Off Topic Cricket 2019

Glad you had a good day - was one of the most exciting test days I can recall for a while.

 

Certainly, once England went on the attack with the bat, it suited their game far more.

 

Stokes and Buttler put on 90 in 36 overs to make the game safe. Hardly one-day mode.

 

We only need to draw 2, but if it will be hard, for you, to see England lose then don't watch

 

Certainly the night before they played traditionally and very well too.
In the morning, Stokes, whilst playing brilliantly, attacked and had a fair amount of good fortune.
Buttler was out attacking too.
Imo we have a team of very good individuals who simply aren't attuned to playing anything other than white ball cricket.
That's not their fault and we won the world cup because of that strategy.

Archer may make this series interesting.

 

On Saturday evening and on Sunday before lunch, Stokes and Buttler played predominately to save the game and did it very effectively. It was only after lunch that the shackles came off and one-day mode took over - perfect for Bairstow. The lack of red ball cricket - where you have to know how to leave the ball - has certainly had a negative effect on England in the first two tests, but I feel that this is turning round. Buttler played the kind of responsible test match innings that he was supposedly incapable of and Stokes, who had got out sweeping in the first innings, put that shot away until the game was safe. Whether Roy has it in him to become a test opener remains to be seen, but I think he should be dropped down the order for now.

Archer's bowling has transformed the series and I fully expect England to win it from here. Didn't you say we could lose 5-0?

 

Smith our for the next test, that will make a difference

 

Labuschagne played well in the second innings, but Smith is obviously a massive loss for them.

 

Makes it even then we lost Anderson & lost & now we should win 3rd test

 

It looked very possible when I said it.
If Smith was fit I'd still be backing the Aussies.
However, now Smith is out of the next test, it's a must win for England.
If they can do that then who knows?

 

The weather looks set fair for Headingly, Starc may be back bowling, he's not too slow, and I could see a couple of changes in the batting, not just Labuschagne but maybe Harris coming in for Bancroft. Every game is now a must win for England but if you don't win this one then it's:

 

It was never really possible Col, you're just too negative. Treat it like Brexit - if you believe strongly enough, it will all turn out ok.

 

Of course it was possible.

 

Start delayed due to rain....who'd thunk it?

Root won toss and England will bowl....hope it stays murky long enough for game to start and ball moves like a boomerang.....

 

Archer with first wicket of Harris & now rain again & early lunch, lovely & sunny in London!!

 

The last 5 tests at Headingley have seen the captain winning the toss go on to lose the game. Two batted and three bowled.

 

39/2 and more bloody rain....

 

Bad light stopped play now....54/2

 

Poxy northern weather

 

Lords lost a whole day