England v Pakistan
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Someone on the BBC was wanking on after Day 1 about how England are irrevocably changing test cricket. Honestly it was embarrassing.
Certainly, the change in England now their mental shackles have been released is quite remarkable, but before we anoint them as worthy of all that jism we need to remember fortune definitely favoured the brave during their summer and Lady Luck is a fickle lass. Plus, this pitch. FFS if this is the new face of cricket - give me the old one.
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Was a complete cringe moment. Some of the press have been similar. Pope apparently has made the No3 spot his for as long as he wants it and Harry Brook is already a great of the game.
I like the way England are playing these days but it is far too early to be frapping on about how great we are.
Oh and back to the cricket. England’s lead is just over 200 with three wickets down. Brook hits a 6 with his first scoring shot. If that isn’t proof of greatness…
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This test is an interesting case study for batting on a road. With a traditional first innings this match is a draw with the English openers scratching around after tea on day 5 waiting for the captains to agree a draw.
The risk is than you got bowled out cheaply and then have to bat with a bug deficit and massive pressure in the second innings, but if the pitch is a road that you trust to hold up for all five days then going hell for leather on day one is actually a pretty decent tactical innovation. Either you're bowled out for 300 odd and back yourself to get out of the hole when you bet again or you do what the poms did and basically make two days progress in a day.
It's all a bit academic though since this is a rubbish pitch that (thankfully) isn't the norm anymore so building tactics around it are relatively pointless. And if you try it on a proper pitch you'll get cooked. As a novelty test I'm actually finding it kind of fun but if it becomes the norm I'll lose interest.
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Lots of runs in the first innings - check
A number of centuries - check
A 6fer - check
Test lasts 5 days - check
Both teams can still win - checkWhat’s not to like?
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@nzzp said in England v Pakistan:
The England declaration looks brave now, Pakistan hitting out. Going to be a tasty finish ... plenty of drama to come I suspect
I felt the declaration was a bit too aggressive and gave Pakistan too much time on this track. We’re now in the likely position of losing a game where we’ve scored over 900 runs and one that we’ve pretty much been in control of from the word go.
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@Catogrande 343 is a decent target.
That said, Pakistan scored at 3.7 in the first innings... so going at 3 or so isn't ridiculous. Also, the wicket doesn't seem to be really acting up.
But yeah, 110 overs (light aside) is plenty to bowl out a isde.
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My thought was that giving them 110 overs on this track meant that they really didn’t have to push too hard to be in with a chance plus having the option to shut up shop if they do lose a few.
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@Catogrande fair. I actually read waht you said now - I agree, brave and aggressive declaration. Fair play to Stokes, though, live by the sword, die by the sword. They are staying aggressive with the field, and runs are coming. Feels like a couple of wickets though,a nd the game could be close to over.
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@nzzp said in England v Pakistan:
@Catogrande fair. I actually read waht you said now - I agree, brave and aggressive declaration. Fair play to Stokes, though, live by the sword, die by the sword. They are staying aggressive with the field, and runs are coming. Feels like a couple of wickets though,a nd the game could be close to over.
I would have liked another 5 overs or so. A few more runs for us and a few less overs for them but still leaving all three results a possibility. I think they got a bit too bound up in the psychology of declaring at the last minute during the tea interval.
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Here we go. Final session. 86 runs needed by Pakistan. 5 wickets for England
Win, loss, draw and even tie are all on.
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Big wicket. Ollie gets Salman, who was looking rock solid.
4 wickets to go. 85 runs to win
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It’s pace here on out for the Poms. The spin simply wasn’t getting it done.
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@ACT-Crusader said in England v Pakistan:
It’s pace here on out for the Poms. The spin simply wasn’t getting it done.
28 overs left and tail to bowl to. Poms will get it done.
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A very very good win for England. An aggressive batting approach and declaration. Pakistan batted pretty damn well in both innings all things considered. Ollie bowled brilliantly.
