Cricket

[ToffeeTim]

Proper test cricket that today. Well done to both openers. Given England a chance of at least a draw.

290 might be a few too many but the wicket looks flat so you never know. They should be able to bat time though.

 

[Joey66]

Proper test cricket that today. Well done to both openers. Given England a chance of at least a draw.

290 might be a few too many but the wicket looks flat so you never know. They should be able to bat time though.

Or will we have that famous middle order collapse ?
It's there to be won if we get a solid foundation, as that pitch is doing nothing ......

 

[ah11984]

Surely we go for the win tomorrow…. pitch is an absolute road. Might actually aid us(go for the win) if one of the openers call quickly… Malan. Root. Bairstow. Pope. Moeen all score at a good rate.

 

[messymascot]

I think we need to score 80 in the first session with a loss of no more than 2 maybe 3 if Root is still there wickets. That will leave us needing just over 200 with approximately 60 overs left. If we are in that position we should push for another 85-100 in 2nd session with a maximum loss of 5 wickets overall. That would leave us chasing just over 100 in just over 30 overs. We would surely have to go for it but India would also need to try for the win so couldn't go all defensive. Could be a classic days cricket.

 

[ToffeeTim]

I think we need to score 80 in the first session with a loss of no more than 2 maybe 3 if Root is still there wickets. That will leave us needing just over 200 with approximately 60 overs left. If we are in that position we should push for another 85-100 in 2nd session with a maximum loss of 5 wickets overall. That would leave us chasing just over 100 in just over 30 overs. We would surely have to go for it but India would also need to try for the win so couldn't go all defensive. Could be a classic days cricket.

Can score 70 or 80 off the last 10 overs if there are wickets in hand. It's all about getting into a position where there are wickets in hand and a set player at tea. Runs aren't that important in the first session. It's about getting through without much damage.

They should also be starting at half 10, not 11, at this time of year so they get the full 90 overs in. They lost 3 or 4 overs yesterday even though it was a full day with the extra half hour.

 

[big nev lookalike]

I would love to see us going for the win but I think we will be too defensive in the first session.

 

[Jeff Jones]

Unless there's an early collapse this could turn out to be one of the best. I see it as India being close to a win and England trying to hang on for the draw.
If England, and I mean Root, really, can build a score the tail could pull it off. Not likely, but you never know.

Which reminds me, is Ben Stokes likely to be coming to Australia?

 

[navidson]

FFS

 

[DuuuncanHadaPigeon]

I think if we can get to lunch 1 or 2 down its game on.

Burns got unlucky there it was a jaffa

 

[Ivo]

Understandably playing safe, just hope they don't leave too many to chase down. Would like to see them rotating the strike a bit, pinching a few singles to keep it ticking over.

 

[wandyr79]

I used to like Kohli but his face is getting more and more punchable every session, during this series. All the antics are just over the top and seem a bit fake, for me. Especially when India were batting, he knew the camera would be on him a bit and it seemed he made sure there were some over exaggerated expressions and gestures.

Anyway, solid base but do need to increase that run rate, I think these run chases are always a 'see out the first session and see where they are' situation. As mentioned above, if we are 1/2 down at lunch then we could have a go. These 2 know that Root will be in next and his form, with this wicket, would mean that they can play with a bit of freedom. Malan does either need to avoid or get on top of Jadeja, get him bowing inconsistent lines, etc. for this to happen though.

 

[arminisgod]

brian dead cricket

 

[PITA]

brian dead cricket

LOL but I agree.

 

[BigMick]

Lancs 111 - 6 at lunch, having lost Jones caught at slip last ball of the session.

Balderson went early for 19, disbelievingly clipping off his legs to short midwicket - 4 runs either side of him.
Bohannon and Lamb added over 50 with the former continuing where he left off in the previous game until, on 35, Hutton nipped one away and he edged to 2nd slip. Good ball, but a tame ending for someone in prime form.
Lamb had become becalmed and it was no surprise when he edged the South African Paterson to the wicket-keeper for 15.
Jones joined Vilas and they seemed to have made it to lunch until Jones gave Hutton his 4th wicket, out for 14.
A lot now depends on Vilas, 15no, Hopefully Lavelle and the injured Croft can give him good support and get Lancs up to a decent total.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Draw or India now for me. Don't think they can score this many in 63 overs. They can't play recklessly or they will very easily be 6 or 7 down at tea and out of the match.