That's a bit OTT, if we hadn't had half the attack injured or ill on the field the decision you have such a problem with may very well have been different.
And while i type this, Nash has just been bowled LBW.
30 overs left now.
West Indies vs England - Tests and One Day Series
- Thread starter Nick 0208 Ldn
- Start date
That's a bit OTT, if we hadn't had half the attack injured or ill on the field the decision you have such a problem with may very well have been different.
And while i type this, Nash has just been bowled LBW.
30 overs left now.
The problems we've had should have made it even more likely we put them back in. It was a woeful decision, that could have cost us a test that was all but wrapped up on day 3. Gunna be a tense tight finish now, hopefully we pull through, but we should not be in this position
Strauss is still relatively inexperienced at captain, who knows his thinking behind why he didn't make them follow on and he really isn't to blame for our second innings collapse last match. Anyway we'll definitely win now! so cheer up mate
I wouldn't say its definite, this is England we're talking about, we still need 4 wickets from less than a session remaining
The English cricket team just make me grumpy, that's all
The English cricket team just make me grumpy, that's all
Needed that!
330-8!
Only one more now, who knows how many overs with the light fadingthough.
Drawn.
feck, one wicket
Ffffffffffffffffffffffffs
Well that's a bitter pill.
cracking test match though
Brad's right. This is Strauss' fault completely. Who in the right mind would set a total of 503 against this Windies team especially? Shoud've declared after 400 maybe 450 at a stretch.
Only England.
£900 if England won
£45 if drawn
£0.00 on WI
Gutted.. I won £45 but could have been way more
£45 if drawn
£0.00 on WI
Gutted.. I won £45 but could have been way more
Eh, cracking stuff England. fecking fantastic
Now there you have a point, and you won't be the only one regretting that.
England positives - Strauss' first innings, Collingwood's second innings, Swann, Broad
England negatives [besides the end result] - Became too fixated with reaching the abitrary figure of 500 and lost some impetus as a result, Flintoff hip injury, possible hand injury for Pietersen.
England seem to be involved in the wrong end of great test matches recently.
Hehe, Strauss is an epic Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime.
Absolutely delighted with this result. Hopefully Sarwan continues in this current vein of rich scoring and Chanderpaul and Gayle get their act together and the West Indians round out this series.
After all the false dawns of previous years, it genuinely does look like this side has turned a corner.
Absolutely delighted with this result. Hopefully Sarwan continues in this current vein of rich scoring and Chanderpaul and Gayle get their act together and the West Indians round out this series.
After all the false dawns of previous years, it genuinely does look like this side has turned a corner.
P.S You can stick your fecking IPL up your arse. That's what I call a proper fecking cricket match.
Well, at least we can hope England and the captain inparticular will learn from the mistakes of this last test. Oh wait...
Strauss Stands By Key Decisions
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/7900714.stm
Captain Andrew Strauss has defended his decision to not declare earlier as England failed to beat West Indies in an exciting finish to the third Test.
The visitors had looked set to level the series at 1-1 but the home side held out for a draw in fading light.
Strauss declared on 221-8 in the second innings, setting West Indies an improbable 503 for victory, but England fell agonisingly short by one wicket.
"We had over 130 overs to bowl the West Indies," said the Middlesex batsman. "On most fifth-day wickets that is more than enough overs."
After their shocking defeat in the opening match of the series, England were on top for much of the match in Antigua but Ramnaresh Sarwan (106) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (55) led a determined survival effort by the home side.
But although Andrew Flintoff was not firing on all cylinders because of a hip problem, Stuart Broad weighed in with 3-51, Graeme Swann also took three wickets to go with his 5-57 in the first innings and James Anderson picked up two.
Questions will be asked about his decision not to enforce the follow-on after the West Indies first innings, and the timing of his declaration on the fourth day, but Strauss said: "We needed to bat again, particularly with Freddie being injured.
"When you get so close there are always things you think about. But there are many positives to come out of this Test match. We will take those positives and continue to get better."
He added: "I don't regret it because Steve Harmison was very ill - we didn't know if we would get any overs out of him and Fred had this injury so we weren't sure how many overs we would get out of him.
"So, it was very important we gave our other bowlers a rest so they could come with their fuel tanks as full as possible for the final innings, so I don't regret that.
"There are always things that you think, 'I might have done this slightly differently or that differently' but generally the effort the guys put in was outstanding. "
Flintoff, who faces a scan in the next two days, still managed to contribute 14 overs on the final day and almost wrapped up the win with a couple of inswinging yorkers.
"We tried to bowl him today as little as possible but we probably bowled him more than we wanted to," Strauss added.
"His last spell was incredible considering his fitness. We'll get a scan done in Barbados - he may be fit [for the next Test], he may not be."
Despite the disappointment, with Strauss admitting a draw "almost feels like a defeat", he is confident England can still win the series.
"It's tough to take. I thought we did enough but it wasn't to be," he said.
"Right through this match we played exceptional cricket and if we can continue in similar fashion we will come out on top."
Strauss Stands By Key Decisions
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/7900714.stm
Captain Andrew Strauss has defended his decision to not declare earlier as England failed to beat West Indies in an exciting finish to the third Test.
The visitors had looked set to level the series at 1-1 but the home side held out for a draw in fading light.
Strauss declared on 221-8 in the second innings, setting West Indies an improbable 503 for victory, but England fell agonisingly short by one wicket.
"We had over 130 overs to bowl the West Indies," said the Middlesex batsman. "On most fifth-day wickets that is more than enough overs."
After their shocking defeat in the opening match of the series, England were on top for much of the match in Antigua but Ramnaresh Sarwan (106) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (55) led a determined survival effort by the home side.
But although Andrew Flintoff was not firing on all cylinders because of a hip problem, Stuart Broad weighed in with 3-51, Graeme Swann also took three wickets to go with his 5-57 in the first innings and James Anderson picked up two.
Questions will be asked about his decision not to enforce the follow-on after the West Indies first innings, and the timing of his declaration on the fourth day, but Strauss said: "We needed to bat again, particularly with Freddie being injured.
"When you get so close there are always things you think about. But there are many positives to come out of this Test match. We will take those positives and continue to get better."
He added: "I don't regret it because Steve Harmison was very ill - we didn't know if we would get any overs out of him and Fred had this injury so we weren't sure how many overs we would get out of him.
"So, it was very important we gave our other bowlers a rest so they could come with their fuel tanks as full as possible for the final innings, so I don't regret that.
"There are always things that you think, 'I might have done this slightly differently or that differently' but generally the effort the guys put in was outstanding. "
Flintoff, who faces a scan in the next two days, still managed to contribute 14 overs on the final day and almost wrapped up the win with a couple of inswinging yorkers.
"We tried to bowl him today as little as possible but we probably bowled him more than we wanted to," Strauss added.
"His last spell was incredible considering his fitness. We'll get a scan done in Barbados - he may be fit [for the next Test], he may not be."
Despite the disappointment, with Strauss admitting a draw "almost feels like a defeat", he is confident England can still win the series.
"It's tough to take. I thought we did enough but it wasn't to be," he said.
"Right through this match we played exceptional cricket and if we can continue in similar fashion we will come out on top."
What is it you want exactly Brad? Another new captain?
And surely that [the above article] is media spin? Granted humility on one of the decision areas would have been nice, the declaration mo, but it's past now.
And surely that [the above article] is media spin? Granted humility on one of the decision areas would have been nice, the declaration mo, but it's past now.
Well what I'd like is a winning captain in charge of England, one who is positive and will make the right decisions. Someone like Pieterson, but we sacked him for... wanting to create a winning team. Oh well, let's bring in 'safe' pair of hands Strauss. He'll make nice conservative decisions that lose us test matches we should be winning easily. That'll do nicely
It would just be nice, when he's made a complete balls up of it like this, to see some hands being held up. But no, the decision is defended, and nothing is learnt. Roll on the Ashes eh...
He says Harmison wasn't well and Flintoff couldn't bowl. What do you want? England to go in and try bowl Windies out with 3 bowlers on a good batting wicket?
Well, rather sensibly, on day three with 7 sessions to go and a near 300 lead, I wanted us to put them back in. Even if our bowlers were in bad shape, it would still take something incredible by the Windies to avoid defeat. But we gave them an opportunity of saving the game. And they took it
This is the typical English attitude though. Make excuses for bad decisions. It was a terrible, terrible decision, and it cost us the test match which was all but won on day 3
They did that in India and what happened? Don't blame the Captain/english team - Blame the Antiguan weather.
The weather?! We lost about 75 minutes!
If we put them back into bat immediately, we win the test. Even in the absolute worst case scenario, they manage to bat out nearly two days, and get a lead of about 100, it still gives England a session to bat again and cruise to victory
There are no excuses for such a bad decision. But doesn't it say it all that people are trying desperately to make them. fecking shambles
The English cricket team are trying to move forwards from the whole Pieterson lark, if they hadn't lost that cruical 75 minutes they would have been bowled out for sure. It wasn't all that bad a decision or a negative one but it just didn't work it in such a way the captain would have hoped. It was only his second game in charge, so give him atleast until the end of the West Indies tour to judge him on his leadership skills.
And Strauss was surely behind the inclusion of both Swann and Shah, which assuming we give them a fair chance [which i hope] is clearly a good call.
There's still two tests remaining here.
I think the more important matter now is how we balance things up with Flintoff's likely absence in mind. I mean he had two injections in his hip just to stay out there yesterday, hat off to him but we've got to hope thae damage isn't too severe.
There's still two tests remaining here.
I think the more important matter now is how we balance things up with Flintoff's likely absence in mind. I mean he had two injections in his hip just to stay out there yesterday, hat off to him but we've got to hope thae damage isn't too severe.
I don't think Shah and 'fair chance' go together in the same sentence do they? how many times has he been back up on tour when the entire top order is failing, only to remain on the sidelines? I don't know who finally made the call, don't assume it's the captain though. It should be, but there you go
I thought the decision to bat again was a shockingly poor one at the time. And it came back to bite us. To then hear him defend that decision... it's just utterly unacceptable for me. We will not win the Ashes with a man of this attitude, who refuses to learn from his mistakes, is in charge
And, it seems, we will learn this the hard way. How very English
You're being extremely negative Brad! We were only a wicket away from victory. Again that second innings collapse before can't be blamed on strauss. If anything I'd rather he made these "mistakes" now before the ashes
For many years as I was growing up we had a mediocre side (i remember the world cup when I was around 8, I was cheering on alan mullaly:eek, don't get me wrong those were fun times too but.....) Since those days we've come a VERY long way. We've won the ashes (And if we hadn't over celebrated it then we could have retained it too). We're blessed with a wealth of talent nowadays and we've got a new captain in. Things will take time to come together. Strauss is much more intelligent that he's given credit for.Though you're right about Shah, doesn't get anywhere near many chances as his talent warrants.
BRING ON THE AUSSIES
I'm not negative, I'm positive. I want us to win test matches. Why didn't we win this test match, which we had in the bag by day 3, but conspired to throw away? Because of a very poor decision to not enforce the follow on, when we already had a near 300 lead. The depleted bowler situation was even MORE of a reason to do so, because you don't want that attack only having a day or so to take 10 wickets
I'm unhappy with the test. But what I'm furious about is that we've learnt nothing. We're putting it down as one of those things. We're defending bad decisions - why? I have nothing against Strauss. I don't think he should be captain, we had a great captain, a bold appointment, and because of politics and a bit of panic, we scrapped him stupidly early. Not for any reasons to do with play on the pitch. And yet here's a captain who's presided over two farce tests, and all the excuses are coming out for why he should be given time
Make bad decisions against the Aussies, and they'll batter us. You know damn well what Ponting would have done this test, and he'd have been sat in his hotel room with his feet up watching Neighbours on what would have been the 5th day morning. Make good decisions, and we have the talent and skill to beat them. I see a captain making a critical mistake, excusing and refusing to learn from it, and that fills me with no confidence whatsoever for the future
I'm unhappy with the test. But what I'm furious about is that we've learnt nothing. We're putting it down as one of those things. We're defending bad decisions - why? I have nothing against Strauss. I don't think he should be captain, we had a great captain, a bold appointment, and because of politics and a bit of panic, we scrapped him stupidly early. Not for any reasons to do with play on the pitch. And yet here's a captain who's presided over two farce tests, and all the excuses are coming out for why he should be given time
Make bad decisions against the Aussies, and they'll batter us. You know damn well what Ponting would have done this test, and he'd have been sat in his hotel room with his feet up watching Neighbours on what would have been the 5th day morning. Make good decisions, and we have the talent and skill to beat them. I see a captain making a critical mistake, excusing and refusing to learn from it, and that fills me with no confidence whatsoever for the future
He's probably making the excuses so his decisions aren't undermined but I'm sure he would have learnt from it. His decision not to enforce the follow on would have been discussed with other senior players (and the coach) so he's not all to blame.
If you give someone the power to make decisions, and they make bad decisions, then they are responsible for those bad decisions
We won the toss and we're batting.
Bopara in for Flintoff, Sidebottom for Harmison.
Bopara in for Flintoff, Sidebottom for Harmison.
england 46-0. strauss looks in pretty good nick on a good flat batting track. England going at 4 runs per over which is pretty good going against the new ball. Doesn't look to be an awful lot in the pitch for the windies bowlers. hopefully put a big score up and on by day 3 the pitch will deteriate so we can try and skittle them out.
am quite surprised to see sidebottom in for harmison seeing he's carrying an achilles injury. didn't think harmy bowled too bad in the last test. would have rather seen sidebottom rested so not to aggriavate the injury. England will need him in the summer. with the ashes win in england in 2005 the aussies really struggled with swing bowling. bell out again, couldn't really see him getting in before bopara seeing the form he's in. feel good about this test match
am quite surprised to see sidebottom in for harmison seeing he's carrying an achilles injury. didn't think harmy bowled too bad in the last test. would have rather seen sidebottom rested so not to aggriavate the injury. England will need him in the summer. with the ashes win in england in 2005 the aussies really struggled with swing bowling. bell out again, couldn't really see him getting in before bopara seeing the form he's in. feel good about this test match
Strauss brings up his 100 hes playing very well. England 173-0
Flat as heck pitch but Strauss has played really well, great response after his last controversial decision, shows he's got the right mentality (adequate to be our captain). Brad may even begin to forgive him after this
There's the potential we might reach a similar stage in this game as the last, England dominant on day 3, West Indies unable to avoid the follow on
If Strauss makes the same decision, I will fly over there and kick him square in the nuts
But looking good so far
If Strauss makes the same decision, I will fly over there and kick him square in the nuts
But looking good so far
He wont. I'm definitely going to see the ashes live. Haven't been to a cricket match in ages.