England v India, 2nd Test, Lords, 9-13 August, 2018

Only the weather can save India now. Or are England capable of 96 all out?

More than capable in these conditions.

Forecast looks better for today, 200 should be more than achievable... then bowl them out for 100 again and the game’s effectively won in a day and a bit

tricycle wrote:

Red wrote:India shown up again as FTBs.

Don't think many teams would've scored much yesterday. The bowling was that relentless.

Tend to agree, t. Generally great line and length to maximise use of conditions.

Jimmy is close to unplayable in those conditions, no sign of his powers fading at 36. He could break Pidge’s career wickets record for a seamer this series, and the 600 mark and Apple must be in his sights, injury permitting.

I suspect Warne’s record tally for a bowler is beyond his reach though

And obviously Murali's record is out of reach for actual bowlers.

Root 1 off 20 balls, don’t think I’ve seen that before. Usually he will have 20 on the board by now even though you don’t remember him playing a shot in anger...

Best chance of winning this may be to get to somewhere around 200, throw the bat or declare, and get them back in after tea.

I say declare a conspiracy and come home.

India were right in this just after lunch, with England five down and a slim lead. Now only the rain can save them.

A shame for Bairstow to fall short of joining the Brummie Botham in three figures... thought that might be a declaration when the camera went to the balcony, but it appears not.

Time to chuck bat

Another poor light decision.

taipan wrote:Another poor light decision.

Indeed, do you or anyone else know why this rule is still in place? If the batters want to carry on surely it's their decision, or rather should be. I heard once it's about fielders having to field under floodlights. So how do they survive in day-nighters? It's pure horlicks.

whitburn wrote:

taipan wrote:Another poor light decision.

Indeed, do you or anyone else know why this rule is still in place? If the batters want to carry on surely it's their decision, or rather should be. I heard once it's about fielders having to field under floodlights. So how do they survive in day-nighters? It's pure horlicks.

Well, it’s the red ball that you can’t pick out of a dark sky I suppose. Unless they change ball and clothing as the sky darkens it’s a tricky one to regulate. But we get a lot more early stoppages than when it was the batsmen’s call.

Woakes is putting forward a pretty good case for being retained even if Stokes becomes available.

Yeah the lights only light up the ground. I'd be keen to bat on when I could hit the balls recklessly in the air with impugnity.

Big Dog wrote:Woakes is putting forward a pretty good case for being retained even if Stokes becomes available.

Aye, he's clearly proved to be a more than adequate replacement. Well done him on his maiden Test ton.

India is a faux #1.

India's showing in seamy conditions highlights just how difficult it is to be a genuine world no.1 at the great game (Tests).

Only the monster Windies side of the 80s and Aus at its very best in the 2000s have managed to beat all countries in all conditions (home and away).

Home and away tests. Are the conditions really that different in every single country? I get a turning pitch and one that seams around and we all know what rain in the air does, but is a flat track in Australia with even bounce really that different to one in SA or even Pakistan for that matter? Isn't a 400 pitch a 400 pitch wherever it is? Kumar Sangakkara said recently on tv commentary that he loved playing overseas tests because it's 22 yards wherever you are and being a top order batsman at the highest level on earth means you have to be able to play on any pitch not just the one you live near. Or words to that effect. England are dire away from home and i really don't get why..

whitburn wrote:Home and away tests. Are the conditions really that different in every single country? I get a turning pitch and one that seams around and we all know what rain in the air does, but is a flat track in Australia with even bounce really that different to one in SA or even Pakistan for that matter? Isn't a 400 pitch a 400 pitch wherever it is? Kumar Sangakkara said recently on tv commentary that he loved playing overseas tests because it's 22 yards wherever you are and being a top order batsman at the highest level on earth means you have to be able to play on any pitch not just the one you live near. Or words to that effect. England are dire away from home and i really don't get why..

Oddly Sanga averaged well below 40 in India SA and WI.

whitburn wrote:Home and away tests. Are the conditions really that different in every single country? I get a turning pitch and one that seams around and we all know what rain in the air does, but is a flat track in Australia with even bounce really that different to one in SA or even Pakistan for that matter? Isn't a 400 pitch a 400 pitch wherever it is? Kumar Sangakkara said recently on tv commentary that he loved playing overseas tests because it's 22 yards wherever you are and being a top order batsman at the highest level on earth means you have to be able to play on any pitch not just the one you live near. Or words to that effect. England are dire away from home and i really don't get why..

never been in india or summer or England in summer or brisbane in summer or melbourne in summer or capetown v joberg?

300 or a wicket for the declaration?

Was pretty obvious.

Could have gone half an hour earlier...

A pair for Chuck, I expect Shitcar to be back for Trent Bridge. Jimmy’s 100th Lord’s wicket, only (the original) Chuck has done that on a Test ground (three, in his case!)