*Official* Second Test at Lord's - Aug 12-16 2021

[Arachnodouche]

How bad does yday's capitulation look now?

 

[Arachnodouche]

Not a single over by Ishant in this session,I think he got injured this time as well.

Might be jumping the gun here but he's looked bit of a spent force since his comeback. Never the most fluid of actions but there's something off about his release.

 

[Uppercut]

They could hide him but it certainly doesn't help his case in terms of providing any extra value to this team. Its hard to think of a better option amongst Vince, Malan, Ballance, Hameed, Crawley or anyone else who is currently being considered as a top 3 option. Just something to gnaw on - someone like Adam Lyth who is in exquisite form and has a reputation as a fine slipper might well be a better option at the top than the others particularly if none are really able to hold their place in the side exclusively based on runs.

Yeah that’s one way of looking at it. I tend to think the solution when nobody is especially good for a position is to pick a dedicated, youngish player and stick with them. Hardly anyone batsmen play their best cricket in their first 10 tests, so if you keep changing batsmen after 10 tests you just get the worst parts of a career over and over again.

Also I think people don’t consider alternatives enough and reduce the question to a Y/N on the incumbent. Right now the alternative openers are very weak.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

That was a huge no-ball

 

[BoyBrumby]

That was a huge no-ball

Massive. Especially for a spinner.

Well, I say "spinner", ironically I think that extra ball is the first one he's actually turned this innings.

 

[wpdavid]

No, not just before the second new ball

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

The plan worked for Siraj.

Bairstow looked like Jermaine Blackwood playing that shot.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Soft dismissal, but gotta credit Kohli and Siraj for sticking to the short pitched plan.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Terrible from Bairstow. No pace off the pitch, just had to evade it. Will take it though.

 

[cnerd123]

Yeaaa finally. Needed that

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

That looks like it clipping leg stump.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Silly YJB.
Quick question. How many tons does Root need to get and how quickly, before he’s considered top 3 in the world again?

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Silly YJB.
Quick question. How many tons does Root need to get and how quickly, before he’s considered top 3 in the world again?

Quick question, who decided that he was not in the top 3?

When was the last time Kohli made a test ton?

 

[Spark]

Silly YJB.
Quick question. How many tons does Root need to get and how quickly, before he’s considered top 3 in the world again?

He probably needs two top-tier years at least to be in that conversation. I'm talking averaging 70+, a hundred every three games kind of territory.

 

[Spark]

Quick question, who decided that he was not in the top 3?

When was the last time Kohli made a test ton?

Kohli is coming off a substantially higher base than Root was.

 

[harsh.ag]

Kohli not in the top 3 in my books.

Smith and Babar are the two best. 3 is up for grabs.

 

[Uppercut]

People aren’t convinced by Labuschagne just yet?

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Quick question, who decided that he was not in the top 3?

Plenty on here, especially after his lack of conversions in recent years. Nice to catch up with you lot again btw!

 

[Spark]

Kohli not in the top 3 in my books.

Smith and Babar are the two best. 3 is up for grabs.

Williamson...?

 

[Spark]

People aren’t convinced by Labuschagne just yet?

I mean he hasn't exactly done anything of note outside Australia. Barely had a chance ofc.