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I was about to post that, actually, I think the umpiring has been pretty good in this series. But that 'no shot' was a shocker. As above, in club cricket that was clearly no shot offered.
It doesn't matter anyway. The pitch is a fricking minefield and england will do well to get 120 second dig.
Yup that was inexplicable. I hate to be a whinging pom but between the dodgy pitch and the umpiring it was always going to be an uphill struggle. Still, Foakes showed it was quite possible to bat on this surface.
In fairness, umpiring pretty good. It's a nightmare trying to umpire on a wicket like that with all that turn, bat pad double noises, and so on. That's where the DRS system is supposed to act as a safety net, but the 3rd umpiring has been awful.
And we wake up to find:
India still batting
Moeen with 4 wickets
And Ben Foakes standing up to Stuart Broad after a masterclass behind the stumps.
Great bit of analysis by Murali Kartik right now on Moeen's action.
Moeen has sacrificed action on the ball for consistency - I.e. reduced the number of moving parts, but lost some energy through the crease as a result.
Panesar did it with his pronounced hip swivel, gained consistency but lost a bit of 'snap'.
Missed stumping.....
Noooooooooooo!
Excellent century from Ashwin
Century and a 5fer for Ashwin, amazing.
Missed stumping…..
Noooooooooooo!
England are tired but the fielding has been a bit poor really.
And now, what every opening pair dread. An uncertain wait whilst a number 11 takes the piss....
That's that then.
How many wickets will England lose before close?
And how close will they get to the India score?
How many wickets will England lose before close?
I'll go with three.
England all out by the end of the day? :-/
Err after that first ball from Axar, can I revise my estimate, please?
Root very very lucky to not be out there I think.
How did Root get away with that?? Pretty shocking decision.....
No idea how Root has got away with that, no idea at all.
On the upside, Dan Lawrence looked good, just in time for Bairstow to come into the side.
I think we can also deduce that the selection of Kuldeep was not Kohli's preferred option....
So Moeen Ali to go home.....
Mixed feelings about this. On one hand I can see living in the bubble is not a lot of fun. Not a huge amount of fun here either mind.
On the other, a spinner getting to play two more test matches for your country in conditions that are specifically set up to suit spinners unlike pretty much every other test he might play in for the next couple of years and turning the chance down....
The cynic in me after that little cameo with the bat thinks he got a bit of marketing in ready for the IPL auctions on Thursday and job done, time to put his feet up ready for a proper pay cheque.
That or the atmosphere in the camp is unpleasant for/to him. I hope it's not that.
Remember he had Covid recently, he had always planned to go back he just didn't change his mind.
Lot of hype around the Hundred today, but does anyone give even the tiniest shit about it?
Lot of hype around the Hundred today, but does anyone give even the tiniest shit about it?
To quote Vic Marks in his farewell article on the Graun....
"Like Brexit, the Hundred has been smouldering and mouldering for about four years; like Brexit most people recognise it’s a crap idea, but no one has the balls to stop it."
Pretty much sums it up.
prat a minge cricket
The other view on the Hundred is that it's not for existing cricket lovers. It's on free to air, is easy to understand and will hopefully bring new fans to the game.
I'm not a big fan of the idea as I can't really see what it brings that Blast doesn't, but I'm aware that as an avid consumer of cricket and lover of turgid 5 day tests, I'm not really the target market.
What I will say is that putting Women's cricket on an equal programme to mens cricket is a very positive step.
No fan of the format here either- BBC sport early this morning were treating the 'draft' and 'player reveal' like final day of a football transfer period.
What I will say is that putting Women’s cricket on an equal programme to mens cricket is a very positive step.
Has the pay changed then- previously the women's salaries were a fraction of the men's, despite prize money being equal.
It is cricket for people who just want the bang and crash bits.
It's a bit like me saying I don't really like football all that much, but I find the drama of a penalty shootout compelling, so stop bothering with the other 90/120/whatever minutes and just go straight to penalties.
It serves a purpose, but it is too close to 20/20 to make much difference, I reckon.
I think it's a stupid idea but I also think people are getting way OTT about it. I'll probably still watch it.
I think they should have just admitted defeat and done the EPL (ha) modelled on the IPL like most other franchises. I think they wanted to out-IPL the IPL and come up with something more exciting but I'm not sure it will work really. Is it going to attract the same star line-ups?
I refuse to watch the Big Bash League (sponsored by KFC), it just seems too crass and cheesy even for me!
England to bat first.
3 seamers and 1 spinner is a ballsy selection, particularly when India have picked 3 spinners. I fear there will be a lot of pressure on Joe root with bat and with ball.
3 seamers and 1 spinner is a ballsy selection, particularly when India have picked 3 spinners. I fear there will be a lot of pressure on Joe root with bat and with ball.
India may well feel it is worth the risk of losing a wicket or two to hit the one specialist spinner out of the attack. That leaves Root with nowhere to go....
Good god, talk sport is shite.
Good god, talk sport is shite.
It really is.
Cricket social on BBC or Channel 4 (possibly without the pictures) are your best bets.
Good point, I'm WFH today so I can watch C4
**** me, Bairstow's just single handedly burnt a review when he was plumb in front. Didn't even consider asking his partner. Presumably didn't fancy getting a duck. Self before team......
He looked absolutely outraged too, I assumed he must have nicked it but he was miles away. Idiotic review.
He looked absolutely outraged too, I assumed he must have nicked it but he was miles away. Idiotic review.
Just saw the replay - he was motioning that he thought it was going down leg.
Ah yes, a good old fashioned England collapse.
Good to see Root getting out early to save energy for some bowling.
Painful
This is the only problem with test cricket - one sessions and a few overs in and the result is already known. Like someone getting a hat trick in the first 5 minutes of a football match. Ch4 have paid for 4 more days of telly that few will bother with.
Just saw the replay – he was motioning that he thought it was going down leg.
Exactly why you ask your partner. Who would have told him to keep walking.
RIP. Went on a client meeting when we were beginning to look a bit more secure at 70-odd for two...
This is the only problem with test cricket – one sessions and a few overs in and the result is already known.
First test went into day 5 with all 3 results possible.
First test went into day 5 with all 3 results possible.
Well, yes. That was the first test. But sometimes like seemingly this match, not so much.
First ball wicket for Root, seems he was playing 2 spinners afterall.
If we can get rid os Sundar we might just still be in the game.
Some confused and dazed looking Indian fans. Bye bye Washington
disgraceful pitch
2 in 3
🙂 3-0-2.3
WTAF
It’s great seeing the Indians quiet
Tuffers might get a game if the pitches carry on like this.
Ishant walking in wondering who he'll be bowling at when the lights come on?
Looks like we picked too many bowlers full stop! Leach Root Stokes would’ve been enough.
Time for the skip to take himself off before his figures get ruined.....
good decision to keep himself on, Ashwin just slogged to DSL
Got 4 balls to potentially take 5-5
Rooooooooooooot. #prayforhisfifer
What TF
Holy moly, this is bonkers.
picked 4 seamers !!!!!
Blimey... Wish I'd been watching this instead of working.
🙂
First five for
Roooooooooooot
Now don't let Kohli smile again
5 for !
Wow - what a morning!
Blimey… Wish I’d been watching this instead of working.
2 or 3 screens, 1 of which is reserved for cricket is essential.
5 for 8 in 6.2
This is the only problem with test cricket – one sessions and a few overs in and the result is already known.
What idiot wrote this!
It might still be over by lunch tomorrow (whatever lunch is call now) but it might well be fun getting there. Messy watching I suspect.
For ****s Sake...
Oof
Too high 😃
Make it count Johnnie
lucky boy
Unbelievable. What is Sibley thinking?
Christ on a bike
innings defeat
Over by tomorrow lunch seems optimistic!
Jeepers, what are you playing at Johnnie? Got away with that one.
Hmmm, over by tea and tiffin?
FFS, next ball.
Root to be hero or villain here...
YEEESss
A run
Over by tomorrow lunch seems optimistic!
Revised my opinion already! Bloody edit button disappeared after 15mins.