*Official Third Test at Headingley* 25-29 August

[GIMH]

It's actually really tough to predict because both batting line ups are so capable of lolapses. It could feasibly end up 3-1 to either side or 2-2. Barring weather, can't see there being another draw as neither team seems really capable of batting sufficient time for that to happen atm. But the line ups are both so fragile right now that neither side would ever think they're really out of it. Makes for a very entertaining series as a neutral, and a heart stopper for anyone who's invested.

Tbf though two September tests scream rain to me

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

RIP Sibley

 

[hendrix]

Just watched the highlights.

Pleased for England. Magnificent bowling display.

Test cricket so good at humbling people just at the right time.

Don't think Hameed is a good long term bet. Doesn't get into line, will struggle with the full straight one.

Burns looked great.

 

[GIMH]

Still can’t believe Burns hit a six

same day I got to go to a gig

a wondrous occasion

 

[slippy888]

What the logic in india winning toss and batting first in overcast conditions

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

They're match fixing op

 

[silentstriker]

What the logic in india winning toss and batting first in overcast conditions

Thought it was a pretty good decision to bat at the time to be honest.

and given how they got out…can’t blame the conditions.

 

[GIMH]

Thought it was a pretty good decision to bat at the time to be honest.

and given how they got out…can’t blame the conditions.

Disagree. Jimmy took advantage of the conditions which meant India were FA/3 and the bad decisions from there were a consequence of the pressure that brought.

 

[Prince EWS]

Batting would've been fine if they'd picked Ashwin (not that I think they would've score a lot more runs - just that it would have been a defensible tactic). It was silly with the lineup they selected though IMO, even without the benefit of hindsight.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Scurran looked good as well with the ball. He was beating the quite frequently.

 

[slippy888]

I dont think Rahane can be picked next game considering he not done a lot apart from 1 ton in Aus the last few years, maybe Vihari back in team and he another bowling option

 

[Immenso]

Is this the first pony-tailed opening pair in (mens) test cricket?

 

[slippy888]

You should never lose a test match on day 1

 

[Burgey]

Disagree. Jimmy took advantage of the conditions which meant India were FA/3 and the bad decisions from there were a consequence of the pressure that brought.

Notice he didn't bowl at all again once the sun came out? They just had to get through the first hour or so. Terrible batting vs some very good but not hooping round corners stuff.

 

[Burgey]

Is this the first pony-tailed opening pair in (mens) test cricket?

Hopefully it's the last. But are they ponytails or more the dreaded Man Bun?

Did Gayle and (rando partner) ever rock ponytails?

 

[social]

Kohli’s dismissals this series have been pretty rank for a player of his quality

Some nice deliveries among them but it’s not as if he doesn’t know what they’re trying to do as they have all been carbon copies of each other

 

[slippy888]

Is anyone getting worried by Kholi batting form

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

I must say this is a much more pleasing result that I could possibly have expected. Both teams still stupidly conservative in their selections - where's Ashwin and how much more does Curran need to do to get dropped?

Also the **** who edits the ECB highlights needs a good bashing. Apparently Pujara's dismissal is not important enough to show at all but a single leg glance from Kohli needs slow-mo replays from four different angles, taking up the best part a minute.

The highlights editor is clearly a pujara fan

 

[morgieb]

This is feeling very 2014-esque for India. Hard to find a team playing a worse day of cricket since Boxing Day 2010.

 

[Bahnz]

Not sure I'd blame Kohli for the decision to bat first. Pitch looks pretty flat, and while there was a bit of cloud around, it was hardly Clouderson-meme worthy weather. India just got thumped. Excellent bowling by Anderson, but I'd say getting shot out for 78 on this is a worse effort than just about any double-figure score I can think of in the past decade.