The Cricket Thread

This test is over - drawn.

 

Smith out lbw on 92

 

He bowled one patch of 16 consecutive balls over 90 mph.

 

Some bowler.

 

As a person from well beyond the general audience for cricket, I have to admit that the rules are fairly easy to comprehend, but "drill him in the neck" is the hardest bit to internalize. I'm not criticizing Archer at all; it's just the only sport I've encountered where rendering someone unable to play the sport is an actual goal.

 

Archer's intention wasn't to injure Smith, but to keep him honest. Smith is a top class batsman...not a village cricketer. Pretty sure he would have avoided the ball on 99% of occasions. Bowlers have always thrown down balls that are virtually unplayable just to unsettle batsmen. Wearing helmets have two effects...one good, one bad...reduces risk of injury whilst encouraging bowlers to take a pop.

 

I remember the West Indies in 1976 when they arrived with an avalanche of fast bowlers - Roberts, Holding and Daniel. They sent down a lot of short pitched deliveries but came to a gentleman´s agreement not to send bouncers to tailenders. Enter Roberts the batsman to face Snow who sent down a médium paced bouncer. Andy saw the funny side of things and smiled.

 

It was mentioned on Sky that the convention of not bowling bouncers at other bowlers has long gone. I suspect because bowlers now are more competent batsmen than they used to be...you don't get into an international side now without being able to bat to a reasonable standard....or at least duck and sway to a reasonable standard.

 

Never seen a boxing match, I’m guessing!

As has been said, the intention isn’t directly to injure the batsman, but to force him into a defensive use of the hands and bat that will lead to him getting caught. Top class batters will duck and weave, or, like Botham in 1981, nonchalantly hit the ball for six.

As a former bowler, I could never understand why anyone should ever consider being a batsman, as the bowler always has another chance.

 

Raining at Lord's...shame for the spectators. The likelihood of a draw increased further.

 

Us winning the match was probably always the least likely outcome over night (ignoring a tie), but it certainly is now with this rain delay.

Surely only two results are now possible: a draw (if we don't collapse), or a win for Australia (if we do collapse).

Jimmy not yet fit enough to feature for Lancs today, so that must put his availability for the 4th test under serious doubt.

 

Who would he come in for in the current 11? If fit. Surely, Leach deserves an extended stay in the team. Only one I can think of is Stokes as a bowler. Woakes is bowling well, as is Broad, while Archer is making many demands on the Australian batsmen.

 

I wonder if we were tempted to ask Morris to play for us in this match. Or maybe if we did, but he declined.

As it is, I'm hoping for an XI of Holland, Organ, Vince, Northeast, Rilee, Donald, Dawson, McManus, Barker, Abbott, Fidel. A very deep batting line-up, but still five bowling options (plus Organ).

But until then, England get underway.

 

Steve Smith woke up unwell this morning and won't take part in this game. Australia have put forward a concussion substitute request....new on me, but apparently the sub will be able to bat and bowl and not just field. The sub has to be a like for like substitution....so not fast bowler replacing a batsman.

 

New concussion laws were brought a few months ago. If a player has to leave the game through concussion then a substitute player can replace him and take full part in the game.

 

Heck of a first ball from Morkel. Hope Organ is ok.

 

And I believe it also means that Smith won’t be available to play in the next Test either.

Such a pity

 

If you can't get him out knock him out.

 

Buttler holes out at deep square,161-5, lead by 169.

A quick 50 partnership between Bairstow and Stokes would be nice!

 

Great catch by Foakes to dismiss Organ.