Cricket: 2014 India tour of England, 9th July-7th September

[NormalWisdom]

DJRC said:

But you go right ahead with your generic drivel.

Not generic, pretty specific and clear (but hey, it was traditional English!). As opposed to pure nonesense - Aggresive captaincy = play not to lose - What planet?

[DJRC]

spikeyhead said:

Kohli gone, India 136 / 4

They still need about 230 more to avoid the follow on. Good bowling today, discipline that's been lacking for a while.

Slightly unfair spikey. The bowling hasnt particularly been a problem this summer esp against two decent batting attacks. Indeed the bowling has put both SL and India in positions for England to exploit and defeat them this summer. It is the batting lineup that has let England down. This is where the lack of confidence inherent in the side stemming from the Skippers problem has been so vivid.

[spikeyhead]

DJRC said:

spikeyhead said:

Kohli gone, India 136 / 4

They still need about 230 more to avoid the follow on. Good bowling today, discipline that's been lacking for a while.

Slightly unfair spikey. The bowling hasnt particularly been a problem this summer esp against two decent batting attacks. Indeed the bowling has put both SL and India in positions for England to exploit and defeat them this summer. It is the batting lineup that has let England down. This is where the lack of confidence inherent in the side stemming from the Skippers problem has been so vivid.

I don't think it is unfair. A lot of our bowling has been mediocre this summer. Our batting has been worse, but that doesn't excuse the mediocre bowling. Some dull pitches haven't helped that. This one is slow, but there is some seam and swing available.

In other news, I've not heard Blowers on TMS today, so would like to point out that a pair of chaffinches are again in my plum tree. A pretty bird is the chaffinch

[zygalski]

Rahane - village 2nd eleven team hero!

[DJRC]

NormalWisdom said:

DJRC said:

But you go right ahead with your generic drivel.

Not generic, pretty specific and clear (but hey, it was traditional English!). As opposed to pure nonesense - Aggresive captaincy = play not to lose - What planet?

Explains England in every world class sport etc etc. I'd say that was pretty generic.
As opposed to me talking about test cricket and explicitly referencing one of the most famously hard nosed and successful captains of them all who then founded the most successful test team dynasty of them all.
Its aggressive because it doesn't just aim to win a test. It doesn't just aim to win a series. It aims to dictate the course of every test and series by telling the opposition you don't give a fk about them, your plan is simply to bat them to death and run their bowlers into the ground. Every game. We won't lose. We won't lose. YOU therefore need to care about what you are going to do about us and/or winning the game. YOU need to take the risks. WE will then capitalise on your fk ups and of course benefit from one or two of your strike bowlers breaking down at some point over the series. Every series. You bat till lunch on day 3 and your opposition cease to exist as a credible victors, they can only play for a draw or to lose. Something that should be ingrained into the mind of every English cricket fan who suffered through the late 80s and 90s.

[Baron Greenback]

Another Anderson wicket, hope he get 5 wicket + today!

[steveT350C]

7 down, 25 to avoid follow on. Anderson late in swinger

[unrepentant]

steveT350C said:

7 down, 25 to avoid follow on. Anderson late in swinger

275/7. Another 94 needed to avoid the follow on surely?

[steveT350C]

unrepentant said:

steveT350C said:

7 down, 25 to avoid follow on. Anderson late in swinger

275/7. Another 94 needed to avoid the follow on surely?

Of course, been a long day, not thinking!

[spikeyhead]

Just need nine ten jack to polish them off.

Buttler has kept well, no complaints there, it will take something special for Prior to get back into the game.

[Vocal Minority]

Buttler has certainly grasped the nettle so far.

[spikeyhead]

...and did those feet, in ancient times...

C'mon England

[Leithen]

WooHoo!

[Petrol Only]

Enforce follow on? Or quick runs?

[spikeyhead]

Petrol Only said:

Enforce follow on? Or quick runs?

I'm usually of the opinon that you always enforce the follow on, but there's cloud forecast for tomorrow so more likely to be swing, and the pitch will be better today, so a quick 200, give the bowlers some rest then have a crack at them with four sessions to bowl them out.

That quick 200 with a defensive field may be a struggle, but it's supposed to be a test.

[IanUAE]

BBC Sport are saying England will bat again.

[Gargamel]

Personally I'd have put them back in. Appreciate the bowlers need a break, but on the other hand Cook will no doubt want a four hundred lead.

Easy for India to bat knowing they just need to hold out for four odd sessions, making them follow on they would need to try to play.

[Challo]

I would bat again. England where in the field all day yesterday, its hot and another full day today could end up ruining Anderson and Broad.
T20 style batting today hitting a quick fire 200 and then have tonight and all day tomorrow to rip through the Indian batting.

[a311]

I think going out to bat was the right thing to do for this team. Jimmy and Broad were bowling very well, it’s a bit negative you’d argue but it’s also very England of the last 5 plus years. To win we need to build a lead quickly and put India back in. India will play for the draw obviously.

ETA I think England may not score quick enough/go for too big of a total before declaring, we're down in the series so why not stick Butler/Root in to have a whack? Cooks captaincy back under the microscope either way.

Edited by a311 on Wednesday 30th July 11:45

[Gargamel]

I see the Australian Sam Robson has let us down.

That 127 vs Sri Lanka looks a long time ago already.