Cricket fred

[Puja]

Terrible start to the second test. Helpful bowling conditions and yet Australia are 72-0, with both openers having been dropped (albeit the first was very tough). There's lots of time to go in the match, but this is putting us under pressure already.

Puja

[Banquo]

We’re screwed. Scoring at over 4 an over as well.

11 nb and 12 b is terrible as well. Sloppy today and toothless.

[Puja]

We’re screwed. Scoring at over 4 an over as well.

11 nb and 12 b is terrible as well. Sloppy today and toothless.

Yeah, this afternoon has taken it from "lots of time left" to "we're screwed" in quick succession.

ETA. And, as I type that, Root takes two in an over. Still screwed, but slightly less so now.

Puja

[Banquo]

We’re screwed. Scoring at over 4 an over as well.

11 nb and 12 b is terrible as well. Sloppy today and toothless.

Yeah, this afternoon has taken it from "lots of time left" to "we're screwed" in quick succession.

ETA. And, as I type that, Root takes two in an over. Still screwed, but slightly less so now.

Puja

Had to lol at that. Until you see the turn he’s getting and we bat last probs.

[Banquo]

Anyone else thinking this could be it for Jimmy? Needs a big statement with second new ball.

[francoisfou]

36 extras in Australia’s first innings is an appalling statistic, that England may come to regret come the 5th day.

[fivepointer]

What a letdown. Very slack, unfocused effort from us yesterday. Big day required to get back into the game.

[Banquo]

What a letdown. Very slack, unfocused effort from us yesterday. Big day required to get back into the game.

decent start tbf. But the extras are a huge problem, again.

Bit of a concern that the pitch has livened up and was turning yesterday

[Puja]

We’re screwed. Scoring at over 4 an over as well.

11 nb and 12 b is terrible as well. Sloppy today and toothless.

Yeah, this afternoon has taken it from "lots of time left" to "we're screwed" in quick succession.

ETA. And, as I type that, Root takes two in an over. Still screwed, but slightly less so now.

Puja

Had to lol at that. Until you see the turn he’s getting and we bat last probs.

Look on the bright side - maybe we'll have to follow on?

Puja

[Banquo]

Yeah, this afternoon has taken it from "lots of time left" to "we're screwed" in quick succession.

ETA. And, as I type that, Root takes two in an over. Still screwed, but slightly less so now.

Puja

Had to lol at that. Until you see the turn he’s getting and we bat last probs.

Look on the bright side - maybe we'll have to follow on?

Puja

That was my 'probs'

[Puja]

You know, I will take the shit out of 416 when Australia were 316-3 yesterday evening. Our first innings is going to be utterly crucial though, especially with Pope injured and likely to be hampered in his batting. It's not an impossible pitch to play on, but I'm concerned about Crawley and Duckett against Australia's nasty pace attack. There's going to be 20 minutes of batting before lunch and I'm slightly concerned that we'll be three down before the break.

Here's hoping our openers refute my lack of faith in them.

Puja

[fivepointer]

A decent morning. Getting Aus out for just over 400 was a good effort. Still with 10 wkts left after lunch too.

[Banquo]

ffs Crawley....don't fckin charge Lyon. 4th player stumped when well set I make it.

[Puja]

91-0 and basically chancele...

Fucksake. Literally just typing that and Crawley has decided to charge Nathan Lyon and get stumped. What the actual fuck. They were milking him for runs whenever they liked and then Crawley decided to do that.

Puja

[Banquo]

91-0 and basically chancele...

Fucksake. Literally just typing that and Crawley has decided to charge Nathan Lyon and get stumped. What the actual fuck. They were milking him for runs whenever they liked and then Crawley decided to do that.

Puja

yep

also, spot the difference behind the stumps. Great stumping, no byes - he's saved 12 runs already down the leg side.

[Puja]

ffs Crawley....don't fckin charge Lyon. 4th player stumped when well set I make it.

I get being aggressive. I understand the theory of trying to keep someone on their toes and do the unexpected. Root's ramps for example - excellent method of disconcerting the bowlers.

But charging Lyon is not working. The success/failure ratio is just too low - we might get a 6 or two, but he's good enough that the risk is too high for the return. It's not being aggressively disruptive, it's just been giving Australia a free breakthrough and getting their confidence up.

Sweep him, slog him, play for 6 an over through all the free singles that Australia's field settings are giving us. Just stop bloody charging.

Puja

[Puja]

181-1 and it's starting to look like we maligned England's bowling atta...

Fucksake - Duckett nearly fell right into Australia's short ball trap as I typed. Was worried that I was going to bring another wicket by praising England's batting.

And now Lyon looks to have injured himself. That could be huge - for the series as well as the game.

Puja

[Banquo]

181-1 and it's starting to look like we maligned England's bowling atta...

Fucksake - Duckett nearly fell right into Australia's short ball trap as I typed. Was worried that I was going to bring another wicket by praising England's batting.

And now Lyon looks to have injured himself. That could be huge - for the series as well as the game.

Puja

Massive moment, looked bad. Soleus strain I thought

[Banquo]

Ffs Pope. Again, attack yes, but daft shot no.

[Puja]

Tufnell is going spare on TMS at Pope getting out to the most obvious trap ever. "You've got no slip, no gully, no catchers - you've got nothing to worry about as long as you don't hook the ball and what does he do?!"

Fair point.

Puja

[Banquo]

Root lucky

[Banquo]

Hopefully they’ll calm down a bit, much as I like bazball- just settle in

[Puja]

Oh my gods. Root's just got out to exactly the same stupid shot only to get a life because Green's bowled yet another no-ball.

Learn from your mistakes now Joe. Fucksake.

Puja

[Puja]

Green's having a mare. 4 no balls, including one with a wicket, and then just gave away 4 byes while he was lucky not to have a wide. He's only bowled 5 overs!

Puja

[Banquo]

Thing is, Bazball has bought them one day fields so they can score at 4 an over without doing anything daft.