England Cricket chat

[buzzharvey22]

Rashid in the squad for the 2nd test so i'd be very surprised now if they didn't pick him.

Maybe room for Moeen as well as OT is rumoured to be a turner? Though i'm sure the curators would be under strict instructions not to allow that to happen.

Only in England would they prepare a pitch that doesn't aid the home nation.

[TightEnd]

Ball and Finn out

down to 12 for tomorrow, Rashid included.

either two spinners or rashid for ali?

[TightEnd]

that is a big toss to win

as you can see bottom right its cracked already

slightly suprised not going with two spinners, need to scored 450+ here and bat once in the game

Click to see full-size image.

[HutchGF]

Agree with Tighty, huge toss to win. This will comfortably be the best the pitch plays.

Makes absolutely no sense playing 4 seamers on here - blinkered thinking from the management. Rashid should have certainly played, probably alongside Moeen but at worst in place of. This looks like the pitch you want a leg spinner on!

Can't resist taking a bit of the 7/2 on offer for Pakistan though. Yasir is a special bowler and is going to cause mayhem 2nd innings.

[muckthenuts]

I've had a little flutter on Pak too based on what i've seen. Seamers don't seem to be causing too much trouble but Yasir is already getting a fair bit of rip at times. Pakistan are likely to play Moeen very well. Probably a result pitch here so probably worth a little gamble imo.

[Karabiner]

Younis Khan batting as though he's got an ingrowing toenail.

[TightEnd]

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[TightEnd]

its a world Xi v Australia for a one off boxing day test...

one of these bats number 3, the other doesn't play (humour me)

who've you got in the side?

Click to see full-size image.

[fatcatstu]

Root. Better all round player. Better test bat, can bowl and is a good fielder. Kholi is nice to watch, Root is a better bat.

[Woodsey]

Why the fk would they not enforce the follow on?

[HutchGF]

its a world Xi v Australia for a one off boxing day test...

one of these bats number 3, the other doesn't play (humour me)

who've you got in the side?

Click to see full-size image.

Where's the test being played? Kohli in the sub-continent and Root everywhere else for me.

[KarmaDope]

Why the fk would they not enforce the follow on?

Give the bowlers a rest.

I would have opened with Hales and Vince with Ballance at 3. Let them get some time in the middle.

[Woodsey]

its a world Xi v Australia for a one off boxing day test...

one of these bats number 3, the other doesn't play (humour me)

who've you got in the side?

Click to see full-size image.

Where's the test being played? Kohli in the sub-continent and Root everywhere else for me.

Saw that pic on facebook, the Indians replying were going into meltdown that their hero might have some competition for top spot lol.

[HutchGF]

Just for interest Tighty........... Name your World XI for the match.

I'll have a poke at this:
Cook, Amla, Williamson, Root, Kohli, AB (wk), Ashwin,  Steyn , Boult, Shah, Anderson

Toyed with the ideas of Rabada ( think he's going to a real star in the future) and Amir ( perhaps too early for him?). No genuine all-rounder in the team but couldn't really leave any of the top 6 out so cheated and gave the gloves to AB. Nice balance to the attack with a leggie, an offie and a left arm pacer to go with Steyn and Anderson.

[kp24]

Still can't believe he didn't enforce follow on