*Official* First Test at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

[Craig]

Why do I have a lack of confidence in Bopara? Probably will go MIA after cashing in against the WI.

Nice bouncer by Siddle.

 

[Richard]

Hilfenhaus? Was a pretty poor delivery tbh, short of a length wide of his body, just a horrible shot. I'm amazed Cook still hasn't sorted his technique out, seems to get himself out the same way time and time again.

If sorting your technique out was as simple as knowing what the problem was, precious few people would ever have anything bar a perfect technique.

Either way, as I say, that shot was more due to bad shot-selection than bad technique. Just hung the bat out, neither went hard and proper nor played a defensive shot (as obviously it was far too wide to defend).

Bopara doesn't pick a short one up, not a good start. Good job for the grille.

 

[wfdu_ben91]

Siddle's gonna own Bopara.

Called it. Hit him in the head. Bopara has been rattled.

 

[King Pietersen]

Siddle's gonna own Bopara.

Haha. Good shout. 2nd ball cracks into Ravi's helmet. Hopefully he'll go on to smack a ton like the last time he copped one on the face in a Test.

Rav looks abit nervous, first time I've seen that from him.

 

[Craig]

And nearly run out.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

hahahahahahaha.



Beautiful Peter.

 

[Richard]

Should be a good battle this series really.

Horrible obvious-stating cliche #5298.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Took that one like a man, Bopara. Looks bloody painful in the replay, and he didn't even bat an eyelid. Just shrugged and got on with it.

Great bouncer, though.

 

[Adamc]

Good stuff from Siddle, the bowling has been pretty anaemic otherwise. Bit of a gifted wicket although Hilf has been bowling reasonably well.

 

[Richard]

Hit him in the head. Bopara has been rattled.

Not neccessarily.

 

[Burgey]

Ha ha, Moobs crankin it to 90 mph plus, and some chin music to Bopara early doors. Good, competitive stuff.

 

[NUFAN]

Horrible obvious-stating cliche #5298.

More interesting then hearing
"well at least Cook got to double figures".

 

[alternative]

Strauss to ton up.

 

[Richard]

Haha, 36 members viewing, those not on invisible being: Richard, Ausage, Burgey, Craig+, fredfertang, HeathDavisSpeed, jonny1408, Jono, King Pietersen, konstance, LongHopCassidy, marcussjd9, mikeW, NUFAN, Penguinissimo, Postmanpat, pup11, Redbacks, Scaly piscine, silent_shadow, Somerset, Son Of Coco, Steulen, The_Bunny, wfdu_ben91.

 

[Craig]

Another mistimed pull shot.

 

[Jono]

Horrible obvious-stating cliche #5298.

Why be like that?

 

[Richard]

More interesting then hearing
"well at least Cook got to double figures".

DWTA, totally. Novelty value =| cliche.

 

[Richard]

Why be like that?

Be like what?

 

[Top_Cat]

Personally think the lack of pace off the wicket is what's bringing the English batters undone against the short ones here. They seem to be waiting an age for the ball to get to them.

EDIT: That said, shocking back-foot play by Bopara so far. On Aussie pitches he'd be fine, playing very bat-forward right now. Big nick coming.

 

[wfdu_ben91]

Siddle looking good here. Coming wide from the crease and getting the ball to straighten.