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I agree, but that's the new approach and if he'd scored 100 off 75 balls we'd all be applauding. It'll maybe take time to find the balance.
Anyway, what I was inspired to come on here to post was: the way that Bumrah's collar has flapped open, displaying the contrast piping. It looks like he's bowling in the Mumbai hospital league and is still on call and needs his stethoscope to hand just in case.
Whilst the new brand of England Test Cricket is a great watch, they will get found out by decent attacks with a bit of pace like India and South Africa. Whether they get found out in two tests and win the other three or vice versa remains to be seen. I'm not sure Stokes will get much change waltzing down the track to Rabada and Nortje.
India are not beyond reproach in this game, either. Their team selection is clearly being influenced by internal politics within the squad - Thakur is not worth his place in the team versus Ashwin. As it stands, Ashwin is a far better bet with the ball and no mug with the bat either. It is pretty inexplicable why he would not be in the line up the first/second name on the list. Bumrah, Shami and Siraj do not have histories of injury and Jadeja is a more than capable middle order bat (as shown in the first innings).
I just saw something flash up on my Alexa as I was making a brew - about Broad's over that cost 35.
I think the McCullum/Stokes era - however long it lasts and whatever the relative success/failure - is going to be one that challenges the thoughts of traditionalists. They've already done away with the notion of a 350 lead being enough before the last innings.
Having a bowler who has just notched up his 550th Test wicket then concede (by a comfortable margin) more runs in an over than anyone ever - is just crazy. But then, perhaps England are going to carry this through and win every test series 3-2, with all the results having England score at 5.5 an over, just for different lengths of time...
Crawleys dismassal - unlucky as it reversed in at him.
Popes - dreadful pointless waft.
Lees Run Out - bad call from Root.
This wasnt "Attacking Cricket", it was 2 needless dismissals when we were in complete control.
Yeah but can we do it again. I do hope so
This wasnt “Attacking Cricket”, it was 2 needless dismissals when we were in complete control.
Sure, but at least there were 100 runs on the board. Not usually the case!
Not long until Operation Who Can Hit the Ball Hardest resumes.
England should (and will) continue to come at the Indian bowlers like a freight train. It's worked so far this summer and with Bairstow in the form he is in, it is odds on it will again.
The purist in me still thinks that a team like India is more likely to prevail long-term with at least one batsman who hangs around with the others batting around him, but I am happy to be proved wrong. The new England dynamic will also unsettle opposition teams - it is one thing knowing that the batters are going to be after you from the start, another thing having the composure to deal with going at 6/7 an over and persevere with your plans.
It certainly isn't dull!
The purist in me still thinks that a team like India is more likely to prevail long-term with at least one batsman who hangs around with the others batting around him
You could argue England have that though. Root, Pope, Bairstow and Foakes have all hung around a bit at various points in the series. That they were scoring at 5 an over during that period is largely irrelevant.
You have to feel confident they'll chase this today, though 2 early wickets will make it very much squeaky bum time.
Fascinating to see how this finishes.
I might be wrong but I don't think Root has a great record for scoring too many runs on day two of an innings. If one of them goes quickly, then Stokes slogs himself out again, it could very quickly be case of an exposed tail getting done over. In a way I kind of hope that happens - the one fly in the ointment of this new way of playing has been Stoke's' batting. The others have been batting positively - but he's been a bit of an arse. Him letting the side down and causing the first failure of his captaincy might be long term what they need.
An aside - with Ali saying he would be interested in coming out of international test retirement to play in this side.......Him instead of Leach would make quite the difference to the batting lineup. Another big hitter in the order would give just a touch more reassurance to all the batters to go for it as it would increase the odds of one or two getting in and making runs.
Class! No 28
just extraordinary
Kohli's got a face like a slapped arse. What a shame.
knock it off in 76 overs and 7 wickets to spare !!!!
I don't think I've ever seen a batsman look as in control of his game as Bairstow is. He looks absolutely magnificent.
Job jobbed.
Quite remarkable.
A quite astonishing summer of cricket so far. It'll be interesting to see how Eng fare against SA in a few weeks, given that they'll no doubt be defending a lead at some time.
Not going to get carried away too much just yet though.
A quite astonishing summer of cricket so far. It’ll be interesting to see how Eng fare against SA in a few weeks, given that they’ll no doubt be defending a lead at some time.
It's been an amazing 4 Tests so far; and really great to see since Trent Bridge the grounds giving free entry for the last day of each match.
The real test is of course whether they can do it abroad against solid sides - Australia, and the subcontinent in particular - and the bowling might be where the cracks show a little.
But as you say, for now it's fabulous; and South Africa will be a fascinating match up
Let’s hope today gets even better with England beating India tonight in the T20
Not looking great
You ain’t wrong
Why didn't they just send out the test side?
Is there some conservation law for English cricket? If the test team starts playing well do the white ball guys have to be crap 🙁
Is there some conservation law for English cricket? If the test team starts playing well do the white ball guys have to be crap 🙁
I was thinking the same! That said, from the little I've seen, the Indian bowlers have been superb, hooping it round corners, haven't seen that with a white ball before.
I thought it was on tomorrow, just realised and tuned in. Urgh
Here we go, England batting first. Let’s hope for a better show today
Watching the Ladies ODI v SA. Why on earth did SA win the toss & field in that heat??
England have a pretty impressive bunch of 12th ladies carrying the drinks - Brunt, Sciver and Ecclestone!
Who upset the SA skipper? England are a class above here.
SA top order blown away 5 0 0 0.... impressive
67-7 this turning into a rout
Beaten all ends up!
I enjoyed that tbh some great cricket from both sides added to some grumpy SA tactical nonsense with the rain showers.
Johnnies @ it again....
out the ground 🙂
and live on bbc sport web
6 6 wd wd 1 6 6 6
We're a couple of streets away from the ground. Just waiting for a ball to land in the garden.
Ali 52 off 16 !
ball is disappearing to all parts!
Away from home w/o sky so following on BBC website. They just said Jordan is bowling 100mph Yorkers, that's not right is it?!?
90 mph, yes.
PSA- there's Commonwealth cricket on the iPlayer if anyone's interested. India vs Australia is on now.
why isn't Moeen in the test side ? he gives it a hell of a rip.
or even Rashid 😕
delayed gratification ! 😀
SA win toss and will bowl first
I have a feeling England will get found out batting first and not chasing as they have for the last 4 'Bazball' matches.
Nice to have proper cricket back. I'm gonna say it - can't fathom the point/need for the hundred. 3 formats was already plenty. What's to be gained by extracting 40 balls from the match?
This is going well..
Ollie Ollie Ollie bat bat bat!
I've got a suspicion that Bazball is going to get found out against this attack. Waltzing down the track to Boult (84mph) and Southee (80mph on a good day) is a bit different to Nortje...
Stokes is SUCH a good player he shouldn't be pre-empting the bowler. Stand still and play the ball on its merits for heaven's sake. He's got so many shots and is so strong that he doesn't need to pre-meditate.