4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester

[Starfighter]

You know, I think he should have at least got a bit more on that.

 

[TheJediBrah]

He's nearly been out 4-5 times already in less than 2 overs

the **** is going on

 

[Spark]

dropped catch!

I know they're never easy but that really should have been caught

Smith looks off this morning

Always have to start fresh the next morning etc etc

 

[Compton]

Was that a deep leg gully?

 

[Starfighter]

Archer is landing the ball right on that crack. Is that what's making the movement or is it just regular seam?

 

[Burgey]

England have five more balls to get Smith, going by Broad’s theory before Lord’s

 

[Spark]

Archer is landing the ball right on that crack. Is that what's making the movement or is it just regular seam?

I think the pitch is just a bit grippy

 

[Starfighter]

Was that a deep leg gully?

Think it was just a shorter fine leg, but certainly an odd position in the modern test game.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Always have to start fresh the next morning etc etc

Smith never starts this shakily though

 

[Spark]

Smith never starts this shakily though

Sure he does, there's a reason he deliberately often goes super slow at the start of his innings

 

[Starfighter]

Oh hang on, that's a leg gully

 

[TheJediBrah]

Sure he does, there's a reason he deliberately often goes super slow at the start of his innings

Not this year

 

[Compton]

Smith’s leaves are absolutely wonderful. Stuff of legend.

 

[Spark]

Not this year

"This year" is four innings so far, and he did start a bit like this at Edgbaston too. Only lasts about 20 balls max.

 

[Starfighter]

I think the pitch is just a bit grippy

Oi, I made that observation yesterday. Just that both the balls that moved had a straight seam rather than the wobbly one that is produced when a bowler tries to cut it off the surface.

 

[Groundking]

Need to get him quick whilst he's looking sketchy. These useless ****s won't manage it though.

 

[Compton]

I wouldn’t fancy a big chase on Day 5, here. Pitch already being a bit naughty.

 

[Starfighter]

That shot where he stands back with his legs straight and plays it out towards square leg reminds me so much of the stuff I've watched from really old batsmen like Hobbs etc.

 

[Starfighter]

Archer getting that troubling lower-than-expected lift on that ball.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Oi, I made that observation yesterday. Just that both the balls that moved had a straight seam rather than the wobbly one that is produced when a bowler tries to cut it off the surface.

Sounds like a Hazlegood pitch