This is just embarrassingly ****. Apparently it’s very hard to win a Test on the road, and that’s what’s killing the five day format. Oh right. The cynic in me suspects that these players are being deliberately crap to kill Test cricket so they have more time to make more money playing white ball for made up franchises. Just seen how Stokes got out. Worthy of the U13s second XI.
Oh sorry stroller, bess & buttler doing well & 100 stand! These two carry on & might have something to bowl at & oh the rain tomorrow!
With all due respect to you both, you are such a pair of moaning Minnies when it comes to cricket. The test team is going through a bad time admittedly (we're still well in win this game, by the way), but we are the number one 50 overs team and pretty good at 20:20. As for these players killing Test cricket Stan, consider Jos Buttler, who returned from a highly successful IPL season (when his side were still in the play-offs) to play in this Test because he considers Test cricket to be the pinnacle of the game, and he might just save us in this game.
When players like Buttler come off we can do well, but it doesn't happen often enough as they only know one way to play.
True I didn't see it today. If he has the discipline to always play that way then fair enough. Love watching him bat.
No respect though really (not that I merit any). I know a decent cricketer when I see one and we are about 8 short of a decent test team. Did you see how Stokes got out today? I would have been embarrassed by that as a 16 year old in a school game. The killing cricket comment was tongue in cheek of course. If Buttler keeps today’s performance up over 14 of the next 20 tests he’s a test player. I’m sure we are playing the best we have, or close to, but the variation in formats is definitely having an impact on the five day game, just look at the number of tests which go five days. It’s not just us of course.
He has the potential to be one, but I don’t think the odd great cameo with bat or ball is enough. Not sure he has the character, nothing to do with his off the field antics.