A great win to keep the outcome of the series alive. Well done to Mr Stokes, and I hope there are many more world class performances to come from him, but in the context of that game, he was a man possessed, and when bowling to that level of possession, it is impossible to dismiss him. So he and Archer are in for the 4th test. A team always needs a spinner at this time of year, so Leach is in for me. Bairstow must have done enough to retain his position, as has Denly. Root of course and Burns. I forgot Broad. That leaves question marks about 3. Woakes, Roy and Buttler. I feel Woakes deserves to be in the team, depite some calling for the return of Anderson. But who does he replace? So the doubts are Roy and Buttler but that is up to the selectors.
Essex have no chance of qualifying with 15 points (if they get there) with their NRR and the fact that points will be obtained in the matches above them. We have a slither of a chance of qualifying on 15 points (if we get there), but we would need Somerset to beat Middlesex and also the loser of Kent-Gloucs to lose their other match. (Assuming no ties or washouts). In all reality we're both out now. Second year in a row that we've tied Essex, having failed to score two off the last ball.
Just managed to catch up with the highlights, been at my grandson’s birthday party all afternoon! Wow. Just wow. I honestly thought nothing would ever beat the 1981 Ashes, and THAT match at Headingley especially. But England’s highest ever successful run chase must put this game right up there. Ben Stokes, the 21st Century Ian Botham. Sports Personality of the Millennium.
I would add that Jack Leach’s incredible contribution to a last-wicket winning partnership of 76 may be overshadowed by Somerset achieving the treble without him, but will never be forgotten by any English person. The greatest 1 not out of all time.
I'm almost upset he got the one. As it would have been great to have been 0 not out in a partnership of 76. Though his one run was to tie the scores I believe?
Indeed it was. Being from Somerset he could have easily run 2 but had the decency to let Ben have the glory of the winning runs.
*IF* Jimmy is fully fit he needs to come in for Woakes. I like Woakes byt he jas offered nothing with the bat and very little with the ball. You can rely on a bowling attack of 2 + All rounder & Spin.
Talking about spending a long timeon "0" Trevor Bailey was on that score for over an hour and a half, because like Stokes yesterday, the guy at the other end managed to hog the bulk of the bowling.
