Off Topic England cricket 2021

Archer had a side strain in the world cup, I know he played T20 cricket recently, but 5 days might be a bit much for now, wait a week and get him firing if the team fail. Come on Anderson wipe the smile off those Aussie faces, 25 more Aussie scalps and you'll have 600 test wickets!

 

Great, cursed him! Anderson has only bowled 4 overs and is going for a scan on his calf

 

We're not doing too bad without him.

 

Aussie fighting back 198-8.
Could have been better,Siddle batting well.
Anderson could be big miss in 2nd innings.

 

Bloody Smith we just can't get him can we?

Amazing we have got 9 wickets with only two bowlers performing at any level.

 

I have to get this off my chest, Steve Smith is a cheat, he will always be remembered as a cheat, no matter how many runs he scores, there will never be any honour because he is a dirty Aussie cheat

<andbreathe>

 

Phenomenal knock from Smith, infuriatingly. Changed the complexion of the game completely. Hope England can get through to stumps without loss.

 

I don't follow cricket, is he like an Australian Thierry Henry?

 

I'm not a fan myself either but important to know that no-one gave Smith, Warner and Bancroft more grief after sandpaper-gate than the Aussies. They were hammered by the public and in the media. It was seen as a national embarrassment - more so because Aussies love to be perceived as battlers / underdogs nailing victory against the odds against bigger, more-expensively assembled teams, but importantly, always fairly. Their bans were more than justified, but they've completed the bans and I think it's fair enough they're allowed back in. From ENG's point of view, this should be welcomed too as there is a weight on their shoulders this tour. Warner and Bancroft obviously felt it on Day 1. The fact Smith managed that pressure, batted through it and nailed a century shows what he is. Top of his game and one of the best batsmen in the world.

 

Nobody is condoning what he / they did, as it was despicable, but credit
where it's due - to rescue his side from a perilous 122-8 was the stuff of heroes -
albeit flawed heroes. Top effort under extreme pressure, SS.
Though we were a bowler light having only managed 4 (four) overs from Jimmy.
So why the hell was he included ahead of Archer,Stone or Curran?

 

His crying for being caught was pathetic, but he is one hell of a player. It might be another ashes of get everybody else out and starve Smith of the strike once he gets to 20.

 

Well written piece on the first day's play at Edgbaston -
suggesting Steve Smith deserves a second chance.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49193207

 

He won't be getting one from me

 

Burns gets a ton.
A proper Test knock

 

England close 17 adrift,with 6 wkts in hand.
Proper Test cricket.
Burns 125 no,Stokes 38no.

 

Well our new national hero Stokes is hardly whiter than white. They've done their time, they should be able to play. But they deserve every last bit of flak they get.

Bah!

 

Stokes didn't cheat to try to win a cricket match!!!!

 

No other cricketers especially of course from England would bend the rules (break)

Bah!

 

If you say so, I wouldn't know!