*Official* India Tour of England 2018

[Daemon]

Well done to Buttler. I didn't think he had it in him. I must say though, how may runs by him and Stokes were scoring edging past the slips into vacant third man? Captains just simply refuse to put someone there these days.

No reason to have a third man yesterday, more than enough runs to play with.

He did it in the first innings as well though which wasn't good.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Well done to Buttler. I didn't think he had it in him. I must say though, how may runs by him and Stokes were scoring edging past the slips into vacant third man? Captains just simply refuse to put someone there these days.

third man is definitely more common than it was back in the 90s. It was very rarely used in Tests back then. Since ~2005 defensive fields have made a comeback. If a captain put a deep point out in 1999 you can bet there would have been questions asked, now it happens all the time.

No reason to have a third man yesterday, more than enough runs to play with.

He did it in the first innings as well though which wasn't good.

England did the same at times. Kohli got a few boundaries edging past slips that could have been prevented. Probably should have put Jennings down at 3rd man instead of slip to give him some time to see the ball.

 

[Engle]

For India to bounce back like this is commendable indeed and shaping up to provide a tense tenacious tussle ahead

 

[Daemon]

third man is definitely more common than it was back in the 90s. It was very rarely used in Tests back then. Since ~2005 defensive fields have made a comeback. If a captain put a deep point out in 1999 you can bet there would have been questions asked, now it happens all the time.

I think part of the problem arises when captains, commentators and ex players categorise these positions as 'defensive' and 'attacking' with the heavy implication that defensive is bad. If having a deep point saves you 20-30 odd runs a day, that covers for your opening bat who made 15. It's not even a defensive strategy, it's just a strategy.

 

[jimmy101]

Well, well, well. Jasprit Bumrah take a bow. Gotta admit I wasn't so sure how long he'd last in the side when I first saw him bowl in RSA late last year. But he's just gone from strength to strength, good stuff!

 

[TheJediBrah]

I think part of the problem arises when captains, commentators and ex players categorise these positions as 'defensive' and 'attacking' with the heavy implication that defensive is bad. If having a deep point saves you 20-30 odd runs a day, that covers for your opening bat who made 15. It's not even a defensive strategy, it's just a strategy.

A strategy focused on directly saving runs is by definition* defensive. Whereas a focus on directly taking wickets is deemed offensive.

I agree though that defensive does not necessarily = bad.

*definition as seemingly widely accepted by the cricketing fraternity

 

[Daemon]

A strategy focused on directly saving runs is by definition* defensive. Whereas a focus on directly taking wickets is deemed offensive.

Your face is offensive

 

[Prince EWS]

I think part of the problem arises when captains, commentators and ex players categorise these positions as 'defensive' and 'attacking' with the heavy implication that defensive is bad. If having a deep point saves you 20-30 odd runs a day, that covers for your opening bat who made 15. It's not even a defensive strategy, it's just a strategy.

A strategy focused on directly saving runs is by definition* defensive. Whereas a focus on directly taking wickets is deemed offensive.

I agree though that defensive does not necessarily = bad.

*definition as seemingly widely accepted by the cricketing fraternity

Yeah it absolutely is a defensive strategy, but goes back to what you said originally. "Defensive" shouldn't mean "bad". Sometimes defensive strategies help win Test series. Imagine literally not caring about how many runs the bowler will concede when setting the field; it'd be madness.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Your face is offensive

Your posts are defensive

 

[OverratedSanity]

Yeah it absolutely is a defensive strategy, but goes back to what you said originally. "Defensive" shouldn't mean "bad". Sometimes defensive strategies help win Test series. Imaging literally not caring about how many runs the bowler will concede when setting the field; it'd be madness.

I'd like to watch a test where all batsmen show #intent all the time, captains never have third man, or deep point ever, always have 4 slips in, bowlers always pitch the ball up and never attempt to bowl dry and everyone always declares before they get into a truly unbeatable position.

It's be stupid, but I'd watch it.

 

[the big bambino]

I'd like to watch a test where all batsmen show #intent all the time, captains never have third man, or deep point ever, always have 4 slips in, bowlers always pitch the ball up and never attempt to bowl dry and everyone always declares before they get into a truly unbeatable position.

It's be stupid, but I'd watch it.

I would harrumph from the Member's stand that its just not cricket before they realised I shouldn't be there and kick me out.

 

[Jarquis]

Having four slips on a slow and low pitch where nothing carries isn’t aggressive though. It’s just dumb.

What constitutes aggressive or defensive depends on the exact circumstances

 

[Bahnz]

I'd like to watch a test where all batsmen show #intent all the time, captains never have third man, or deep point ever, always have 4 slips in, bowlers always pitch the ball up and never attempt to bowl dry and everyone always declares before they get into a truly unbeatable position.

It's be stupid, but I'd watch it.

This is a pretty neat summation of the later stages of McCullum's captaincy actually.

 

[Shri]

Bumrah's angle of delivery is great. You got to be doing something right if you can make Root nick off.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Bumrah's angle of delivery is great. You got to be doing something right if you can make Root nick off.

He struggled loads with bumrah's angle whenever he faced him. Looked like he had no clue what to play at. Pretty rubbish shot to get out too.

 

[Borges]

In the context of the game, Stokes' innings >> Buttler's innings

 

[cnerd123]

Such a great game. Dhawan and Rahane finding ways to score runs, Pandya nabbing a 5-fer out of nowhere, Pant looking the part behind the sticks and hitting his second ball for six, Bumrah coming in and hitting his stride without missing a beat. Kohli is just incredible.

Series is still alive. w00t!

 

[OverratedSanity]

Pant looking the part behind the sticks

Eh I don't know about that

 

[cnerd123]

Yea a bit too soon to tell, he's just had a good Test. His footwork is still a bit sloppy, but there have been many keepers who've made up for poor footwork with good hands and athleticism. What needs to be seen is if Pant's hands and athleticism are really always this good, or if this is just an unusually good performance.

Step up from Karthik in any case.

 

[Daemon]

Yea a bit too soon to tell, he's just had a good Test. His footwork is still a bit sloppy, but there have been many keepers who've made up for poor footwork with good hands and athleticism. What needs to be seen is if Pant's hands and athleticism are really always this good, or if this is just an unusually good performance.

Step up from Karthik in any case.

His footwork isn't just 'a bit sloppy', it's one of the worst I've seen at Test level. Great hands though so he's unlikely to drop many.

We've yet to see him tested against spin, hopefully he's better in that area.