England's Winter of Cricket 2020/21

by alfie Sun 14 Feb 2021, 9:09 am

First topic message reminder :

Knight thinks they won't enforce the follow on. I'm not so sure.

Still two wickets needed anyway. 22 runs.

As I say I don't mind spinning pitches. I do think this one was a bit extreme : had England batted first I doubt they'd have made 329 ; but they might have made 220 and that would probably have made them favourites.
But essentially I agree :India are in this position because they've bowled a lot better and three or four batsmen played innings that England have not come near to matching. Credit where it is due...

by Gooseberry Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:37 am

And here was me about to ask if india would be regretting 3 spinners Doh

by Duty281 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:38 am

Crawley punishing some bad balls with immaculate timing, like he's never been away. He's got a great future in test cricket ahead of him.

Think that if England can muster over 300 on this they'll be content.

Time for spin...Bairstow out first up. Oh dear. Awful review too.

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:39 am

Bairstow deserves a 2 match suspension for calling that review

by msp83 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:39 am

Axar Patel on at his home ground, and strikes straight away!

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:39 am

Gooseberry wrote:Corking stuff from Crawley, much needed confidence back for him and England.

He looks in really good touch. Excellent news for England having taken the plunge (rightly IMO) to replace two of the top three.

That defensive push for 4 was reminiscent of Damien Martyn's timing.

The outfield is lightning fast.

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:40 am

That's a shocker of a review from Bairstow.

Just missed a straight ball it must be said.

by alfie Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:40 am

Whatever possessed Bairstow to review that ? picard

Crawley has looked great so far but apart from him this is just what England did not need...

Hope Root has another 200 in him.

by Gooseberry Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:41 am

king_carlos wrote:
KP_fan wrote:
king_carlos wrote:
KP_fan wrote:nothing by way of seam movement for the bowlers so far contrary to what commentators are saying
Though the last ball from Bumrah reversed big time i think ( not conventional swing)
I'm not sure it's possible for the pink ball to reverse this early. The amount of lacquer on the ball means that both sides stay shiny for a fair while.

Ah Dom. England could have done with him absorbing the pressure from Bumrah and Ishant.

In the 2008 series that msp referred to where Ishant was deemed a debuting sensation having Aussi top order in trouble
Zak and Ishant were reversing in 4th over

i hope they show a close view of the ball...convetional swing doesn't swing in so late as Bumrah's ball did
The red ball loses it's lacquer much quicker than the pink ball though by my understanding, so it will reverse much earlier. Even in England the attacks including Flintoff and Jones had balls reversing after 13 or 14 overs so it is definitely possible for the red ball to reverse early. I've never seen it with the pink ball though so that would be new. Anderson in the build said that the pink balls in the nets were swinging conventionally a lot but not reversing much at all.

The pink ball has a 3 or 4 extra coats of lacquer on it to keep it's visibility so if it's already lost that then we could be in for frequent ball changes!

This is a different version of the pink SG not previously used in tests thats supposed to hold together better. There were concerns about the previous one taking on too much moisture and getting flabby. Hard to know exactly what it will do and when.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:41 am

Tail starts at 8, two of the top three have scored ducks...

Joe, we're going to need you to do that double hundred again

by msp83 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:41 am

That was straight wicket to wicket, pathetic review from Bairstow!

by Gooseberry Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:43 am

Huge partnership now for England. Crawley looks to be in fine touch and Root the god of playing spin, feel these two are going to be the ones that decide whether this bad start is a total car crash or not. On a positive note India only having two seamers will suit Root coming in so early, time for him to stop being so pathetic.

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:45 am

time for ashwin from Bumrah's end or Sundar if Kohli wants to surprise Eng
Crawlely is falling over and playing across the line...LBW candidate

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:50 am

Little bit of swing with the new ball, but really nothing in the pitch so far to my eye - England need to settle down and take advantage of the conditions being at their best here.

by msp83 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:52 am

Pitch not offering a great deal as of now. India need to get Root before he gets in.

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:54 am

Hello!

That leapt up from Bumrah. Good rhythm for Bumrah and pace really got something there. Archer should be excited seeing that.

Please please for England's sake that isn't a broken finger for Root.

by Duty281 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:55 am

Hope Root's OK as we hit drinks with an ultra-slow over rate.

An average start from England, not good or bad. 250 will be a competitive score. 300 will be pleasing. Anything over 350 should be match-winning.

Tough to bat out there with the swing, late movement, and inconsistent bounce (which has just caused Root to be hit on the finger). Was probably a better toss to win than originally thought as that inconsistent bounce will only worsen.

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 9:59 am

That one TURNED
Eng missing Bess Very Happy

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:01 am

I'd describe this pitch as fruity.

Despite England not having he best start I'm enjoying the variety in the morning. Lots of variables/unknowns to keep things interesting.

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:05 am

India wasting time with seamers
spin at both end needed NOW

by Duty281 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:08 am

Might just be the camera angle, or the lightning fast outfield, but the boundaries look quite short at this ground.

The way some of the shots have been timed has made that redundant, though!

by guildfordbat Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:08 am

Duty281 wrote:I'm delighted, personally. Think England have been brave and got it right. Anderson and Broad with a pink ball is going to be carnage.

And Siraj isn't much cop anyway, so I can see why India have travelled down the three spinner route.

This would be an excellent time for Archer to contribute a half-decent test innings, with him possibly batting at 8.

One other note - according to Cricinfo, the interval between session one and two is only twenty minutes long (not the usual forty) so don't be caught out.

Come on, England, bat well and seize the day.

Thanks, Duty. I would have been caught out with a visit into town at 11:00 but have now put that back. You also explained it more clearly and quicker than that annoying clown Swann and the Ch 4 pundits. thumbsup

by alfie Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:09 am

Enough signs already that India will be happy to have the three spinners. A couple have spun quite sharply.
If England can get a good score they may still be OK with just Leach (and Root) because Anderson and Broad are quite capable of exploiting a wearing pitch . And this pink ball will at least do a bit early on.

That long tail could be badly exposed later though...

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:11 am

what a waste of time bowling seam
They are trying to catch Crawley LBW with one that revrses in
Sharma juzts not getting the reverse

by guildfordbat Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:15 am

king_carlos wrote:I'm happy with that selection from England. The long tail is a risk but the Anderson and Broad partnership is a great one to call on for such an important game. I wouldn't usually want that tail but for a day-night Test with some unknowns I like the experience.

A good toss to win, obviously. Sometimes when a pitch has a significant amount of grass trimmed off it just before the game it can be a bit slow to start. It looks dry so I'd expect it to spin but if there isn't quite the same bounce there it can be much easier to play that turn. Baking in the heat it may well speed up as the Test goes on.

If it is a bit slower then Anderson and Broad's ability to tie up an end with excellent economy rates could be very valuable.

There are so many unknowns with the new ground, wicket and pink ball. India go for three spinners and England three seamers. Lots to look forward to.

Down to Sibley and Crawley now. As Guildford would say you can't win a match in the opening session when batting first but you can certainly go a fair way to losing one!

Still in discussions with my lawyers to get the copyright for that. In the meantime, you can use it, Carlos. Wink

Joking aside, it's still as true as it's always been. Crawley and Root now need to take us to the first break without further loss. Crawley batting well and has probably already secured his spot for the next test. Comms contrasting this with Lawrence's struggles on this tour but it's Burns he's replaced.

by Soul Requiem Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:18 am

guildfordbat wrote:

Joking aside, it's still as true as it's always been. Crawley and Root now need to take us to the first break without further loss. Crawley batting well and has probably already secured his spot for the next test. Comms contrasting this with Lawrence's struggles on this tour but it's Burns he's replaced.

Strictly speaking he's replaced Burns but he was always going to come back into the side when fit at the expense of Lawrence, the travails of Burns mean they've also brought Bairstow in.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:20 am

Swann, much like Warne, when just talking about spin and spin bowling tactics is actually insightful. They should mute their mics/rotate them off commentary for anything bar that though!

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:27 am

If Ind don't give Crawley 4 balls...he will give away his wicket

by guildfordbat Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:27 am

Soul Requiem wrote:
guildfordbat wrote:

Joking aside, it's still as true as it's always been. Crawley and Root now need to take us to the first break without further loss. Crawley batting well and has probably already secured his spot for the next test. Comms contrasting this with Lawrence's struggles on this tour but it's Burns he's replaced.

Strictly speaking he's replaced Burns but he was always going to come back into the side when fit at the expense of Lawrence, the travails of Burns mean they've also brought Bairstow in.

Hi Soul - my guess (and I emphasise it's only a guess) is that Bairstow would have been above Crawley in the selection pecking order for this Test. Bairstow did better in Sri Lanka where Crawley had a ropy old time.

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:29 am

Morning Guildford. I've noticed on TMS that Burns has had some mentions about previous highs and potentially returning but Lawrence has largely gone unremarked. That said he's just got a mention about his poor dismissal in the last Test!

Crawley has been playing very well indeed here. An important knock from the youngster amongst two quick wickets and a lot of pressure.

by Duty281 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:30 am

Fifty for Crawley. clap

Punished the lapses in Indian bowling with perfect timing. Some gorgeous shots displayed so far. What a talent. Has played a similar role, so far, to Rohit in the last test, only with more grace and elegance.

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:30 am

Crawley is using his height and big stride well. He's playing the spin better than he did in Sri Lanka. It's always a big positive when a young player seems to adapt their game quickly after failures.

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:31 am

Duty281 wrote:Fifty for Crawley.

Punished the lapses in Indian bowling with perfect timing. Some gorgeous shots displayed so far. What a talent. Has played a similar role, so far, to Rohit in the last test, only with more grace and elegance.

Crawley has played some lovely shots but perhaps doing Rohit a disservice there Duty.

When Rohit gets going he's one of my favourite batsman to watch. Just such wonderful touch and timing.

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:34 am

close shave for Crawley

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:36 am

Tighter on review than it looked live I must say.

Ashwin showing his experience by coming round the wicket to unsettle Crawley a bit.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:42 am

That looks absolutely plumb...actually just umpires call but Root gone, England in trouble

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:42 am

Root was beaten in flight and played back to the one he shuld have played fully forward
Lucky by a whsker that Eng did not lose that review

by Duty281 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:43 am

Tough dismissal for Root as an umpire's call goes against him.

Big wicket for India to get just before lunch/dinner/tea, but he never looked right in that innings.

by msp83 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:43 am

Ravichandran Ashwin with the big one! Root's gone! What a crucial strike for India just when the partnership was beginning to develop into something substantial.

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:44 am

Very good bowling from Ashwin it must be said. Hitting the perfect area from round the wicket.

by guildfordbat Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:47 am

Ashwin gets Root lbw. Root reviews but unsuccessfully. I thought height was his only possible chance but even that had long odds given the onfield call.

Obviously a massive wicket and, boy, the scoreboard now looks so different and much more menacing as it goes from 74/2 to 74/3 ....

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:50 am

Ind need to give a couple of overs to Washington from the other end now

by Duty281 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:55 am

That's an even bigger wicket to get. Great bowling from Patel, India's best bowler of the session.

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:55 am

they managed to keep him quiet for a bit...and got Crawley's wicket.
Eng's 3rd inning in a row on a 150 run trajectory

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Feb 2021, 10:56 am

Duty281 wrote:That's an even bigger wicket to get. Great bowling from Patel, India's best bowler of the session.

Been very clever with his pace - when he's been slowing it up it's been turning, but the quicker ones are going on with the arm and have got the LBWs

England in a whole world of trouble now

by KP_fan Wed 24 Feb 2021, 11:00 am

one more in last over before brek would be icing

by king_carlos Wed 24 Feb 2021, 11:00 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:
Duty281 wrote:That's an even bigger wicket to get. Great bowling from Patel, India's best bowler of the session.

Been very clever with his pace - when he's been slowing it up it's been turning, but the quicker ones are going on with the arm and have got the LBWs

England in a whole world of trouble now

Hopefully Leach is watching that very closely.

by JDizzle Wed 24 Feb 2021, 11:01 am

Shrewd strategy from England - clearly desperate to bowl in the twilight conditions where the ball does more.

by Duty281 Wed 24 Feb 2021, 11:03 am

Those last two wickets have turned the session in India's favour. The seamers largely wasteful with the new ball, before Patel dominated the session with his clever bowling. Ashwin, too, grew into proceedings after misjudging his lengths early on.

Only Crawley has stood up well for England so far. A long way to go to get that competitive 250, but even 200 would keep the tourists in the contest. Will require a bold counter-attack from the three batsmen left, with Stokes needing to lead it.

by guildfordbat Wed 24 Feb 2021, 11:06 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:
Duty281 wrote:That's an even bigger wicket to get. Great bowling from Patel, India's best bowler of the session.

Been very clever with his pace - when he's been slowing it up it's been turning, but the quicker ones are going on with the arm and have got the LBWs

England in a whole world of trouble now

And about to get worse for many of us with Butcher joining the Ch 4 discussion.

by eirebilly Wed 24 Feb 2021, 11:06 am

England really struggling now. The track does not look too bad to me...

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