The summer of cricket 2020

by alfie Fri 17 Jul 2020, 4:31 pm

First topic message reminder :

Stokes gone at last...and Roach gets one at last ! Bit fluky , reverse leg side edge but I think Kemar was entitled to dome good fortune...

Hell of an innings from Stokes thumbsup

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:29 pm

Think England will win with 15-20 overs to spare.

These two living very dangerously, Bess getting closer by the over. Stokes persisting with this short-ball plan; wouldn't like it to be too one-dimensional on this unpredictable wicket.

by KP_fan Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:37 pm

problem for Eng is that the 2 commodities a team needs when shean/shine/seam has worn off are missing in Eng's composition

a-90+mph pace with reverse. Having one in place of Curran would have helped
b-a spinner who can spin and flight ( I can bowl no worse than this guy Very Happy

)

and to be fair it ain't a D5 pitch...with rain and cover, and rollers it hasn't deteriorated enuf

by KP_fan Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:39 pm

Stokes is doing what he can by digging it in....BUT if he doesn't get a wicket in this over or next at most,......this type of effort is not sustainable...he will lose steam

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:42 pm

Some good short balls from Stokes then , testing Blackwood. Not sure how long he can keep this up though...he's a machine ; but even machines need the odd stop for oiling ...

Have to admire the way these two bats have stuck in , after the early clatter of wickets . They're certainly putting the draw right back in contention.

Fifty - again - for Blackwood clap

by king_carlos Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:43 pm

alfie wrote:
king_carlos wrote:16 overs without a wicket now and the ball softening. England could do with another one here.

Joining me in the "getting twitchy" camp , KC ?

Problem as I see it is that the ball is definitely softer now ...and although Duty says the pitch is playing up I don't think I've seen anything too dramatic for quite a while.
Yesterday all those wickets came with a rush to the second new ball. They're not getting five or six wickets in the five overs they could have with one this evening...so a breakthrough has to come from somewhere else.

Bess is having a good couple of overs. Question is whether he can keep it up ; and whether he will actually get a break.

Still Dowritch and Holder to come.

I think I was twitchy a wee bit back. Now I'm definitely getting anxious.

The ball is clearly softening and Bess isn't looking too threatening. Stokes understandably looking tired too. Maybe time for an over from Root's golden arm...

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:50 pm

Blackwood is an England specialist.

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:52 pm

That was amazing from Stokes.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:53 pm

Yeah I was thinking about Root too. Sometimes does get a useful break...

I think I'm going past anxious ...starting to think that the draw has become the most likely outcome. Obviously a wicket changes everything ...but when I see Stokes exhausting himself with a barrage of short stuff to the exclusion of all else it seems clear England are running low on ideas.
Might need a loss of concentration from a batsman. At least there are still forty odd overs for that to happen...

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:55 pm

That was even more amazing! Smart take, too, from Buttler. Yahoo

Calms the nerves.

by Gooseberry Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:55 pm

Buttler saves his internet test career with that one

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:56 pm

Right on tea ! Blackwood does indeed fall to the short one ! He will be gutted...

The much maligned Buttler got there to catch it : he will be relieved after the previous game ...

Stokes is a miracle man

by Gooseberry Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:56 pm

KP_fan wrote:
a-90+mph pace with reverse. Having one in place of Curran would have helped

I can never tell when youre making a joke or speaking from a point of total ignorance/basic research ....

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 3:59 pm

Gooseberry wrote:Buttler saves his internet test career with that one

Yeah. For a moment I didn't think he was going to get there. Wouldn't say he moved too smoothly ...but the dive made it ...thank heavens !

England needed that. I'd have just about called the draw if those two had come back out after tea.

Still work to do. But a fresh batsman to attack.

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:02 pm

Not much batting left now. Holder hasn't done much on this tour so far. Dowrich had one decent innings in favourable batting conditions. Joseph can give the ball some tap, but I wouldn't trust him to hang around too long. Roach and Gabriel are proper tailenders.

42 overs left in the day. Should be enough.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:14 pm

Duty281 wrote:Not much batting left now. Holder hasn't done much on this tour so far. Dowrich had one decent innings in favourable batting conditions. Joseph can give the ball some tap, but I wouldn't trust him to hang around too long. Roach and Gabriel are proper tailenders.

42 overs left in the day. Should be enough.

It probably should. But Dowritch could be a roadblock ...he played very well last week. Went for nought first innings here ...but he's not facing a new ball today.

Get him early , I think England win. Let him settle ...game on again.

by Gooseberry Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:15 pm

Lights dodgy but its still forcast to clear

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:16 pm

Can see why Stokes bangs it in short. But I'd still like to see him mix in some full balls to a new batsman. Full and fast ain't all that easy when you first come in...

by Gooseberry Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:18 pm

Sir Chris ......

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:19 pm

Roadblock removed byWoakes two balls in.

Marginal call...deserved for England. They've had a few go against them this test. Not here though.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:20 pm

Chris Woakes ! Full and fast...

Dowritch had to review but he's gone...

A bit unlucky as that is only just clipping. Pair for him and Enfland now odds on

Pity it was so marginal : will surely bring a lot of "bias" claims out of the woodwork...

by Gooseberry Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:21 pm

alfie wrote:Can see why Stokes bangs it in short. But I'd still like to see him mix in some full balls to a new batsman. Full and fast ain't all that easy when you first come in...

Short ball weakness for the specific player. With Stokes once the field is set for the short stuff he doesnt have much scope to mix it up.

by Gooseberry Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:24 pm

alfie wrote:Chris Woakes ! Full and fast...

Dowritch had to review but he's gone...

A bit unlucky as that is only just clipping. Pair for him and Enfland now odds on

Pity it was so marginal : will surely bring a lot of "bias" claims out of the woodwork...

England have certainly had the rub of umpires calls but had to get one on review and couldve had that glove so its not entirely one way traffic. They all were fair wickets, wouldve been a lot worse if the umpires hadnt given them and England reviews lost on umpires call (as per the first innings)...we would be absolutely livid by now!
As it is no howlers either way

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:27 pm

Anyone disgruntled at Dowrich's dismissal today should probably look back at Brathwaite's non-dismissal yesterday, also on umpire's call. The latter was very important in the context of the test as Brathwaite batted on for another hour and a bit; a contribution that ensured the West Indies avoided the follow-on and had a decent chance at saving the test.

Time to take Stokes off, I think. Looks a little weary. Would like to see Broad bowling at Holder.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:29 pm

Gooseberry wrote:
alfie wrote:Can see why Stokes bangs it in short. But I'd still like to see him mix in some full balls to a new batsman. Full and fast ain't all that easy when you first come in...

Short ball weakness for the specific player. With Stokes once the field is set for the short stuff he doesnt have much scope to mix it up.

Yes and no. Runs aren't an issue : so absolutely no risk in throwing in a full delivery once you've got the man on the back foot. Worst that happens is you concede a boundary ...so what ?

Never mind. He got the break they needed. Should be able to sit in slips soon and let the others finish up now . But he will probably go a couple more Smile

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:43 pm

England only 63% on WinViz. Seems a bit nonsense to me as they're only one wicket away from the tail.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:49 pm

After all that excitement : Holder is looking calm enough at the crease. England would love to get at those rabbits sooner rather than later ...even tailenders can block out for a while , given a bit of luck.

Still work to do

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:55 pm

Duty281 wrote:England only 63% on WinViz. Seems a bit nonsense to me as they're only one wicket away from the tail.

Yeah but while these two are batting the overs tick down...35 left ; these two manage , say , 15 ; and the pressure starts to mount on the bowlers.

One of these goes , odds change dramatically . Still got to get them though. They're not throwing it away.

Root has to consider his bowling options now. Stokes is cooked . Woakes has to rest up soon. Broad back now but he can't go now to the close.

Root may not want to go to his lesser lights ; but he might have to , or run out of serious weapons ...

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:56 pm

Starting to remember Old Trafford 2005 which had a similar scenario to this one...hopefully a different conclusion! Can't imagine Roach and Gabriel playing out the last four overs like McGrath and Lee did.

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 4:59 pm

alfie wrote:
Duty281 wrote:England only 63% on WinViz. Seems a bit nonsense to me as they're only one wicket away from the tail.

Yeah but while these two are batting the overs tick down...35 left ; these two manage , say , 15 ; and the pressure starts to mount on the bowlers.

One of these goes , odds change dramatically . Still got to get them though. They're not throwing it away.

Root has to consider his bowling options now. Stokes is cooked . Woakes has to rest up soon. Broad back now but he can't go now to the close.

Root may not want to go to his lesser lights ; but he might have to , or run out of serious weapons ...

Probably time for Bess soon, Broad's got a few overs left in his spell then back to Curran, who hasn't done much thus far in this innings.

England have around an hour to get one of these two before I start getting concerned...and they're beating the bat plenty.

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:02 pm

Curran returns first, not Bess. Only had four overs in this innings, but seemingly not much swing for him to work with.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:05 pm

Curran on now. Agree Bess must be tried soon - but I liked that last over of Broad's .

If it isn't happening , you can try some very short spells -work them over with constant change . Though that always seems a bit desperate...

I'd like a break sooner than one hour !

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:08 pm

Duty281 wrote:Curran returns first, not Bess. Only had four overs in this innings, but seemingly not much swing for him to work with.

Yeah nothing in the conditions for Sam...but it's a different angle ; you never know...

Key still banging on about Archer ...he couldn't work a miracle last week either so for heavens sake just comment on the bowlers that are out there !

by Gooseberry Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:13 pm

Currant bunny

Funny after all the close shaves Broads had its Curran whos bowled mostly tripe all day gets the wicket

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:14 pm

You never know! Curran does it for England, surely, surely the game.

He set that up very well earlier in the over. Can't believe Brooks didn't punt on the review with three left.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:14 pm

And Lo ! Sam Curran gets the vital break...

Left arm magic Smile

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:15 pm

Duty281 wrote:You never know! Curran does it for England, surely, surely the game.

He set that up very well earlier in the over. Can't believe Brooks didn't punt on the review with three left.

Superb celebrappeal from Curran too. You love to see it

by Gooseberry Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:16 pm

Bess not getting the another opportunity probably does mean Leach will get the nod, does feel like Roots lost confidence in him. Unless these wickets tumble he'l probably get a short spell before the new ball but hes really been a spare part in this innings

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:17 pm

Duty281 wrote:You never know! Curran does it for England, surely, surely the game.

He set that up very well earlier in the over. Can't believe Brooks didn't punt on the review with three left.

Not "the game" yet , Duty . Stop tempting fate ! But England are certainly back to favourite just when it was looking a bit flat...

Good knock Brooks clap

But a lot left to the skipper now...

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:19 pm

Surprised to see Roach in next, not Joseph. Still 28.3 overs for those final three wickets.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:20 pm

Gooseberry wrote:Currant bunny

Funny after all the close shaves Broads had its Curran whos bowled mostly tripe all day gets the wicket

No fair , goose ! Curran has hardly been given the ball today

I suspect you were tongue in cheek there though...

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:22 pm

Duty281 wrote:Surprised to see Roach in next, not Joseph. Still 28.3 overs for those final three wickets.

Maybe thinks Roach can block better ? Joseph was an "unorthodox " night watchman , to say the least Smile

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:23 pm

alfie wrote:
Duty281 wrote:You never know! Curran does it for England, surely, surely the game.

He set that up very well earlier in the over. Can't believe Brooks didn't punt on the review with three left.

Not "the game" yet , Duty . Stop tempting fate ! But England are certainly back to favourite just when it was looking a bit flat...

Good knock Brooks

But a lot left to the skipper now...

Top effort from Brooks in a testing scenario, two 50s for him in this game, though still no centuries for the West Indies' batsmen in this series.

Numbers 9, 10 and 11 all average in single digits in test cricket, so I would be astonished if the West Indies escape from here. Sunshine starting to arrive so no chance of bad light.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:35 pm

Bess on . Couple of close fielders. Sensible . If he can just get one he will have done a job...

24 overs left. Tight.

by king_carlos Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:42 pm

If Joseph was in I'd definitely say get Bess on to toss a few up above the eyeline. I'm not so sure against Holder and Roach though.

Roach is almost a completely different cricketer now compared to when he broke through. Huge change in his style as a bowler due to the injuries robbing him of his pace. His batting has improved a lot as well.

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:45 pm

Dom Bess !

Bowled him !

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:45 pm

Bowled 'im! Really nice ball. Well done Bess. The relief on his face clear to see.

Just the tail left now with 22 overs to go.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:46 pm

Lovely bit of bowling that from Bess - and much deserved reward. Personally think he's bowled better than his figures have shown over the two tests so far

by alfie Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:48 pm

Any self respecting spinner will happily concede a big six - or two - if the next ball is going to skittle him ...

A Very Important Wicket.

Just the rabbits now ...22 more overs. Stokes wants to keep bowling. Surprise , surprise Smile

by Duty281 Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:50 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Lovely bit of bowling that from Bess - and much deserved reward. Personally think he's bowled better than his figures have shown over the two tests so far

Agreed, don't think he's had a lot of fortune over the last two tests. Also had so many right-handers to bowl at - never good for an off-spinner.

by king_carlos Mon 20 Jul 2020, 5:51 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Lovely bit of bowling that from Bess - and much deserved reward. Personally think he's bowled better than his figures have shown over the two tests so far

I'd agree from the first Test and the first innings in this Test. He has frustrated me so far today by bowling quite fast and straight when it probably needed to be given a bit more flight and landed outside off stump. Bowling to a side with 10 right handers as an orthodox offie isn't ideal to be fair to Dom.

That's a lovely bit of bowling though to get Holder. Delighted he's picked up an important wicket during a tough days bowling.

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