*Official* Third Test at Old Trafford

[Burgey]

Harris seemed to be bowling decent wheels late last night. It isn't as though his injuries are fatigue related really. He's just as likely to break down after an extra two hours rest as he is after 10 minutes.

In any event it's all likely to be hypothetical. We need three wickets for 30 odd and two of them need to be Prior, Broad or Swann. Tall order.

 

[Spark]

Will it Rain Today? | Rain radar for the UK | Going to rain? | MeteoGroup

There's one seriously evil-looking blob of rain that looks to be moving in the general direction of Manchester, but there doesn't seem to be all that much afterwards. How's the drainage?

 

[Goughy]

If you get the chance its only going to be a few overs in to the day - we are talking about professional athletes ffs - I can't believe some of the twaddle that gets talked about fresh bowlers - after five hours in the field on a baking hot day and you want to bowl last anyway then possibly - but after a dozen overs when you don't have a spinner worthy of the name?

Agreed. There is a lot of crap talked about quicks and their fitness. I get the rotation and workload management but it is irrelevant when it comes to giving yourself the best chance of winning a particular Test. I speak as a quick who was frequently injured and management of injuries is important but once a game begins a quick is a tool to be used for the good of the team to win that particular game.

In F1, once a driver worries about the risks and their own mortality then they are at a huge disadvantage. Once a game begins, a captain who worries about potential injuries rather than focusing on the tiny ways to get an advantage that can swing a game is putting his own team at a disadvantage.

In short, rotation and workload management is a long term aim. It goes out of the window in the short term when a particular game is under way.

 

[Tangles]

The runs will probably be scored anyway. The pitch is a bit of a road so blasting out 10 wickets isnt all that likely. Hopefully we don't get so much rain that it ruins the match. A bit could freshen up the pitch a bit.

 

[GIMH]

From listening to Harris's interview then, the follow on didn't sound like a consideration. Could be a bluff, of course, and could be an assumption that we'll score more than 33 more. We'll see soon enough.

 

[Uppercut]

Will it Rain Today? | Rain radar for the UK | Going to rain? | MeteoGroup

There's one seriously evil-looking blob of rain that looks to be moving in the general direction of Manchester, but there doesn't seem to be all that much afterwards. How's the drainage?

I can't remember where I'm remembering this from but seem to recall that the drainage is pretty good. I think we'll get some play over the next couple of days, and what play we do get could be in much more bowler-friendly conditions than we've seen. It's really important to make England follow on this morning, if they don't then there's no chance.

 

[Howe_zat]

I can't remember where I'm remembering this from but seem to recall that the drainage is pretty good. I think we'll get some play over the next couple of days, and what play we do get could be in much more bowler-friendly conditions than we've seen. It's really important to make England follow on this morning, if they don't then there's no chance.

Yeah true. Drainage has been a big part of the redevelopment here. And chances are we will get play tomorrow afternoon/evening.

 

[GIMH]

I can't remember where I'm remembering this from but seem to recall that the drainage is pretty good. I think we'll get some play over the next couple of days, and what play we do get could be in much more bowler-friendly conditions than we've seen. It's really important to make England follow on this morning, if they don't then there's no chance.

If we can get another, say, 80 runs then a standard Aussie collapse will give us a great chance of victory. Come on England!

 

[ajdude]

browsing cricinfo, thought my screen had cooked it

turns out it's just world's biggest troll peter siddle

 

[Swingpanzee]

A very interesting situation, each possibilities opening a host of consequences....shall be a cracking day even if it rains.

 

[the big bambino]

The discussion over the problematic fitness of our bowlers is certainly not twaddle. It is a very real concern. So much so that we do have to consider policies and issues like workload, red zones and rotation as a consequence when you wouldn't normally. My objection to the follow on are tactical. I would hardly consider it unless certain circumstances apply: namely time and weather. They apply here so in goes Eng assuming we have a choice.

 

[Spikey]

we should not enforce the follow on, and then declare when watson gets out, paving the way to pick robson

 

[Maximas]

we should not enforce the follow on, and then declare when watson gets out, paving the way to pick robson

County news : Sam Robson qualification boost for England | Cricket News | County Cricket 2013 | ESPN Cricinfo

You mean Aus pick him? Not sure if possible now...

 

[LongHopCassidy]

This is the most devastating news since Martin 'Benedict Arnold' McCague.

 

[Uppercut]

But ESPNcricinfo understands that the Australian selectors were not aware of his nationality or status until a few weeks ago - a remarkable oversight considering his background in the Under-19 team - and have done little to compete with the opportunities offered by county cricket.

Haha nice one.

 

[MW1304]

Lyon to clean up the tail again.

 

[Spikey]

that's what happens when cricket nsw is not given the control over australian cricket it deserves

 

[Maximas]

Backlash yelling and breaking things right now

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Wonder who chased that to the rope?

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Harris' spells will need to be carefully rationed. Two overs at most.