Cricket fred

[fivepointer]

That was brilliant from Butler & Hales. A proper demolition.

[Banquo]

That was brilliant from Butler & Hales. A proper demolition.

wow! although I have doubt as to whether our bowlers can contain pakistan, I think we could chase almost anything down the form those two are in, with Livingston and Stokes to follow.

[Galfon]

Not making it easy - hopefully no wonky wheel on this particular Eng. chariot after the disappointments elsewhere recently.
Good effort by the bowlers.

[Galfon]

Make it a double, Stokes !
Another one in the bag, 1 over to spare in the end.
Good resolve from the team with quite a few hitters at their peak.

[Banquo]

Make it a double, Stokes !
Another one in the bag, 1 over to spare in the end.
Good resolve from the team with quite a few hitters at their peak.

Pakistans bowlers were superb, but Stokes, Curran and Rashid were great. Well done, terrific tournie win after a poor start.

[Banquo]

second team getting absolutely humped in oz. What a stupid idea that was.

[Puja]

Looks like a confidence-boosting pitch (and bowling attack) for the batsmen today. Finished the day 506-4 which is a record for first day's runs in a Test, with 4 centurions including Harry Brook scoring the third fastest English century by doing it in 80 balls.

Not sure anyone's learned too much from the experience, but it's definitely a good and cheering experience for some young batters to have.

Puja

[Galfon]

Most un-England like, but fastest ever to a 500.
The hosts (unlike many )have prepared a generous wicket.
Bravo!

[fivepointer]

That was an incredible days play. The wicket is flat and Pakistan didnt bowl well but to score over 500 in a day is quite some feat.

[Mellsblue]

Four centurions with Root out for a low score. What sort of alternative universe is this?!?!

[Banquo]

That was an incredible days play. The wicket is flat and Pakistan didnt bowl well but to score over 500 in a day is quite some feat.

5th highest runs in a day in tests

[Galfon]

Crawley - fastest hundred by an Eng. opener.
Brook - fastest hundred by Eng. player in overseas Test.
..also fastest team to 400 in a Test innings.
Stokes, Livingstone and Jack to make their contribution..

[Puja]

Tsch! Typical England batting collapse .

Not sure who prepared this pitch and what for. Pakistan might not be scoring as quickly as England, but they don't look in any danger of losing a wicket. The track's clearly not fit for Test cricket.

Puja

[Banquo]

Tsch! Typical England batting collapse .

Not sure who prepared this pitch and what for. Pakistan might not be scoring as quickly as England, but they don't look in any danger of losing a wicket. The track's clearly not fit for Test cricket.

Puja

aye, bit of a downer. BUT at least we approached it in a very very positive way. We probably needed to rack up about 1000 and see what happened (and 1000 + has been done in 1st class cricket twice)

[Banquo]

still be a draw, but they fought hard today.

[Galfon]

Jacks gets best Eng debut figures for 19 yrs with his sixfer, Leach a wee bit ordinary.
Duckett lives up to his name but the charge continues. - it will be an interesting 5 day total, with both sides having the faintest sniff of a positive result.

[Puja]

We've declared at tea with a lead of only 342 as well! It's bold. Maybe a touch too bold.

Puja

[Puja]

Pakistan currently 2 wickets down and only just on the run rate required (assuming they bat out all of tomorrow). Looking, so far, like Stokes knows what he's doing. Would be more comfortable with another wicket before the close though.

Not impressed by Leach. I know this is an awful surface to work with, but he's always so much more toothless than oppo spinner or his own team - we need a spinner who can present a threat to the opposition, rather than just be staid at them.

Puja

[Banquo]

Pakistan currently 2 wickets down and only just on the run rate required (assuming they bat out all of tomorrow). Looking, so far, like Stokes knows what he's doing. Would be more comfortable with another wicket before the close though.

Not impressed by Leach. I know this is an awful surface to work with, but he's always so much more toothless than oppo spinner or his own team - we need a spinner who can present a threat to the opposition, rather than just be staid at them.

Puja

agreed on leach, but we dont have anyone else, bar chatting nicely to Rashid

[Banquo]

not a single wicket taken by an england spinner in pakistan's second innings yet, says much!

[Puja]

So, the last 20 minutes has seen three close decisions go to the third umpire and one edge to the keeper, none of which have resulted in a wicket for England for various (valid) reasons. I think luck may be against us today!

Puja

[Puja]

Great review by Stokes gets us an LBW and we've finally got an end free. One more wicket and the very vulnerable tail is exposed - with still 84 runs left to go, it's still very much on. (ETA. We're already into the tail actually - had miscounted)

Fair play to Stokes and McCallum, they've turned this test into an event, rather than the boring draw that the pitch seemed to demand.

ETA. And Robinson flicks the new batsman's off stump first ball only to reveal someone has apparently snuck in between deliveries and glued the bails on because they didn't budge! This game is ridiculous entertainment considering how dour the pitch is.

ETETA. Azhar's just gone! Two new tail-end batsmen at the crease, three wickets to go, 83 runs to play with, what great timing on the declaration, never doubted it for a moment.

Puja

[Galfon]

Pak looking to rabbits or dim light for salvation now, mind you rabbits go well in the shadows , usually.

[Puja]

Never in doubt!

Puja


PS. I always said I liked Leach - great player, always delivers.

[Banquo]

Great win, great match. England were brilliant tbh- backed their talent and set it up with such aggressive 1st innings batting. Anderson and Robinson were superb today, what an effort. I'd give Stokes motm just for his ballsy captaincy.