*Official* Second Test at Lords

[GIMH]

If we bat all day (well, the rest of the day), what do you think we'll finish on? Want to see us bowling this time tomorrow tbh, finish the game tomorrow night

 

[sephiroth123]

I think that was the wise choice a sit happens, conditions seem good for batting today and our bowlers were struggling towards the end of that session. If we follow on from that point I can just see the Aussies getting a big score. If that were to happen suddenly your back in the position of pressure.

I suspect the best way thing to do is to try and bat till the middle part of tomorrow afternoon if possible, then declare so you've got the last portion of the afternoon session plus eveing session then the next day. Whilst that does give them enough time to get the runs maybe I remember the West Indies where England declared to late.

Sunday there probably will be showers about but I still think if we get more then 2 hours off then we'd have been unlucky.

 

[Craig]

Another four given away by Johnson.

 

[Pizzorno]

Praying Johnson's shut the pie factory today.

Dya reckon him and Broad have joint ownership?

 

[Austin3169]

Johnson bowling very poorly here.

 

[Days of Grace]

I think not enforcing was a good decision. The pitch is flat, and there was every change that Australia would have dug in during their second innings and the bowlers would have been very tired. England should bat and bat and give Australia an (almost) impossible task of 500 with about five sessions to play (assuming no rain interruptions).

Just a quick question: which club do the colorful striped jackets belong to? MCC?

And on Johnson: has their ever been a more scatter-gun bowler who Australia who took so many wickets?

 

[Richard]

If we bat all day (well, the rest of the day), what do you think we'll finish on? Want to see us bowling this time tomorrow tbh, finish the game tomorrow night

A good solid session here (say, we end 40-1 at Lunch) and I'd have high hopes of us finishing the day on 300 or so (obviously ideally for 4 or 5, but if it's for 8 or 9 then it's not The End Of The World).

Then we can probably bat for an hour tomorrow morning if we don't get bowled-out, have a slog, and see if we can set 'em 550-600.

Anyway, absolutely crucial - more now than ever - that if Johnson keeps bowling rubbish that we keep him down. Don't give him a lift by dragging a Long-Hop onto the stumps or being caught down leg-side.

 

[chalky]

Praying Johnson's shut the pie factory today.

Not yet rubbish so far - looks shot at the moment

 

[superkingdave]

There's an extra 9 overs today right? Even if we score around 3 an over (we scored at 4 an over in the first innings) we'd be 450, maybe closing on 500 ahead. Bat an hour tomorrow morning and give us 5.5 sessions to win. Of course this is providing we don't get bowled out cheaply which could well happen, though the pitch looks benign at the moment

 

[Richard]

Just a quick question: which club do the colorful striped jackets belong to? MCC?

Yeah, MCC bacon-and-egg, mauve and yellow.

 

[GIMH]

A good solid session here (say, we end 40-1 at Lunch) and I'd have high hopes of us finishing the day on 300 or so (obviously ideally for 4 or 5, but if it's for 8 or 9 then it's not The End Of The World).

Then we can probably bat for an hour tomorrow morning if we don't get bowled-out, have a slog, and see if we can set 'em 550-600.

Anyway, absolutely crucial - more now than ever - that if Johnson keeps bowling rubbish that we keep him down. Don't give him a lift by dragging a Long-Hop onto the stumps or being caught down leg-side.

Completely agree...still fearing him finding his form some point soon, don't want to aid that in any way it all

 

[Days of Grace]

Thing about Johnson is that he is almost un-droppable, no matter how bad he bowls.

The selectors probably think his batting at no.8 is crucial. If Johnson is dropped, do you have Hauritz batting at no.8 or do you bring in Watson? Both options do not seem likely.

They will be praying he comes right, and soon.

 

[Pizzorno]

I have complete confidence that Johnson will find his form at some point in the series and I fear he'll skittle us at least once somewhere down the line. But Troy Cooley needs to have a serious word with him because at the moment he's like a left handed Gillespie.

 

[Days of Grace]

Yeah, MCC bacon-and-egg, mauve and yellow.

Do the jackets come with membership or are they extra?

 

[Craig]

Awesome cover drive.

 

[GIMH]

Nice shot

 

[Richard]

I have complete confidence that Johnson will find his form at some point in the series and I fear he'll skittle us at least once somewhere down the line. But Troy Cooley needs to have a serious word with him because at the moment he's like a left handed Gillespie.

A left-arm 2005 Gillespie... in fact probably even worse, which to some extent is why his figures haven't been so bad.

Anyway lovely shot from Cook.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Lee in for Johnson for the next match, he's bowling worse than I would be.

EDIT: Assuming Lee is fit, of course. Covers his batting well enough as well. At least Lee's batting has scope to adjust in poor situations for hooking in the air.

 

[GIMH]

Do you think it's actually likely he'll get dropped? would be interesting going through the predictions thread and see if anyone tipped that to happen

 

[Richard]

Do the jackets come with membership or are they extra?

The former I presume. Think the waiting-list is usually about 200.