Cricket fred

[Galfon]

Mott no longer in the Pot..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/art ... 9xz36ql00o

White ball disappointments bring an early exit, which keeps things consistent tbf.
Not sure Buttles has shown enough skippership to be retained, but his batting in these formats is still up there.

[Banquo]

This is so sad... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/art ... 84x7rrppno

He was a proper cricketer and good guy.

[paddy no 11]

Terrible, RIP

[Galfon]

This is so sad... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/art ... 84x7rrppno

He was a proper cricketer and good guy.

True, and a rare talent who you felt could be relied upon in any situation, with few dramatics.
Evidently immensely respected as a player and a person by fellow professionals.
RIP

[Donny osmond]

This is so sad... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/art ... 84x7rrppno

He was a proper cricketer and good guy.

I heard he'd died but didn't realise he took his own life, heartbreaking.

[Banquo]

This is so sad... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/art ... 84x7rrppno

He was a proper cricketer and good guy.

I heard he'd died but didn't realise he took his own life, heartbreaking.

It was so bad, poor fella jumped in front of a train. So sad.

[Mellsblue]

This is so sad... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/art ... 84x7rrppno

He was a proper cricketer and good guy.

I heard he'd died but didn't realise he took his own life, heartbreaking.

It was so bad, poor fella jumped in front of a train. So sad.

Heartbreaking.

[Galfon]

Double-wicket maidens are as rare as blue moons, so a nice start for Woakes, especially with the disruption to the team.

[Puja]

Cloudy day on an English pitch - should be a lopsided day with Sri Lanka not even having had a warmup match to get used to the conditions. No doubt England will press the advantage, even to the point of cruelty.

Ideal for Woakes - it's the kind of conditions where he thrives that unfortunately can't be bottled up and taken outside of England.

Puja

[Galfon]

Ideal for Woakes - it's the kind of conditions where he thrives that unfortunately can't be bottled up and taken outside of England.

Puja

Indeed, like a modern day Mike Hendrick, but with added batting value..he has a three-fer already;
It's very muggy 'oop 'ere atm - rain is forecast (quelle surprise)
but probably overnight, so may see Eng. at the crease later.

[Banquo]

bizarrely the Sri Lankan pace bowlers getting more movement than our guys- reversing it on a damp day is amazing!

[Galfon]

Two big players in the team's future getting things back on track..always good to see the next generation deliver

[Banquo]

Two big players in the team's future getting things back on track..always good to see the next generation deliver

Smith looks like an excellent shout

[Galfon]

Wrapped up on D4, credit to Sri L for sticking at it with bat & ball.
Root good at steady-eddying it when needed again.
Does seem odd playing Tests from mid Jul. into early Autumn, but
with all these variants something had to give suppose.

[Banquo]

#popethenewbell #notanumber3

that said, he actually averages better at 3 than 4-7

Ollie Pope averages 42 in Test cricket across innings where he faces 26 or more balls--- basically, a shyte starter

[Banquo]

oops #uck-ett

[Galfon]

#popethenewbell #notanumber3

that said, he actually averages better at 3 than 4-7

Ollie Pope averages 42 in Test cricket across innings where he faces 26 or more balls--- basically, a shyte starter

The present incumbent at #4 is in a decent run , so he'll have to concentrate a bit more early doors, or grovel !

[Banquo]

4 of 5 have been unforced errors, bit careless

[Galfon]

Now level with Cook at 33 tons a-piece, and he has Sangakkara and Cook firmly in his sights for the all-time 5th spot for runs scored.
Still plenty in the tank it seems.

[Galfon]

228-3 effectively since Brook going, should put this one safe at least. Pope must think this caretaker-skip malarky is ok, but Sri L not the force they were tbf.

..though previous capitano M.Vaughan thinks otherwise:
(beeb)

"I don't like him as the captain," Vaughan told the Test Match Special podcast. "He's not the kind of personality I'd want as the England captain.

"He's quite an insecure human being - a great team guy and person but throwing the captaincy on him has added the pressure. He was doing great at number three.

"Harry Brook for me is an England captain in the making. I don't see Ollie Pope as that person."

[fivepointer]

Fine innings by Joe but to get out with such an awful shot was a major letdown. Time to put the ramp away.

Pope's really not showing much as a number 3 batsman.

[Banquo]

a major letdown.

blimey thats harsh....

there's a long queue of shyte shots before having a pop at Root!

[Banquo]

Great ton by Atkinson

[Galfon]

Too many Silvas around recently, good to move them along...Sri L on the ropes a bit.Potts more to come you suspect..

[Banquo]

Too many Silvas around recently, good to move them along...Sri L on the ropes a bit.Potts more to come you suspect..

Just hop(p)ing one is called Long John