The Cricket Thread

[Archibald&Crooks]

then its up to our top order to see us through to the morning.

haha good luck with that one

 

[fatpiranha]

Great afternoon session from Broad & Woakes. Shame Anderson is out, could cost us in the second innings. You can already see how we're struggling with Moeen having to bowl a few overs here and there, just to rest the seamers up. When that happens you're effectively skipping an over and just hoping he doesn't go for loads of runs.

I really don't see the point of Moeen. I'd rather have Adil Rashid as a spinner. At least he is a wicket taking threat. Moeen is no longer the batsman he once was and this isn't the sort of series where you need to just block up one end and slow the runs down.

 

[dimiSpur]

I really don't see the point of Moeen. I'd rather have Adil Rashid as a spinner. At least he is a wicket taking threat. Moeen is no longer the batsman he once was and this isn't the sort of series where you need to just block up one end and slow the runs down.

Hard to disagree with this. The only time Moeen takes wickets is when it's turning 90 degrees for anyone, the odd day he's on form and most frequently, when the batsmen decide to take him on and fuck up.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Hard to disagree with this. The only time Moeen takes wickets is when it's turning 90 degrees for anyone, the odd day he's on form and most frequently, when the batsmen decide to take him on and fuck up.

Pretty much the case for most spinners isn't it? Give the batsman something nice and juicy to mis-hit after a little bit of spin or bounce.

 

[SteveH]

Well we have let them off the hook!

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

They've probably almost certainly already scored enough to have a first innings lead by the time they get us all out just before lunch tomorrow

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

As always, England never have the answers to the tail Enders. This has been some pretty crap bowling in this session.

 

[mpickard2087]

To be fair Siddle has been excellent support to Smith, and at some point it was inevitable Broad/Woakes would run out of steam. But yeah, too impatient with some of the bowling, just have to keep bowling line and length sometimes and wait for the error from tail-enders.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

The ball getting older and out of shape, the pitch losing its morning skittishness, one of the world's top batsmen with a competent night-watchman type at the other end, Anderson only able to bowl 4 overs so Broad and Woakes getting tired ... Someone's going to blame England's bowlers for that stand.

 

[SteveH]

To be fair Siddle has been excellent support to Smith, and at some point it was inevitable Broad/Woakes would run out of steam. But yeah, too impatient with some of the bowling, just have to keep bowling line and length sometimes and wait for the error from tail-enders.

Far too complicated.
Can Broad get any slower?

 

[JCRD]

That really is a great knock

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Far too complicated.
Can Broad get any slower?

Broad has been bowling fuller and faster than usual averaging 86mph, the commentators did a piece on it.

 

[spursfan77]

From 120 for 8 to this is some turnaround. We just have to get Smith out early each innings. If we don’t we are in trouble. Their score now will give them such confidence to bowl at.

 

[spursfan77]

To be fair Siddle has been excellent support to Smith, and at some point it was inevitable Broad/Woakes would run out of steam. But yeah, too impatient with some of the bowling, just have to keep bowling line and length sometimes and wait for the error from tail-enders.

Picking an unfit Anderson is looking pretty stupid right now.

 

[SteveH]

The England team are looking ‘pretty stupid right now’!

 

[dondo]

Root is a terrible captain completely given up on getting smith out

 

[LSUY]

Picking an unfit Anderson is looking pretty stupid right now.

But the alternative was an unfit Archer.

 

[SteveH]

Smith is taking the piss now!

 

[Sandros Shiny Head]

Root is a terrible captain completely given up on getting smith out

He’s awful. Bowlers must look at him and actually have their confidence drained

 

[nidge]

Smith getting 100 has made me laugh a lot.

England's ability to not get the tail out strikes again.