Cricket fred

[Digby]

This about as close to watching test match cricket as I can recall in a while. There have been a few SA sides willing to grind things out, but there are two teams here willing to work their way into a match

[Banquo]

Anderson still has it

[Galfon]

Will be disappointed not to get the follow on option.
Good to see the pair properly in tandem sgain .

[Banquo]

Will be disappointed not to get the follow on option.
Good to see the pair properly in tandem sgain .

They only need c30 now though, so unlikely I'd think; both these two are decent bats.

[Stom]

Will be disappointed not to get the follow on option.
Good to see the pair properly in tandem sgain .

They only need c30 now though, so unlikely I'd think; both these two are decent bats.

I’d think around 230 is where they’ll get to.

Btw, what was the name of that other obese wi spinner?

[Banquo]

Jofra not having a great time. Not sure why he and woakes opened this am- though in fairness jofra had an over to finish

[Big D]

Broad has 4No. 3 wicket spells this year. Pretty good going.

[Stom]

Will be disappointed not to get the follow on option.
Good to see the pair properly in tandem sgain .

They only need c30 now though, so unlikely I'd think; both these two are decent bats.

I’d think around 230 is where they’ll get to.

Btw, what was the name of that other obese wi spinner?

He wasn't WI, that's why I was confused. Bermudan: Dwayne Leverock

[Puja]

Feels like a poor decision not to promote Stokes and Buttler to 3 and 4. It was right to open with Sibley and Burns as we weren't far enough ahead that we could gamble, but they've done a fine job, got the lead over 270, taken the shine off the ball, wearied the bowlers, and now we need to take a chance to accelerate and try and beat the weather to get a result. It's overcautious captaincy from Root - looking to erase any possibility of defeat rather than looking at ways to win.

Puja

[Stom]

Feels like a poor decision not to promote Stokes and Buttler to 3 and 4. It was right to open with Sibley and Burns as we weren't far enough ahead that we could gamble, but they've done a fine job, got the lead over 270, taken the shine off the ball, wearied the bowlers, and now we need to take a chance to accelerate and try and beat the weather to get a result. It's overcautious captaincy from Root - looking to erase any possibility of defeat rather than looking at ways to win.

Puja

I disagree. Root is going at a run a ball and Burns is scoring well since Sibley left.

When one of these is out, we’ll have plenty of time for Stokes to go mad.

[Puja]

Feels like a poor decision not to promote Stokes and Buttler to 3 and 4. It was right to open with Sibley and Burns as we weren't far enough ahead that we could gamble, but they've done a fine job, got the lead over 270, taken the shine off the ball, wearied the bowlers, and now we need to take a chance to accelerate and try and beat the weather to get a result. It's overcautious captaincy from Root - looking to erase any possibility of defeat rather than looking at ways to win.

Puja

I disagree. Root is going at a run a ball and Burns is scoring well since Sibley left.

When one of these is out, we’ll have plenty of time for Stokes to go mad.

If Monday's a washout, as every forecast seems to suggest, it's leaving us one day to bowl the Windies out. Granted, we'd fancy our chances on current form, but it only takes a rain shower or bad light or an obdurate partnership to thwart us. I'd've said come out after tea with instructions to go full T20 and give us an hour and a bit to bowl at them tonight.

May all be absolutely fine in the end, but it does feel like playing it safe to me.

Puja

[Stom]

Feels like a poor decision not to promote Stokes and Buttler to 3 and 4. It was right to open with Sibley and Burns as we weren't far enough ahead that we could gamble, but they've done a fine job, got the lead over 270, taken the shine off the ball, wearied the bowlers, and now we need to take a chance to accelerate and try and beat the weather to get a result. It's overcautious captaincy from Root - looking to erase any possibility of defeat rather than looking at ways to win.

Puja

I disagree. Root is going at a run a ball and Burns is scoring well since Sibley left.

When one of these is out, we’ll have plenty of time for Stokes to go mad.

If Monday's a washout, as every forecast seems to suggest, it's leaving us one day to bowl the Windies out. Granted, we'd fancy our chances on current form, but it only takes a rain shower or bad light or an obdurate partnership to thwart us. I'd've said come out after tea with instructions to go full T20 and give us an hour and a bit to bowl at them tonight.

May all be absolutely fine in the end, but it does feel like playing it safe to me.

Puja

If it doesn’t rain tomorrow... they’re scoring well, it’ll be over soon.

[Puja]

I disagree. Root is going at a run a ball and Burns is scoring well since Sibley left.

When one of these is out, we’ll have plenty of time for Stokes to go mad.

If Monday's a washout, as every forecast seems to suggest, it's leaving us one day to bowl the Windies out. Granted, we'd fancy our chances on current form, but it only takes a rain shower or bad light or an obdurate partnership to thwart us. I'd've said come out after tea with instructions to go full T20 and give us an hour and a bit to bowl at them tonight.

May all be absolutely fine in the end, but it does feel like playing it safe to me.

Puja

If it doesn’t rain tomorrow... they’re scoring well, it’ll be over soon.

I think it's foolish to be relying on Manchester weather, especially when the forecast is rain rain rain.

Do we really think the Windies can get 357 in a 4th innings anyway? And if they do, it'll be because our attack fell apart, not because we didn't have enough runs on the board. We should be bowling at them now and, if we'd put in Stokes at 3, we could have been in this position and bowling at them 20 minutes ago.

Puja

[Stom]

If Monday's a washout, as every forecast seems to suggest, it's leaving us one day to bowl the Windies out. Granted, we'd fancy our chances on current form, but it only takes a rain shower or bad light or an obdurate partnership to thwart us. I'd've said come out after tea with instructions to go full T20 and give us an hour and a bit to bowl at them tonight.

May all be absolutely fine in the end, but it does feel like playing it safe to me.

Puja

If it doesn’t rain tomorrow... they’re scoring well, it’ll be over soon.

I think it's foolish to be relying on Manchester weather, especially when the forecast is rain rain rain.

Do we really think the Windies can get 357 in a 4th innings anyway? And if they do, it'll be because our attack fell apart, not because we didn't have enough runs on the board. We should be bowling at them now and, if we'd put in Stokes at 3, we could have been in this position and bowling at them 20 minutes ago.

Puja

Root scored plenty quick enough.

And that’s what I mean on the weather: you can’t trust it. If there’s 2 sessions tomorrow, that’s 5 sessions, plenty to bat through. England needed a good target.

[Banquo]

Fair play to Burns, sacrificed an easy ton. Think the target and time are about right- guess they all remember Windies chasing 322 a couple of years ago.

[Puja]

If it doesn’t rain tomorrow... they’re scoring well, it’ll be over soon.

I think it's foolish to be relying on Manchester weather, especially when the forecast is rain rain rain.

Do we really think the Windies can get 357 in a 4th innings anyway? And if they do, it'll be because our attack fell apart, not because we didn't have enough runs on the board. We should be bowling at them now and, if we'd put in Stokes at 3, we could have been in this position and bowling at them 20 minutes ago.

Puja

Root scored plenty quick enough.

And that’s what I mean on the weather: you can’t trust it. If there’s 2 sessions tomorrow, that’s 5 sessions, plenty to bat through. England needed a good target.

Yeah, fair play to Root - he turned in a very useful innings indeed and you can't complain too much - Stokes could have been put in and then out first ball for all we know.

I still think we've been overcautious - every weather forecast says no play tomorrow and, while they've been wrong before, I wouldn't bank on 5 sessions. 330 seemed like a good enough target given this Windies batting lineup and this England bowling lineup. However, it may be a moot point on both our parts as they're already 1 down and wobbling!

Correction, 2 down.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Turned out very well for England. The late wickets completely vindicated the timing of the declaration. Broad has had a sensational match and there has been runs for 5 of the top 6.
Today looks very wet but even if they dont get on, its hard to see Windies holding out on day 5.

[Banquo]

Turned out very well for England. The late wickets completely vindicated the timing of the declaration. Broad has had a sensational match and there has been runs for 5 of the top 6.
Today looks very wet but even if they dont get on, its hard to see Windies holding out on day 5.

Had to also factor in bowler rest to the declaration, so think it was spot on.

[Digby]

I tend to be of the view just declare and get after them. But I can't really argue with declaring with a lead of 400 and over 2 days left in the match, if the rain does us from here on out so be it

[Banquo]

Windies looking comfy.

[Banquo]

Successful jinx, 500 for Broad who imo has somewhat prematurely been written off

[Galfon]

Eng back on track - Woakes is well tailored for home conditions..it's changeable+ up in Manc. today.
Broad was heading for a write-off due to inconsistencies, but form is temporary of course; as long as you put the hard work in! He'll be chasing Jimmy's top spot now.
and a new gong of course

[Banquo]

Eng back on track - Woakes is well tailored for home conditions..it's changeable+ up in Manc. today.
Broad was heading for a write-off due to inconsistencies, but form is temporary of course; as long as you put the hard work in! He'll be chasing Jimmy's top spot now.
and a new gong of course

It was a technical issue with Broad, which he sorted.

[Banquo]

Bess is a good un, hope we keep the faith there. Shocking running though.

Rain not overly helping again- looks like on and off all day.

[Banquo]

Woakes giving selectors a good problem to have.