*Official* Fourth Test (Old Trafford, Manchester) 19-23 July

[trundler]

Win lose or draw, let's hope that the series isn't ruined by rain.

You're aware this is being held in England right? It's not June anymore.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Moeen actually legit batting 3 is so weird. While I'd love him to surprise me, I doubt he lasts for more than 5 overs total across both innings. Its like starting a test match with a permanent night watchman

*permanent Nighthawk

 

[Molehill]

It’s nonsense

Both Green & Marsh should play

If Root doesn't drop that sitter, I doubt anyone would be wanting Marsh to play.

 

[chris.hinton]

Weather Forecast

Wed - Showers in early afternoon, Evening will be dry with sun
Thurs - Dry all day.
Fri - Some showers possible
Sat - Rain all day
Sun - Rain all day

Grim

 

[halba]

Weather Forecast

Wed - Showers in early afternoon, Evening will be dry with sun
Thurs - Dry all day.
Fri - Some showers possible
Sat - Rain all day
Sun - Rain all day

Grim

Draw is odds on with only 3 days to play and what looks a flat wicket from the photo

 

[GIMH]

My Apple ‘Weather’ app very different again. Still, it was largely wrong for Headingley save for its forecast enabling me to predict we’d get an evening session in on the Saturday.

 

[mackembhoy]

For the life if me I don't understand why we announce our team in advance.

The team is as you'd expect with Jimmy coming back in.

Our top 3 of Crawley, Duckett and Mo must be the most attacking top 3 in our history and also the most suspect defensively.

We've done it every game. They told us the team last night by saying Jimmy was starting as the only question was did they bring in Jimmy or Tongue for Robinson.

Why can't they just announce the team at the toss and leave the Aussies guessing instead of giving them days preparation.

Just like declaring on day 1 it's more of this left of field approach/thinking they are doing. This is another decision I definitely don't understand.

 

[Prince EWS]

My Apple ‘Weather’ app very different again. Still, it was largely wrong for Headingley save for its forecast enabling me to predict we’d get an evening session in on the Saturday.

I still think weather forecasts are 85% voodoo.

 

[Spark]

The medium range ones are remarkable these days compared to how they were just 15-20 years ago. There was a major hurricane that hit the US Gulf Coast either last year or the year before which was almost flawlessly predicted in track and fairly well predicted in intensity from before the thing was even technically a hurricane.

But then again hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested to specifically forecast those, so you'd expect improvements.

 

[Prince EWS]

But then again hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested to specifically forecast those, so you'd expect improvements.

Not if they were public investments.

 

[Gob]

We've done it every game. They told us the team last night by saying Jimmy was starting as the only question was did they bring in Jimmy or Tongue for Robinson.

Why can't they just announce the team at the toss and leave the Aussies guessing instead of giving them days preparation.

Just like declaring on day 1 it's more of this left of field approach/thinking they are doing. This is another decision I definitely don't understand.

I think they want to show everyone how confident they are

 

[chris.hinton]

I still think weather forecasts are 85% voodoo.

Oh it will change tomorrow.

 

[Molehill]

If slip catching practice at OT is anything to go by, it seems that Marsh and Warner are both in and Green is out. So probably just one change there too, either Hazelwood or Neser for Boalnd.

 

[Socerer 01]

is England announcing lineups early new they did this in the past too

 

[Owzat]

Moeen actually legit batting 3 is so weird. While I'd love him to surprise me, I doubt he lasts for more than 5 overs total across both innings. Its like starting a test match with a permanent night watchman

walking wicket more like, has one fifty batting at #3 and that's more than half his runs, average 13.14

five single figure scores, only two double figures, said fifty and a 20. Root may as walk out to the crease with him!

 

[honestbharani]

Root may as walk out to the crease with him!

I laughed.

 

[Boags]

Well if Moeen's gonna bat 3, it might as well be Wood... at least if he makes makes it through 15 balls he'll have 30 runs and the bowlers will be rattled.

 

[SteveNZ]

Annika Sorenstam likes him & has played with him many times

Even she says that he’s the most shameless cheat that she’s ever seen - literally has his man walk in front of the group and throw the ball back into the fairway

He’s on the honour board for being club champion at one of his clubs

Only problem is that he withdrew from the competition

I just read Commander in Cheat, he claims to have 16 club championships at different courses (mostly his own). He achieves this partly by being the first to play on his new courses, he's been known to play by himself at other times and claim he shot better than the club champion did on that day, play as the only one in a 'senior' championship etc.

He also cost the American taxpayer something like $440m I think, playing golf while in office.

 

[SteveNZ]

Moeen at 3 is almost unprecented in world cricket, I reckon. Unless someone reminds me of another time? No matter what England tells you, this is a permanent night *insert term here* to shield Root/Brook from batting 3. I can't remember of anyone in Test history being picked at 3 (two Tests in a row, if you don't mind) to shield people, rather than anything to do with batting merit. It's absolutely wild.

 

[honestbharani]

Moeen at 3 is almost unprecented in world cricket, I reckon. Unless someone reminds me of another time? No matter what England tells you, this is a permanent night *insert term here* to shield Root/Brook from batting 3. I can't remember of anyone in Test history being picked at 3 (two Tests in a row, if you don't mind) to shield people, rather than anything to do with batting merit. It's absolutely wild.

Rob Quiney 9