Shades of when Flintoff and Root fist became Captains and made the bold declarations v Australia and the West Indies. Both matches were lost and both became more conservative after those heavy knocks.
It might be exciting all three results possible going in to the last session. But let's be right if they lose it questions will be asked and it will be a shambles.
It's been an excellent test match so far, on what is a very flat track l. As you say all results possible. Probably Pakistan favourites now at tea. Just for clarity, please explain what has been "a shambles"?
Irrespective. It's got people watching a game. that with that pitch had bore draw written all over it. After the first innings of both sides. (In previous times nailed on). It's Certainly not a shambles if we lose. During the New Zealand series Stokes did say playing this way will obviously lead to losses as it's at an experimental stage. But what it does do, is keep folk interested.
Never seen anything like this in 145 years of test Cricket. The amount of runs we got on day 1 should have always took defeat away as an option. If you cannot win make sure you don't lose. If we lose of course it will be a shambles. Maybe we can still win.
It would be a big blow if we DID lose this but I’d rather see England setting up a declaration to win. Past captains have set us up to draw. This is far better and I wish I had more than commentary to listen to. I’m on the balcony watching the rain pinging off the surface of the pool. Grey skies above but it’s warm rain. Come on England!!!
Its not a shambles. Its a mind set. We could for sure have made sure we didnt lose the test and it would then almost certainly have been drawn with no interest in the final day. Thats what would have happened if Southgate was captain - or even Root I expect What Stokes has done is set up the possibility of a victory but with a risk of defeat. It makes for a much more entertaining last day Personally I thought we declared 30 mins too early but had we delayed for 30 mins the game would probably have been drawn Now it can still go either way it makes for much more entertainment for the fans of both sides
There is another team playing though. Most teams don't just roll over waiting for their belly rubbing
By gum tha a lot owder than I thought. . Taking away defeat as an option is why the test match format was dying on its arse. The Ashes I may agree a little. Due to the rivalry. Which always attracts crowds.