a really disappointing day from the purely cricketing point of view .. the Aus batting was rubbish and the English reply not much better .. something like 1/2 an hour without a run scored just before close .. people have paid some hundred pounds to watch this, I have seem better school games .. a nice day out apart from the rubbish cricket .. glad it was a freebie .. and my friend bought a nice baseball cap with father time as the logo .. she says he reminds her of me ... cheek !!!!!!
Yes reach 400 and then do a 20:20 attack to get as many over 450 in as little time as possible leaving plenty of time to bowl out the Aussies seeing that the weather is turning for the bowlers...
If they don't get bowled out, there is no way Andy Flower will allow a declaration without a lead of at least 500. I expect it to be closer to 550, with the Aussies facing 8-10 overs tonight.
Keep it tight until tea, then open up a bit afterwards would be my guess. Chasing a big total at Lord's is not as testing as it would be on most grounds, so it would be stupid to go out and thrash it around knowing that there's the possibility we could get skittled with only a 450 lead.
Of course, the convicts are a bit shit, but you don't want to give them even a sniff.
They won't tell them to open up too quickly. Prior still needs runs to get going in the series, so you'd want him to get a solid start and a few runs on his account before asking the batsmen to take the higher risk approach of accelerating the rate.
They were going ballistic about that decision on TMS just now. Boycott was spitting feathers. They all agreed it was out and the technology was never going to give it out. Haven't seen it yet myself, but must admit I was laughing in my car at the apparent injustice suffered by the poor Aussies.
As an aside, I think the principle of 'staying with the onfield decision' when it's a tight call is a sound one. With that in mind, maybe the umpires should be told to always make a clear onfield decision whenever they make a referral. That would've removed controversy over the Agar stumping too - it was so close, (as was, it would seem, that catch just now), the third ump would've been right to stick with the umpires call, regardless of which way he had decided to call it.
As an aside, I think the principal of 'staying with the onfield decision' when it's a tight call is a sound one. With that in mind, maybe the umpires should be told to always make a clear onfield decision whenever they make a referral. That would've removed controversy over the Agar stumping too - it was so close, (as was, it would seem, that catch just now), the third ump would've been right to stick with the umpires call, regardless of which way he had decided to call it.
As an aside, I think the principal of 'staying with the onfield decision' when it's a tight call is a sound one. With that in mind, maybe the umpires should be told to always make a clear onfield decision whenever they make a referral. That would've removed controversy over the Agar stumping too - it was so close, (as was, it would seem, that catch just now), the third ump would've been right to stick with the umpires call, regardless of which way he had decided to call it.
completely agreed.
Joe Root on 97* and looking rock solid, can definitely see the similarities with Atherton.
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Just need to get a decent score, another 150/200 and this could be over by tomorrow tea time
I did in fact say (yesterday before I'm accused of hindsight) that the tactic SHOULD work but my preferred option would have been the follow on.
I stand by that still although I'll take a win however it comes if it comes.
A wicket or even two would then set us up nicely.
No need to take risks though there is still plenty of time. Not losing, preferably by winning, is the objective with a lead already in the series.
Of course, the convicts are a bit shit, but you don't want to give them even a sniff.
He certainly deserves to.
As for Bresnan the scorebook says 38 but that innings was worth so much more than appears in the context of the game.
The camera angle foreshortens the image but it should bounce into the fielder's hands if it hit the turf first.
Oh dear what a pity never mind...
Mistakes will still be made.
Joe Root on 97* and looking rock solid, can definitely see the similarities with Atherton.