The Cricket Thread

[Du-can]

I can't seem to find the 'edit' button?

When I said it was dumb, I meant the timing, not the four seamers. Headingly does weird things, so it's a bit of a gamble, but it could pay off.

[Boy Named Dark]

If Finn runs into the stumps one more time I think im going to explode

[Boy Named Dark]

I have now exploded

[Bassmonger]

Tempted to go to the fifth day if it gets that far, the weather is decent, there's a good chance of some decent play, and the tickets are cheap. A lot of ifs, but I've booked Monday off anyway.

[Du-can]

So far the four seamers are not paying off at all. Mistake by Smith and a lucky run out to get Amla.

[grayface]

I went to Headingley yesterday. It was a good day (as a day at the test match usually is) without being a great day for England. It certainly could have been worse though. I'm not sure if the correct decisions were made before the match. England have proved that they are a good team over the past 3 or so years, it seems like one really bad test and they are hitting the panic buttons and sacrificing Swann. Then once you have picked 4 seamers you are almost obliged to bowl first as your are pretty much saying that you think the wicket is going to do something early on and you can bowl South Africa out. If England had bowled last in the game it would have made more sense to have Swann. Strauss had kind of forced his own hand in a way. Being at the match it seemed like perfect batting conditions, it was sunny and the wicket didn't seem to do much. England got lucky with the Amla run out and then started to do something with the new ball. Hopefully they can continue that momentum this morning.

[Du-can]

Agree with that.

Someone made the point yesterday that Australia always played Warne, no matter what the conditions were. Swann isn't as good as Warne, but he is in the best 2 or 3 spinners in the world right now and he's handy with the bat (4th highest England run scorer in 2009 ashes!). In my mind, he should always play. Even if he's not taking wickets he holds the other end up well.

If we had a decent part-time spinner (KP doesn't cut it for me) then maybe drop him on conditions, but I think the plan backfired a bit.

[Du-can]

2nd ball for KP. Jesus Christ. I suppose I don't mind eating my words there.

[-Steve-]

Caught yesterdays highlights. Pietersen was unplayable. No surprise today to see him get out so early. Wonderful cricketer though. Utterly unpredictable at times.

[-Steve-]

KP's been dropped for the third test.

[sqiure_coley]

Im not really sure what is going on with KP, it all seems good in principle to drop him for the good of the team, but i cant help but feel we lack alot now in the middle order. Bairstow, Bell & Taylor looks a bit thin and vunerable to me.

[-Steve-]

The whole episode is pretty pathetic. Certain people within the ECB are embarrassing. KP was sending private texts to his IPL team mates, regardless of content, they should have stayed private. Yes, they might have been criticising players, but the South African coach said it was nothing more than banter since they leaked the messages. Why is it certain players are allowed columns to criticise their team mates and Graeme Swann wrote some disparaging comments about Pietersen in his auto-biography and is still able to play. It's not an issue of team morale. Pietersen might let himself down at times but really dropping him his outrageous since he's our best batsman and one man the South Africans really fear.

[Du-can]

I don't think we'll win this test, but I like the look of our team. Really hope Taylor and or Bairstow can get a big knock. Think the saffers are playing a risky game batting under cloud in humid condiditons at Lords. Finn/Swann in for Bresnan - right move.

[Boy Named Dark]

Outstanding start from England

[Bassmonger]

Not sure if that bloke (usually viewable over Finn's shoulder before his run up) in the member's section of the pavillion end is asleep or dead.

[grayface]

Ha I saw him too. It really could be either of those options.

[Rob Boardman]

Tense stuff here, hard to believe we have a chance at this stage but some great drama with the no ball from Morkel just there, SA thinking they had Prior.

[sqiure_coley]

If only Swann had stayed around for another 5 overs. There is still a chance though. Prior has to play sensibily.

[gherkin]

Brilliant game, given up trying to do any work, just sitting and watching the last hour or so

[Du-can]

That was such a good test match. Ridiculous that it wasn't a 5 match series.

[Boy Named Dark]

It's a shame we wont have another test against them until 2015.

[Bassmonger]

Not a brilliant start for Yorkshire. Though it's probably quite good Jaques is out; didn't look like he was ever going to get going.

[Du-can]

I went to quite a few of the Southern group games, about 10 of them, and Hants were definitely the pick of the teams I saw. I didn't watch the final though so I'm not sure if it was fully deserved? I really enjoyed Yorkshire tearing Sussex apart though in the morning.

[Wilcox]

Just glad Chokerset didn't win.

[Wilcox]

Oh PT, we'll miss you.