Cricket

After a good first session where it seemed we were in control it it has stayed to stall now and Australia now seem to be in control, the pitch isn't doing much and its not too difficult for Australia currently, would that Buttler mis stumping and Broad no ball come to cost us? We need a wicket before close of play if we can manage it and ideally Khawaja being the one to walk

Quoted from Davec

After a good first session where it seemed we were in control it it has stayed to stall now and Australia now seem to be in control, the pitch isn't doing much and its not too difficult for Australia currently, would that Buttler mis stumping and Broad no ball come to cost us? We need a wicket before close of play if we can manage it and ideally Khawaja being the one to walk

The pitch is far too flat and slow for our battery of bowlers. That said we shot ourselves in the foot and the 2 relatively easy chances Bairstow failed to take and the wicket off the no ball really hurt us.
Tough day and different to yesterday but still enthralling proper cricket!

Quoted from Sandford1981

The pitch is far too flat and slow for our battery of bowlers. That said we shot ourselves in the foot and the 2 relatively easy chances Bairstow failed to take and the wicket off the no ball really hurt us.
Tough day and different to yesterday but still enthralling proper cricket!

Unfortunately, Bairstow isn't a Test-level keeper, In fact, his performance today was reminiscent of my efforts in minor-league cricket as a "goalkeeper" - alright diving around standing back but pretty poor at the far more subtle art of standing up. He is worth his place in any test side at the moment as a batter.

So we lead by 7. Moeen's finger is a bit of a worry. We need to post 350+. Can Joe Root step up as a bowler?

Quoted from Limerick Mariner

Unfortunately, Bairstow isn't a Test-level keeper, In fact, his performance today was reminiscent of my efforts in minor-league cricket as a "goalkeeper" - alright diving around standing back but pretty poor at the far more subtle art of standing up. He is worth his place in any test side at the moment as a batter.

I personally think he’s a very good test level wicket keeper and his stats back that up, but and it’s a big BUT he’s just not Ben Foakes who I’m a huge fan of and would have in my side. Purely from a keeper perspective there isn’t a better one in world cricket in my opinion.
However, Foakes dropped catches and some relatively comfortable ones by his ridiculously high standards in his last stint too.
I suppose the caveat is that Bairstow will improve as its been a long while since he’s done it and he’s coming off a lengthy lay off.
No balls are a cricket pet peeve of mine and I find them hard to let go. I suppose wen a track is as flat as this is and has been, these fine margins place bigger scrutiny on these errors from Broad and Bairstow.
That spell with the weather though has tipped the scales. I thought we were very naive and some game management was required. Slow the game down as the Aussies would have done!

I had a feeling we wouldn't be able to Bazball the Aussies. They are too good and don't scare easily.

We are playing like it's a 1 day game and it's a huge gamble that currently isnt working. Scoring quickly but losing wickets regularly.

Bairstow could do with a good innings to help make up for his failings with the gloves.

Some pretty negative takes here. Barstow scored a brilliant run a ball 78 in the first innings and has been sensational with the bat for the past year. Not sure he owes anyone anything.

I'd also say Bazball currently has it going toe-to-toe with the world test champions in an absolutely thrilling spectacle.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Some pretty negative takes here. Barstow scored a brilliant run a ball 78 in the first innings and has been sensational with the bat for the past year. Not sure he owes anyone anything.

I'd also say Baseball currently has it going toe-to-toe with the world test champions in an absolutely thrilling spectacle.

I don’t think it’s negative but a player and their fans who accept the plaudits when it goes great have to accept criticism when it doesn’t.
I don’t think anyone is questioning his place or his batting but he has missed some relatively easy chances. That’s cricket and as I say Foakes did likewise in his recent run.

Utterly compelling viewing atm…

Forget 20:20 and all the pyjama stuff - this is just greatest spectacle…apart from a Town v Scunny / Lincoln / Hull game of course