Off Topic Cricket Thread

If I’m an England player, any of them, and we won it, I’m in Kohli’s face celebrating the second the winning runs are score. Would love Bairstow to go celebrate in his face. Just like he did with Lees when he was run out.

You can guarantee that Hussain would say “no need for that” despite almost gleefully commentating about Kohli talking Lees off the field

 

I hope Bairstow blows a kiss back to Rat

 

I don't disagree. The only similar approach was from the Aussies in the late 90s when they used to give Gilchrist his head to score over 4 or 5 an over ,but that was usually on the back of the Aussies top 5 batmen (all of whom would have been in the top 3 for their positions in the world) having hit 305-4.

What was extraordinary (especially given how Crawley has betted recently) yesterday was Lees and Crawely attacking the bowling, whilst chasing a record England score, early on a fourth day. Boycott would have spent 4 sessions getting 26 having faced 226 balls.

 

What is also fantastic about this ultra aggressive approach is it is getting test matches to day 5. Seems a bit counter intuitive to say. I know NZ and India play am aggressive game too. Maybe this style will spread - could be the saviour of test match cricket.

 

Jimmy Anderson did a spell on TMS for the ODI's last year and was pretty good - he's really quite dry and sparked well with both Cook and Tuffers. Ramps is maybe better suited to TV where you don't have to speak quite as much.

 

When the TV is switched off preferably

 

Can't wait for it to start this morning.

 

Be interesting to see how they approach it. Couple of early wickets and it's almost game over, but take it to them early and we might just deflate them enough to make this another Headingley

 

If it had carried on last night I would be very confident. Interesting first hour.

 

I like this second ball so far.

 

Absolute madness to change it. Teams get obsessed with the hardness of the ball, but to change it after getting it hooping is utter madness

 

Been both sides at it. Broad winds me up when he's going on about it. Great start though.

 

3rd ball in 11 overs ?

 

100 for Root

 

Amazing stuff this. Root just taking the piss now

 

The form Bairstow has been in lately, its a bit strange seeing him take a back seat to Root - both playing superb though

 

100 for Bairstow , he's waited 33 mins in the 90's for that one, while Root has been making hay at the other end.

 

You could not write it , simply magic from Root and Bairstow in match winning 256 run patnership on the 5th day.

 

Its an amazing summer so far for test cricket - long may it continue!

 

For excitement and for personal reasons the 2005 ashes remains very special but the 4 tests this summer have been remarkable games.