The International Cricket Thread

[olaftab]

There was blatant piss taking when he pulled up on Siraj’s second ball in the last over. Siraj was not going to send down 5 balls in about 150 seconds so there was no need for it. It angered the opposition for no gain. And whilst the brainless batter was quick to pick up an imaginary movement behind the bowlers arm he completely missed the obvious false  flag. He had to only think about defending two options, a full length toe breaker or a bouncer and he couldn’t manage it. Siraj was not going to send down anything else.

[PaulWinch again]

Well that’s not true, it was nipping about so he could have gone on a good length too. The delaying stuff is entirely reasonable, India have done it too. It was a really good ball, it happens, Crawley has batted pretty well in this Test match. He was outdone by quality bowling on this occasion.

[Villan For Life]

Well that’s not true, it was nipping about so he could have gone on a good length too. The delaying stuff is entirely reasonable, India have done it too. It was a really good ball, it happens, Crawley has batted pretty well in this Test match. He was outdone by quality bowling on this occasion.

Exactly this.

Crawley and Duckett have added over 500 runs as an opening partnership in this series, that’s a fantastic platform for the rest of the team.

One or two on here don’t understand the nuances of test cricket and can’t see beyond their rampant dislike of certain players.

[simboy]

This is the innings when I hope we see Pope and (less so) Brook demonstrate they really are the players the selectors think they are. I still feel Pope at 3 is too high. And I know Brook is world ranked 2 but he exposes that leg stump far too often.

[PaulWinch again]

This is gone now

[OzVilla]

Pope is one of those players who scores soft runs. Never anything when it’s on the line. He’ll do nothing in Australia too.

[PaulWinch again]

I’m not sure that’s true, his century in India was tough runs. I think the issue is more he starts series well and then becomes progressively more ineffective. That is a major problem.

[OzVilla]

Aussies will have him on toast, same with Crawley.

[Mellin]

This is gone now

Yeah, you'd think so. Brook and Root need at least 150 between them and even that probably wouldn't be enough.

[olaftab]

Brook is just being sill now, determined to throw his wicket.

[Mellin]

Dream scenario is about 360-9, leaving Woakes with no option but to needle the last runs with one arm in a sling.

[Somniloquism]

Either set for Siraj to bowl Brook or Brook to get a centuary after that.

[paul_e]

I wasn't watching before lunch but I like how these 2 are batting together, Root has settled in to score from the bad balls but Brook is being really aggressive and making them worry about runs rather than just trying to get the wickets. That mental pressure is why we're so good at chasing big targets.

[olaftab]

This is good, great cricket so far this afternoon. I would say it's still India's match if they get one of these two before the chase is fewer than 100 runs.

[paul_e]

India are suffering from the same problem we had where their seamers all look tired because they're 1 short. This is why 4 seamers is so crucial in English conditions.