4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester

[Burgey]

Don't know about technique. Certainly more aesthetic and most definitely as egoistic if not more. You can bet he's not watching Smith's exploits without a twinge of jealousy. He's given off this vibe of late of prioritizing the Indian team's development over his batting, but this Ashes is going to put the fire in him again.

I wouldn’t describe Smith as egotistic in so much as he just seems completely obsessive about the game and scoring runs

 

[Woodster]

The posts by the Mancunians in this thread certainly suggest there’s something in the water there.

 

[Spark]

Apparently this rain should persist until about noon

 

[Woodster]

The posts by the Mancunians in this thread certainly suggest there’s something in the water there.

Not sure where The Castle is in Manchester ?

 

[Woodster]

Apparently this rain should persist until about noon

Yes, despite it being overcast this afternoon should hopefully get some play in.

 

[Burgey]

So Australia might get the best of the conditions? Not before time this series

 

[morgieb]

So Australia might get the best of the conditions? Not before time this series

It helps a bit that it didn't rain much yesterday against the forecast's expectations, but given that the whole Test is played under overcast skies this toss was a good one to win.

 

[zaremba]

So Australia might get the best of the conditions? Not before time this series

To be fair, Australia's won 3 out of 4 tosses. The one they lost was at Leeds where Paine said he'd have batted anyway.

 

[Tom Flint]

Smith will be the greatest batsman since bradman

 

[vcs]

Smith should go past Sachin's mark of 51 hundreds comfortably, even if he retires at around 35 like a normal person. That's astonishing.

 

[Tom Flint]

Funny how people saying on the radio this test is over. We've only lost one wicket in our first innings and it's already day 3 and pissing down. Not to mention what happened at Trent bridge

 

[TheJediBrah]

To be fair, Australia's won 3 out of 4 tosses. The one they lost was at Leeds where Paine said he'd have batted anyway.

irrelevant but ok

 

[Woodster]

Smith should go past Sachin's mark of 51 hundreds comfortably, even if he retires at around 35 like a normal person. That's astonishing.

Providing he doesn't fall foul of any further indiscretions.

 

[Tom Flint]

The toss is irreverent when talking about conditions in a test match lol. Ok

 

[Woodster]

So Australia might get the best of the conditions? Not before time this series

Would love to see them in the field for a day in this weather, if we can bat a full day. Rather sapping and dispiriting conditions.

 

[TheJediBrah]

The toss is irreverent when talking about conditions in a test match lol. Ok

ffs do you really need me to explain it to you?

 

[vcs]

To be honest, India's chances of retaining the Border Gavaskar trophy next year rests on Smith falling in love with a piece of paper covered with abrasive.

They'll probably belt us over there next time.

Annoying that we had to wait a century to get to win down Under only to lose the bragging rights within two years.

 

[Starfighter]

I see it's going to be doing the Manchester thing during the time I can actually watch.

 

[King Pietersen]

Absolutely pissing it down now in Manchester, pretty much zero chance of starting on time I reckon. Afternoon should be better, but been proper grim this morning.

 

[Burgey]

Funny how people saying on the radio this test is over. We've only lost one wicket in our first innings and it's already day 3 and pissing down. Not to mention what happened at Trent bridge

It is over from the POV of England winning it. Say they bat a full day today (lol I know) they’d still be 150 minimum behind with two days to go, and Australia won’t bleed runs like England’s hapless attack did over the first two days because they’re nothing if not disciplined.

England just need to get past the follow on, and given the rain around the game should be drawn for them. They’ve been blessed all series. The idea these teams are closely matched is a complete myth.