Cricket

[catcherintherye]

So far I've had confirmed the toss decides the test, the wicket just won't be the same when England bat it is deteriorating. As Kohli said day one is the only day when batting conditions are reasonable by day two they won't be, so they won't be when we bat first time round and impossible when batting last on it.

You learn absolutely nothing when the game is so predictable that the toss dictates who wins.

Well I suppose there's a bit in this. I mean if it's a standard pitch, then England probably defeat England what, 80% of the time? So it gives England a chance in games where the can win the toss. As I think I said in the Sri Lanka series I'm also not sure the pitch is never an issue anywhere. Headlingly, morning one it heavily clouded, days 2-3 heavy sun, it's a similar advantage.

I don't mind certain pitches, I think home advantage is key in cricket, and I prefer that to when you had 1 team dominating all the time. As I think I said at the start of the series, if England can get out of this series having competed, won some sessions and made the odd test it will be job well done. In a strange way, getting a draw in this match will probably be worth more than the win in the last one.

With all that in mind though, England lost the toss twice in Sri Lanka and I believe won both games. So it's not destiny.

There's plenty in this pitch already. It's starting to reverse which is a positive, and as I think I said above, both of the spinners have caused problems. It will be very hard to bat on as the days go on, which you can see already. Rohit is currently 136 off 190 balls. It's a world class innings that has put India in a great place. Hes done exactly what you want someone who gets in in this situation to do, grind down the opponents. For comparison, I think Sibley was around 60 off 190 balls last match. Those are the level between an opener who plays for one of the best teams in the world, and one that might get a game for a team who aren't, but want to be. Rohit has shown here, if you want to bethe best in the world, the way you have to play.

England are getting there, but still some upgrades needed. Anyway, it's an interesting watch now, Stone is getting it to reverse a bit and Ali looks dangerous. A couple of wickets and the game has a different feel. If Rohit bats to the end of the day though, the game may be gone.

 

[catcherintherye]

horrific 1st day pitch this. Its playing like a day 4 or 5 pitch

I think to some extent, it's going to put Rohit's innings into context. It's been a fantastic knock.

 

[the sniderman]

hi guys i am sensing frustration over the england guys in this baseball for the upper class game u are fond of. how many world series have england won and will they win it again this weekend??

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Well I suppose there's a bit in this. I mean if it's a standard pitch, then England probably defeat England what, 80% of the time? So it gives England a chance in games where the can win the toss. As I think I said in the Sri Lanka series I'm also not sure the pitch is never an issue anywhere. Headlingly, morning one it heavily clouded, days 2-3 heavy sun, it's a similar advantage.

I don't mind certain pitches, I think home advantage is key in cricket, and I prefer that to when you had 1 team dominating all the time. As I think I said at the start of the series, if England can get out of this series having competed, won some sessions and made the odd test it will be job well done. In a strange way, getting a draw in this match will probably be worth more than the win in the last one.

With all that in mind though, England lost the toss twice in Sri Lanka and I believe won both games. So it's not destiny.

There's plenty in this pitch already. It's starting to reverse which is a positive, and as I think I said above, both of the spinners have caused problems. It will be very hard to bat on as the days go on, which you can see already. Rohit is currently 136 off 190 balls. It's a world class innings that has put India in a great place. Hes done exactly what you want someone who gets in in this situation to do, grind down the opponents. For comparison, I think Sibley was around 60 off 190 balls last match. Those are the level between an opener who plays for one of the best teams in the world, and one that might get a game for a team who aren't, but want to be. Rohit has shown here, if you want to bethe best in the world, the way you have to play.

England are getting there, but still some upgrades needed. Anyway, it's an interesting watch now, Stone is getting it to reverse a bit and Ali looks dangerous. A couple of wickets and the game has a different feel. If Rohit bats to the end of the day though, the game may be gone.

England don't need to beat themselves 80% of the time but I get your meaning.

Yes India at home would normally beat England far more than the reverse, just as England almost always win home test series by big margins. The difference on home bias pitches though just doesn't stand up. Both countries have natural wickets that are either turners as in India or far more for seamers as in England. That's the same as anywhere, Australia have hard bouncy wickets etc etc.

Headingley is largely dependant on overheads as much as any wicket preparation, there's nothing you can do about the weather - that's a real red herring.

This wicket does so heavily favour winning the toss that it's not really a contest, India are equipped to be more competitive when losing a toss but they would be hugely unlikely to stop the inevitable here had they done so

 

[catcherintherye]

England don't need to beat themselves 80% of the time but I get your meaning.

Yes India at home would normally beat England far more than the reverse, just as England almost always win home test series by big margins. The difference on home bias pitches though just doesn't stand up. Both countries have natural wickets that are either turners as in India or far more for seamers as in England. That's the same as anywhere, Australia have hard bouncy wickets etc etc.

Headingley is largely dependant on overheads as much as any wicket preparation, there's nothing you can do about the weather - that's a real red herring.

This wicket does so heavily favour winning the toss that it's not really a contest, India are equipped to be more competitive when losing a toss but they would be hugely unlikely to stop the inevitable here had they done so

Chris I'm not sure what your point is though. Is it that India (and Sri Lanka etc) prepare wickets that both favour the winner of the toss more, and simultaneously favour the home side more? And like unlikely Headingley there is a deliberate aspect to it? I take the point re Headingley and weather, but you can help leaving grass on the pitch. Just as in India, they can't help having a dry, hot climate where pitches deteroirate quicker, can they?

You have home advantage everywhere in my view. Australia it's hard bounce tracks. England it's seamers, India it's spinners. What you say about India being better prepared can be said exactly the same for England suiting swinging/seaming conditions.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Well I suppose there's a bit in this. I mean if it's a standard pitch, then England probably defeat England what, 80% of the time? So it gives England a chance in games where the can win the toss. As I think I said in the Sri Lanka series I'm also not sure the pitch is never an issue anywhere. Headlingly, morning one it heavily clouded, days 2-3 heavy sun, it's a similar advantage.

I don't mind certain pitches, I think home advantage is key in cricket, and I prefer that to when you had 1 team dominating all the time. As I think I said at the start of the series, if England can get out of this series having competed, won some sessions and made the odd test it will be job well done. In a strange way, getting a draw in this match will probably be worth more than the win in the last one.

With all that in mind though, England lost the toss twice in Sri Lanka and I believe won both games. So it's not destiny.

There's plenty in this pitch already. It's starting to reverse which is a positive, and as I think I said above, both of the spinners have caused problems. It will be very hard to bat on as the days go on, which you can see already. Rohit is currently 136 off 190 balls. It's a world class innings that has put India in a great place. Hes done exactly what you want someone who gets in in this situation to do, grind down the opponents. For comparison, I think Sibley was around 60 off 190 balls last match. Those are the level between an opener who plays for one of the best teams in the world, and one that might get a game for a team who aren't, but want to be. Rohit has shown here, if you want to bethe best in the world, the way you have to play.

England are getting there, but still some upgrades needed. Anyway, it's an interesting watch now, Stone is getting it to reverse a bit and Ali looks dangerous. A couple of wickets and the game has a different feel. If Rohit bats to the end of the day though, the game may be gone.

Apologies for some repetition.....Ran out of time with the last response but meant to say

England don't need to beat themselves 80% of the time but I get your meaning.

Yes India at home would normally beat England far more than the reverse, just as England almost always win home test series by big margins. The difference on home bias pitches though just doesn't stand up. Both countries have natural wickets that are either turners as in India or far more for seamers as in England. That's the same as anywhere, Australia have hard bouncy wickets etc etc.

Headingley is largely dependant on overheads as much as any wicket preparation, there's nothing you can do about the weather - that's a real red herring.

This wicket does so heavily favour winning the toss that it's not really a contest, India are equipped to be more competitive when losing a toss but they would be hugely unlikely to stop the inevitable here had they done so.

If there's a massive difference in skill sets between the sides as in Sri Lanka then the away side can win against all reason and all the odds, it takes huge incompetence to do so, something the home side had in spades.

In the past there has been this difference in India, and India could win against the toss although even last tour they just hung on in the first test. It's not always been the case as relatively recently Swann and Panesar were just too good for them and England won under Andrew Strauss.

Here while our spinners are nowhere near as good Ashwin, our batsmen and star performers are. Joe Root has been exceptional, Jimmy Anderson the best seamer and Jofra Archer a quick and dangerous, Jos Buttler too kept beautifully and contributed with the bat while Stokes is Stokes a one in s million. The spinners did a job despite their deficiencies but in hugely helpful conditions.

The main action took place before a ball was bowled, yes there are god performances but the crucial bit was which way the coin landed, it was right there that the result was decided.

 

[the sniderman]

chris buddy have u ever shouted at a cloud??

 

[BigMick]

India won the toss and the test. There wasn't even any point in asking what they'd do. Game over

The hero of the first test Joe Root is India's hero in the second. It's a 50/50 but he's pretty much consigned England to defeat here. Mark Wood and Bairstow will be back for the next one but with the series level it will be vital Joe calls correctly next time.

India are 100-3 at lunch but they are already in s superbly strong position considering they're bowling last on a minefield.

Ridiculous when the toss is so crucial it decides the test every single time but they've made it so for this series. They should just have the best of four tosses and not bother playing

Can't be arsed watching this now

England picked Ollie Stone leaving out Chris Woakes.

Can't agree with you there Chris. I'd watch Rohit bat anywhere and against anyone in whatever conditions - when he's in form he's one of the most elegant batsmen in the world, great to watch, and Rahane is not far behind. England have bowled well at times and I'm delighted for Ollie Stone after all his injuries. Leach has bowled well too - it's been a contest so far. Yes the toss is crucial on the subcontinent but you still have to play well to win. England played well in the 1st Test, India were below par; this game India have recovered from a poor start to get on top. It's been terrific to watch.

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Chris I'm not sure what your point is though. Is it that India (and Sri Lanka etc) prepare wickets that both favour the winner of the toss more, and simultaneously favour the home side more? And like unlikely Headingley there is a deliberate aspect to it? I take the point re Headingley and weather, but you can help leaving grass on the pitch. Just as in India, they can't help having a dry, hot climate where pitches deteroirate quicker, can they?

You have home advantage everywhere in my view. Australia it's hard bounce tracks. England it's seamers, India it's spinners. What you say about India being better prepared can be said exactly the same for England suiting swinging/seaming conditions.

What essentially it boils down to is the teams are sufficiently close for no Sri Lanka scenario to be remotely likely.

Yes India are better equipped with their spinners but because England have their big players in top form they are sufficiently close to make the toss decisive in these conditions.

You rarely get tosses being so important in England, they can give an advantage but it's nowhere near as decisive

Normally India are that much better than the opposition in home conditions that they are capable of winning against the toss but I just don't see that here

 

[Chris O'Connor]

Can't agree with you there Chris. I'd watch Rohit bat anywhere and against anyone in whatever conditions - when he's in form he's one of the most elegant batsmen in the world, great to watch, and Rahane is not far behind. England have bowled well at times and I'm delighted for Ollie Stone after all his injuries. Leach has bowled well too - it's been a contest so far. Yes the toss is crucial on the subcontinent but you still have to play well to win. England played well in the 1st Test, India were below par; this game India have recovered from a poor start to get on top. It's been terrific to watch.

Agree Mick on the batting but it's a day one wicket, even if it's by no means unhelpful to the bowlers, it'll still deteriorate and get far worse. So agree with watching top batting but just as I said in the first test the toss was crucial, lose it and England have no chance whatever really, the odds are too heavily stacked against overturning such a disadvantage.

Tbf had England won the toss I would have fancied them to go two up, Rohit and Rahane would not have been batting on day one.

 

[arminisgod]

utter joke. What a sham. Thats out!!!

 

[ste d' indica]

Thank Christ for that, what an innings though. Good catch Mo.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Looks an ever bigger toss to win than the last match

 

[arminisgod]

disgraceful;. Absolutely disgraceful this

 

[ToffeeTim]

Why aren't they checking for glove???