Just Leaving

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

For The Oval. Am I going to see another batting collapse as I witnessed at Lord's or a decent performance giving us a 1st innings lead? It certainly looks a stronger and longer batting line up with Hameed, Malan, Pope, Woakes and Overton batting 9. Bowlers did well yesterday but 4 dropped catches!!!! Have a feeling that will come back and bite us.

[Leicesterbaggie]

I am concerned that there is a repeat of the Lord's collapse as we do have a habit of doing this. We do possess a strong batting line up and should, notice I said should, have a first innings lead.

[mickd1961]

Our batting is pathetic, I have no clue what they’re thinking at some of the shots that are getting them out.

We’ve allowed ourselves to get bogged down this morning after losing two quick wickets, this usually leads to disasaster, scoring at one per over always leaves you in trouble at some point.

Pope needs to bat properly and Bairstow needs to break the shackles and get the scoreboard moving.

We’re 63-5 as I write this and I anticipate that we’ll struggle to get 130.

Our only hope is Bairstow and Moeen to go for it.......sensibly.

[Leicesterbaggie]

We've got there comfortably, 139 - 5.

[mickd1961]

So frustrating watching Bairstow and Moeen getting out when obviously in very good nick.

Not a good start to their second innings for us either, if they get a lead of 200 we are in deep s h I t.

We need to bowl out of our skins in the first 4 hours of Saturday's play.

[DaveP67 is back!]

Pitch is now very much a batters wicket, India are by far the strongest side in this area, as above if we don’t strike early tomorrow when the bowlers might see some movement I fear it’s going to be a long day!

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

I've seen 3 days of Test Cricket this summer and on each day England have batted most of it. As much as I want a strong England batting line up I have witnessed some very exciting cricket the sort you can't take your eyes off.

Visiting non cricket interested friends for lunch tomorrow and guess I won't get see a lot of the action. If it finishes Monday I reckon we probably lose.

Love a cricket stat. Two from TMS today

Chris Woakes averages

In England: Batting 36 bowling 22 which I think would put him ahead of Botham, Flintoff, and Stokes.

Overseas: Batting 19 Bowling 41 which wouldn't get him picked

Jimmy Anderson based on last 3 years

1st Innings 19.46 which makes him the very best
2nd Innings 119.83 which wouldn't get him a place.

Funny old game.

[kettering_baggie]

England heading for defeat, I fear. I’m not a big fan of Root as a captain (the stats might not back up my view, though) and his big mistake in this test was, having won the toss, to elect to go into the field first. I suppose that he has no confidence in the batting. England needed a big first innings lead to justify his decision and they didn’t deliver. India now batting in the best conditions and England will have to bat again when the wicket is worn. Not looking good.

[Barrera]

Bowling looked a bit toothless and same (ish) today - except for a couple of stints. Selecting Overton was a mistake when you already have Anderson, Woakes and Robinson in the side. But when both openers get dismissed with six runs on the board I first innings .... and Root fails for once .... therein lies the problem. Batting too fragile.

Maybe India are just better than us at the moment .... especially without Stokes and Archer ..

[mickd1961]

Bowling looked a bit toothless and same (ish) today - except for a couple of stints. Selecting Overton was a mistake when you already have Anderson, Woakes and Robinson in the side. But when both openers get dismissed with six runs on the board I first innings .... and Root fails for once .... therein lies the problem. Batting too fragile.

Maybe India are just better than us at the moment .... especially without Stokes and Archer ..

Archer isn’t the answer.

I doubt he’ll even get as far as 100 test wickets.

Show pony.