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 Soul Requiem Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:04 am

guildfordbat wrote:
Soul Requiem wrote:Leach finally showing what a quality bowler he is, he's got a lovely free flowing and simple action.

Hi Soul - Forgive the pedantry but he does need to add greater consistency. No argument that he's bowled well yesterday and today.

That's my point, days like today show what he's capable of.

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:06 am

Will be very tough to bat again on this, but setting India a target of around 120 will be just about defendable, 150 would leave England no worse than 50/50, and 175+ would put England in the favourites category.

The bowlers have given England's batsmen a huge reprieve, presuming they get these last two wickets cheaply. Soon it'll be up to the batsmen to scramble a 200-ish score on this track. It's do-able, but tough.

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:09 am

Soul Requiem wrote:What the hell is going on here?

Am I only the only one misreading this pitch, it's spinning but not to the extent of 240 runs for 18 wickets?

Batsmen all seem to be misreading the bowling Smile

Maybe it's the pink ball but enough of them are doing plenty and apart from Rohit no one seems confident of picking the right one to hit.

Wouldn't want to have bought tickets for Sunday...or Saturday , perhaps !

by guildfordbat Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:13 am

It was around this point in England's innings that Kohli brought Bumrah back in an attempt to try and finish us off. That didn't work and cost India a few runs. Hope Root remembers that and sticks with the spin - at least for a bit more.

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:14 am

Ashwin doesn't want to see his and Axar's good work going to waste...playing smart cricket clap

need to wrap this up sharpish , England. Don't want a frisky forty now to undo the excellent first hour ...

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:16 am

England risking falling headlong into the trap of focusing so much on getting Sharma on strike, that they subsequently forget about getting Ashwin out.

Lead at 22. Every run is sacred.

by Mind the windows Tino. Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:17 am

Duty281 wrote:England risking falling headlong into the trap of focusing so much on getting Sharma on strike, that they subsequently forget about getting Ashwin out.

Lead at 22. Every run is sacred.

He's gone now!

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:18 am

guildfordbat wrote:It was around this point in England's innings that Kohli brought Bumrah back in an attempt to try and finish us off. That didn't work and cost India a few runs. Hope Root remembers that and sticks with the spin - at least for a bit more.

Hmm. There might be a case for asking Archer to monster the rabbits , I guess ? But I think they'll be hoping Leach can finish the job...let us see this Root over to Ashwin...

And yes ! Gets his man ...four for Cap'n Joe thumbsup

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:18 am

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
Duty281 wrote:England risking falling headlong into the trap of focusing so much on getting Sharma on strike, that they subsequently forget about getting Ashwin out.

Lead at 22. Every run is sacred.

He's gone now!

Yes! He can get himself out so England don't need to!

Root's best test bowling figures (previously 4/80-odd).

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:22 am

Ridiculous, this. Confess I had a dream last night that India were bowled out for 146 (yes I'd had a scotch or two ) : but it had Leach taking seven...

Maybe that's the second innings Smile

Still one to get. Then comes the tricky bit ...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:27 am

Cricket is silly

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:30 am

Ishant swinging effectively... Every run useful in this sort of contest.

Root v Bumrah now in the reverse of their usual duel...

144/9. Leach needs to finish this...

by guildfordbat Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:33 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Cricket is silly

Absolutely and that's part of the fun of it for so many of us. Feel sorry for KP-f always knowing what is going to happen.

by **Pal Joey** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:34 am

Caught the edge first... anyway, another 2 runs as per Alfie's dream.

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:36 am

guildfordbat wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Cricket is silly

Absolutely and that's part of the fun of it for so many of us. Feel sorry for KP-f always knowing what is going to happen.

He might have mislaid his crystal ball today though...

by dummy_half Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:38 am

Bumrah is a proper rabbit isn't he - so far played 2 off the handle, one of the glove, swipe edged almost caught by Stokes (would have been beyond a worldie) and overturned an LBW because of an edge.

by Gooseberry Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:40 am

Dom Bess must be hoping Jeetan Patels contract doesnt get extended.

by Mind the windows Tino. Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:40 am

Root with a Michelle.

Should have had him on last night....

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:41 am

Duty281 wrote:Which is why England are still in this contest. They're well capable of shooting out India for 150, though these circumstances are far from ideal!

Yes. A magic 100 minutes from Leach and Root as they decimated the Indian batting order. Almost cruel that Leach was denied a five-for, but at least Root got one.

Now England need one half-decent innings with the bat and they'll win. Please, England, use your feet well. Score 250 and win this test.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:41 am

There is definitely an alternate universe where early on in his career England try to make Joe Root an spinner who bats 8 and he has Moeen Ali's career

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:42 am

Think this one is plumb...

Five for Root thumbsup

145. I was out by one.

England might be happy with that. Suspect 33 is a little less than they'd budgeted for last night...but in this game a lead is a lead...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:42 am

https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne/status/1364887777226096642

Someone put this man in broadmoor already

by **Pal Joey** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:44 am

alfie wrote:
guildfordbat wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Cricket is silly

Absolutely and that's part of the fun of it for so many of us. Feel sorry for KP-f always knowing what is going to happen.

He might have mislaid his crystal ball today though...

To be fair to KP_fan he did hedge his prediction fairly accurately, Alfie.

KP_fan wrote:-As I read the match situation Ind with Rohit, Rahane, Pant, Sundar, Ashwin and Axar down at No.9 should be able to bat out most of the 2 sessions and get a lead of something ~ 150-180
-and that should be enuf to cause an innings defeat.

First session will be easiest to bat I think and a lot will depend on how long Rohit bats and if Pant gets going...these two will score at 5rpo and could push the lead to 200ish in 2 sessions

......

--But the good news is that improper selections did not cost Eng the match..they would have lost anyway

-Though don't take my word, miracles happen and have been happening more frequently these days in test criket......the English seamers could bowl like the Aussies did in Adelaide and bundle Ind out for 135 tomm morning

Your dream was more on the mark though.

by Soul Requiem Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:45 am

Superb comeback firstly from Leach and finished off by Root, who needs Dom Bess?

by dummy_half Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:45 am

Muttiah Rootilitharan (I've nicked that one) with 5 for 8 in 6.1 overs this morning...

Still a 33 run lead for India, but England have played themselves back into the game a bit.

It really isn't THAT bad a wicket, at least for the decent batsmen. Might even be getting a bit easier in that everything is turning now, whereas before it was the sliding ball that was taking the wickets.

Both Root and Axar were regularly bowling 90 to 95 km/h balls and getting some purchase.

by Mind the windows Tino. Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:47 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:There is definitely an alternate universe where early on in his career England try to make Joe Root an spinner who bats 8 and he has Moeen Ali's career

The reverse alternate universe where KP started as a offie batting 9 before becoming a test match number 4?

Or is that the same alternate universe? I'm confused.

by dummy_half Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:49 am

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:There is definitely an alternate universe where early on in his career England try to make Joe Root an spinner who bats 8 and he has Moeen Ali's career

The reverse alternate universe where KP started as a offie batting 9 before becoming a test match number 4?

Or is that the same alternate universe? I'm confused.

And Australia had a Shane Warne replacement called Steve Smith...

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:50 am

Root now has better test best figures than Andrew Flintoff Laugh

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:54 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Root now has better test best figures than Andrew Flintoff

Almost as freak-ish as Roston Chase's 8-for a couple of years ago. I like Root as a bowler, but he's never one you think would get 5/8!

by Gooseberry Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:54 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Root now has better test best figures than Andrew Flintoff

His average is only just a shade over that of Ashley Giles

by Gooseberry Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:56 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:There is definitely an alternate universe where early on in his career England try to make Joe Root an spinner who bats 8 and he has Moeen Ali's career

Id buy that if you could ever imagine Moeen Ali being Englands greatest ever ODI bat and maintaining a test average around 50. Somehow I cant.

by Gooseberry Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:59 am

Still need that batsmen to step up to the plate and put enough on the board to give India nerves. Can wait to see how much we need to complain about the state of the pitch by the end of tomorrow when we know who's won the lottery Whistle

by Mind the windows Tino. Thu 25 Feb 2021, 10:59 am

dummy_half wrote:
Mind the windows Tino. wrote:
Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:There is definitely an alternate universe where early on in his career England try to make Joe Root an spinner who bats 8 and he has Moeen Ali's career

The reverse alternate universe where KP started as a offie batting 9 before becoming a test match number 4?

Or is that the same alternate universe? I'm confused.

And Australia had a Shane Warne replacement called Steve Smith...

Yep, add him to the list. Would have been some batting line up with Smith, Root and KP at 3, 4 and 5.

Just don't let Smith be captain.

by Mind the windows Tino. Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:01 am

Oh dear.

by Mind the windows Tino. Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:01 am

Just played round a non spinning straight one.

Not good.

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:02 am

Duty281 wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Which is why England are still in this contest. They're well capable of shooting out India for 150, though these circumstances are far from ideal!

Yes. A magic 100 minutes from Leach and Root as they decimated the Indian batting order. Almost cruel that Leach was denied a five-for, but at least Root got one.

Now England need one half-decent innings with the bat and they'll win. Please, England, use your feet well. Score 250 and win this test.

Ambitious , Duty ? 250 ?

So far 20 wickets have fallen for 257. Unless they change pitches I can't see anything like that score. Would settle for 150 I think.

Crawley gone first ball isn't the best start Sad

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:02 am

Stop missing straight ones you weirdos

by Gooseberry Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:03 am

alfie wrote:
Duty281 wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Which is why England are still in this contest. They're well capable of shooting out India for 150, though these circumstances are far from ideal!

Yes. A magic 100 minutes from Leach and Root as they decimated the Indian batting order. Almost cruel that Leach was denied a five-for, but at least Root got one.

Now England need one half-decent innings with the bat and they'll win. Please, England, use your feet well. Score 250 and win this test.

Ambitious , Duty ? 250 ?

So far 20 wickets have fallen for 257. Unless they change pitches I can't see anything like that score. Would settle for 150 I think.

Crawley gone first ball isn't the best start

Still a chance that KPFs prediction of an innings victory for India happening! But really they have to be targeting 200, no matter how rough the pitch is that has to be possible.

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:06 am

Pitch has been incredibly bad again, regardless of who wins (or a tie).

Very poor from Crawley. Down the wrong line again. Reminds us of how uphill the struggle still is.

And Patel gets a hat-trick. Horrific from Bairstow...but going over! First hat-trick denied by a DRS review?

But he misses the next one. That is shocking.

by Gooseberry Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:06 am

cancel my last post England will be lucky to get 20 here this is a disgrace

by Mind the windows Tino. Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:06 am

Oh dear.

Played round another straight one.

by guildfordbat Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:07 am

Pal Joey wrote:

...
To be fair to KP_fan he did hedge his prediction fairly accurately, Alfie.

...

Joey - I will tolerate most things in life but being fair to KP-f is not one of them. Wink

by alfie Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:07 am

And Bairstow has left all his form ...and his brain...in Sri Lanka by the looks of things.

This might still be an innings win for India Shocked

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:07 am

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Stop missing straight ones you weirdos

Or don't

by Gooseberry Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:07 am

Duty281 wrote:Pitch has been incredibly bad again, regardless of who wins (or a tie).

Very poor from Crawley. Down the wrong line again. Reminds us of how uphill the struggle still is.

And Patel gets a hat-trick. Horrific from Bairstow...but going over! First hat-trick denied by a DRS review?

2 wickets from straight balls and a review from teh first 3 balls. It aint the pitch, its the batsmen.

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:08 am

alfie wrote:
Duty281 wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Which is why England are still in this contest. They're well capable of shooting out India for 150, though these circumstances are far from ideal!

Yes. A magic 100 minutes from Leach and Root as they decimated the Indian batting order. Almost cruel that Leach was denied a five-for, but at least Root got one.

Now England need one half-decent innings with the bat and they'll win. Please, England, use your feet well. Score 250 and win this test.

Ambitious , Duty ? 250 ?

So far 20 wickets have fallen for 257. Unless they change pitches I can't see anything like that score. Would settle for 150 I think.

Crawley gone first ball isn't the best start

Well 250 would certainly win it! 150 would leave a just-about defendable total, but you'd be making India favourites. Somewhere in the middle would be decent.

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:10 am

Gooseberry wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Pitch has been incredibly bad again, regardless of who wins (or a tie).

Very poor from Crawley. Down the wrong line again. Reminds us of how uphill the struggle still is.

And Patel gets a hat-trick. Horrific from Bairstow...but going over! First hat-trick denied by a DRS review?

2 wickets from straight balls and a review from teh first 3 balls. It aint the pitch, its the batsmen.

Yes, they're missing the straight ones because they're anticipating sharp-turn, which is happening every other delivery. The poor pitch is getting into the batsmen's (both teams) mindset.

by Duty281 Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:12 am

Root shows the way to bat by getting down the track and smothering the spin. More of that needed.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:21 am

Duty281 wrote:
Gooseberry wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Pitch has been incredibly bad again, regardless of who wins (or a tie).

Very poor from Crawley. Down the wrong line again. Reminds us of how uphill the struggle still is.

And Patel gets a hat-trick. Horrific from Bairstow...but going over! First hat-trick denied by a DRS review?

2 wickets from straight balls and a review from teh first 3 balls. It aint the pitch, its the batsmen.

Yes, they're missing the straight ones because they're anticipating sharp-turn, which is happening every other delivery. The poor pitch is getting into the batsmen's (both teams) mindset.

Sorry Duty but think you're well wide of the mark on this one - if you're now moaning about the ball going straight on getting batsmen out, then nobody is ever going to prepare a good pitch ever again

by guildfordbat Thu 25 Feb 2021, 11:35 am

alfie wrote:And Bairstow has left all his form ...and his brain...in Sri Lanka by the looks of things.

This might still be an innings win for India

We've been let down in this Test by the lack of composure from both Bairstow and Broad. We needed a lot more and, given their experience, should have fairly expected it.

Surprised on checking to see this is Bairstow's 73rd Test. Didn't realise it was so many. He's certainly had a lot of opportunities.

by Sponsored content