Or let WI overtake us by a couple of runs and get Jimmy to open the batting. Although having a not out in your final innings isn't bad either.
And now that is that. A double 5 for. For Atkinson who just decimated the windies but was more expensive at 4.35 runs per over for his 5 wickets.
So long Jimmy. What a wonderful player and a very humble guy. His consistency of what will be hard to replace and was a huge part of Englands greatest side in a long long time where England were number 1 in world rankings. Him and Broad will go down as one of best fast bowling combos in world cricket
Good to see Atkinson get some wickets on debut. WI no real match atm in test cricket which is a shame. They need a proper rebuild there
Outside India Australia and England (and maybe Pakistan) is a tough one. The crowds just aren’t there and that means the funding for it just isn’t there and focus is always going to be on the format that makes most money.
They need to invest in experience It's an 8 hour day. Before it's was a posh boy snooze in the sun at their own ground in their own premium boxes and galleries eating and drinking and paying no attention to the game. If you want to sleep, do it at home. Bring the standards and you.bring the crowds for the day out. But reality has to set in that people who would pay dont have 5 days in a week to pay. Make it a 4 day game with more limited overs and accept that Saturday and Sunday are your pay days. Imo that's the only way to get funding in
This all seems related to England who aren't the worry as we sell pretty much every ticket for test cricket albeit we have smaller capacities than some of the others and seriously doubt many people at all go to all 5 days
and again England isn't the problem its NZ , India , WI and even SA and Aus who are struggling to get crowds in
Or maybe not.. Incredible innings from England to rack up a decent lead in the same period of time Pakistan batted and keep the game alive. Root cementing himself as Englands greatest ever batsman and Brook with a brilliant knock. And then the bowlers coming in with wind in their sails. 67-5. This is well and truly game on. Conceding 556 first innings on a pitch that did nothing this could be an incredible win.
