The International Cricket Thread

[paul_e]

and here comes the weather, this has been the worry and is why I think they've been too conservative this morning.

[PaulWinch again]

I think the best hope is only batting once, so there’s a trade off. If it goes rain for two days the odds of us having time to bowl them out is minimal anyway. Might not work, but I get the balance they’re trying to strike.

[tomd2103]

I think the best hope is only batting once, so there’s a trade off. If it goes rain for two days the odds of us having time to bowl them out is minimal anyway. Might not work, but I get the balance they’re trying to strike.

Yeah, it's a tough one.  Suppose the thinking is to try and get as many as possible and then try and bowl them out in between the rain delays and see what is left to chase.  As opposed to declaring earlier and potentially facing a bigger total to chase.

[paul_e]

I think we've given up too much time here, runs on the board is great but taking 10 wickets is more important, I hope they're not waiting for Bairstow to get a hundred so they use it to justify picking him.

[tomd2103]

I think we've given up too much time here, runs on the board is great but taking 10 wickets is more important, I hope they're not waiting for Bairstow to get a hundred so they use it to justify picking him.

That thought did cross my mind Paul!  All sorts of other scenarios have as well though - do they know that the forecast is actually not as bad as being reported and there is likely to be some play tomorrow and Sunday?  Do they know that the forecast is actually worse than being reported and they know there is little chance of a result, so they just want to batter the Aussies as much as possible with the last test at The Oval next week in mind?

[Drummond]

I think getting the runs on the board and tiring them out is the best idea, really rub their noses in it. The more runs we have, the more aggressive we can be with field settings and bowling.

Tomorrow is going to have nothing, but Sunday will offer some time too I think?

[aev]

Good grief.

[LeeB]

Bairstow running on dot balls is really funny given the context of Lords incident.

We may or may not win the ashes, but any opportunity to do this to that mob should be taken.

[dave shelley]

Tremendous innings from Bairstow, fair play to him.

[PaulWinch again]

Cracking effort Bairstow. Mentally fried them.

[Drummond]

Bairstow running on dot balls is really funny given the context of Lords incident.

We may or may not win the ashes, but any opportunity to do this to that mob should be taken.

Quite. It's hilarious to be honest. Let's just hope we've not fucked it timewise.

Stokes opening the bowling and getting a couple would be nice.

[Drummond]

If we can see it over the line, you have to say the momentum is with us for the Oval... I've day 3 tickets... so fingers crossed!

[paul_e]

Wasted more time with that review as well, I think we've been a bit silly here.

I get the argument of rubbing their noses in it but we'd already done that, getting wickets is what matters and I hope we haven't fucked ourselves, if we end the day with a big lead and them still in and defending I'll be very annoyed.

[paul_e]

Moving on from me worrying about the weather, Cummins and Starc both look fucked, physically and mentally, their attack might be a mess for the oval.

[LeeB]

If we can see it over the line, you have to say the momentum is with us for the Oval... I've day 3 tickets... so fingers crossed!

I've been hoping we'd take it to that test on the basis that day 3 is the day the wife and kids bugger off for a week leaving me a complete day to sit and watch uninterupted.