Strong, almost invincible position for England at stumps on day 3 Plus, for once in this country, decisions can be made without keeping half an eye on the weather forecast. Christ, they've demoralised and ground us down enough times in the last 25 years, let them see how it feels. Unless something radical happens in the remainder of the series, it's "thanks but no thanks, Nick Compton" So, England on top, Essex win by an innings - now it just needs NCFC (inlcuding Rip Van and 'Bad bad' Leroy) to beat San José Earthquakes. My little trilogy will become complete !
I would like to see Cook hit some form, and I'm sure he's annoyed he in the pavilion and not sharing these runs with Root, but if we go to old Trafford with both firing would be nice to see 150/200-0 that would be a real show of dominance early in the test.
So what are your views about when to declare? I think Cook should tell Root and Bairstow that they have 40 mins to help root reach his double hundred and take the lead beyond 600. If it was one of the more experienced players I wld think a landmark was irrelevant, but I do think a famous score could be a massive boost for Root as an opener. Altho the run rate is irrelevant (Australia will surely fall well short) taking the lead beyond 600 in less than six sessions will take the required run rate, as well as the total, ridiculously out of reach. We will no doubt win, so every additional psychological blow is worth taking.
I agree, I'd say we give root the chance to the double and set a target around 600 because mentally is so much worse that 550. This would give use 160+ overs to bowl them out. They'll probably be swinging the bat s little because this innings will all be about saving face, they can't win and could barely hold for a draw without rain.
Just happened...KP is injured, probably ruled out for the 3rd test (better not to risk aggravating it by rushing him). Bopara is injured. Compton proved his worth against the Aussies in both warm up games. Discounting his 3 recent T20's (weakest format), the Sussex first class game can be ignored as it's understandable that his mind would be in another place, having just had his Ashes hopes extinguished by the selectors. Morgan is returning from a broken finger, so hardly ideal given he has had no cricket for a good month. Compton slotting in at No.3 would be the best course of action for England, given their options. Trott dropping to No.4, hardly disrupts the line-up.
Can't see Compton brought in to play anywhere other than opening and there's no way they'd move root now. I'd play James Taylor at 5 moving Bell to 4. He's basically playing there anyway as KP has done very little.
Sorry, but before the carnage re-commences, a tweet from double centurion Essex batsman Jaik Mickleburgh (also mentions Essex bowler Tymal Mills, who despite being young and a bit raw, consistently bowls at 90 mph + )
A bloke walks into a brothel and says: "I'm a bit kinky, how much for total humiliation?" The madam replies £60. "Wow, what do I get for that," he says. She says: "A baggy green cap and an Australian shirt."
We're still not on top form. Need to get a good performance out of more than a couple if the top order. At 30-3 on Thursday I thought "here we go" I expected some fight from the Aussies and this test to be really close. I'm kinda disappointed, I want a war but I'm not getting it.
We could be so much more dominant though! By their own standards, Cook, Pietersen and Prior haven't really fired with the bat yet!
I'm fairly derogatory about English coaching, be it rugby or football but it seems to me on the cricket side we have been pretty damn good now for a whole 7 years. I'm sure the establishment is fairly stuffy so why have we improved so much?
Bell, Root and Baristow are the series' top run scorers so far, these are probably our most criticised and underrated batsmen. I really hope that people will start to lay off them. The team has a embarrassment of riches in reserve especially promising young batsmen, if we have to replace KP which I hope not this has been a frustrating past 2 tests for him but with KP he normally follows frustration up with a huge score. I agree Dave if were not going to get any fight lets punish them for it, go to Old Trafford make 600-5d and bowl them out twice, a 3 day innings victory to seal the series win.
