*Official* Second Test at Trent Bridge

[Top_Cat]

Also, forgot to mention this yesterday but I reckon I've noticed something about Harbhajan's bowling which might explain why he's looked so toothless. He seems to be bowling a bit more side-on or with a greater lean to the left in the delivery stride or getting his shoulder through earlier than the arm (not sure the exact issue, seemed to vary). This means his bowling arm is coming through past the vertical and it's impacting on the fizz he's putting on the ball. He's never been a big turner of the ball but without top-spin, he really is nerfed. Anyone else see that or am I going nuts?

 

[Burgey]

Wonder how much Fletcher may have had with the change of mind during tea?

Be an interesting press conference after close of play anyway.

Would've changed their minds despite him tbh.

 

[Top_Cat]

Yes, it was a very classy bit of batting one of his better knocks, considering the match situation and batting out of position, it was lovely attacking play, that was really well backed up by KP, who seems to be really maturing into a better player.
Shame where not talking more about this knock and less about the incident

Personally he's batting in position. Only problem is, Trott's been awesome there so there's no suggestion the order should change. Nice problem for England to have, more than one bloke in the side who can bat 3.

 

[Burgey]

What about Strauss denying a runner? Spirit vs. Rules? Murali's run out vs. NZ? Spirit vs. Rules?

I'll stop posting on this topic as I'm just fuming right now but you shouldn't be the captain of a team if your goal isn't helping your team win with every single decision you make.

American in "win at all costs" shocker

 

[flibbertyjibber]

You didn't see the West Indies between 1980 and 1989 then..

Did they beat you by an innings on 3 occasions?

 

[Top_Cat]

No because, unlike this English side, they were true sportsmen who farted rainbows and pissed sunshine and knew when to give the other side a bit of respite by generously pretending they couldn't play spin. WAG's.

 

[Jacknife]

But the pavilion is completely in the other direction, Why the hell would he wander into no man's land there for no reason?

I'm not saying he wondered in that direction to go to tea but equally why wander into no man's land as you put it, to collect a ball, instead of being behind the stumps, that's what every other wicket keeper would have done, especially seen as the boundary is pretty short.
I haven't got a clue why he walked away from the stumps but he does and I'm not too concerned either because the original point was that most of the Indian team thought the ball had gone for 4 and it was tea time, Dravid said the same when interviewed.
We'll agree to disagree on this one if you want.

 

[Jacknife]

Personally he's batting in position. Only problem is, Trott's been awesome there so there's no suggestion the order should change. Nice problem for England to have, more than one bloke in the side who can bat 3.

Never had times like it, well not for 50 years or so.

 

[Top_Cat]

So, any thoughts on tomorrow? Reckon England have gotten more than enough runs to win but there might be something to be gained by giving India an hour's run-around tomorrow and give Prior a chance to score another ton.

 

[Jacknife]

Reckon England would like to get the lead up to 450, so another 80 runs if possible between Prior and the rest, so maybe bat for a couple of hours or less depending how fast they score. Then it's going to be about how well England use the new ball, they need to take wickets and put India under pressure and then chip away at them, all the way through the day.

 

[Top_Cat]

Yeah I'm sure that's what'll happen. The only 'worry' would be if India mop up the tail quickly and it gives them momentum into their chase. You'd think it a remote possibility, though, since I'd guess no-one's ever chased more than 300 to to win there?

 

[Jacknife]

Yes, I mean ideally England will want to put the game safe but if they don't add much to the overnight score, you can't put it past the Indians to have a good crack at getting the runs, even though it would be a record for this ground.
The Indians will come out all guns blazing tomorrow but England just need to get themselves in again and then play positively, one thing in England's favour, is the heavy roller in the morning does seem to flatten the pitch out early on, so we'll see.

 

[roseboy64]

Sorry in advance to England fans but another quote from cricinfo:
"I don't think South African umpires come under the 'neutral' category for England tests, considering the number of South African born players in the team. So Erasmus isn't exactly neutral, is he?"

What's with the overuse of that smiley and the constant quoting?

 

[Furball]

What score was Bell on when this debacle struck?

137 iirc.

So, any thoughts on tomorrow? Reckon England have gotten more than enough runs to win but there might be something to be gained by giving India an hour's run-around tomorrow and give Prior a chance to score another ton.

Reckon we've got more than enough runs in the bank but IMO we should be slamming the door firmly shut on the possibility of an India win. Weather tomorrow is forecast to be humid and cloudy, so you'd think Anderson should be able to hoop the ball round corners.

 

[Burgey]

What score was Bell on when this debacle struck?

130 odd I think

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah, keep them out there. Pitches have tended to deteriorate here of late and England are already big favourites. But you still don't want to take any chances on a deck you've just smashed 400+ runs in a day on, particularly not with so much time left in the game.

 

[Furball]

Yeah, keep them out there. Pitches have tended to deteriorate here of late and England are already big favourites. But you still don't want to take any chances on a deck you've just smashed 400+ runs in a day on, particularly not with so much time left in the game.

+1

Plus, if the deck/conditions change to the point where batting becomes extremely difficult, you simply declare and put India in.

 

[smash84]

England well and truly in the driving seat. England's match to lose now.

England should come out and play aggressively till they a lead of 500. Then either declare or get the players to hole out and then try and get India out in 4-5 sessions.

With a strong bowling attack last summer Pakistan seemed to have provided more challenge than what I am seeing now. Except for a few sessions here and there in the two tests India have not looked in command

 

[GotSpin]

How did the pitch play for the rest of the last session. Went to bed just after Bell got out.

I thought India were bowling horribly though

 

[smash84]

nothing special in the pitch after Bell got out I think. It was playing beautifully. At least if Prior's SR is anything to go by