11 wickets in the day & there's still 26 overs left today. 1st ever Test match at Lords in September & good job there is rain tomorrow otherwise the game could be all over before sunday.
Don't you just love cricket in England in the autumn.
It's not the first ever Test at Lords in September, it's the first to start in September. The 1980 Centenary Test started in August but finished in September. I know, because I was there.
As a game it was crap....sadly not a patch on the 1977 classic in Melbourne. It was spoiled by the weather but also by England's timid approach on the final day.
But it was not without some good bits. The most memorable for me was, sitting square on and seeing Kim Hughes come down the wicket to either Chris Old or Mike Hendrick to hit a fantastic straight six down the gap between the Nursery End Stands. Sensational footwork and I've since heard a recording of the Test Match Special commentary of the moment, by Lindsay Hassett. He too, was enthralled by what Kim Hughes did.
Hughes also majestically lifted Chris Old into the pavilion. Hughes played beautifully in both innings. It was repayment for me as I'd suffered his debut at The Oval 3 years earlier when he batted for about an hour for 1 or 2 runs. Hughes was a fantastic player and really could and should have become an all time great. The poor lad though had "greatness" thrust upon his shoulders at the age of about 12. Many only remember his tearful resignation press conference but his story runs deeper. He was so badly treated by his senior players, both when they were playing and when they retired. If you're interested in this period of Australian cricket like I am may I suggest reading the book Golden Boy:Kim Hughes and the bad old days of Australian cricket by Christopher Ryan, not the bloke from the Young Ones. The match also marked one of many returns for my favourite batsman, David Gower. After some poor scores against the Windies earlier that summer he had been dropped but was recalled for this match. He confirmed his place on the winter tour to the Caribbean with free flowing 40's in both innings. I clearly remember him whipping Lillee quite a few times off his legs through midwicket. It was the second time I'd seen the great Greg Chappell play his last Test in England as he had announced his retirement from Test cricket before the Oval Test in 1977 but of course he came back after the Packer/ABC truce. Chappell then spent the first half of the 80's picking and choosing when and where he played for Australia, which was usually at home only and he often reassumed the captaincy after his successor Hughes had done the hard yards abroad. Both Greg and his brother Ian were instrumental in Hughes sad decline as a Test player. Also there was controversy when one or two MCC members abused the umpires for not resuming play during a rain break.
Was it Border who hit one onto the pavilion on the final morning?
England need to get off the field, they have just ridiculously wasted their two reviews and Anderson is on a final warning for following through on the danger areas of the pitch. One more and he cannot bowl anymore in the match. He is fired up and behaving like a petulant child with the umpire. Root showing his captaincy inexperience by leaving Anderson on and not calming him down.
These are as difficult batting conditions as some of the "bunsen burners" on the Indian sub continent. The fact is that unless you take a few risks like Stokes does and impose yourself, it's not a question of "will you get out?" but "how soon sill you get out?"
These are as difficult batting conditions as some of the "bunsen burners" on the Indian sub continent. The fact is that unless you take a few risks like Stokes does and impose yourself, it's not a question of "will you get out?" but "how soon sill you get out?"
Yes, and also Broads gung-ho approach which upset the WI bowlers. Very impressed with Shai Hope - lets hope the Windies can build their team around him.
And typically, England can't polish them off, making batting last potentially nightmarish.
i thought they did well, it seems conditions arent as bad for batting as in first 2 days, so 76-6 aint bad in my eyes.Also, Hope is clearly showing that he is a class batsman.
And there, the unplayable one. WI need a miracle here. Holder to smash a fifty and then the collective bowling performance of their lives. Not happening
Comments
Tea being taken.
Now prepare to see Jimmy take wicket no.500
A few tears from Jimmy.
Well done mate
Very impressed with Shai Hope - lets hope the Windies can build their team around him.
Jimmy 503 no.
A lead of over 150, could make it tricky for us.
Did someone tell them it isnt a 20/20 game? - unless they want to get down to The Valley for 2nd half.
It use to be carnival time when England played the windies...how sad.