Yes, whilst Kent are doing their best to throw it away, we only get one game against Glamorgan and that was rained off.
Sunday: HANTS v ESSEX Tuesday: Surrey v SOMERSET Thursday: HANTS v MIDDLESEX, Surrey v ESSEX, KENT v GLOUCS Friday: ESSEX v KENT, Glamorgan v HANTS, SOMERSET v MIDDLESEX, Sussex v GLOUCS Obviously us and Essex have the hardest task, because we both need to win three out of three (but if either of us do that, that side will be almost certain of qualifying - especially us with our NRR). But after that, I'd say that Gloucs have the toughest ask. Both games left away from home - and both against current top four sides. Gloucs are very much a home team - take them away from fortress Bristol, and the real ability of their squad becomes a lot clearer. A rain affected win at the Oval is their only away win this season. They couldn't even beat Glamorgan away. Sussex, Somerset, Kent, Middlesex is my guess for the top four. Not sure which way round to put Somerset and Kent.
Given we have two home games left, Shamsi may well make the difference. Plus we have Glamorgan last so should be beat Essex and Middlesex it's suddenly looking rosy.
You'd certainly like to think that he'll be bowling on something which will suit him. Even at Cardiff too. But unless the bowling attack can really produce the goods for us again tomorrow, I'm not backing us to win because again we'll have Morris (or Holland or Fuller) at 5. Donald will be back for the last two, but that's no use if we lose tomorrow. (And even if we do win tomorrow, it's pretty difficult to look past ABDV on Thursday.)
If/when it gets under 100 to go, then it will feel so much more do-able for anyone lower down the batting order
I wouldn't necessarily say that Bairstow is batting in a way that keeps my heat-rate under control, but ultimately this partnership has done its job post Root getting out. Particularly given that the new ball was on its way, another quick wicket after Root's would have ended this game. But as it is, even if we lose a wicket now, we're still in the match. But fingers crossed they can hang in until lunch.
Issues with the crowd. Drinks. Brilliant delaying tactics from these two to try and get to lunch. (And the media can say what they like about slow over rates, but when the cricket is exciting, not a single fan there cares about the over rate.)
When things get close to the end I usually panic and turn the TV off....I actually missed Murray winning Wimbledon because I possess the spine of an amoeba.
I know he didn't actually hit it (thank you DRS), but that's another ball which Bairstow didn't need to play at.
