English cricket thread

I've watched the last couple of overs back a few times, with both Sky and TMS commentary. Even now it boggles the mind what happened.

I was on my way back from London, sat on a coach and watching it on my phone. When we lost the 8th wicket I assumed it was game over so I put the Spurs v Newcastle match on.

Went back to Sky Cricket at half time to see how many runs we'd lost by, and they were still playing!

So luckily I watched about the last hour, it really was incredible and I could watch it over and over. It's up there with the WC Final, and there's that South Africa v Australia ODI from the mid 2000s when SA chased down over 400 to win, that was epic and is often repeated, I always watch it when it's on.
 
Looking good re Jimmy Anderson’s fitness, playing another second XI match he’s finished up with;

20-9-38-1

Wouldn’t surprise me if England subbed him out and said that will do. Maybe bowl a spell tomorrow morning
 
Interesting tidbit from Jack Leach's optometrist:

His glasses wouldn’t have steamed up - we specifically used special lenses that don’t steam up - but I imagine he was doing it too to try to cool down.
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Except for that one ball when he came steaming down the pitch his calm in such a situation was remarkable.
 
ArmchairCritic said:
Interesting tidbit from Jack Leach's optometrist:



Except for that one ball when he came steaming down the pitch his calm in such a situation was remarkable.
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He didn’t look bothered by the situation at all, aside from that rush of blood to the head as you said.
 
Will the pick Jimmy for the OT test and if so, who do they drop? Can’t drop Archer, Broad or Woakes. Perhaps drop Butler and slip Jimmy in and let Stokes concentrate on batting. He was exhausted on Sunday.
 
Offsideagain said:
Will the pick Jimmy for the OT test and if so, who do they drop? Can’t drop Archer, Broad or Woakes. Perhaps drop Butler and slip Jimmy in and let Stokes concentrate on batting. He was exhausted on Sunday.
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If Jimmy is fit, he will come in for Woakes. The latter hasn't looked his usual self and hasn't always been trusted by Root either rightly or wrongly. Means a long ish tail with Archer batting at 8 but Woakes has also struggled with the bat against the Aussie short ball.
 
sammsky1 said:
And to be fair, have been very objective and gracious in defeat.
At what point in that last test did you think you were going to lose? How did it feel when Lyon dropped the ball?
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Thanks mate, does help when there are good people around to chat with.

I had doubts close of play day 3 actually, with Root and Stokes at the crease and 203 to chase down. We hadn’t bowled well to that point, and Root seemed a man on a mission.

When Root went early I calmed down a bit, but Bairstow accelerated the run rate with Stokes, so the doubt crept back in. To be honest I had major doubt until it was 9 down with 70 odd to win. I actually went to bed at that point, confident we’d win, but couldn’t sleep so came back down (at almost 2 am) with 20 runs to win.

At that point I’d conceded defeat... don’t get me started on the run out, dropped chances, review/non review... Lot of yelling at the screen with head in hands - a little subdued as it was late and I was exhausted. I actually watched a few more minutes of coverage after the winning runs were hit, in a state of disbelief, but couldn’t watch any interviews, too painful. And naturally Monday in Aus every man and their dog was talking about the game. Most here seem to think we will take the ashes next test so it’s not all doom and gloom ;)
 
jungledrums said:
Thanks mate, does help when there are good people around to chat with.

I had doubts close of play day 3 actually, with Root and Stokes at the crease and 203 to chase down. We hadn’t bowled well to that point, and Root seemed a man on a mission.

When Root went early I calmed down a bit, but Bairstow accelerated the run rate with Stokes, so the doubt crept back in. To be honest I had major doubt until it was 9 down with 70 odd to win. I actually went to bed at that point, confident we’d win, but couldn’t sleep so came back down (at almost 2 am) with 20 runs to win.

At that point I’d conceded defeat... don’t get me started on the run out, dropped chances, review/non review... Lot of yelling at the screen with head in hands - a little subdued as it was late and I was exhausted. I actually watched a few more minutes of coverage after the winning runs were hit, in a state of disbelief, but couldn’t watch any interviews, too painful. And naturally Monday in Aus every man and their dog was talking about the game. Most here seem to think we will take the ashes next test so it’s not all doom and gloom ;)
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As we are all United fans, so normally going through similar emotions and reactions, its really refreshing to read the opposing view of a match experience. Even in these few short sentences, you've captured the polar opposite of what I went through. Which is quite fitting given you are literally on the opposite side of the planet :lol:

What must it have been like for Munich fans when Solskjaer scored that last gasp winner in Barcelona, ditto Chelsea fans when Terry slipped and missed his penalty in Moscow? The exact polar opposite of the ecstasy we all went through!

Sport requires winners and losers. For every single game! And yet, growing up playing sport at a decent level, I cant remember being taught how to lose graciously or how to deal with losing. The closest was the macho mumbo jumbo about losers being weaklings, so don't get used to it.

Cant help but think its a massive learning opportunity, which would help people massively in their adult lives. Got to say that Williamson and Paine have provided great examples after these last 2 crazy games. I think Morgan would do similar, but think the likes of Kohli or Root wouldn't be so gracious.
 
sammsky1 said:
As we are all United fans, so normally going through similar emotions and reactions, its really refreshing to read the opposing view of a match experience. Even in these few short sentences, you've captured the polar opposite of what I went through. Which is quite fitting given you are literally on the opposite side of the planet :lol:

What must it have been like for Munich fans when Solskjaer scored that last gasp winner in Barcelona, ditto Chelsea fans when Terry slipped and missed his penalty in Moscow? The exact polar opposite of the ecstasy we all went through!

Sport requires winners and losers. For every single game! And yet, growing up playing sport at a decent level, I cant remember being taught how to lose graciously or how to deal with losing. The closest was the macho mumbo jumbo about losers being weaklings, so don't get used to it.

Cant help but think its a massive learning opportunity, which would help people massively in their adult lives. Got to say that Williamson and Paine have provided great examples after these last 2 crazy games. I think Morgan would do similar, but think the likes of Kohli or Root wouldn't be so gracious.
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Nice words mate. Largely agree. Root strikes me as a decent enough guy though? I agree he’s not the obvious gent that Cook was though. Kohli is an interesting one... at times I’ve seen him spit the dummy a bit but I’ve also seen him act graciously. I agree that Paine is a good guy and he represents the team well.
 
I played Rugby for 20 odd years and we always wanted to win of course, but if we were beaten we accepted it. Quite often the decisions made by ‘homer (not Simpson)’ referrers was hard to take but just made you try a little harder. We would occasionally get battered but the disappointment didn’t last long. I don’t agree with the second is first of the losers stuff especially with kids as it puts too much pressure on them. Professional sports people however should perform professionally as Ben Stokes did. Some of the dorks at United are just cruising and banking the cash in my view, too much cash and no class.
 
Offsideagain said:
I played Rugby for 20 odd years and we always wanted to win of course, but if we were beaten we accepted it. Quite often the decisions made by ‘homer (not Simpson)’ referrers was hard to take but just made you try a little harder. We would occasionally get battered but the disappointment didn’t last long. I don’t agree with the second is first of the losers stuff especially with kids as it puts too much pressure on them. Professional sports people however should perform professionally as Ben Stokes did. Some of the dorks at United are just cruising and banking the cash in my view, too much cash and no class.
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Stokes is a very good barometer and metaphor for how I expect Pogba to contribute at Manchester United, if Pogba is as world class as his fans claim he is.

I dont see Stokes complaining about his batting top order not doing their jobs and so making his job a lot harder, nor did he complain about how toothless the ODI bowling was pre Archer, and happy absorbs extra workload creating by unforeseen issues. I've never heard Stokes moan about a team not being perfectly set up for him to influence a game. Stokes assesses the match situation and adjusts his batting, bowling or fielding skills accordingly.

I loved Stokes's answer to a question earlier in the test which was "I just try to do whatever Joe (Root) asks of me". Thats what I expect of a world class player committed to his team.

Pogba on the other hand is wildly inconsistent, seems to turn up only 1 game in 5, when he can be arsed, and his fans make every excuse under the sun: can only play left of midfield 3, surrounding midfielders not being good enough, wrong tactics, not enough sycophancy, the list is endless.

I expect Pogba's impact at Manchester United to be similar to Ben Stokes for England this summer, given what Pogba cost and is paid, and how he is proclaimed, At best, Pogba has helped our team win a few games, when the team itself also played well. I can't remember one game when Pogba grabbed the game by the scruff the of neck, inspired his teammates through his charisma and talents. Instead what we mostly see is a circus ground tricks which never come off, invariably losing the ball, and negatively affecting our play.
 
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slyadams said:
Anderson out for the rest of the ashes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49527522
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Damn. Was so looking forward to Anderson bowling in partnership with Archer. Could see Archer softening the Aussies up, and next over Anderson cleaning up.

England need to just formulate 2 plans: Don't allow for Smith-Labuschange to bat together for too long. That is 75% of the test right there. The other 25% is Englands top order getting 150 runs. If they can do both, it's game on.

The only other selection issue is whether to plat Woakes or Curran. I'd be tempted to bring in Curran, and he's fresh, champing at the bit to make his impact, whilst Woakes has looked jaded.
 
I'm going to the Derbyshire v Australia match, day 3 tomorrow and as Smith has just got out cheaply (and they will want him to bat again) and they will likely skittle the home side cheaply again, I'm likely to see him at the crease!

So I can add him to the list of modern day legends I will have seen play just down the road :).
 
JohnnyKills said:
England career over?
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If form is good, I still think he has skills that add value to the bowling unit, in place of either Broad or Woakes.

If he can prove fitness (and motivation), think he deserves a home test farewell series next summer (vs W.Indies and/or Pakistan).

Need to participate in at least one of the winter tours vs New Zealand and South Africa to do so.
 
Back in Manchester next week and got day 5 tickets for the test. Forecast for Wednesday and Friday is awful so will hopefully see some play.
 
sammsky1 said:
If form is good, I still think he has skills that add value to the bowling unit, in place of either Broad or Woakes.

If he can prove fitness (and motivation), think he deserves a home test farewell series next summer (vs W.Indies and/or Pakistan).

Need to participate in at least one of the winter tours vs New Zealand and South Africa to do so.
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Get what you're saying. Not sure we should be picking on sentiment though.

If he's still good enough to be a first pick, then he should play. If he's just one bowler in a rotation system I'd prefer we look for someone more long-term.
 
jungledrums said:
Thanks mate, does help when there are good people around to chat with.

I had doubts close of play day 3 actually, with Root and Stokes at the crease and 203 to chase down. We hadn’t bowled well to that point, and Root seemed a man on a mission.

When Root went early I calmed down a bit, but Bairstow accelerated the run rate with Stokes, so the doubt crept back in. To be honest I had major doubt until it was 9 down with 70 odd to win. I actually went to bed at that point, confident we’d win, but couldn’t sleep so came back down (at almost 2 am) with 20 runs to win.

At that point I’d conceded defeat... don’t get me started on the run out, dropped chances, review/non review... Lot of yelling at the screen with head in hands - a little subdued as it was late and I was exhausted. I actually watched a few more minutes of coverage after the winning runs were hit, in a state of disbelief, but couldn’t watch any interviews, too painful. And naturally Monday in Aus every man and their dog was talking about the game. Most here seem to think we will take the ashes next test so it’s not all doom and gloom ;)
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You could really have used a fifth bowler in that second innings. Pace bowlers were knackered by the end. Starc must surely play at OT.
 
sammsky1 said:
Middlesex, Malan and Sterling off to a cracking start with ABdV, Morgan and Hafeez to come.

It’s on!
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Ab is still the best batsman in the world to watch.

He's so smooth and simple. Looks like he's just playing in the back garden
 
arnie_ni said:
Ab is still the best batsman in the world to watch.

He's so smooth and simple. Looks like he's just playing in the back garden
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94 off 6 :lol: Amazing start from Malan which already got required run rate within control.

So need 133 of 14o. doable given the batting talent available.
 
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What a catch by Max Waller! As good as Stokes’s in CWC19!!!

I will never forget taking one similar when I used to play cricket. And in reality they are really just a fluke, as all you do is put your hand out and hope :lol: That’s what I did anyway.
 
Eoin Morgan :eek: 83* off 29 balls :lol:

Middlesex win chasing down 239 in 17 overs :wenger:

Glad I watched that!!
 
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Poor Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Anderson, calf strain still giving him problems. Mind you , he is 84 isn’t he.:boring: Gets the selectors out of a hole I guess. Still think Roy may either be dropped or bat 5 or 6.
 
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