4th Indian Test ...

[lovedeanblue]

All set fair for Old Trafford, JA playing on his home ground is something to look forward to for those going. The pitch will have pace and bounce at the start, should suit spinners by the end.

[suicide]

Nailed on draw.

Weather forecast says nice today then 4 days of on/off rain.

[lovedeanblue]

India won the toss and are 4 for 0 after 2 overs having no surprise chose to bat.

[Southerndown]

Lazy bu99ers, they should start at 9:30 and play until 8:30
And play in the rain!

[lovedeanblue]

Just had time to make a brew, it's 8 for 3. Broad took the first and JA has now taken 2 wickets in 3 balls, both those caught by Cook at first slip. JA now only needs 11 wickets to go go past Ian Botham's marvellous total of 383 Test wickets.

[Corkhead]

Fudammit. Missed all the action !!!

[lovedeanblue]

Before anyone gets carried away Dominic on Sky has just given David Gower some facts re games where England have been involved. A batting team were 4 down for less than 25 on the first morning in those games and in all cases the batting team won. India are now 36 for 4 having been 8 for 4.

[pompeygun]

67-6 now.

[lovedeanblue]

137 for 8, Dhoni fair play to him is 57 not out

[suicide]

A fantastic days cricket, one or two people must be close to slitting their wrists at the though of an England team doing so well...

[lovedeanblue]

A ***** first hour or so for me today.

[lovedeanblue]

Underway, Jordan put a lovely 4 away to leg and Bell has reached his 50. His 42nd in 104 Test Matches :star: Warney saying what a good bowler David Saker was Corky and how well he would have bowled on that pitch yesterday

[lovedeanblue]

At lunch England are 201 for 6, a lead of just 49.

[Corkhead]

Underway, Jordan put a lovely 4 away to leg and Bell has reached his 50. His 42nd in 104 Test Matches :star: Warney saying what a good bowler David Saker was Corky and how well he would have bowled on that pitch yesterday

I'd take that with a pinch of salt. They are big mates LdB so bound to butter each other up. ;D

He supports Blackburn as well FFS !

[lovedeanblue]

Warney remembers with affection his time in the Lancashire league with Accrington. Michael Holding was with Bishton where it was freezing in May he recalls, no surprise where he comes from ;D Meanwhile back to topic we are 237 for 6, slowly building a sizeable lead hopefully

[lovedeanblue]

Stuart Broad is not fit to bowl after being hit in the face when batting. Nevertheless India are 70 for 6, needing 145 to make us bat again. As Sui pointed out days ago the forecast for tomorrow's 4th day is awful.

[pompeygun]

They could win this tonight, I reckon if offered we'll take the extra 30mins.
Cmon England.

[pompeygun]

India all out 161. England win by an innings & 54 runs with no Stuart Broad.
Fantastic effort & suddenly the future looks very bright.
What do ya reckon Bladder? :D :D

[BlueAdder]

Sounds like a good win, are India a good team? I have no idea.
I always think games against the Ozzies and Yarpies are the difficult ones.
TBH I never watch any of it so my opinions are totally non valid. I've never heard of half of the England side so what do I know? ;D
Hope you cricket lovers are enjoying it all and I'll throw a little barb in every now and again.
It amuses my tiny mind if someone gets upset. ;D
Sad really :blue:

[lovedeanblue]

Had to go to not so sunny Hayling but received a text to say England had won, well done. :star: Dhoni's captaincy and the Indian batting will receive a lot of stick from their media and fans but a win is a win. For me, whilst important, all other Test series are in preparation for the Ashes. That is what matters and long may they continue.

[pompeygun]

Whats important IMO is that England are now playing vibrant attacking cricket, the sort that was frowned on by Flower towards the end of his reign.
Without going overboard I think that some of the changes have just fallen into place like parts of a jigsaw. Ballance in particular & Buttler have brought a vibrancy that was missing to our batting.
Ref the Aussies, worth remembering that a fair few of their players are the wrong side of 30 & prone to injury. Whereas England now have the basis of a young team again.
I doubt we'll ever find out what truly happened in Australia (there's a injuction out on it apparently) & tbh its probably best left behind. But I hope that England next summer can fully avenge that series defeat & reclaim the ashes.