Apart from last night when overhead conditions were the influencing factor, the thing that concerns me most about chasing even 300 is that this wicket doesn't appear to me to be holding too many dangers. How many of our batsmen since have got in and got out again? Pope's ball was virtually unplayable but Root, Brook and Bairstow all contributed to their own demise.
Great stat on TMS about when he plays for England as a keeper, Bairstow scores really drop off after he's kept wicket. A massive decline from when he bats 1st, to his scores in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings of a match.
So what target are they trying to set the Aussies? 300?
I think more how long to we won't to get 10 wickets. I would be shocked if we batted after tea. But saying that if we bat until tea we will have over a 300 lead anyway.
But we don't know how much play we'll get tomorrow. It makes a massive difference whether we get 70 overs tomorrow or only 40.
I think they will risk there being too much time against not enough. If they play tomorrow it's likely to be under dark skies anyway. If its anything like last night I wouldn't expect anyone to chase down 200.
Good point but I'm worried that England will leave themselves short today and Australia will do all the hard work in the next 40 overs before start of play tomorrow
England have to be careful not to base their tactics on a weather forecast. If the rain stops by 10am and we get 5 hours of play tomorrow, that's a lot of overs left in this match for Australia to chase down any total.
Stokes has his eyes very firmly on the weather forecast, don't worry. He's planning to celebrate going one-nil up with a round of golf at 10am tomorrow.
Do you expect us to bowl the Aussies out today then ?
Is there a more irritating pair tutting about not giving the opposition crap and “taking your medicine” than head boy atherton and well known dickhead Pietersen?
Comments
We've thrown away a lot of runs from Root alone in this match, both from the declaration, and then from the silly charge and stumping.
As for Stokes, he looks like someone completely undercooked.