Oh well, suppose I better do some work now. Either way this will be all over by the time I get the tedious stuff done.
2day tests shouldn’t happen, total disgrace that pitch for both sides, India coped a bit better & had better spinners, I would pull that side out of India & not sour grapes as we are losing, groundsmen needs sacking & crowds shouldn’t have been let in either
The far East commentators, ex-players usually, especially Indians and Pakistanis, are renound for being incredibly biased. A bit like Jonathan Davies commentating on Welsh rugby. Ourselves, the Aussies, the New Zealanders and the South Africans are very fair minded imo. The pitch was an embarrassment and so were the Indian players taking the piss. Trouble is, it just sounds like sour grapes, but producing a wicket that poor is pathetic. Edit: I should have mentioned the West Indian commentators, who are also very fair.
If that was a county pitch the ECB would dock them points, makes a mockery of test match cricket,its supposed to be a challenge between bat & ball that was not it
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some Test cricket to watch on telly today? Or, perhaps in lieu of that and in recognition that many people would like to be entertained by top class cricketers even if a game finishes astonishingly early, to put on a one day game, with the same teams so we don’t have this ‘specialist’ bollocks and players flying all over the world for a week off. I see the issue of the wicket has been raised with the ICC. The next pitch prepared for this series is going to be interesting.
Must admit the same thought had crossed my mind for today or tomorrow....... Far too sensible an idea....
Another nightmare start for England in the 4th Test, three down in no time and looking like they were still playing the last match. Bairstow and Stokes have steadied the ship though and it's 74-3 at lunch. Panic selection sees England with an extra batsman, Dan Lawrence at number 7.
Stokes gone, but Pope and Lawrence are beginning to build a partnership. Both are looking better with a willingness to use their feet against the spinners.