The International Cricket Thread

[tricky59]

This has England 50-5 in our reply written all over it.

This is a definite with me having a ticket for tomorrow.

[paul_e]

The English mentality is the problem, we're just so passive. Root has become just as negative as most England captain in the last 20-30 years and we've not really tried to get Smiths wicket for most of 2 innings, just spread the field and tried to slow the scoring down.

Losing Jimmy has been a massive blow, Moeen looking like he's completely lost the plot is making it worse. Bairstow has been dire with the bat and gloves as well.


Foakes, Archer and Curran in for those 3 for the 2nd test for me.

[Villafirst]

Why had Woakes been taken off having dismissed Smith with the new ball?

[hilts_coolerking]

Foakes, Archer and Curran in for those 3 for the 2nd test for me.

Foakes and Archer absolutely but I don't think we need 5 seamers at Lord's.  I'd have Leach in.  If Woakes isn't fit then I'd have Curran too.

[olaftab]

Bairstow has been fucking dreadful in this game.

He hasn't played enough competitive cricket as a wicket keeper this season. That's another flow in England's strategy.

[PaulWinch again]

This 2nd innings has been one of the poorest bowling and captaincy efforts I can remember. It’s been absolutely dreadful. There’s been no control in the bowling and the fields have just let them have singles from the very beginning. Pathetic effort.

Jimmy obviously out, Moeen has to go and I’d seriously consider hooking Bairstow. Buttler needs runs in the second innings too. If he’s in as a pure batsmen he needs to do a proper job.

[PaulWinch again]

Also Stokes can’t be bowling more than 10 overs an innings if he’s bowling like this.

[olaftab]

Can't argue with all that.

I think the Aussies are going to declare at about 5.15 and hoping to pick up a couple of wickets tonight. It will be a big test for Roy and Burns.

[PaulWinch again]

That ball from Moeen doesn’t give me much confidence for our innings.

[UK Redsox]

Ball being changed because it landed in a pint of beer

[olaftab]

I am surprised they have not declared yet?

[Nev]

Ball being changed because it landed in a pint of beer

And the exchange between Atherton and Botham following it was toe curling.

[PaulWinch again]

Another bit of crap keeping from Bairstow.

[PaulWinch again]

Burns has just dropped two tough chances. That won’t help confidence for batting.

[PaulWinch again]

We’ve conceded 466 in 110 overs in a third innings on a spinning pitch. You’ll do well to see a much poorer effort in the field.