England vs West Indies - test series thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

So England have announced that the squad for this series will be announced today....will try to update as soon as it comes out!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Jason Holder got a demerit point for swearing when Powell dropped that catch at slip yesterday

Honestly the ICC is a complete joke.

[dummy_half]

It's been a much more encouraging match for the Windies, and they go into day 5 not entirely out of the game. If they'd held catches and not had Moeen out off a no ball, they'd probably be favourites for the win.

I know last week I advocated the inclusion of Bishoo, but he's really been a make-weight and they would perhaps have done better to include another seamer - both Roach and Gariel have bowled well at times but Gabriel in particular was blowing yesterday after a big effort in both innings. Holder did a good job and Chase seems to be de facto the go to spinner.

Anyway, it's now a good test of the West Indies batsmen - can they avoid the brittleness that has characterised their recent (and not so recent) past performances? Big test of temperament for the likes of Powell.

[dummy_half]

Jason Holder got a demerit point for swearing when Powell dropped that catch at slip yesterday

Honestly the ICC is a complete joke.

Well, at least it is being consistent - same punishment as for Stokes.

Have to say I disagree with both - as long as the swearing isn't directed at an opponent or umpire and is a reaction to an event in the game, then leave alone (and perhaps turn off the stump mics...

[Gooseberry]

It's been a much more encouraging match for the Windies, and they go into day 5 not entirely out of the game. If they'd held catches and not had Moeen out off a no ball, they'd probably be favourites for the win.

I know last week I advocated the inclusion of Bishoo, but he's really been a make-weight and they would perhaps have done better to include another seamer - both Roach and Gariel have bowled well at times but Gabriel in particular was blowing yesterday after a big effort in both innings. Holder did a good job and Chase seems to be de facto the go to spinner.

Anyway, it's now a good test of the West Indies batsmen - can they avoid the brittleness that has characterised their recent (and not so recent) past performances? Big test of temperament for the likes of Powell.

Its back to the old issue England have ...if you want a second spinner they have to be worth a place. In this game England would probably quite like one the way the picth is going ....but they wouldnt dare bowl Crane, Dawson makes Bishoo look good and they wont touch Leach despite his action being fixed. Rashid seems to have been permanently binned.

Without real all rounders West Indies are left with choosing where to leave a gapeing whole. The value of Stokes Moeen and Woakes to England has been underlined in this test... 5 front line bowling options and still having players who can bat propelry at 9 is an incredible luxury to cover for issues with the top order.

Woakes could end this test with the magic under/over 30 averages

[Duty281]

Very poor of Westley to claim that catch.

Interesting opening hour. Windies riding their luck slightly; plenty of movement. Runs coming at a fair rate - how long before Root has to go more defensive?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

A solid first hour for Windies - only lost one wicket. Cook dropping a regulation catch off Broad of Brathwaite could be the turning point - he really should have caught that

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

What on earth is Hope doing backing up that far?

[Duty281]

Horrible way to go. But then, he shouldn't be halfway up the crease!

Pretty much all the Windies hopes now rely on Braithwaite to do his best Ponting at Old Trafford impression.

[KP_fan]

How long before WI run out of steam and implode
I put it in the 3rd session...
they will continue to scare Eng in 2nd session

[Duty281]

Good session for the Windies. England will be somewhat concerned, but there's plenty of turn for Moeen to exploit.

If these two bat out the first hour of the afternoon then it gets very interesting...

[alfie]

Didn't get to see a lot of that session but imagine West Indies would be the happier of the two sideś (despite losing one wicket to a rather freakish run out ) The important batsmen are still there ; and they have kept up a decent run rate so England will be forced to at least consider their defensive options as the day goes on rather than just attack all out.
Apparently the pace men bowled well without quite getting the edges ? And one drop - haven't seen it yet...might be costly ? These are the two men who tortured England in the first innings...

Moeen looks a bit dangerous , to my eyes. If he gets one , he might do some damage.

It certainly looks as if this won't be decided until late today. Damn. Was hoping to get some sleep but might be on watch for a while...

[Duty281]

12 drops in this test according to Cricinfo! The last one could be the costliest of them all...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Didn't get to see a lot of that session but imagine West Indies would be the happier of the two sideś (despite losing one wicket to a rather freakish run out ) The important batsmen are still there ; and they have kept up a decent run rate so England will be forced to at least consider their defensive options as the day goes on rather than just attack all out.
Apparently the pace men bowled well without quite getting the edges ? And one drop - haven't seen it yet...might be costly ? These are the two men who tortured England in the first innings...

Moeen looks a bit dangerous , to my eyes.  If he gets one , he might do some damage.

It certainly looks as if this won't be decided until late today. Damn.  Was hoping to get some sleep but might be on watch for a while...

Show some commitment to the cause Alfie and get some coffee down you...

[alfie]

They say this isn't a great "seeing" ground sometimes for fielders. Must have something to do with it as some normally sound catchers have been at fault in this game.

[alfie]

Pleased to see Root opting for Anderson and Woakes after lunch. Plenty of time for Moeen to get to work and Jimmy looks to have started off pretty well here...

Have a feeling an early break here could transform this situation : if these two dig in though it's going to be hard work.

[alfie]

Hmm. Runs flowing since lunch...couple of balls past the bat but no edge so it's back to spin already.

Have to praise these two batsmen they are playing really well and giving West Indies a chance that I would not have thought possible overnight. Long way to go and we will see what happens when one of them gets out ; but I'd say right at the moment all results are still on the table.

Afraid Woakes is still struggling with the ball ; good batting yesterday but he is the weak link in this England bowling group. Think there will be a lot of work for the other pace men from here on.

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Chris Woakes seems a little off in this Test, perhaps the lack of red ball bowling is hunting him here.

[Duty281]

202 runs required from 354 balls with eight wickets in hand.

Tight situation!

Astonished that Root is persisting with Woakes.

[dummy_half]

202 runs required from 354 balls with eight wickets in hand.

Tight situation!

Astonished that Root is persisting with Woakes.

In an ODI you'd say that was an absolute stroll, but in a Test match 200 in a bit less than two sessions on a 5th day is a hard task. If the Windies make it I think one of Brathwaite and Hope has to be MotM.

[Duty281]

England very flat in the field. They haven't tied down the Windies' scoring rate, either, and have made precious little of the movement out there.

Moeen starting to bowl some rubbish now. Tiredness?

Root seems to be playing a waiting game, but it won't be too long before the home team are on the back foot.

[dummy_half]

Time for Stokes or even Root himself to have a go? Both have something of a reputation as partnership breakers...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Think both Woakes and Broad have bowled extremely poorly in this test.

[Duty281]

Time for Stokes or even Root himself to have a go? Both have something of a reputation as partnership breakers...

Root seems to be too modest to give himself the ball.

But Stokes is on....

[Duty281]

Poor first over from Stokes (save one ball).

West Indies past halfway.

[alfie]

Need for a wicket getting a bit desperate...

Not sure where its coming from ? It does look as if England are waiting for an error at the moment rather than working to a plan.

Runs are coming way too easily - too much leg side bowling making it simple for the batsmen , who appear very comfortable.

Astonished to find myself contemplating a West Indies victory but it is certainly trending that way at the moment...the quick scoring means that there will be no serious time issues for the tourists if they can keep wickets intact. Second new ball later might be a chance for England ; but they'll need to have a few more out before then !

[Duty281]

Bookmakers just starting to have the Windies as favourites...

Sky, this WinViz thing is absolute garbage.

And England started to gain control with Broad/Stokes for a couple of overs, then seven runs off three balls. Little pressure being exerted.

[alfie]

Bookmakers just starting to have the Windies as favourites...

Not surprised. Nothing but "near things " for England recently and with under 150 needed and the dangerous Blackwood among others still to bat the pressure is right on the home team.

I sense they were very confident (too confident ?) at the start today but have become increasingly flat as this stand has developed : pleased to see that lively burst from Stokes and Broad but it hasn't brought a result so they don't have too many more cards to play...Anderson again now...

A string of maidens would help but they've been in short supply today. Not long to tea now and you'd think if these two are still batting at the interval it is nearly a done deal...

[jimbohammers]

So boring and predictable. Try something else like Malan or Westley

[Duty281]

England have surrendered so many cheap runs through the leg side, and a fair few through the third man area.

Poor captaincy from Root. Poor bowling from the seamers.

Brathwaite on 95...he was dropped on 4. And gone now! Out of nowhere.

[Duty281]

Great session. Great test.

122 runs required from 210 deliveries with seven wickets left.

I probably make the draw the narrow favourite. But, really, all four results are still possible.

England do have a new ball in 19 overs, but they'll need more wickets by then otherwise they'll be on the defensive.

[KP_fan]

they lost Braithwate at the stroke of tea...yet he did more than expected.

the only way for WI to lose this would be to pull defeat out of jaws of victory/ draw, by choking....and they are capable of it.

If  Eng try to defend 122 in 35 overs, they have a greater chance of losing.They must bowl normally

my call is 50-50 for win or defeat for both sides.....and 0% chance of draw

game would be won or lost on nerve

[alfie]

That wicket keeps the game alive. What England really need now is to get rid of Hope quickly. Two fresh bats might slow the run rate enough to add a bit of pressure to the batting : If they are to pull this one out now England need to get to that new ball before West Indies get too close to their target.

Or maybe Moeen will just take a lazy fivefer.

[alfie]

they lost Braithwate at the stroke of tea...yet he did more than expected.

the only way for WI to lose this would be to pull defeat out of jaws of victory/ draw, by choking....and they are capable of it.

If  Eng try to defend 122 in 35 overs, they have a greater chance of losing.They must bowl normally

my call is 50-50 for win or defeat for both sides.....and 0% chance of draw

game would be won or lost on nerve

Agree . I can't see the draw now unless West Indies lose some wickets quickly after tea and decide to shut up shop.
I still reckon it is at least 60-40 West Indies , probably more. But two more wickets would turn that on its head.. A very good , if technically flawed , game of cricket , this.

Who said Test Cricket was dead ?

[Duty281]

Indeed, Alfie. Two very entertaining Test matches happening concurrently. Although Headingley's low attendance today is a bit odd.

Moeen giving gifts to the batsmen. West Indies' position getting stronger with every passing minute.

[Duty281]

Tough for Root. Over the next 45 minutes he'll want to keep Anderson/Broad fresh for the new ball, but he also needs wickets now, otherwise the new ball will be too late for England!

103 to go. 174 balls left.

[alfie]

Yes . I fear Moeen is not going to do the trick today. He threatens at times ; but they're scoring too easily off him and they no longer have runs left in the bank.
Unless Jimmy or Broad can work some magic this will be effectively over long before a new ball is due. Anderson is nibbling away but no result yet...still might as well keep him at it now as he's getting some reverse . Still have a feeling another wicket might leave things open for a Stuart Broad magic spell ; but time and runs are ticking down...

Pity Woakes is virtually unusable on his form in this game : too much left to too few I'm afraid.

[Duty281]

Couple of loose balls undoing the good work that Anderson and Broad have done over the past few overs.

90 to go from 25 overs. Windies have surely got this now.

[wisden]

Broad has dug a hole in the pitch, light closing in at headingley, trying to waste a little bit of time maybe?

[alfie]

Only 90 to get now...and with 25 overs left that isn't too hard.

Few balls doing things now but hasn't brought a wicket yet . Think I will give this another twenty minutes and then congratulate the Windies...

[alfie]

Broad has dug a hole in the pitch, light closing in at headingley, trying to waste a little bit of time maybe?

Any rain about ? Where's the glorious British Weather when you need it

[Duty281]

Anderson finds the edge but it's right in the middle of slip and keeper.

Probably sums up England day. The odd boundary and a bit of nudging will see the tourists home.

And he finds the edge once more! Just short again.

[alfie]

Anderson finds the edge but it's right in the middle of slip and keeper.

Probably sums up England day. The odd boundary and a bit of nudging will see the tourists home.

And he finds the edge once more! Just short again.

I hate that "wide" slip. Stood in the usual spot Root catches that...

Afraid this is only going one way now...well done Windies : too good.

England have fought well since tea ; but all too late. Don't think they brought their "A" game earlier ; and its cost them. Suppose Root will get stick for the declaration now...

[alfie]

Ha . That odds machine thinks the draw is favorite ?! On what planet ?

Less than four per over and seven wickets in hand ? Or am I crazy ?

[Duty281]

Good catch! Chase tries to up the rate, but can't clear the fielder.

The pendulum adjusts slightly...

[wisden]

what a catch!!! woakes strikes

[alfie]

And a great catch by the sub fielder gets Chase !

Blimey ...a wicket for Woakes off a loosener and I might have to sit up a few more minutes...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Chase bowled Woakes caught #Cranetrain

Possibly my favourite wicket ever

[dummy_half]

England need a couple of quick wickets to even bring the draw back into play (and get one while I was writing)

Oh, as for the declaration, we were 8 down and in the first innings we lost the last 3 wickets without adding a run. While Woakes and Broad could have added some useful runs, it certainly wasn't guaranteed, and the chance to get a crack at the Windies last night seemed sensible at the time. If a team gets 320 on the fifth day of a test, perhaps you just have to say 'well played'...

[Duty281]

No need for the Windies to go into T20 mode...yet.

Plenty of time to get the 71 required.

And just as I say that, Blackwood lashes one to the fence.

[dummy_half]

66 in 19 overs with 6 wickets in hand. Yes, it's a Test match so the bowlers can bowl more defensively without giving away wides and there are no fielding restrictions, but surely the Windies can't trip themselves up from here.

Shai Hope for MotM then - big century first innings and getting close this knock.

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