Cricket

[Bobsbeer]

So what are peoples thoughts on the latest Test?  England v Pakistan.  About to start day 2 at Edgbaston in the third test.  Series all level after a master class batting lesson by England to level the series at Old Trafford.  This test seems to see England revert back to old ways, but in some ways making it more exciting for us the fans.  So can England take the lead?  All out for 297 on day 1.  Pakistan to bat today.  We need to get some early wickets if they are going to have a chance I think.  We will see.  Having said that, some great bowling by Pakistan yesterday, especially Sohail Khan with 5 for 96 on his test return debut.  Now we need to repeat that with our bowlers.  Come on England.  You can do it.

[Bobsbeer]

I guess not many followers of cricket on here? Anyway just to update those who haven't heard what happened. England started off the day in sublime form and took a wicket off the 4th ball of the day. Looked very promising, but then Pakistan have to be given some credit and hunkered down and batted very well. A slow day indeed for wickets, but England got a breakthrough on the last ball of the day with a good ball from Woakes and catch from Cook to take out Azhar on 139. So Pakistan have nearly caught up with England and only trail by 40 runs at 257 for 3. Hopefully tomorrow will see a few more wickets. Hats off to Pakistan though, they played very well, and a good defense.

[Bobsbeer]

Day three Update. A classic test match day. Pakistan were bowed out for 400, 103 runs ahead after the first innings. In came England to bat and in true Boycott style have reduced the deficit and gone 17 runs ahead. Currently 120 for no wicket at the close. This was a great day and sets it up nicely for day 4. As long as we don't have our usual batting collapse, this is a test that can be won by either side. If it goes as it has done today a draw is on the cards, but tomorrow is another day as they say. Well done Cook and Hales. Best opening partnership for 23 innings. Well done. As it stands, this is a test for England to lose.

[buggritt]

Just you and I then. What's happened to this country?
I was lucky enough to go to day 2 and 3 at Old Trafford. Watching two of the best batsmen in the world.
The thing that's starting to pee me off is the grown men making fools of themselves when a four is struck. Not overly fond of big fat lads in tutus either.
Makes wendyball almost dignified.

[Bobsbeer]

Tend to agree, but the highlight from today was the 28 pint beer caddy. Brill invention.

[Bobsbeer]

This is looking more like a draw than a win, but hats off to both teams. Pakistan took 5 wickets today, but England managed to pull off a 70's test innings, and go 311 ahead with 5 wickets left and one day. My feeling is that England will declare early tomorrow, maybe after the first wicket of the day, leaving Pakistan to chase about 320 to win. If they do it that would be a record at Edgbaston, so my feeling is a draw, leaving the series level. Well done the England batsman though, especially Bairstow and Moeen, 82 and 60. This has been a classic old fashioned test.

[Vlad the Inhaler]

Been listening on the radio all day, hoping to get 5 extra on my personal DAB tomorrow as I'll be on a coach to London.

[Bobsbeer]

Fingers crossed for you. Vlad the Inhaler

[Bobsbeer]

Hope you managed to listen in Vlad the Inhaler. What a day. One more wicket to a brilliant England Win or 15 runs per over for Pakistan to take it. Chances of that --- NIL. Been a great day so far.

[Bobsbeer]

YES Well done England. After being 103 runs behind after the first innings this is a tremendous effort by the whole team. Open that bottle.

Roll on a week next Thursday for the final test at the Oval.  Why do I live in Cumbria?  England 2, Pakistan 1.  England can't lose this series now.  Well done guys.

[tim]

What a superb finish to the weekend Bobsbeer. After the poor start to this tm, I was anticipating a defeat. I don't have a smart phone or anything, and didn't want to bother people at VF for the latest scorecard figures, so to get home and get this win is excellent.

Shame I have to work tomorrow though....

[BrenD]

Get the [insert your swear word of choice here] in.

I had to follow most of this one through quick checks of the BBC live text and watching Pint Sized TMS each evening, but what a win. Easily one of the best in recent years.

Lovely to see Finn get a couple, too. He's still young enough to make a massive contribution to the team for years to come and I really hope he manages to.

[Bobsbeer]

It was good to see this go to a full 5 days. Not usually so close if we get to a 5 day match, but it was a great team effort to take this win. Pakistan must be gutted.

[Vlad the Inhaler]

Aug 7, 2016 16:14:25 GMT Bobsbeer said:

Hope you managed to listen in Vlad the Inhaler . What a day. One more wicket to a brilliant England Win or 15 runs per over for Pakistan to take it. Chances of that --- NIL. Been a great day so far.

I was able to listen until lunch then got ready for the first prom concert at the Albert Hall that finished at 6 so by the time I got the result they'd won had another concert at night so couldn't watch highlights, just watched them now at home on catch-up, I think England are learning from their mistakes.

[Bobsbeer]

I see we are back to usual England in the final test. Could do better would be my school report comment so far today. Hopefully Ballance and Bairstow can bring some sort of order to the innings.