Off Topic Cricket Thread

England start trailing by 161 runs.

 

A big deficit.

We should go out and play as if it's the 4th innings and we're chasing 480.

 

Crawley fails again.

 

Time to give someone else a go.

 

No excuses for England's batsmen second time round.

Some shocking shots.

 

Awful display from England at Lord's. Dire.

 

Can we ask the umpires to change our bazball, cos this ones been knocked out of shape ! Apart from Root, where is the application to try and build a long and big innings. It's still Test cricket and just trying to slog every ball is clueless and weak even if Bairtows brilliance earlier in the Summer papered over it. South Africa's attack is excellent and quick !

 

Wow, was out taking my old mum to lunch and have only just seen the result. Thought we would struggle but not capitulate. Almost inevitable that some big losses come with the exciting wins with Baz-ball, the bounce back will be key.

Surely Crawley deserves a rest, for his own mental health?

 

Three day Test Matches must cost Lords a packet, 30,000 punters per day. Should be sponsored by an insurance company...

 

No sympathy for them, they charge ludicrous prices for every day of a test match, most over £100 for an adult, no free on day five like Edgbaston and Headingly.

 

Feck me sideways..... that is a brutal performance by England.....

Yes "bazball" Is great when it works but embarrassing when it doesn't...... plus we list 40 odd overs on day 1 due to rain.....

 

F*ck that, I used to go to the Oval as a teenager in the 60s and paid five shillings...

 

A pal of mine got two tickets for today in the ballot, £110 each. He'd offered me the second one, but then his wife had to go into hospital so he couldn't go. We both tried unsuccessfully to get takers for his ticket, so rather than me going on my own and him losing his dough, we decided to see if we could get refunds. Surprisingly, they agreed. Rather pleased they did.

 

Not a bad mornings work....

Lose toss, asked to bowl and reduce SA to 77/5 at lunch....

 

Excellent from England.

Questionable decision to bat by SA.

 

Umpire Gaffaney's having a bit of a 'mare. His decision to give Van der Dussen out was a poor one - upheld by DRS, but umpire's call on line and on hitting the stumps. He then gave Verreynne out caught behind when he missed it by six inches!

Still, England have bowled really well and deserve to have them seven down.

 

SA 151 all out, well bowled England.

Now, can we bat? Surely Crawley's last chance.

 

43-3 in reply, Root gone…Crawley still there on 7, just, looks painful against Nortje. Low scoring match by the look of it.

This is a good final session. South Africa have some very good quick bowlers, Crawley and Bairstow being properly tested. Would be great to keep both wickets until the close. Spinner on now. Focus!

 

Good recovery to get to 111-3.
Really need a decent lead.