Hmmm, I wanted England to win but not via a collapse like that. Disappointing for Irish cricket which really does need a shot in the arm. Whatever money the ICC purport to dole out for the development of world cricket there's precious little of it filtering down here to Munster that's for sure. Still...we've got as picturesque a ground here in Kerry as you'll find anywhere so there's always the view to look at.
To lose by 143 runs, after you bowled a side out for 85 first up takes some doing. Freak result or a sign of the gulf between full-time and developing nations? Personally, I think sides like Ireland, Canada, Zimbabwe, maybe Scotland, Kenya etc should compete in a 2nd tier, where they get to play an established side maybe once a year to boost their development. When one of them starts to leave the rest behind, then grant them full status.
Think they're too conservative to go all four. Can't see why not though with Stokes too not a bad unit. Just need the pitches to be prepared accordingly for that to happen.
It's a real shame what's happened to Zimbabwean cricket. They have beaten England at test cricket before but the country is bankrupt: no money in the game for them. Many of their best players now ply their trade overseas (or in south africa)
They have beaten England at test cricket before but the country is bankrupt: no money in the game for them. Many of their best players now ply their trade overseas (or in south africa)[/QUOTE] They haven't, they have beaten us plenty of times in one dayers though - agree about it being a shame what has happened to them as at the time they fell apart in the early noughties they were just becoming competitive.
They haven't beaten us at tests, they have beaten us plenty of times in one dayers though - agree about it being a shame what has happened to them as at the time they fell apart in the early noughties they were just becoming competitive.
They haven't, they have beaten us plenty of times in one dayers though - agree about it being a shame what has happened to them as at the time they fell apart in the early noughties they were just becoming competitive.[/QUOTE] Sorry yes i was thinking about the David Lloyd "we flippin murdered 'em" quote (series drawn). They have beaten india and pakistan at test level though.
The pitch at Lords was substandard for a test match. 40 wickets fell in just over 2 days, yes that's down to some decent bowling but the pitch was a massive factor in the low scores.
Despite what Root says i'm not sure it was substandard, a number 11 managed to get 92 after all. Think they just needed to be patient.
Tbf the scoreline flattered us somewhat. If I was Irish I'd be very pleased with that result for our 3rd ever test.