Off Topic England v India Test series

Bloody rubbish! Eng win the toss and bat, lose both openers early on (surprise, surprise), Root and Bairstow make an attempt at a recovery then 7 wickets go down for 45 runs. All out for 183. Aus must be laughing like drains.

 

The only plus point is that it could be all over by Saturday dinner so no distractions from following City!

 

Maybe we should cancel the Ashes series down under now. Use COVID as an excuse rather than admitting we can’t bat!

 

A dismal performance, India look streets ahead of us Test Cricket wise. Too much emphasis on white ball Cricket these days, unfortunately.

Only Root looks like a Test Batsman, Lawrence's technic looks suspect, Sibley just isn't a test cricketer. Crawley has something and can get better.

 

Far too much test cricket being played.
Ruining it all for money and sky sports

 

Pity the rain came, but as MV says Test Cricket has to look at the criteria of bad light, as they seem to come off at the hint of bad light, whereas in white ball they would have played.

Jimmy at 39 keeps doing it for England, he really is a special bowler, though Robinson bowled well also.

Disappointing news for Jofra, hopefully, he will come back fully fit soon.

 

England putting up a good fight, India have lost the last 4 wickets for 50-odd runs. God knows what we'd do without Anderson though...

 

Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson trying very hard to keep us in the game.

Question is can our batsmen score enough runs to give them something to bowl at second time around.

 

Answer, no.

 

India all out 278, lead of 95. Robinson gets his first 5-fer, good on him.

 

Having just watched the highlights we could have kept the lead more manageable with better fielding. India in the box seat, the first hour today could be the key to the result. I'm pleased for Robinson, had a tough time, but has shown real maturity stepped up, and performing with the ball.

 

England 70-2, still 25 behind...

Burns got a good one, it happens. Crawley looks just not good enough, it'll be a while before he gets another game I'd guess.

 

England all out for 303. India need 208 to win, they'll fancy that but last day pitch, dodgy weather, you never know. Root batted brilliantly for 109, the rest have questions to answer.

 

I've just watched the highlights, what a knock by Joe Root, without him we are lost. We still will probably lose this test, but at least we made a fight of it.

 

Lots of rain at Trent Bridge. Would be rotten if the weather forces a draw, neither team or the spectators deserve that.

 

Rained off, a draw, what a shame. Next one starts Thursday and the weather is meant to be more sotettled then. Probably means it'll rain all day every day...

They're coming so thick and fast it's hard to envisage major changes in England's top six but it needs to perform better, somehow. Maybe switch Bairstow and Crawley round? Stick a rocket up Sibley's arse? I know it's test cricket but 18 off 70 balls and 28 off 133 not only puts pressure on him but on his partner too.

 

The weather saved us today from going one down. I'm happy as paddies still had the draw at 7/5 at 11am this morning
I would be happy with Sibley if he was having that strike rate but looking confident, unfortunately he needs the rest of the summer to fi d some form. Ollie Pope for Lawrence and I'd give Habeeb a chance for Sibley.

 

2nd test starts tomorrow looking forward to it.

I've watched a few games of the 100, and quite enjoyed it. Great to see a lot of families with young kids there.

 

Broad pulled out injured, Anderson very doubtful as well, so we could see a bowling line up of Mahmood, Robinson and Wood.

 

Mahmood is bowling well, Robinson was the best of the bowlers in the first test, Wood is quick, so still would be not a bad pace attack.