*Official* 1st Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, 05 - 09 Feb 2021

[Window]

Maybe handing pitch preparations to someone who’s never done it at the first class level even wasn’t such a good idea. Or may it’s nothing to do with it. I don’t know.

 

[Burgey]

run rate 3 an over for the day

if the pitch stays dead, that is good but not good enough

needed another 50 runs today imo

Lolwut they’re 3 down. You make that up in a half hour with wickets in hand.

Run rates in tests are down generally the past few years anyways

 

[JOJOXI]

Good day for England although a big late wicket - suddenly bowling to England's 2 best batsman probably first thing tomorrow. Get an early wicket with a still newish ball and suddenly rather than getting 550/600, England could be on course for 425/450

 

[Pothas]

Ah that is a shame for Sibley.

Absolutely great day for England but at the same time that is not far off the minimum they had to do.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Unfortunate for sibley, deserved a ton despite how horrific he is to watch.

 

[JOJOXI]

Lolwut they’re 3 down. You make that up in a half hour with wickets in hand.

To be fair Burns tried to show intent and that didn't end up too well. Slower scoring always leaves you a bit more vulnerable if you start poorly on Day 2 but the assumption you get 50+ more runs with no risk is misplaced - England have had a very good day but that late wicket evens it up a tad I think. England still in front but India a solid morning session away from having England 330/5 and on course for 400/450 instead of getting 550/600 and near enough taking an India win out the equation.

 

[91Jmay]

Yesh, Poms should be wrapt at that. Bat two sessions tomorrow and they’ll be very tough to beat. Root was great, but that’s a monster knock from Sibley. 286 balls day one at the sewer when you’ve not played in those conditions before is quality

Yeah Sibley has so few scoring options it's amazing he makes any runs. Good head on his shoulders

 

[Shri]

Run rates in tests are down generally the past few years anyways

no offense but aus don't know how to score now so maybe you have forgotten the value of getting your runs quickly in test cricket

especially on a dead indian wicket

 

[Burgey]

no offense but aus don't know how to score now so maybe you have forgotten the value of getting your runs quickly in test cricket

especially on a dead indian wicket

Yeah well india won out here going at ~ 2.5 per over so I think maybe your head is in your arse on this point tbh

 

[Burgey]

England still in front but India a solid morning session away from having England 330/5

Sure, and england is a solid morning away from fisting India to death in the match, so there’s that

 

[sunilz]

Good day for England.
Let's hope we get early wkts tomorrow.

 

[theegyptian]

All credit to Sibley for his improvements. He's going to be a real nuisance to opposition teams in the future if he keeps this up.

Root could challenge Mohammed Yousuf's record 1788 runs in a calender year. Has 14 tests to go after this i think. If he averaged somewhere in the 50-60 range for the rest of the games he would be close.

 

[Burgey]

Stokes v Bumrah is a potentially top match up in the morning

 

[JOJOXI]

Sure, and england is a solid morning away from fisting India to death in the match, so there’s that

Yeah don't disagree, just think India would prefer bowling to England's best 2 batsman at the start of the day rather then knowing you have to get through one of Sibley or Root before Stokes even comes in. Don't get an early strike and Stokes is coming in with Bumrah and Ishant with at least 1 spell in their legs already and an old ball. Not a criticism of England today they have had a good day, just think it's gone from an amazing day to a good day with that late strike.

 

[GIMH]

Only saw an hour's play this morning but that is a bloody impressive day. Joe Root hey.

 

[GotSpin]

That slog sweep into the stands from root was how you're supposed to play off spinners

 

[Father Time]

Happy with that! How well is Root batting! Sibley again provided the glue which holds it all together. Pitch looks a weird one. Lawrence's technique failed miserably up at three, straight bat required! Spinners 2&3 for India were average at best, I can see Bess & Leach bowling better than that. 550 needed tomorrow. Another 4am alarm call.

 

[wpdavid]

So good to be able to watch this live. As others have said, shame about Sibley, but he did a great job for his side. Burns probably copped a roasting for his dismissal, but the reverse sweep seems to be as much a part of the current generation's scoring options that I've become more forgiving when it doesn't come off for them. Root just stunningly good of course. btw why the black armbands?

 

[91Jmay]

So good to be able to watch this live. As others have said, shame about Sibley, but he did a great job for his side. Burns probably copped a roasting for his dismissal, but the reverse sweep seems to be as much a part of the current generation's scoring options that I've become more forgiving when it doesn't come off for them. Root just stunningly good of course. btw why the black armbands?

Captain Tom possibly. I'd hope not personally but alas

 

[Arachnodouche]

Well done, Root and Sibley. Happy to see Root among big runs again. Too imperious a batsman to have a middling record (relatively speaking obv). We've made our customary selection blunders at the start of a series so about deserve to be on the backfoot.