Cricket

The offspring of Wood, Robinson, Archer et al can take over.

Listening to the womens cricket - England v Pakistan …. Dan Norcross is really awful , a sort of cricket Carlton Kirby

"The highest ever score in Women's T20 World Cups is 195-3 which South Africa scored against Thailand in 2020."

England finish on 213-5. Nice.

Listening to the womens cricket - England v Pakistan …. Dan Norcross is really awful , a sort of cricket Carlton Kirby

Sorry but no.

Dan Norcross is an exemplary radio commentator.

Yes he waffles on about nothing - such is the TMS way - but his ability to interrupt himself and describe the ball played, before going straight back on with his previous clause of speech, using only
a change of intonation, is a thing of genius and beauty.

Carlton Kirby, on the other hand, is a weapons grade wally.

Hmm , ok , agreed … He is good on the cricket but it seems like he thinks he has to make commentating on the womens game a bit more light weight - like he thinks it’s a younger audience - shades of radio 5 live “ make everything sound like it’s the most exciting thing in the world “
Anyway , good win for England - despite his commentary !

So the second test pitch looks, erm, like they’ve left a bit of grass on…

Brook is so, so good

Fascinating to observe Root's tragectory in this team.

Seems last 2 innings worked to find his mojo. Which is to play like he used to when he was captain.

And Brook is already a legend

I think Root has been trying to keep up with some of the faster scoring teammates, to his detriment. Now he's settling into his usual rhythm, he's finding form again.

Insane first 9 tests from Brook.

Women's T20 SF on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra. (And Sky TV, but don't have Sky.)

SA going well.

Would be nice to see him given the freedom to bat the way he likes, tbh - and maybe he has been. Reckon he's earned that and offers a terrific bit of solidity for the others to play off. Stokes could potentially benefit from a bit more circumspection at the beginning of his innings too at times in the style of his Headingley knock against the Aussies a few years ago.

Brook, however, should play exactly like he's doing now. All the time. What a player.

I don’t think he’s being forced to play that way. He’s obviously a fantastic competitor and I wonder if some of the faster scoring players have got in his head.

Either way, he seems to be his pace and the runs are coming.

Yeah, maybe self-imposed pressure to up the scoring rate, but they've all apparently been told that's now the style of play expected, so perhaps it's a bit of both? Not sure, but he's definitely at his best when anchoring the innings with a big score as per his old role in the one-day side.

WT20 semifinal.
SA putting in their best performance of the tournament so far.
Eng chasing 165.

They were making a decent fist of the response until this over.

Evens now. If Sciver-Brunt goes too, SA will be on top (despite the run-rate).

Shaping up to be a cracker.

Nicely poised, eh?

Ooof. Big wicket after the drinks break and it's advantage South Africa now.

Agreed. Shocker of a ball to get it. But it always happens!

Really nicely poised finish now.

Feel like this LB review could be a big moment.

That's torn it. Tazmin Brits again!

Think that might be the game. Not a good choice of shot given the fielder under it.

Definitely all over now.

Conceding 18 off the last over was the killer blow. Just put the target out of reach.

Beyond even the miracle stage now.

And that one too.