*Official* Second Test at Lords

[Richard]

If there's any consolation in boring slow-flat-lifeless-deck cricket, it's that England are on top-ish.

Really, really cannot afford a first-innings and second-innings collapse this time around. Have to make 600 from here else there's trouble.

 

[Howsie]

Has some remarkable Precambrian similiarities FTR, not that that neccessarily means anything.

He isn't btw.

 

[Pizzorno]

Elated and England's start but the pitches could really ruin this series.

Having said that... 2005 had flat decks but the bowling from both sides was in a different class.

2005 had Old Trafford and Trent Bridge and the scheduling wasn't dominated by greedy money sucking.

 

[Craig]

Michael Clarke warming up

 

[Richard]

2005 had Old Trafford and Trent Bridge and the scheduling wasn't dominated by greedy money sucking.

Headingley was excluded, so it clearly was.

What's more, the 2005 scheduling removed Lord's from its Second Test slot, so clearly everything was completely wrong with it.

 

[Top_Cat]

Brave leave by Strauss against Haury, playing for turn.

EDIT: Think Siddle isn't far off from 'getting' the slope at Lords.

 

[simmy]

Great ball. Siddle isnt bad.

 

[JBH001]

Clarke must have been a decoy.

Siddle for the last over before lunch. Great one first up to Cook.

 

[wfdu_ben91]

Barring an awful batting collaspe, this match seems a goner.

 

[simmy]

I love a defeatist Aussie

 

[Pizzorno]

Headingley was excluded, so it clearly was.

What's more, the 2005 scheduling removed Lord's from its Second Test slot, so clearly everything was completely wrong with it.

This year's schedule is far more money orientated though. Especially with these pitches made for 5 day tests so they could generate more monies.

 

[JBH001]

Its been only a few balls, but I like this round the wicket line to Cook.

 

[simmy]

Shot from Cook but I'd rather he left it... Siddle getting some nibble out there.

 

[Craig]

Cook looking good here, he must score a big century here.

 

[Pizzorno]

I really think we'd have been 3 or 4 down by now if the crims had Stuart Clark in their team. I reckon he could really do a McGrath on this pitch.

 

[Craig]

England 0/125

 

[JBH001]

Cook is timing it well, I have to admit.

 

[wfdu_ben91]

I love a defeatist Aussie

By no means is defeatist, we won't lose this. If we were batting first then Phillip Hughes probably would've shattered the record for the fastest Test century in history by now, tbh. I mean who is going to get us out? Anderson? Broad? Onions? A one-leggered Flintoff?

 

[Top_Cat]

Far out, beat the infield and 4. England need 450+ on this deck/outfield.

 

[The Sean]

This year's schedule is far more money orientated though. Especially with these pitches made for 5 day tests so they could generate more monies.

Yeah, one positive from a pitch like this is that my 4th and 5th day tickets should mean seeing two whole days' cricket. It might even mean seeing two whole wickets fall.