It was a good ball mind. He gave it extra air and the extra bounce that caused did for Siraj. Still a bit of fortune mind, and a top order batsman would have kicked it away. Mind, you, Bashir wouldn't have been bowling if my telling at the telly had an effect! Another sign of Stokes' genius as a captain. Never seen anyone line him. Just keep him away from Green Kryptonite!
I was at the dentist when India needed 50 and he (my dentist) put it on the stream (TMS) so while I was being treated I listened to it! Private dentists are the way to go!
I watched it until just before lunch then had to go out for a monthly get-together with former colleagues in Newcastle (life is hard). They probably think I'm a rude indifferent c*nt because I was on my phone every 5 minutes checking the score
Ben Stokes' left leg. He's had a lot of trouble with his knee, both of them actually. But watching today, and this series, I've noticed him getting his front leg braced ramrod straight again at the delivery point. This is something he was struggling a bit to do, bowling with his knee slightly bent. But since his operations he can do it again, and a straight front leg is where you get the extra pace from, (clock Mark Wood!). Just a guess mind, but for a 34 year old to be bowling high eighties, sometimes ninety, in long bursts after having half of his body bashed up is ridiculous. Some bloody specimen that bloke!
What a shift he put in yesterday mind with the ball. Bet he slept well last night - he looked shattered for the interviews. Loved Englands aggression with the ball yesterday - good send offs - warming up nicely for the ashes. I think test cricket has become too nice over the last few years due to the franchise bollocks. Cant beat a bit of needle during the cricket!
Yep. They do know each other now, and this obviously accounts for the edge going. It should never be too much, and personally, I thought Gill wagging his finger in Crawley's face and Siraj getting too close both went over the line. It can quickly escalate. Worth noting that India as a side are now pretty unpopular with most, if not all, other teams now. This is probably down to the out of control power of the BCCI affecting the game. Some of their players are a bit entitled to say the least. They actually miss Kholi already, who moderated them.
100% agree. However,I think we took them on with their tactics and gave as good as we got. The more they realise this will happen,it'll dampen their ardour. The Umpires have got to man up and subdue over-aggression before it becomes nasty. The Aussies have been culprits many times in the past....they invented sledging...but it musn't be allowed to spoil the intended nature of the game....essentially sporting and gentlemanly. It's no coincidence that the increased money available in the sport has accompanied increased confrontation of the rules on the field,which is something the authorities need to address.
