*Official* First Test (Edgbaston, Birmingham) 16–20 June

[Spark]

It’s how England choose to play. Let’s say Anderson did bat and got his finger broke for the sake of a few runs

The same people criticising the declaration would be saying they should have declared to stop Anderson being injured

Get with the programme. This is how Stokes and England play

Just because it's how they choose to play doesn't mean we can't call it stupid when they do stupid things.

 

[CartyDurham]

Broad was good but Anderson and Robinson were pedestrian. Both sides only really had one quick in each first innings who bowled at something like their accepted level

I agree. Still took all ten Aussies and missed five chances for pedestrians

 

[honestbharani]

I had a dream last night that Burgey had the ability to edit all my posts

I clearly spend too much time on this forum, but Jesus what a nightmare

The lesser known "I had a dream" speech....

 

[TimAngas]

Bowling very straight so far.

 

[GotSpin]

Nothing outside off yet

 

[honestbharani]

I do think the declaration was needless but sometimes you take the good with the bad. This is one of those occassions and I think I said the same about their declaration in NZ too.

 

[CartyDurham]

Just because it's how they choose to play doesn't mean we can't call it stupid when they do stupid things.

I fully agree. But you may find that saying it’s stupid for days on end is pointless

If Anderson had batted and broken a finger , I know for certain people would be saying it was stupid not to declare

It’s how things are

Anyway England lead by 7

They get a lead between 280 and 320 then that will be tough to chase

 

[social]

Australia bowled 2 balls outside Ducket’s off stump in the first innings and he edged them both

8 balls in the first innings and every one at leg or wider

Just bizarre from bowlers of this quality

 

[fredfertang]

Australia look a bit rattled to me

 

[Spark]

Bowling very straight so far.

This is the advantage of the field placings tbf - could easily have conceded a whole stack of boundaries with some of these leg stump half volleys, but nothing but singles and twos so far.

 

[Spark]

I fully agree. But you may find that saying it’s stupid for days on end is pointless

If Anderson had batted and broken a finger , I know for certain people would be saying it was stupid not to declare

It’s how things are

Anyway England lead by 7

They get a lead between 280 and 320 then that will be tough to chase

By this logic England should never let Anderson bat, ever, because the risk of him breaking a finger is greater than the 10th wicket partnership runs.

 

[Prince EWS]

I had a dream last night that Burgey had the ability to edit all my posts

I clearly spend too much time on this forum, but Jesus what a nightmare

Spark has the ability to edit all your posts, that's probably terrifying enough for you.

 

[CartyDurham]

Why anger @Prince EWS


It’s what they do. All people just have to accept it

If Anderson had batted and broke a finger, would you think that people would have said stokes should have declared

Let’s just get on with the game

 

[Prince EWS]

By this logic England should never let Anderson bat, ever, because the risk of him breaking a finger is greater than the 10th wicket partnership runs.

Root and Robinson weren't out yet anyway. Talking about Anderson whenever it comes up is stupid.

 

[CartyDurham]

By this logic England should never let Anderson bat, ever, because the risk of him breaking a finger is greater than the 10th wicket partnership runs.

It’s the logic which Stokes and the team agreed to do. Not mine. The last series in England Anderson bowled four overs and was not seen again

Id put my mortgage on if he had batted and broke a finger, people would be outraged stokes allowed that to happen


Right I’m sick of saying the same point

The game is on here

 

[Prince EWS]

Why anger @Prince EWS


It’s what they do. All people just have to accept it

If Anderson had batted and broke a finger, would you think that people would have said stokes should have declared

Let’s just get on with the game

Day 1 declarations should be illegal and Stokes should be banned for life. I definitely would not have been saying Stokes should have declared if Anderson got hit on the finger.

 

[honestbharani]

By this logic England should never let Anderson bat, ever, because the risk of him breaking a finger is greater than the 10th wicket partnership runs.

I wont be surprised if this is genuinely what Stokes thinks, tbh.

 

[slowfinger]

Australia look a bit rattled to me

how are Australia getting rattled by Ducket's onside push and Crawley's quick singles? hardly been an attacking shot offered yet

 

[Spark]

Spark has the ability to edit all your posts, that's probably terrifying enough for you.

That's okay, only the terrible posts are the edited ones.

 

[Aritro]

Fun fact: There once was a man called Ben Duckett, whose dick was so long he could suck it. And he said with a grin, as he wiped off his chin; "If my ear were a ****, I could **** it".