Cricket

Absolute peach!

Leachy!!!

Absolute ripperrrrrr

And that is why it's hard to chase a big total in the last innings.

No way that ball would have got Rohit in the first innings

Beautiful!

We don't agree. As always I'd prefer to be discussing this in a bar (Preferably in Chennai), rather than on-line. In other worlds, taking a wicket through spin in the 6th over suggests this debate has legs.

The next Kingfisher would be on me!

No other game lasts as long as a test match, this takes away the ease of decision making in other sports where you just don't have time to think strategically so a hunch or gut instinct is a fairly valid approach. In test cricket you've got to really appreciate how long 90 overs is and how much can change. I suppose it's subtlety that entices the enlightened few.

And I'd happily reciprocate

"This channel is currently off air."

Grrr.

Feel like it's all down to Leachy tomorrow, heck of a job to do. Still don't get the reason for no declaration, just bizarre

Still don't get the reason for no declaration, just bizarre

Cook's suggestion was they wanted longer with a harder ball tomorrow morning. If they'd declared earlier then the ball wouldn't be so hard first thing in the morning.

Hearing Ishant talking so bullishly after stumps I'm more inclined to think Root genuinely fears India chasing it down. Not without reason. If I wake up ~7am tomorrow to find Pujara and Kholi at 160-2 and Pant still to come it will not be a good morning...

This new SG ball is just shit though, it's bloody reversing after 15-20 overs

This new SG ball is just shit though

Definitely. And some of the close-ups of it at the end of the England 2nd innings showed stitches frayed and even a slight split in the seam.

Kingfisher

@Sifta Is Kingfisher as good as Indian lager gets?

@mespilus In my experience, its pretty much ubiquitous, and there is generally a very limited choice. Don't expect to see Cobra unless you're journeying to the mystic parts of Stockport.

So you thing the World Test Championship is not in Root's thoughts at all?

TBH, as an England supporter, I'd kinda hoped it'd be on his radar.

I think any cricketer would put more value on an Ashes series win and probably on winning in India too.

This is the first I've really paid any attention to the WTC. So there is a final at Lords in the summer (could be interesting with Covid messing things up and the need for "bubbles" as it's a one off test match).

It will be NZ against either India or England based on the standings. 3 wins this series is what England need.

Also, the test rankings remain separate to the WTC, so you can be world No1 and not Champions. As we've got NZ next tests, we could conceivably be world no 1 by the summer, but not in the final.

A one test decider for the WTC does seem a bit naff, but if we get there, it could be a useful third test in that series, which is slated for just 2.

It will be NZ against either India or England based on the standings.

Actually, its a 3 way split.

If England win 3 tests they are through.

If India win the series AND win 2 tests (1 - 0, or 2 -2 do not cut it) they are through.

Otherwise Australia play NZ

tbh, my money is on the Aussies.

Interesting - wonder how keen the Aussies will be head over to plague island for a single Test.

Yeah, if it is Auz vs NZ, I wonder if they could try and find a neutral ground closer, could see somewhere like Abu Dhabi etc being interested. Or if it NZ vs Ind, then maybe Aus can host.

NZ will be in England for the first two tests just before the WTC final - so they will probably be keen on keeping it at Lords - could get messy.

Ah didn't realise that. And India are over in August, that would be a pain for them, come over, sit in a bubble for two weeks, play 1 test, go home for 3 weeks, then come back again, either that or come and stay, which is a long old time in the bubble.

Do we not think the virus situation and bubble requirements will be considerably improved by July? My assumption is reduced capacity crowds by the summer, groups of 6 max with distancing but creeping back towards normality. Hopefully much less strict on players as well....