The Cricket Thread

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If the Test team can learn anything from T20 and the Hundred, it's the importance of having batters all the way down the order. Given the limited time in this match, a couple of partnerships able to put on a quick 30 or 40 runs was required this morning, not the abject collapse we saw today. Having said that, the openers just aren't up to facing top class pace armed with the new ball. That needs to change before the Ashes as a priority.

Woakes and Jamie Overton are both not available for this series. But Sam Curran and Craig Overton are available. If either of them were walking out at no.8 - and ideally with an equally aggressive option at no.7 to pair them with - the chances of such are collapse are reduced.

Sam is averaging 75 with the bat in D1 this season! And without any not-outs to inflate that average.
 
130 to win.

OK, Lees and Crawley, you know what every England fan is thinking right now, go out there and prove us wrong.
 
Ridiculous to come off for light now. Umpires should still offer the batsman the light. They’re clearly still seeing it ok and it’s ruined what would have been a wonderful finish. Tomorrow will be like a damp squib, as neither team will really want to be there …..
 
Going very well so far.

New ball not too far off, but importantly Northants' batting is strengthened this week with the selection of Zaib.
 
What are we saying as a total that will put a win beyond Surrey's reach...450+?

Surrey's batting line-up is weaker than usual (no Pope, Foakes, Jacks or Sam Curran). But it's hardly a strong Northants bowling attack: Sanderson is half decent on his day, but that's it. If the pitch is flat enough, and the weather holds, I wouldn't be shocked if Surrey go big. Question is how much time there would still be in the game thereafter.
 
Northants must be getting annoyed at losing a big wicket the ball before coming off.