The summer of cricket 2020

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Great ton from Morgan. Came in at 44/3 - now victory looks assured for England after this partnership.

(Spoiler: It wasn't.)

The first session really went OK on balance , for England. My roadmap had them about 15-20 more runs , chasing about 15-20 less...but it isn't too far off what I was hoping.

As guildford says , the fear is a swift clatter of two or three wickets at some point ...and with the shortage of real batsmen that is always going to be a concern , even if some good partnerships develop. But if they can keep the bowlers coming back for second and third spells - and keep the score ticking over - there comes a point where the pressure starts to mount on the fielding side. Long way from that yet !

Think it is important Sibley doesn't get too static against the spinners. Needs to get the odd single rather than just let Yasir work him over. Not that they're in any great hurry ; but you need to be doing more than just trying to survive against a good leggie - or eventually , you won't.

Pakistan really have a handle on the run-rate. Great accuracy to keep England tied down. At this rate, if England are to win this they'll need to come back tomorrow.

But I feel this is the partnership that gives England false hope, before it all crashes down in a heap.

Agreed that Pakistan are bowling very shrewdly and keeping the run rate down. Given the circumstance it isn't most attacking fields from Pakistan but keeping the run rate down is buying themselves more and more overs to bowl.

If these two are there when Abbas comes out the over it will be interesting to see if the rate changes much. I'd presume that Yasir will just about bowl through unless he starts going for runs, which seems unlikely.

Duty281 wrote:Pakistan really have a handle on the run-rate. Great accuracy to keep England tied down. At this rate, if England are to win this they'll need to come back tomorrow.

But I feel this is the partnership that gives England false hope, before it all crashes down in a heap.

They can take until tea tomorrow for all I care !

You are probably right about false hopes , Duty. But it is pretty fascinating to watch , these two excellent bowlers in good spells , and batsmen resisting staunchly . At some point they need to start scoring a bit more - you'd imagine Pakistan won't be able to keep this much control indefinitely , so the longer they stay in the better...

That's a good first over from Naseem Shah keeping the pressure on.

Root is playing very well, leaving the ball well and playing it really late.

The pitch is doing enough that you just get the feeling there will eventually be a ball with each batsman's name on it though.

Each run they get makes it that little bit more possible. Id say if they are still in with 170 to go Id make England favourites.
But the innings can disinitgrate very quickly ...so unless they are like 20 off with 5 wickets left im never going to feel secure in it

Those of a gambling ilk can get some very tasty odds on pakistan here....seems the bookies are trying to cover off some big money put on england yesterday before stokes blew the game open!

alfie wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Pakistan really have a handle on the run-rate. Great accuracy to keep England tied down. At this rate, if England are to win this they'll need to come back tomorrow.

But I feel this is the partnership that gives England false hope, before it all crashes down in a heap.

They can take until tea tomorrow for all I care !

You are probably right about false hopes , Duty.  But it is pretty fascinating to watch , these two excellent bowlers in good spells , and batsmen resisting staunchly . At some point they need to start scoring a bit more - you'd imagine Pakistan won't be able to keep this much control indefinitely , so the longer they stay in the better...

Yep, a great game of patience making it classic test match cricket. England starting to score a few more now.

Ah, the patience expires for Sibley. Poor shot and he knows it.

Blame Nasser on comms for that, he started talking about England being slight favourites.

And there is the break Pakistan wanted...Sibley falls to Yasir. Gutsy innings ; but his frailties against spin are glaring.

Target under 200 , so some progress. I blame Nasser for just saying he thought England were narrow favourites

This is the key partnership for England you'd imagine.

Straight away we see the intent from Root running between the wickets with Stokes. Both are very quick.

There's one of the big two. It was always going to happen on this pitch - eventually you just get one that does for you. Deserved for Naseem who's bowled superbly in this test.

Stokes and Pope is England's last proper partnership, as you can't anticipate Buttler or anyone lower making a telling contribution. Stokes and Pope will need to get the target down to 100 or fewer if England are to have any hope.

There's the game, you'd need Stokes and Pope to get us to about 240 to have a realistic chance which is not at all likely, 98/2 in Pakistans favour for me.

If Stokes and Pope can add 100 they're back in the game ; because if they do that the bowlers will be getting a bit weary ...only yesterday they were bowling remember.

But that might be asking a lot. Ball doing enough for Yasir and you feel any delivery could take a wicket.

Pity about those two wickets. Both batsmen had done the hard work , and we're just starting to get the runs going. But that's all it needs - a loose shot , a good ball...

The standard issue with Root again, since that double ton against New Zealand he's reached double figures 13 innings in a row but not gone on to a big score once and with four 50's on the way.

That was a good call from the umpire. Poor review from Pakistan; probably only went for it because it's Stokes.

Loving the fiery intensity from Pakistan in the field. Always game for a scrap are Pakistan.

All over now. Good partnership from Sibley + Root followed by three wickets in thirty minutes...the aforementioned 'collapse in a heap'.

Stokes gone on review...think that's the game.

He looked surprised ; but the spike confirmed a faint touch on the glove. Good review by Pakistan- and they nearly didn't call for it !

Buttler should just come out swinging now, there's no point him scratching around waiting for a good one.

alfie wrote:Stokes gone on review...think that's the game.

He looked surprised ; but the spike confirmed a faint touch on the glove.  Good review by Pakistan- and they nearly didn't call for it !

Yep. Good bounce generated by Shah and good parried take by Rizwan as well. I do like Rizwan, not shying away from anything and regularly involved. Must feed confidence to the bowlers.

Soul Requiem wrote:The standard issue with Root again, since that double ton against New Zealand he's reached double figures 13 innings in a row but not gone on to a big score once and with four 50's on the way.

Curse of the captaincy ? They've actually won most of these games so the cares and worries shouldn't be weighting too much on him . I don't like having him bat at three , of course ; and and I know he doesn't either. But it is odd that he can get "in" so often without going on with it.

Is a big problem for England because they don't have many other players who have an established track record of big scores.

Now : do we want Buttler to play a dashing but futile innings and save his place for the next five years or get out and let England sort their batting order

To be honest he was like that even before the captaincy, it's been a long held criticism that for someone who reaches 40 so often that he doesn't go on often enough, 17 test centuries is good by anyones standards but it should be more. You don't see Smith, Kohli and Williamson failing when set so much.

Swing and swing hard.

Not much Pope could have done with that one ! The odd ball has really done something today...that certainly did.

Over by tea now ?

Nothing Pope could do there. That was vicious variable bounce.

Won't need to worry about coming back tomorrow.

That's a stinger of a delivery. Poor Ollie... that's now two wicked deliveries to dismiss him in both innings.
Seems unfair. Still think he's destined for greater things.

Pal Joey wrote:That's a stinger of a delivery. Poor Ollie... that's now two wicked deliveries to dismiss him in both innings.
Seems unfair. Still think he's destined for greater things.

Think he'll be fine. Just hope they don't shove him up to number three just yet.

Well that all escalated a bit quickly....drop out for less than an hour and the collapse has happened. We kinda knew it was coming but hopefully the tail will keep the suspense going past tea and that tiny glimmer

136 to win with 5 wickets left.

Those 32 runs Pakistan bashed in ten minutes this morning taking on even more significance.

Not quite "tail" yet...but these two are at least prolonging it...Buttler has struck some nice boundaries , and the bowlers seem to have lost a bit of their cool.
It cannot last , of course. But you wonder if a bit more aggression a little earlier might have been an idea ? I really don't blame England for playing with care ; and in fact I do suspect Pakistan might now have relaxed a little after the flurry of wickets ; but perhaps a little more positivity before the wickets started to fall could have upset their game plan. Then again , I suppose that was how Sibley got out...

Good running by these two with Sir Chris especially busy.

118 now needed. Pakistan remain in the box seats but IF (big ''if'') we can get it below 100, they won't be so confident ....

Woakes seems to be running himself back into some form with the bat...couple of lovely shots there. Pity he didn't get going in the first innings.

Now will Pakistan start to get rattled with this burst of scoring ? If they keep their cool they will get one sooner or later and clean up from there ... But if they really go to pieces - as some Pakistan sides have been known to do in the past - then England could conceivably do the impossible.

No it isn't going to happen , of course. Jack Leach isn't playing

But at least we will be back after tea.

Anyone who doesn't love woakes needs a word with themselves.

(Or maybe they've seen him bowl overseas)

A spirited counter-attack by Buttler and Woakes. If they can add another 50+, maybe Pakistan will start to get worried.

Has Woakes been saving up all his runs for this effort?

Feel tea has come at a good time for Pakistan. Often difficult for the batters to get going again after a break.

Btw, I already fear a moan coming on for Archer's batting ....

Hmm. Good start after tea...just 100 behind now.

But I am not going entertain serious thoughts of them getting them. Hope kills you in these situations.

I think Pakistan would worry before it got to fifty needed , Duty. It won't , though.

Surprised they've got Shadab on - the least effective of the five bowlers.

Under 100 to get now.

Interesting to see that Pakistan has now gone defensive... Singles on offer everywhere . Not sure this is the right tactic.

Some of us might remember that famous England win in Pakistan , in near darkness , when they chased against light and time on the last day. Early wickets had fallen ; but Pakistan elected to protect the boundaries - and waste time - instead of attacking. With all threat removed , England ran the target down . Had they been pressed hard , in poor light , I wonder if they'd have even tried to take the risk ? In those days batsmen could appeal to the umpires to stop if it was too dark : but in that match it was the fields men who ended up pleading with Mr Bucknor to go off !
Different situation. But same question of whether to attack or go passive.

Naseem now. This might test them.

Folks - what time can they play to tonight if necessary? Thanks.

guildfordbat wrote:Folks - what time can they play to tonight if necessary? Thanks.

Until 7. But if either team is close enough to victory at that point, they can go for another half-hour (provided the light's ok).

Should reach a finish tonight.

Thanks, Duty. Yep, should be over one way or another tonight then.

Woakes was a bit lucky just then but has deserved it.

Think it will be finished well before seven. Run rate is good ; and wickets tend to fall in a rush when they do in these situations. Don't think there will be any issues with the light.

18 overs to the new ball.

Fifty for Jos Whether it's a match winner or not , it is a career saver for him.

Down to 70 to win now. Pakistan have been firmly defensive since the resumption which is baffling.

Could be Yasir or bust for Pakistan.

And fifty for Woakes

Quite a partnership this...

Duty281 wrote:Down to 70 to win now. Pakistan have been firmly defensive since the resumption which is baffling.

Could be Yasir or bust for Pakistan.

If they don't break through soon they'll have to bring him back. Of course last time he bowled Buttler was upsetting him by sweeping everything and runs came fast...

Ah . Here he is now...

Didn't see this coming! Went out just after Pope fell, assuming it was all over. Those 30 runs are looking vital for Pakistan now. Could still be a close finish

One thing these two have shown - regardless of how this ends - is the way to play Yasir. You have to go after him. As we saw in Australia , he can get wickets but he can also lose it a bit under pressure and gift a lot of runs.
If you just try to defend and wait he will probably get you sooner or later.
And sweeping him is probably the best method , at least for a start.

Runs just drying up now...over half an hour since the last boundary.

These next 46 runs will be tougher than the previous 100-odd.

Run rate a fairly steady three per over lately. So unless there's a rush the new ball will arrive before they can reach the target.

Question being how many wickets will be down by then ? Closer they get the more it gets tight on both sides. What a pity the crowd is so small.

Review for caught behind ...safe ! Pakistan lose their review . Still got one left though...

Buttler survives a DRS, even though he looked very guilty in the process!

Duty281 wrote:Runs just drying up now...over half an hour since the last boundary.

These next 46 runs will be tougher than the previous 100-odd.

Usually happens. Hope they don't go too cautious ...just three or four boundaries would almost break the game from here ; but I can understand why they don't want to throw it away now.

That last Yasir over showed there is still danger out there .

Question. If a wicket falls now , do you think about sending in Broad to smash a few ?

Pakistan now lose their last review.