At work so seen nowt today, but that is very impressive. Leach and Bess, while not top drawer, are improving and both know the pressure of being expected to take wickets from bowling at Somerset. Bess sloping off to Yorkshire will not help him at all mind. But we done England. A long series, and that's a great start.
Absolute beast of a performance from the team which should give them confidence for the rest of the series. One disappointment for me was that Channel 4 had it, great for those who don't have Sky.For everything that is wrong with Sky (and there are **** loads), their broadcasting, commentating, punditry and analysis of cricket is top draw. I missed David (Bumble)Lloyd's comedy value
With all due respect, from someone who really knows bugger all about cricket, never watched a game, other that on TV and never ever played at all, but a lover of test match special, which got me interested in the first place, and later a devoted fan of Beafy, Nasser, Atherteton , Bumble etc., this coverage while very different is really superb, the Con Box ( just learned that one yesterday) , is hilarious, ie " these guy's must know something we don't" from Sunny (The Little Master), and not far from the truth commenting on the Englands tactics last session yesterday, must tickle him and even the least sanguine of observers now, the banter between Sunny and Butch is second to none imo. And the game itself including the final day, well it just defies description, breathtaking stuff, from both sides.
I initially thought they batted too long - On the other hand Joe Root had batted longer than anyone in that match and was ideally placed to see how the pitch was wearing. He obviously knew it was going to be difficult to bat during day 5 and with our bowling it was going to be difficult for India to survive. Leach looked as if he bowled much better second time around - was getting hammered in the first innings so for him to come back and get 4 wickets was good. This is only Indias 2nd test defeat at home in 8 years so that just shows how big a win this is.
Lad goes through the back of Wyke in the air. Free kick to SAFC. Ref gives it and wyke turns as if to say “why have you given that against me!” Must he so used to not getting them!! loops.... Wrong thread!!
300-350 looks like it will be difficult to get on this pitch. The Indian spinners could really have a field day against us, the ball looks like it could turn square on that wicket. If they can come out tomorrow and get 375+ they'll definitely feel in control of the game.
We're being beat badly here but without sounding like sour grapes this is not a test wicket up to standard.
Posted at 11:31 Post update please log in to view this image Simon Mann BBC Test Match Special commentator on The Cricket Social I don't think I've seen a plumber lbw that's not out!
Caught right back in the crease, the ball hit his pad fairly low down and you could still see the off stump. It was plumb!
It was but Kholi putting pressure on umpires again. He wont need their help over the next 2 days but he can be a right twat.
I thought exactly the same. My guess is that it hit the pad according to the technology (as infallible as that is) just before he moved his leg and he’s got away with it!! How the umpire duesnt give it is beyond me. That said, Kohli needs to stfu. Decision is made and it’s bad sportsmanship to go on like that. Along with 2 not out decisions given fir India by third umpire yesterday (stumping where u couldn’t see anything behind the line and the shocking bit if cheating on the bat pad caught)
The umpires have made mistakes, Kholi has let himself down a bit, a headshake is far superior a reaction as histrionics ,so well done Joe, now all you have to do is bat through two days or pray for rain.
There was one for Rohit yesterday - played the ball with the bat behind his pad, the umpire gave him not out, so Root reviewed as he was not playing a shot. The umpire somehow decided that he was playing a shot so could not be out as it had hit him outside the line of off. Root would not have reviewed if he had thought that he was playing a shot and it was so obvious - he also lost the review. Here is a link https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/cri...england-second-test/ckl5ngfg3004v0gpl2ysjwmaj
Never even saw that. That is an absolutely shocking umpire decision. Awful. Blatantly not playing a shot. How much more obvious do they want the cheating to be? They have undoubtedly out played England this test, but there’s some awful umpiring going on
Beaches are a natural phenomena, that surface was manmade, carefully planned and laid, although seeing the state of some of our roads you might be spot on.
Haven't seen today's play, but a lot of the rest. Kholi asked for a bunsen, as they feel India are always in the game on a pitch like that. This one was a bit too much of a turner I'd say, but I've no problem with them preparing a turning pitch. It's in the sub continent and that's the norm. No problem either with a seamer here or a fast bouncy track in Oz. I read that Agnew is bemoaning the fact that the pitch has shortened the game. Well yes it has, but he has no complaint unless he had one when we beat the aussies twice in just over two days in 2015! It's what makes it so hard to win away. Worth saying though that the umpiring, including the bloke at third, is the worst I can remember in ages; another casualty of kungflu!
