The International Cricket Thread

[Villan For Life]

Just got back from Edgbaston, what an absorbing day of test cricket, I enjoyed the ebb and flow of the day, Cummings bowled beautifully and Joe Root looked set for another big score. Seeing Ben Stokes’s field placing in the flesh gives you an insight to his left field approach that you don’t see on TV. I wish I was going tomorrow but it’s a sell out.

A word of warning to anyone who is going tomorrow, try and get there early. I arrived at 10.30 and got into the ground at 11.20, the queue was huge and the security is very tight.

Weather permitting tomorrow should be a good day of test cricket.

[tomd2103]

Well Broad has given us a chance. Australia’s to lose but if there’s cloud around it might be interesting.

Not sure Paul, think it's very much in the balance.  Two quick wickets tomorrow and suddenly 281 starts to look a long way off at 120-5. 

[edgysatsuma89]

Well Broad has given us a chance. Australia’s to lose but if there’s cloud around it might be interesting.

Not sure Paul, think it's very much in the balance.  Two quick wickets tomorrow and suddenly 281 starts to look a long way off at 120-5.

Yeah, I think it's about as evenly balanced as it could be.

[Rory]

I agree with Paul. Think it's within sight for Australia, unless we bowl very well.

It'll be interesting if we lose by 1 or 2 wickets. Sorry to bring it back up, and I know it's not quantifiable, but if Aus get there 8- or 9- wickets down, the only real difference will have been the performative declaration.

Hope we smash them and win by 100 runs, and I love that we play aggressively, but if we lose this test, it'll have been a gift to them.

If we win, I'll be the first one here cheering that I was dead wrong. C'mon England!

[ADVILLAFAN]

Make them favourites, but there isn't much in it.

And I still hate Night Watchmen. Most pointless thing in cricket.

[Villan For Life]

The Aussies are notoriously bad at chasing a target, they are under pressure and Stokes and his tactics has really got inside their heads. The rain will slow the outfield down and we should end up with quite bowler-friendly conditions. England to win but it will be a nail biter!

[Richard E]

Make them favourites, but there isn't much in it.

And I still hate Night Watchmen. Most pointless thing in cricket.

The BBC were using the term ‘nightwatcher’ yesterday.

[Chris Smith]

I agree with Paul. Think it's within sight for Australia, unless we bowl very well.

It'll be interesting if we lose by 1 or 2 wickets. Sorry to bring it back up, and I know it's not quantifiable, but if Aus get there 8- or 9- wickets down, the only real difference will have been the performative declaration.

Hope we smash them and win by 100 runs, and I love that we play aggressively, but if we lose this test, it'll have been a gift to them.

If we win, I'll be the first one here cheering that I was dead wrong. C'mon England!

If we lose I’d say it will because of missed chances and no-balls in the first innings.

[simboy]

Think it will depend very much on Head and Carey for the Aussies today. Get them early and we go one up. However, very much in the balance, our attack will like the expected cloud cover, their batting will relish the lack of a top class spinner in our attack.

… and if we lose I think it’s the lack of a proper spin option that is the difference

[Chris Smith]

I’m about 5 miles from  Edgbaston, it’s hammering down and has been for a while. Forecast to stop at lunchtime so should be time to get it dried out to enable a result but imagine overcast conditions will suit our bowlers.

[LeeB]

I’m about 5 miles from  Edgbaston, it’s hammering down and has been for a while. Forecast to stop at lunchtime so should be time to get it dried out to enable a result but imagine overcast conditions will suit our bowlers.

I agree Chris, coupled with a fifth day pitch it's in our favour now.

[Nev]

Make them favourites, but there isn't much in it.

And I still hate Night Watchmen. Most pointless thing in cricket.

The BBC were using the term ‘nightwatcher’ yesterday.

So did Sky. Boiled gammon incoming.

[Risso]

It's been absolutely shitting it down all morning, looks like the Midlands as a whole has taken a right soaking.

[LeeB]

It's been absolutely shitting it down all morning, looks like the Midlands as a whole has taken a right soaking.

There's going to be a lot of moisture in the air when play starts

[PaulWinch again]

Any hope of reverse swing will be gone, so hope cloud cover does the job.