This would't feel half as edgy as it does if Bopara and KP didn't possess the calm assurance of a crab in a skillet.
We can but hope they finally settle down.
We can but hope they finally settle down.
England v Australia - Second Ashes Test - Lord's
- Thread starter gaffs
- Start date
Yes. I think the decision to not enforce the follow on was stupid because it brought the kind of situation that occurred into play. The decision to bat on for a ridiculously amount of time thereafter compounded the problem. And obviously a great batting performance from the Windies sealed the deal, but they should never have even had a sniff of that chance
How much do England try and reach here before declaring, if they get to such a position. Give Australia 2 days to make an improbable but not impossible 400? Make them bat 6 sessions to save the test and lose half of that to rain potentially?
Yes the conditions are good but as the Aussies are showing, with their own 'stricken' bowler, it's eminently possible to take wickets. And imagine this game now if Australia were in this position, 99 for 2. They'd still be over 100 behind, there'd be little to no risk of a draw, and unless they add another 300 odd with 8 batsmen to come, they're not even setting England a challenge to knock off those remaining runs
The decision is made now, and hopefully we take the match anyway. But it's a crap decision and it makes that less likely rather than more
Pieterson's technique against yorkers suggests he wouldn't have lasted a few overs with the great Younis and Akrams in-swinging yorkers.
He looks awful today. I'm sure he'll score a century.
He looks awful today. I'm sure he'll score a century.
FIRE IT UP AUSSIES!
Imagine that the India is actually England
Imagine that the India is actually England
The only major flaw in his technique is not bringing the bat down straight for defensive shots - it certainly leaves him very open to full swinging balls on off stump.
these two are certainly jittery
FIRE IT UP AUSSIES!
Imagine that the India is actually England
Mate don't do that again.
Luckily for him there's very few decent fast bowlers around in world cricket.
No great disgrace, not like anyone else could either!
It'll never be that low Brad i don't think, if we take the Windies as our guide i reckon something in the region of 500 at least [assuming we are able].
Knowing England they'll be looking for a lead around 450/475. Typically they're more scared to lose than be bold and go for a win.
Here you go Sam:
http://www.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/296909.html
England made nearly 600 in the first innings. By the end of day three with a 300+ lead obviously we made them follow on. Even with over two full days of batting Safrica managed to eek it out and ensure the draw
http://www.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/225264.html
England make 551, Sri Lanka over 250 runs behind on first innings score and put back in obviously. Sri Lanka's reply lasts most of day 3 and all of day 4 and day 5
Both special batting performances to get out of a hole, neither time was the follow on the incorrect decision to take. It just shows that sometimes a day or just over simply isn't enough to bowl a side out, especially when they know they have no chance of winning and simply bat to survive. Add to that the weather predictions, and the fact we can't declare or stop batting like Nick says until we put up something towards 500, and you have yourselves a mess of a situation, where if we'd taken the follow on and bowled well, we might have had the Aussies 3 or 4 down by the end of play
http://www.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/296909.html
England made nearly 600 in the first innings. By the end of day three with a 300+ lead obviously we made them follow on. Even with over two full days of batting Safrica managed to eek it out and ensure the draw
http://www.cricinfo.com/england/engine/match/225264.html
England make 551, Sri Lanka over 250 runs behind on first innings score and put back in obviously. Sri Lanka's reply lasts most of day 3 and all of day 4 and day 5
Both special batting performances to get out of a hole, neither time was the follow on the incorrect decision to take. It just shows that sometimes a day or just over simply isn't enough to bowl a side out, especially when they know they have no chance of winning and simply bat to survive. Add to that the weather predictions, and the fact we can't declare or stop batting like Nick says until we put up something towards 500, and you have yourselves a mess of a situation, where if we'd taken the follow on and bowled well, we might have had the Aussies 3 or 4 down by the end of play
That was my first thought , but after seeing our bowlers struggle to get it on target and being knocked for 4's by tailenders, I changed my mind.
I think it is a brave decision
We lead by 325 with 9 wickets left , we only have to add another 175-200 and we have a match winning position,that should be an easy one even for England.
Rain is going to be the spanner in the works
How much rain are we expecting between now and the end of Monday exactly?
0.5897456974664 Litres
this is the metcheck forcaste for the next 48 hours , not showing much a max of .9 mm I think.
http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/today.asp
18 runs of 10 overs isva poor run rate for England
Jeez, what a bore fest..
No wickets, no runs anytime in the last 10 overs..
Borefest for a neutral
No wickets, no runs anytime in the last 10 overs..
Borefest for a neutral
This is a very exciting period of the game.
I laugh at those people who think T20 cricket is more enjoyable
I laugh at those people who think T20 cricket is more enjoyable
i was hoping for more on this flat wicket.
But get a lead of 450 by stumps and with 4 - 5 wickets still up ,I will be happy.
Would set us up nicley for another 100 in the morning and the dec at Lunch
Too cautious. 450 ought to be more than enough to bowl at, especially with poor weather threatening.
You have to get him early that way as well. He has been in for around 70 balls now and is bringing the bat down nice and straight.
Bugger off and watch some canned 20/20.
Any thing less than 450 should be sucidal.
I reckon this game would head for a draw with England holding the upper hand.
The highest successful 4th innings run chase in history is 418. How is a target of 450 to bowl at suicidal?
Agreed, but for those interested, its a bit like football. People find it boring because occasionally we have draws and low scoring matches 'compared to something like NFL or Rugby', but we all know that part of the excitement is an awesome pass or a near shot.
Same rule applies to cricket. Its the near misses. Cutting the batsman in half. Making a superb pull shot. Hitting a 6. Pushing through the covers for a quick 2 or a flick to 3rd man.
Watching a bowler find his line and length is something I quite like. Watching the ball swing is awesome!
You never know the Aussies I cannot remember the last time when they played it completely safe and settled for a draw. The wicket dosent look threatening weather permitting they could go in for the kill.
Seriously though, wouldn't you think England should be playing much much more aggressive than they have been playing? 300+ runs ahead, with 8 wickets in hand...and a good good chance of rain the next 2 days..
That's what's annoying.. This 'don't wan't to lose' attitude rather than going for the kill!
That's the difference between the likes of Ponting, Smith, Dhoni....
and Strauss..
Unfortunately that's not happening..
Just dissapointed at the lack of aggression from England
Hilfenhaus has been excellent, even found a bit of swing in the sunshine and the weather will be a lot more overcast tomorrow. There is no way the Aussies would chase down 450 on this pitch in those conditions against our attack. The amount of rain tomorrow and Monday will be what decides this Test, I reckon.
This is test cricket not one day. There are still 2 days and 1 session left in this test. If England were to push like mad and get all out with a lead of 450 by the 2nd session tomorrow, its easily achievable by the Australians.
Your forgetting that although the Australians got out for 200 odd, the class of batsman in the squad is capable of wiping a 3rd of that lead off in a session.
I think they're effectively running the clock down for the Aussies. They'll insist on getting a near-550 lead which will take them until lunch tomorrow. A couple of sessions will get lost to rain and it'll be a draw. Big psychological mistake not to make them follow on - could be destroying Hughes for the series right there.
This is test cricket not one day. There are still 2 days and 1 session left in this test. If England were to push like mad and get all out with a lead of 450 by the 2nd session tomorrow, its easily achievable by the Australians.
Your forgetting that although the Australians got out for 200 odd, the class of batsman in the squad is capable of wiping a 3rd of that lead off in a session.
The weather forecast might beg to differ with that mate..
Bingo
I take it you didn't follow the first innings and our illustrious middle order all that closely?
Combine that with a containing job that the Aussies are doing and here we are. You overstate the danger of the rain i think, there should still be enough time even if it right sticks its oar in.
I would've got a quick 200 and then declared.
Agreed with Spoons. I think the right decision was not to enforce the follow-on, but you then have to press home your advantage. No point batting an extra session or two if they are still 150 runs from safety at the close of the 5th day.
This!
I'm fine with them not following on...
But all this fannying around is doing more harm than good for England..
They should be looking to make quick runs regardless of losing wickets,,,as you said, a 200/250 quickly..
Then use the 4th/5th day track, as well as the cloud or moisture expected tomorrow and day after to get a bit of movement against the Aussies.
There's 38 overs left today, people here need to relax a little. Quit your fidgeting. lol