[Cricket] England vs Pakistan, 3rd test

[The Wizard]

Toss coming up at 10.40am, slightly delayed due to a shower. Definitely looks a win the toss and bowl first day.

 

[The Wizard]

England win the toss and bat

Archer in for Curran.

 

[pasty]

England v Pakistan: 3rd Test

England win toss and BAT

Archer in for Curran.

Pakistan unchanged

 

[Soton Seagull]

1st wicket guess - 7/1

Need 300+; but who knows what impact high winds may have on movement of the ball etc. could be an interesting match.

 

[The Wizard]

This has all the hallmarks of an England win the toss & bat then ending up 45/3 and scraping 200 odd.

 

[Medwayseagull]

Don't worry - the powers that be will conjure up a "wind stops play" law before lunch.

 

[Soton Seagull]

5 more runs than I predicted; but here we go again!

 

[The Wizard]

Burns loves a nick behind.

 

[The Fits]

Burns hasn't got enough about him has he?

 

[keaton]

As Robinson isn't in the team I assume he can play tomorrow with no more tests?

 

[jakarta]

Ah Drinks, just what is needed on a blazing hot day like today...

 

[The Wizard]

How Andrew Strauss ever motivated a cricket team I’m not sure I will ever know.

 

[Mackenzie]

As Robinson isn't in the team I assume he can play tomorrow with no more tests?

Yes he's returned to Hove,

 

[Eeyore]

Burns hasn't got enough about him has he?

No, not long term. When I look at a line up I think about overseas tours.

This is the weakest batting line up I have seen for some time. Went to SA at the right time.

Pope, Root- fine.

 

[The Wizard]

Dreadful review from Sibley, trying to use his feet looked plumb even if he was a few steps down.

 

[keaton]

No, not long term. When I look at a line up I think about overseas tours.

This is the weakest batting line up I have seen for some time. Went to SA at the right time.

Pope, Root- fine.

Really? Pope,Root and Stokes are fine. As for the top 3 they're weaker than some previous line up because Cook isn't there, but if you compare them to all the other openers and 3s they're the best we've had for ages. You'd prefer Roy, Denly, Hales?

 

[Simster]

Dreadful review from Sibley, trying to use his feet looked plumb even if he was a few steps down.

If he's a long way down the crease, he's hoping the ball tracker is suggesting it will go over the stumps. But I agree with you, that situation - more often than not - results in "umpires call", which wouldn't have helped him. A bit pointless if he'd given it any thought.

 

[Eeyore]

Really? Pope,Root and Stokes are fine. As for the top 3 they're weaker than some previous line up because Cook isn't there, but if you compare them to all the other openers and 3s they're the best we've had for ages. You'd prefer Roy, Denly, Hales?

No, I'm saying if this is the best on offer then it's a concern. Stokes has had a good couple of years but I'd rather see him at 5 or 6.

 

[The Wizard]

If he's a long way down the crease, he's hoping the ball tracker is suggesting it will go over the stumps. But I agree with you, that situation - more often than not - results in "umpires call", which wouldn't have helped him. A bit pointless if he'd given it any thought.

Surely that’s an occasion where the off strike batsman should be saying that’s plumb mate, the ball isn’t spinning that much so I don’t really know why you’d even review it seeing where it’s hit him.

I’d be very concerned about opening the batting with Sibley and Burns on the sub continent in the winter IF it happens, could see teams opening with spin against them as they both get bogged down and attempt to do unnatural things. The ball isn’t even spinning today, Yasir is a very good bowler but I’m convinced England would find a way to struggle against my dodgy off spin.

 

[keaton]

No, I'm saying if this is the best on offer then it's a concern. Stokes has had a good couple of years but I'd rather see him at 5 or 6.

Sadly I think it is. We don't seem to be developing players particularly well, just relying on the odd outstanding player