The International Cricket Thread

[taylorsworkrate]

The groundstaff at Lords need to be given pretty firm instructions to prepare a green top for the 2nd test.

With this dukes ball not swinging, our bowlers need the ball seaming at right angles.

[Monty]

I've never seen a player like Smith. Yes Root did not captain well today at all, very exposed, but honestly how do you captain well to Smith? When the bowler comes in to Smith, it's like his various constituent body-parts are disconnected like they're hanging from different strings; when the ball arrives at him, he has the density of a rock. There's no planning for him, because whatever you think his weaknesses look like in stance, technique, backlift, whatever, they mean nothing the moment after you've released the ball. We're honestly watching one of the absolute all-time greats, and to be honest we're lucky.

[hilts_coolerking]

I've never seen a player like Smith. Yes Root did not captain well today at all, very exposed, but honestly how do you captain well to Smith? When the bowler comes in to Smith, it's like his various constituent body-parts are disconnected like they're hanging from different strings; when the ball arrives at him, he has the density of a rock. There's no planning for him, because whatever you think his weaknesses look like in stance, technique, backlift, whatever, they mean nothing the moment after you've released the ball. We're honestly watching one of the absolute all-time greats, and to be honest we're lucky.

I'll appreciate him more when he's gone, like I did with Viv Richards, Miandad, Richie Richardson, Gilchrist, Martin Crowe, Gordon Greenidge and all those guys.  I recognise his greatness already but I can't bear seeing my team ground into the dirt like that.

[PaulWinch again]

Smith is incredible, truly remarkable.

England’s much vaunted “engine room” of Stokes, Buttler, Bairstow and Ali needs to turn up. Only Stokes performed well in the first innings. There should be more than enough batting to save this game if they apply themselves, but they need to deliver.

The best keeper is Foakes, so Bairstow only keeps his place if he’s delivering runs. Go out and end the day not out Jonny.

[tomd2103]

I’ll be stunned if we see out a draw here. The momentum of this game has swung so massively to Aus.

Went today and would have to agree.  It was a very hard slog and we just looked lost at times. Sounds obvious, but I think the first couple of hours are key.  Survive those without losing a wicket or just losing one and we might be able to build on that.  Lied a few wickets in that time and we could see a procession. 

Roy looks very vulnerable just outside off stump.

[olaftab]

F*** me looks like a scorching day at Edgbaston today 😥

[olaftab]

Sorry about the last post what I meant to say was looking forward to a great day of cricket possibly England nicking it but probably a draw😊

[UK Redsox]

The crowd's version of the Jerusalem was even worse than normal today, even Aggers said how bad it was.

[UK Redsox]

There goes the first

[Villa Lew]

The captain needs to bat all day!

[taylorsworkrate]

Shouldn't really be getting out against the seamers playing defensively on this pitch.

[cdbearsfan]

Are these umpires in charge of the remaining tests? They've been absolutely fucking dreadful.

[olaftab]

The crowd's version of the Jerusalem was even worse than normal today, even Aggers said how bad it was.

There are not many and definitely not the usual in Rea Bank today.

[taylorsworkrate]

Another shocker of a decision. That was a massive inside edge.

[taylorsworkrate]

Root himself has been given out 4 times in the test which have been overturned on review.