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

[halba]

Absolutely, however Stokes is injured, so it remains to be seen if that hampers him at all over the innings. He seems to have gone alright so far. It doesn't really need to be said, but we need to get both him and Duckett early on in the piece to reduce the possibility of an England win.

Oh for Starc's catch to have been ok.

Agree. i will quietly observe, if they are +220 on the board and these two still there at the crease its going to be a close game.
If they are not there with +220(even a single one gone), very little to no chance as they need another 140 odd, dont see Broad/Robbo/Tongue getting 50's.

Aus must break the partnership <200 runs on board ,so they have a bit of leeway until then. Needs a good nut from any of the pacers. Hazlewood's return has been disappointing and lacklustre and hes ripe for a ro

No spinner is an issue- Head is not a spin bowler.

 

[Burgey]

starc just needs to dismiss Duckett to complete the set of the English top 6 for the match. he grassed it on purpose imo

If the fielding of Cameron Green had lived up to massive overhype surrounding it, he would have already accomplished this and the test would already be over.

 

[Burgey]

He gets a bit of ego boost and to actually do something manly, plus maybe the barmy army won’t sledge him anymore. It’s a win win for him imo. Get to look like a hero, do a little bit for your side and flap your bat about with no consequences.

So basically Harry Brook in this test match.

 

[Burgey]

No it's not just you, if they put on 250-260, I think they'll be in REALLY good shape.

Yeah it’s a simple exercise in mathematics. If these two get to that sort of scoreline with cheeseburger still to bat, they’re a real chance.

 

[Shri]

but Starc has dropped that - mainly just because he's an idiot.

yes don't think it was malicious given his stupid grin immediately after

 

[Burgey]

Starc showed last night why he was selected, he is a wicket taking bowler who gives the attack a point of difference.

I know he will leak runs a times but he has taken 315 wickets at 27.61 and he is the 5th highest wicket taker for Australia.

The difference between Starc in the first dig and last night when he tore in and hit the deck hard was insane. Someone needs to do a montage of it for him.

he needs a montage
Even rocky had a montage

 

[Smudge]

This reaction is why the English don’t get sport.

I have hopes (more than expectations) that at some point, English sportspeople will grow a spine.

 

[andruid]

Is it true that when they have bowled Ben the short delivery, Ben has decided to Duckett?

 

[Burgey]

Is it true that when they have bowled Ben the short delivery, Ben has decided to Duckett?

Ben ducked it, not so much Duckett

 

[TheJediBrah]

The difference between Starc in the first dig and last night when he tore in and hit the deck hard was insane. Someone needs to do a montage of it for him.

he needs a montage
Even rocky had a montage

Next game he will fade out like a montage

 

[Burgey]

Next game he will fade out like a montage

Really don’t care what he does next game if he wins us this one tbh. I would say Boland for Haze is a lock for next game and Neser might be a chance to play over Starc depending on how he pulls up.

 

[G. S. Kohli]

A couple of quick wickets at the start of play today would be handy. As would have Duckett being out. Hopefully Starc badges him and then yorks him within 30 minutes of play starting, after both Stokes and Bairstow have also been dismissed.

I assume it wasn't Bazzyline from us last night?

You never know in criciet if aus scored 406 at Lords in 4th imnings than england can do that or Rain God could be MOTM.

Anderson scored 81 against Us when MSD was our captain
Anything can happen eng might Square the series against all odd

 

[Burgey]

You never know in criciet if aus scored 406 at Lords in 4th imnings than england can do that or Rain God could be MOTM.

Anderson scored 81 against Us when MSD was our captain
Anything can happen eng might Square the series against all odd

Erasmus doing his best to help them. The Joel Wilson of 2023. “Not in control of his body”. Suck me off, you blind ****er. Was he about to sh!t himself or something, because he was in complete control of the catch.

 

[G. S. Kohli]

New ball Due after 48 over. Aus should gave few ovs to Smithy who debut in test cricket as Specialist spinner

Indias Ashwin selected in Ranji trophy as opening batsman & Fast bowler

( who scored 2 FC hundred in his 1st 9 innings )

Labu can also handy as bowler

 

[Adorable Asshole]

Erasmus doing his best to help them. The Joel Wilson of 2023. “Not in control of his body”. Suck me off, you blind ****er. Was he about to sh!t himself or something, because he was in complete control of the catch.

You need glasses if you think that was a catch.

 

[Burgey]

You need glasses if you think that was a catch.

Out every day of the week. As out as Root’s catch of Head. Typical home towning to keep the Poms in the game and make a contest of it. Embarrassing officiating. He should be sacked from the international panel forthwith.

 

[Son Of Coco]

New ball Due after 48 over. Aus should gave few ovs to Smithy who debut in test cricket as Specialist spinner

Indias Ashwin selected in Ranji trophy as opening batsman & Fast bowler

( who scored 2 FC hundred in his 1st 9 innings )

Labu can also handy as bowler

There's no way either of them will be bowling today I would say.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Actually 'No way' is a bit strong, but we'd be hoping they won't be needed. England are clearly going to go after Head (), but if the frontliners can take care of the remaining 3 bats, he could be handy against the tail.

 

[Meridio]

Agreed. You've got to have a rule that draws the line somewhere. If Starc had slid, stopped, then used the ball as leverage to stand up, no issue. But he was still in the movement and fully put pressure with the ball on the ground without anything between them. Did he have control? Yeah he did, but the movement wasn't complete. It's his own silly fault. Correct decision and well played to Marais for having the strength to follow the rule properly.

I have two bigger issues with that delivery:
A) That is an all-time ridiculous shot 2 and a bit overs out from stumps. There was a fine third man, it either goes there or fine leg. Horrible batting that he got fortunate with
B) And this is the biggest issue...I watched a 20-minute highlights package, and that delivery didn't feature on it. Yet I probably saw 10-15 inconsequential singles. What are we dealing with here? I now believe the Kiwi poster that said highlights are based off an algorhythm. Aren't we so smart as humans, we can get AI to do things for us...yep certain things, but not this. Woeful. Do it properly.

Yeah, this drives me utterly nuts. I don't have time to watch replays of entire sessions, so rely on highlights each day. They don't include dropped catches, or wickets off no balls, or any of the key moments in a day's play. And they've skipped this catch too - and having just seen it now, that's so obviously not out, and is just a really crap bit of cricket from Starc. He's an international cricketer ffs, you know the ball can't touch the ground, turn your hand over or roll your body or whatever, but definitely do not scrape the ball along the ground.

 

[Daemon]

This can’t be out.

If you say he was in control, well players are often in a similar level of control before they fall to the ground and it pops out.

The Green one against Gill was out - this shouldn’t be.