England vs India 4th test

Turned full circle now it's Indias to lose in my opinion, even though the balls started nipping around this morning. Usually when I make a statement like this I get it wrong so here's to getting it wrong again lol.

 

Can't be dropping catches though. The easier the pitch for batsmen the more crucial it is to be spot on with the fielding!

 

Yay, first wicket and India are still trailing by 16 runs.

 

England will be batting to save this test, tomorrow t time.

 

Looks that way at present but a couple of wickets here and the game is wide open again.

 

Well done Sharma. That's how to bat. Root apart England ought to take note.

 

Reckon India in the driving seat now. Reckon we’ll have to bat for at least a day and a session to save a draw.
Not sure we are up to it when the pressure is on….

 

Second new ball in an hour is our last chance really. I don’t fancy our chances much if we don’t have either of these 2 out before then with the amount of talent that’s left to come.

 

Yes, new ball needs to see some quick wickets or we’re in real trouble.
Our batting needs to show some fight in second innings….have they got it in them?

 

Been listening on radio. Game changing 5 minutes.

 

As Geoffrey says, "add 2 wkts to the total ".

 

Game on maybe!? Come on England.

 

Oh my god that period with the old ball was depressing. It emphasised why you don't play 4 near identical bowlers. It was fine when the ball was hooping in the 1st, but this innings we were crying out for something different. Whether it's Curran's left arm, Wood's pace or even a part timer like Brook's medium or Livingstone's mystery spin we just needed a way to mix it up. You can't just rotate four 85mph, tall right arm bowlers as it'll become too easy and predictable for the batsmen.

If we don't get another couple before this new ball softens we'll be in real bother.

 

164 lead is already looking threatening, especially with seven wickets in hand

 

No. You can't bowl spin with the new ball when it'll do nothing once it's 15-20 overs old. He should have taken them off.

 

Unfortunately you can only play 11,R T

 

So drop Overton and play Wood, Mahmood or Curran.

Or if you insist that you need 4 identical bowlers (you don't) then consider bringing in Brook or Livingstone instead of Pope (I know, I know but I'm talking about a decision before he played that innings) just to make sure you've got variety on a pitch that's known to be flat and batter friendly.

I'd always go Curran as, if you look at the stats, virtually every England bowler who's ever played with him has a lower average with him in the side than without.

 

That's ok but you've got to get them first.

 

Over 20 overs lost in the match because of slow bowling. About time the ICC got tough with banning and heavily fining players. Test cricket is dying and costs a lot of money to watch for the paying public to be such short changed.

 

I'm hoping for rain because Moeen's rush of blood in the first innings is gunna cost us otherwise.

I know it's not great singling out one person. However, if he doesn't go for that slog it's a different game.

He was set...no excuse.