*Official* Second Test (Lord's, London) 28 June–2 July

[wpdavid]

This passage of play from England has been absolutely shambolic.
To have 3 men out to the hook is beyond ridiculous - we don't deserve to won this game playing like this.
WTF Root was doing is beyond me - out twice hooking in the same innings.
And we've got Harry Brook teeing off like it's a benefit game.
Clueless play and the management need to get a grip of the team because this isn't how you play test cricket.
I'm fine with attacking play - I'm fine with a positive approach but this has been wreckless and that's not acceptable

We've been absolutely lovely hosts so far this summer; couldn't be more accommodating for our guests. Last year, this approach felt like a means to an end. I know I probably moaned about it at times, but the bottom line is it worked. This summer, it feels like an end in itself, like some weird personality cult where the approach is everything and the more outlandish the approach, the better.

 

[Uppercut]

Mark Butcher was mentioned, but this is Trundler and he loves this convo. The weird thing is I kinda agree him, the 80s and 90s England sides were ****, but there were still some decent players around in two decades.

Everyone is forgetting Thorpe, he was as good as any dark ages England cricketer.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Time to take on Head

 

[slowfinger]

actually quality bowling from Head

 

[RightArmMystery]

The only thing I hate more than England's approach and Pietersen's commentary, Travis Head's moustache. Looks like such a ****.

 

[Socerer 01]

he's even mimicking Ashwin's pullout game, Travichandran for a reason

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Stewart could've been better but he still played 130 tests for an average of under 40. He had grave problems against spin too so maybe he has a Pope-like career down the order. Sure, Stewart was used poorly but I feel like you can't use the potential argument for a bloke who plays that long. Atherton was alright but really not someone who epitomises the good old days.

Robin Smith had the same problem

 

[grecian]

Everyone is forgetting Thorpe, he was as good as any dark ages England cricketer.

Yep he was alsio part of the mentioned 2003-05 side, so I didn''t go into defend him.

oh I see C-u-c-k is censored, c'mon man, it's not even a swear

 

[MW1304]

It isn't- this isn't how we played last summer and winter.

We attacked and we were positive but it wasn't completely wreckless like the last hour of so.

I mean it was tbh, it just came off. Bairstow was swinging at every ball but still hitting hundreds for fun.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Can't believe we have batted like a bunch of Andrew Hilditch wannabes since tea. Pathetic.

 

[trundler]

Everyone is forgetting Thorpe, he was as good as any dark ages England cricketer.

Hey I did say he was the exception

 

[Spark]

he's even mimicking Ashwin's pullout game, Travichandran for a reason

Can you imagine if he actually did it in an Ashes Test? The meltdown would be glorious.

 

[wpdavid]

Everyone is forgetting Thorpe, he was as good as any dark ages England cricketer.

I think Trundler mentioned him as the best batsman, and we all agreed with him on that point.

 

[trundler]

Joe Root would've been useful against part time off spin I think

 

[flibbertyjibber]

love it how Stokes lets all his batsmen play Bazzball whilst he just plays proper cricket

Makes a change. He normally bats braindead

 

[slowfinger]

don't be afraid to put away a **** ball

shot Brooky

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Ooof absolutely smoked by Brook. That's so disrespectful

 

[grecian]

Stewart averaged well over 40 as opener on much harder England pitches than exist nowadays was World-class if he'd stayed opening, which he should have, but we preferred a batter over a superior 'keeper, who could also bat, somethings never change.

 

[artvandalay]

Stewart could've been better but he still played 130 tests for an average of under 40. He had grave problems against spin too so maybe he has a Pope-like career down the order. Sure, Stewart was used poorly but I feel like you can't use the potential argument for a bloke who plays that long. Atherton was alright but really not someone who epitomises the good old days.

I don't think the current team would beat the 90s one tbh having watched both of them even if a few underachieved in that one.

 

[slowfinger]

do we play til 7 or half 6 today ?