England v India, 1st Test, Edgbaston, 1-5 August, 2018

On to the real cricket.

Well weve had a few tests. Pretty crappy ones admittedly but interesting at times.

Recall for Moeen is on the cards methinks.

We might need spin in the current conditions, given it’s barely rained since May - India will be feeling a bit more at home than they usually do here.

I was having a look to see whether there was a recent-ish example of playing a major opponent from the subcontinent here in one of our hottest and driest summers, but it doesn't really seem to have been the case.

The most famous UK summer, 1976 (I wasn't born, of course...) England hosted the West Indies, who ran away with the series and started their period of dominance.

More recent scorchers, 1995 and 2003, featured West Indies (again) and South Africa respectively as the main touring sides. Both Test series ended 2-2, with England battling to unlikely draws despite the batting feats of Brian Lara and Graeme Smith - I'd take that scoreline here from an entertainment point of view!

1990 was another hot summer when India did tour, though for only three Tests, and was of course memorable as Gooch's annus mirabilis. It tends to be the bat that dominates in such conditions in England, rather than spin.

Of course this August could still be a washout but the forecast certainly isn't suggesting a major change to be imminent...

Really looking forward to this series. Hope it is a cracker.

Expect the Bannies to win and hold the Nawab of Pataudi Cup.

Rashid picked on ODI form. This will end well.

England NSP in MEW moment.

Nath wrote:Rashid picked on ODI form.  This will end well.

Nasser for one isn't happy about it.

STORY

He has a point IMHO.

A very good point growls. He may work wonders but you've got to wonder what a couple of days in the field if India get motoring will do to him.

Bradman wrote:A very good point growls. He may work wonders but you've got to wonder what a couple of days in the field if India get motoring will do to him.

One can only hope. As the away team, I'm barracking for the Bannies. Not with great enthusiasm. More I'm hoping for a top notch series.

Seems mad to select a spinner who hasn't put in an above average season at red ball cricket since 2015 and who isn't even playing it anymore.

Hope he does well but it would be pretty miraculous.

Ordinary stuff from the Indian opening bowlers, though a chance for an early breakthrough shelled by Rahane at slip. Turned to spin after half an hour...

Wonderful to see the champ Instant Karma taking the new ball. Had Cook dropped by e-coli.

Pitch is dry and flat.

Wonderful to see the champ Instant Karma taking the new ball. Had Cook dropped by e-coli.

Pitch is dry and flat.

Worst average of any bowler to have taken 200 Test wickets (shame the King of Spain didn’t quite get there!)

Top five in said list by average are Marshall, Garner, Ambrose, Philander and Trueman. Some company for the Yarpster medium-pacer to be in

And Chef gets Bakerloo’d by the spinner in the first hour. Not a good sign for what’s to come for England here.

Ashtray castles Cook.

beamer wrote:And Chef gets Bakerloo’d by the spinner in the first hour. Not a good sign for what’s to come for England here.

England's greatest opener. Snorfle

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:And Chef gets Bakerloo’d by the spinner in the first hour. Not a good sign for what’s to come for England here.

England's greatest opener. Snorfle

Not particularly relevant if we’re judging players at their peak, which was 7 or 8 years ago now in his case. The fact he’s still an unquestioned selection shows how bare the cupboard is at the top of the order now.

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:And Chef gets Bakerloo’d by the spinner in the first hour. Not a good sign for what’s to come for England here.

England's greatest opener. Snorfle

Not particularly relevant if we’re judging players at their peak, which was 7 or 8 years ago now in his case. The fact he’s still an unquestioned selection shows how bare the cupboard is at the top of the order now.

Cook has averaged under 50 since 2006.

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:And Chef gets Bakerloo’d by the spinner in the first hour. Not a good sign for what’s to come for England here.

England's greatest opener. Snorfle

Not particularly relevant if we’re judging players at their peak, which was 7 or 8 years ago now in his case. The fact he’s still an unquestioned selection shows how bare the cupboard is at the top of the order now.

Cook has averaged under 50 since 2006.

Openers don’t average over 50. Certainly not ones who play at least half their Tests in England, anyway.

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:And Chef gets Bakerloo’d by the spinner in the first hour. Not a good sign for what’s to come for England here.

England's greatest opener. Snorfle

Not particularly relevant if we’re judging players at their peak, which was 7 or 8 years ago now in his case. The fact he’s still an unquestioned selection shows how bare the cupboard is at the top of the order now.

Cook has averaged under 50 since 2006.

Openers don’t average over 50. Certainly not ones who play at least half their Tests in England, anyway.

Hobbs. Sutcliffe

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:And Chef gets Bakerloo’d by the spinner in the first hour. Not a good sign for what’s to come for England here.

England's greatest opener. Snorfle

Not particularly relevant if we’re judging players at their peak, which was 7 or 8 years ago now in his case. The fact he’s still an unquestioned selection shows how bare the cupboard is at the top of the order now.

Cook has averaged under 50 since 2006.

Openers don’t average over 50. Certainly not ones who play at least half their Tests in England, anyway.

Hobbs. Sutcliffe

It was barely even the same sport in those days.

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:

taipan wrote:

beamer wrote:And Chef gets Bakerloo’d by the spinner in the first hour. Not a good sign for what’s to come for England here.

England's greatest opener. Snorfle

Not particularly relevant if we’re judging players at their peak, which was 7 or 8 years ago now in his case. The fact he’s still an unquestioned selection shows how bare the cupboard is at the top of the order now.

Cook has averaged under 50 since 2006.

Openers don’t average over 50. Certainly not ones who play at least half their Tests in England, anyway.

Hobbs. Sutcliffe

It was barely even the same sport in those days.

Aye I agree. Uncovered wickets. No minnows to play against.