by adding 70 to 100 runs.

Completely agreed, Aftab. If we'd lost a day to rain I would've been fully behind it. Instead it felt performative, "look how ballsy we are. 390 is enough."

If the Aussies get near our score, which looks likely, then it was a poor call, and we gave up runs for no reason.

We are still well in the test, of course, and we can still win. But if we were to lose by 1 or 2 wickets, we would've dropped one hell of a bollock by forgoing those runs.

[Villan For Life]

I think that in the context of the whole series we have sent a very definite message to the Aussies that they are in for a fight. I applaud the decision.

[PaulWinch again]

I agree and I come back to the point it’s sloppiness in the field, not the declaration, that has let Aus back in.

[olaftab]

I think that in the context of the whole series we have sent a very definite message to the Aussies that they are in for a fight. I applaud the decision.

Sorry but a better message is to not take the foot off their neck. Root was slaughtering them at about 5.30 on Friday with very good support  from Broad and Robinson. A childish school playground decision was made, akin to my dad's bigger than yours.

Anyway off to Edgbaston again today to see if they can recover from the mess served up so far by Stokes and Bairstow. . 

[Risso]

I think that in the context of the whole series we have sent a very definite message to the Aussies that they are in for a fight. I applaud the decision.

Sorry but a better message is to not take the foot off their neck. Root was slaughtering them at about 5.30 on Friday with very good support  from Broad and Robinson. A childish school playground decision was made, akin to my dad's bigger than yours.

Anyway off to Edgbaston again today to see if they can recover from the mess served up so far by Stokes and Bairstow. . 

I dunno, I don't think you can be a fan of the new regime and then criticise decisions like that, its all part of it. If Broad had got a wicket or two in that last half an hour it would have looked a brilliant decision. I think that was the main reason, not to just for a bit of bravado.

Need a couple of early wickets today, mind.

[Risso]

Bairstow having an absolute 'mare.

[nigel]

Bairstow having an absolute 'mare.

You’d think he’d got money on Australia the way he’s performing in the field.
He’ll probably bang a century next innings