The Cricket Thread 2015-16

Run out! England tried to mess it up but the Pakistan batsmen messed it up more. 101/1.

 

Been watching steadily...then my TV switched to stand by. Wicket had gone by the time I found the remote

And I had to retrieve my eyeballs.

 

2nd wicket. Well done Jimmy.

 

And I missed the 2nd posting on here.

 

146-3 at stumps. 74 lead, so effectively 74-3. Hard to call this one. We were in a decent position, but were dismissed with a small but useful lead. Will Pakistan collapse tomorrow or are they going to put on a decent score. I suppose slightly favours us, but all up for grabs really.

 

England struggling, though have just taken 5th wicket. Pakistan 245-5 giving them a lead of 173.

 

92-6 another collapse.

 

I was hopeful after we had a good showing in the 1st Test. We naturally do better in England conditions.

 

I'd be really worried if KP was batting. You know how it is with him. Totally unpredictable. He'll be out for bugger all or 150, you just never know. At least our middle order is pretty consistently crap.

 

We look crap in this match, but we bat quite deeply at home. We aren't performing here....like a good wine, we don't travel. I've mentally moved on....that's Saints' training for you....dust yourself down and forget it. Not worth winning anyway.

 

I think KP was very poorly treated by England (particularly in the summer) but his time has gone now. There are still big holes in the England team though. No second opener, Bell has been poor for some time and hasn't got a good record at number 3, Bairstow has yet to cement his place as either keeper or batsman, Stokes is hit and miss (though obviously worth persisting with) and the current crop of spinners aren't even as good as Ashley Giles, who at least kept runs tight.

A pasting in South Africa wouldn't be a shock. The conditions will suit our team more but they're much better than us.

 

Hampshire sign Ryan McLaren as their overseas player for 2016. He's available for the whole season, and for all three formats.

 

England 98-0

 

England 165-1 after 30 overs. In a good position to start hitting out later. Hales on 84.

 

Hales gets 100 off 111 balls. His first ODI hundred.

Out for 109

 

283-5. Gives the bowlers something to work with, but a tad disappointing considering our position at 40 overs. Pakistan bowled well. Losing Hales was the turning point...he had his eye in and was about to hit out when he was stumped.

 

Willey and Woakes bowling well so far 46-4.

 

Someone called round and I missed these wickets. Bloody relatives.

 

80/6 now.