The Ashes & Hampshire Cricket Summer Thread

Bairstow gone for 22 b Starc c Watson. Dear, dear.

 

I'm afraid I was right about Bairstow, not sure of his place in the side.

 

He's not the only failure today !

 

Kevin should still get dropped.

 

Glamorgan 170/4. Come on Hants get a couple more before the close.

 

I know but he hasn't really done much over the series.

 

Bummer!

 

Kp gone .

 

Nor did Morgan, Bopara, or Patel previously. Root has been the only and only person to score any runs at no.6, since Collingwood's retirement. And now he opens.

Any way, I can't say that I'm particularly worried about the state of the game. Australia need to win the game, so in all likelihood they are going to have to declare earlier than they would otherwise like to, when they come to bat second time around.

They will either need time to take 10 wickets, or leave us will a big enough carrot that we decide against batting out for a draw - and therefore potentially gift them some of those 10 wickets.

Although with KP out as I type, things get interesting. All of the above only applies if we avoid the follow-on...

 

We're in deep trouble now.

 

Oh dear. Pietersen lbw Starc 113. Still need 48 to avoid the follow on. 3 wickets left. Big innings from Prior and Broad needed.

 

All down to the Aussies. They must get a win. Do they reckon they can bowl us out cheaply for a second time? How many do they think they need to score before declaring (if there is no follow on)? This game far from over with 2 days to go. A draw is fine for us, but not for them.

 

Have to say I saw that mark straight away, convinced he edged that but so thin even he himself didn't notice.

 

Then again, the other way of looking at it if we don't avoid the follow on, is that whatever we set Australia (and I'm confident that we would set them something) they would pretty much have to go after, no matter how few overs we leave them with.

Leaving them to chase, say, 200 in 35 overs could be interesting.

Not avoiding the follow-on isn't always the end of the world. Especially on ground's which assist spin.

 

Are you having a discussion with yourself, Brendy?

 

Not over till the fat lady sings. We could fold a second time (though no recent history of that). The Aussies have to set a score big enough to give them a chance in the time remaining. We are in no hurry whatsoever. This is what makes cricket fascinating.

 

Yes. Yes I am.

 

Tomorrow will be an interesting day of cricket I think. Whatever happens.

 

It was clear Pietersen hit that on hotspot. Very surprised neither the 3rd umpire or commentators saw the mark on the bat

 

We've seen this a few times where batsmen don't seem to be aware that they have touched it. So it can't be that obvious when it's a feather...makes me think hotspot is too sensitive.