1st Test, Edgbaston, Birmingham

[stephen]

Well then, if I changed "Haddin" to "Healy" my point remains.

Anyway, I watched it live last night but saw it again on replay - how awful was Bancroft's dismissal. His footwork and balance were atrocious. Definitely needs to work on his game vs spinners. He's been thoroughly disappointing this test.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Should have picked Joe Burns IMO

 

[vcs]

200 would be a perfectly sized chase. Could be a classic Test in the making this one.

 

[stephen]

Should have picked Joe Burns IMO

That ship has sailed but one wonders how many tests he gets batting like this before Harris takes his place.

 

[GIMH]

40% chance of rain every hour 14.00-18.00 today.

Best bet is for us to bowl the Aussies out in the first hour and chase the runs down in the second

 

[flibbertyjibber]

40% chance of rain every hour 14.00-18.00 today.

Best bet is for us to bowl the Aussies out in the first hour and chase the runs down in the second

Or bowl dry early and when the cloud cover comes go bang bang bang and finish them off.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I'd say that the Aussies would have a decent chance at a come-from-behind win if they can get a 200 run+ lead with England having to bat last on a wearing pitch, but with the weather around it's looking like only 1 team can realistically push for a win. Best Aus can hope for is a draw, they would need basically a full 2 days play to push for a win and doesn't look like that's happening.

 

[Spikey]

Haddin was already basically past his best when he got into the team, and was harmed by playing on after 2013/14. (I believe he had an elbow injury in his other big form slump in 2011). I think an average of 32 undersells him, but it is what it is. he was clearly a bit above meh imo.

the funny thing about Haddin is that he was never particularly well loved by australian fans, even the fair-weather ones, which was odd because he more or less saved his best for Ashes performances and at home

 

[TheJediBrah]

He was underused in ODIs too. Spent most of his career as a no.7 when he was at his best as an opener. If it wasn't for Hayden/Waugh/Gilchrist holding the spots he would have been in the ODI side as a batsman alone from around 2000-2007

haddin played for 7 years, we know pretty confidently how good he was. he was a decent cricketer but had massive issues catching and batting away from home which is pretty unforgiveable for a test keeper. at home he was perfect for coming in at 7 on bouncy decks and his natural athleticism kept his keeping good in conditions he knew.

All well and good but as a couple have mentioned now, he missed most of his peak years as understudy to Gilchrist, and played most of his Test cricket when he was past his best.

 

[JBMAC]

So, Steve Smith was hit in the head by a bouncer. Fair enough. If he was ruled ineligible to play on then a sub of like ability, under the new rules, is allowed to take his place. The only player I know of who could do this is a 110 year old skeleton buried in Adelaide South Australia.

 

[mr_mister]

40% chance of rain every hour 14.00-18.00 today.

Best bet is for us to bowl the Aussies out in the first hour and chase the runs down in the second

In situations like this why don't they just delay or drastically shorten lunch. Frustrating that itl likely start pouring down right after a 40 minute break


I hate how rigid cricket is with rules for traditions sake

 

[TheJediBrah]

If Smith has to be subbed out they should let Aus use 3 back-up batsmen as a replacement.

 

[GIMH]

In situations like this why don't they just delay or drastically shorten lunch. Frustrating that itl likely start pouring down right after a 40 minute break


I hate how rigid cricket is with rules for traditions sake

Fully agree

 

[Lillian Thomson]

So, Steve Smith was hit in the head by a bouncer. Fair enough. If he was ruled ineligible to play on then a sub of like ability, under the new rules, is allowed to take his place. The only player I know of who could do this is a 110 year old skeleton buried in Adelaide South Australia.

I know this isn’t entirely serious but a like for like replacement means any batsman. What should have happened in this match was Jimmy Anderson deliberately getting hit and being replaced like for like by Archer.

 

[Prince EWS]

In situations like this why don't they just delay or drastically shorten lunch. Frustrating that itl likely start pouring down right after a 40 minute break

Muh immovable feast!

To be fair, "immovable feast" as a meme came about back in the day when it literally was an immovable feast - ie. it was locked in from 12:30:1:10 or 12-12:40 depending on when the first ball was bowled, regardless of delays/rain/light. At least we've slightly moved on from that farce... slightly...

 

[Spikey]

i really don't get why lunch is still 40 minutes and tea is 20. the shield changed it to 30/30 for a couple of seasons and now it's back to 40/20

 

[Prince EWS]

i really don't get why lunch is still 40 minutes and tea is 20. the shield changed it to 30/30 for a couple of seasons and now it's back to 40/20

If anything I always tend to want the longer break after I've been playing for four and a half hours already. I think it's because of western eating norms but **** that.

 

[Spikey]

logged onto cricinfo, saw ian chappell had posted a new article, knew it's contents as saw as I saw "should" in the headline

 

[stephen]

So, Steve Smith was hit in the head by a bouncer. Fair enough. If he was ruled ineligible to play on then a sub of like ability, under the new rules, is allowed to take his place. The only player I know of who could do this is a 110 year old skeleton buried in Adelaide South Australia.

Grade cricket "If you can't get him out, knock him out".

 

[Lillian Thomson]

In the old days there used to be a major panic amongst the caterers if the lunch break was moved in a Test in England. These days the panic is more amongst the corporate sponsors.