The cricket thread

RandallFlagg

crunchman said:

Heartfeltdawn said:

Weather will be on our side for the first part of the day. Scheduled to piss it down from about 2pm and on Monday morning as well. Don't really fancy us chasing 200 on a drying breaking up Brum track. 

Might end up chasing a lot more than 200.  Haven't got a clue how they are going to get Smith out, and we are dependent on Moeen, who is going at over 5 an over.   We finished the day with Root bowling.  That says it all.   How many times have I said we should have played Leach.

In the first innings Broad bowled 2 Yorkers at Smith that had him looking uncomfortable and the 3rd ball castled him. Worth a go again.

Heartfeltdawn

Mark Ramprakash on the BBC today:

""We had numerous discussions about how to get him out - the problem is on this type of surface, which is fairly benign, with not much pace or late movement, he is very unorthodox and very difficult to tie down," he said.

"Bowlers don't like bowling a lot of deliveries outside off stump that are just left so they target the stumps but, with Smith, if you bowl at the stumps he just picks you off to the leg side."

Ignoring Ramps saying what bowlers don't like doing (weird considering he played with Angus Fraser who was line and length personified), Smith wins by making the bowlers change their plan through a lack of patience. Sometimes you just have to bore someone out. A bit like this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRJWQajiRGE

scrumhalf

If they can't get him out then dry him up and get the others out.

Simple.

I should take over from Trevor Bayliss.

IF Smith is still there at lunch it's going to mean a substantial target.

RandallFlagg

20-30% chance of rain through Sunday and up to 50% on Monday. I reckon the Hollies stand revellers will be singing "it's gonna rain in a minute" by the afternoon if Steve Smith is still in.

The Aussies will need some wet & dry paper on day 5 if the rain comes.  

scrumhalf

Hmm, opening with Moeen trying to decapitate Smith. 

sixstringsupplies

Is Woakes injured? Mind boggling that he hasn't bowled.

Heartfeltdawn

Our first choice spinner who wasn't our first choice spinner a couple of years ago according to the coach is being outbowled by a part-timer. 

Our first choice keeper who isn't close to being our best gloveman in the squad, let alone the country, is missing vital stumpings. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAFtT5zuoSM

scrumhalf

We've got our best bowler crocked. Our keeper/batsman isn't getting runs. Our offspinning batsman isn't spinning it too well and isn't getting runs.

Meanwhile, nobody who could come in has played any red ball cricket for...? 

axisus

Hats off to Smith, he is a fine batsman even if he has dubious scruples. 

Utterly mad to destroy his reputation in the way that he did ...

RandallFlagg

We could be looking at what number do Aus declare on two avoid the draw and give themselves enough time. 

earwighoney

axisus said:

Hats off to Smith, he is a fine batsman even if he has dubious scruples. 

Utterly mad to destroy his reputation in the way that he did ...

He thought he could get away with it as he did before.  

Many seem to forget 'Brainfadegate' when he'd have a look at Lehmann in the crowd to whether he should review or not.  

scrumhalf

Is it now a question of looking forward to some rain?

Or maybe George Davis has been a naughty boy again.

Heartfeltdawn

Andrew Sampson: "Steve Smith averages 71.8 since he scored his first Test hundred. He has scored his 25 hundreds in his last 54 Tests." 

His rivals over their last 54 Tests:

Root: 9 centuries, 4308 runs at 45.

Kohli: 20 centuries, 5035 runs at 57.87. 

Williamson: 17 centuries, 5092 runs at 61. 

crunchman

Watching Moeen bowl is painful.

scrumhalf

In a properly-structured season Moeen could go back to his county and get some overs under his belt.

I can't see any point in him going back to T20. The one day game is killing test cricket. 

sixstringsupplies

Joe Root takes the ball which is only 5 overs old.
didnt think we’d be praying for rain when AUS were 122-8 on day one.

I’d tell Jason Roy to play his natural game. Try and get off to flyer. England won’t last the day, better off trying to knock the runs off. 

RandallFlagg

sixstringsupplies said:

Joe Root takes the ball which is only 5 overs old.
didnt think we’d be praying for rain when AUS were 122-8 on day one.

I’d tell Jason Roy to play his natural game. Try and get off to flyer. England won’t last the day, better off trying to knock the runs off. 

340 and counting? can't see England chasing that down in Test conditions. I would let the openers try and fly but at 5 down play for the draw and pray for rain.

RandallFlagg

Shane Warne on commentary, I could punch his hair weaved, plastic surgery ridden, botox filled head. He was talking complete bollocks earlier. He thinks he's such a playboy, drooling over Isa Guha with the occasional smarmy comment.

Teetonetal

gotta question why Bairstow is keeping. How much has he done over the summer?

RandallFlagg

This has been a tricky test for England, not the expected Edgbaston romp, they've missed James Anderson and with Moeen not firing it's been a weaker than normal bowling attack. 

Early days but I sense this may be a harder set of home Ashes Tests than England have been used to over the last few series.