The International Cricket Thread

[KevinGage]

300 up. Could do with this pair putting on another 30/40 at least, then the lower order if needs be push the score as close to 400 as possible. And no mad declarations, obv.

Let scoreboard pressure do for the Aussies.

[PaulWinch again]

Root gone - great knock.

[taylorsworkrate]

That one kept really low

[manic-road]

That one kept really low

Turned a bit as well.

[Monty]

Ah dammit. Fine innings though.

[taylorsworkrate]

Good signs for Ali being able to bowl, him not needing a runner.

[Rory]

I think its more the overhead conditions being better for batting than the pitch flattening. Should be plenty of cloud cover over the last couple of days

Don't know if anybody else listens to the Tailenders podcast, but there was an interesting (brief) chat on the most recent one about cloud cover, and Jimmy said he doesn't believe it makes the slightest difference to the amount the ball swings.

I've always thought clouds were good news for seamers and bad for batsmen, but apparently there isn't much evidence for this. *shrugs*

[KevinGage]

That one kept really low

Aye, nothing much he could do about that.

[PaulWinch again]

Bairstow gone - key knock.

Good thing is they’ve given the bowlers a good rest. Hopefully we can get another 60 odd.

[manic-road]

Woeful shot from Woakes

[PaulWinch again]

Woakes gone - pretty tame.

[taylorsworkrate]

This has been a poor passage of play from England. We are in a strong position but both Bairstow and Woakes have carelessly thrown their wickets away

[olaftab]

Oh I do hope Smith did some damage to himself there!

[taylorsworkrate]

The overrate has been absolutely pathetic again today, and its been the same from both teams all series. The ICC really need to get a grip on this. Teams don't care about being fined so they have to introduce something along the lines of runs to the opposition as a penalty.

They also need to get rid of the ridiculous arbitrary rule of only 30 minutes being added to the day. If the light is fine then make them bowl the overs.

[olaftab]

Another soft one Ali gone. Can't understand England giving wickets away like this.