*Official* Second Test at Lords

[wfdu_ben91]

The best results pitch in England is easily Old Trafford because it genuinely does have something for everyone. Spinners enjoy it, fast bowlers can get bounce and movement out of it and batsmen love it too. So what do England do? Give Wales a Test match instead on one of the deadest pitches ever. A pitch were Monty Panesar was made to look like Len Hutton.

Yeah, the 2005 and one against the West Indies a few years ago were definately very lively for the bowlers.

 

[four_or_six]

This isn't a T20 guys, don't write the match off after 10 overs!

 

[Craig]

Johnson back on.

 

[grecian]

This pitch is looking like death to bowlers. Ahh well at least there's the Open and the series will still be level when I go to Edgbaston. All this talk of Harmison being picked for the first two matches, but I bet he's secretly delighted he hasn't been.

 

[tooextracool]

Haha, yeah! Maybe its something to do with that explosion in batting averages after 2001. Just a thought.

Yep hes cashed in on some flat batting pitches

 

[91Jmay]

Cook started dreadfully, his technique (which is pretty poor anyway) was all over the shop. He is getting abit better though. Head getting into line more and his leaves are improving.

 

[JBH001]

Let me translate that for you: "You may think this is boring as hell on a graveyard pitch, but we have some great ads lined up for the next five days and them businessmen will kill me if I don't pretend to be excited and do my best to lure you in".

I like Grump Mode. License to whine, and I'll look really smug on Monday when the match ends with 1500 runs scored and 9 wickets taken.

Ha, its a good thing then that the time difference means I only watch the first session!

Johnson returns.

 

[inbox24]

Cook should be on Masterchef.

 

[Manee]

Probably going to end up looking stupid for this but Johnson to have a good match, I think he is climbing into his action very well.

 

[wfdu_ben91]

Strauss is basically standing infront of the stumps and waiting for Mitchell Johnson's 91mph delievery to get to him so that he can flick it off his hips. Shocking.

 

[pasag]

Yeah, I'm genuinely very disappointed. It's horrible to look forward to a match all week then discover half an hour in that it's not even worth watching.

Didn't get my hopes up on purpose.

 

[JBH001]

Yeah, but there's so many technically better players averaging less than him. And it's not like he's a real flat-track bully either, he's scored runs when no one else does plenty of times. Shows how much the technical side of batting is overrated IMO.

Dont know, dude. I havent really followed Cook enough over his careeer to really comment. But as something of a technical purist, especially with regards to opening bats, I dislike all that groping around off stump on the front foot. Makes me cringe a little.

 

[Craig]

For the fast bowling experts, do you agree with Beefy that Johnson is struggling with bowling with a Duke ball (ie higher seam on the ball) since he doesn't have a lot of experience with it?

 

[simmy]

It's nerves I am sure.

When he gets going even the purists will agree he looks good.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Dear P.Siddle

Throat Balls,

Kind regards, you future lover,

ripper.

 

[Athlai]

Bowl full Australia, the pitch is going to give you nothing.

 

[91Jmay]

For the fast bowling experts, do you agree with Beefy that Johnson is struggling with bowling with a Duke ball (ie higher seam on the ball) since he doesn't have a lot of experience with it?

He isn't a good leaver at all. Which is a cardinal sin for an Opening bat.

Looking at this pitch, Steve Harminson coming in and trying to bowl bouncers would be dreadful. Good call selectors.

 

[Pizzorno]

Cook started dreadfully, his technique (which is pretty poor anyway) was all over the shop. He is getting abit better though. Head getting into line more and his leaves are improving.

Whilst he's technique is dreadful atm, he's only 24 and is averaging roughly 45 already. To do that with a poor technique is a sign of a good player tbh.

 

[Craig]

I'm a sucker for a good cover drive TBH.

 

[JBH001]

For the fast bowling experts, do you agree with Beefy that Johnson is struggling with bowling with a Duke ball (ie higher seam on the ball) since he doesn't have a lot of experience with it?

Didnt Vaas have trouble with the duke ball too? From recollection his record in England is awful.