England vs West Indies 2nd Test (Manchester)

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:47 pm

Starts tomorrow must win for England if they're to have a chance of regaining The Wisden Trophy.

Root will return, but beyond that there's little team news to report yet.

Overcast conditions forecast tomorrow, so it'll be interesting if the winners of the toss choose to bat or bowl first up, after England's experience at Southampton they may opt to bowl if they get the opportunity.

The other 4 days are pretty decent weatherwise, so surprisingly for Manchester we should get 5 full days, if they're required.

ChrisG · Post by **ChrisG** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:56 pm

I'm about 4 miles from the ground as the crow flies, and it's been hammering it down all morning. Forecast better for tomorrow though.

Hopefully a bit of swing if it's cloudy (and we bowl first)

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:07 pm

Could be Jimmys day

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:08 pm

Could be Jimmys day

ChrisG · Post by **ChrisG** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:14 pm

Hopefully, although looking at the statistics, he doesn't get too many at Old Trafford compared to other grounds

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 2:25 pm

Root back in for Denly.

Broad back in for Bess now Root can chuck down a few overs. The lack of overs on the last day was telling for the spinner

Woakes back in for which seamer needs resting. I don't think Wood has ever played back to back tests.

Local cricketer · Post by **Local cricketer** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:10 pm

Bat bat and bat at Old Trafford

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:41 pm

Root for Denly been confirmed

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:42 pm

Normally that would be the call yes, depends if you win the toss, but i'd be surprised whoever does doesn't choose to bat first, of course it's fine batting first up, but if you don't bat well then you'll still be on the back foot, spinners usually come into play on days 4 & 5 at OT, so Root could play a role there, he's not got a bad record at test level, even if he's not a full-time bowler, he has the knack of taking crucial wickets.

Pressure on Pope and Buttler to start putting scores on the board, the top 5 didn't do that badly in the 1st test, but it was the middle-order collapses in both innings that killed England's chances in that match, particularly on that 4th evening, when they should have set the WI a much tougher last day target.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:34 pm

Sam Curran & Ollie Robinson replace Jimmy and Mark Wood as well

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:48 pm

No surprise to see those two rested.

Anderson with his age and Wood with his fitness issues.

tybfc · Post by **tybfc** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:52 pm

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 15, 2020 3:42 pm

Pressure on Pope and Buttler to start putting scores on the board, the top 5 didn't do that badly in the 1st test, but it was the middle-order collapses in both innings that killed England's chances in that match, particularly on that 4th evening, when they should have set the WI a much tougher last day target.

Buttler outscored all of the top four in the first innings and was the second top scorer of the whole team.

But don't let the odd fact get in the way of ousting him.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:55 pm

Ollie Robinson is new to me, he does have a first-class century to his name, which incredibly came on his CC debut in a 10th wicket partnership.

Glad to see Sam Curran back in the fold, he adds balance to the England team.

There will be plenty of changes throughout the summer due to the hectic schedule, don't forget after the WI tour, there's the Pakistan tour, and possibly the Australians coming for a one-day series, so there's lots of cricket still to play, and there's also the chance of an overseas tour in the winter, so it's hardly surprising that there's rotation in play.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:07 pm

tybfc wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 15, 2020 4:52 pm
Buttler outscored all of the top four in the first innings and was the second top scorer of the whole team.

But don't let the odd fact get in the way of ousting him.

He did OK in the 1st innings, but his record over the last year has been poor, and he does have to start putting runs on the board, sometimes he does get left with the tail, which isn't his fault, but he's only got 1 test century to his name, and he averages barely above 30, if he doesn't come to the party in these next 2 tests, then surely Foakes has to be given another go, his England average is above 40, and he also has a test century to his name despite only playing a handful of tests
.
And what worries me is the amount of times Bairstow, Buttler and Roy have been clean bowled in test cricket, including Buttler in the 2nd innings at Southampton, this suggests to me that they lack the technique for test cricket, and eventually they have to be shown the door, if there's people waiting in the wings who can offer more.

Foulthrow · Post by **Foulthrow** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:00 pm

I see bowlers get ‘rested’ after bowling, what didn’t seem to be, that many overs.

Has there even been an occasion where a batsman got a ‘rest’ after batting a long time?

Good job Bess didn’t bowl much on the fifth day so he won’t be rested for Old Trafford. Just England’s all time leading wicket taker.

MT03ALG · Post by **MT03ALG** » Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:31 pm

Not Jimmy's day

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 8:06 am

Archer out of 2nd test after breaching isolation rules

The Enclosure · Post by **The Enclosure** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 8:30 am

Thats not good and he is not being replaced in the 13 man squad.
Team to be announced at the toss and Root to speak at 10-30.

tybfc · Post by **tybfc** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 10:00 am

Chucking it down with rain in Manchester

ChrisG · Post by **ChrisG** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 10:23 am

Eased off now. Forecast looks ok for Stretford for rest of day.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 11:54 am

Poor from Archer that, especially with what the opposition have been through.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 12:01 pm

Windies win toss and bowl

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 12:03 pm

1 Rory Burns, 2 Dom Sibley, 3 Zak Crawley, 4 Joe Root (captain), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Ollie Pope, 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Sam Curran, 9 Chris Woakes, 10 Dom Bess, 11 Stuart Broad

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 12:45 pm

Stupid from Archer, and England had no choice but to omit him.

Surprised the West Indies inserted, it looks a good pitch, now if England can't get 350+ on this, then the batters should be crucified, especially given that England bat right down to XI.

Put 350-400 on the board, and then we'll see what the Windies are made of, typical Mancunian July morning.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 12:58 pm

The batting has been strengthened quite a bit with these changes.
Too many changes in the bowling which causes another problem for the next test. We can't change 3 bowlers again.

A bit of swing and slow start. Hopefully Sibley shows a bit more intent if he is to become a long term partner to Burns.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 1:19 pm

West Indies haven't made the England openers play enough against the new ball, too many wide deliveries, Jason Holder won't be happy with his bowlers thus far.

If England get through to lunch without loss, it'll have been a good morning. England should be looking to bat until at least tea tomorrow, and lay a platform for Broad and co.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 1:32 pm

Burns gone just before lunch, big wicket for the West Indies, the spinner striking in his 1st over.

29-1 why Burns reviewed that beats me, that was plumb.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 1:37 pm

Awful way to get out. Straight ball from the slow spinner.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 3:48 pm

England struggling here 90-3. Sibley plugging away manfully, but Root just gone to Joesph, and a golden duck for Crawley immediately after lunch, 2 wickets for the spinner, the big concern for the WI is their strike bowler Gabriel has had to leave the field.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 4:40 pm

112-3 at tea, Stokes smacking the off-spinner for 6 in the last over before tea, not exactly what you'd be looking for, but he got away with it, and Sibley hanging in there despite being dropped, he's turning into Cook mk ii, but for a test opener patience and obstinacy is no bad thing.

Surprised it's turning so much on day 1, if England get put a score on the board, then the West Indies face an uphill battle batting last on this pitch, but of course England need to get the runs first.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 7:50 pm

Now that's what i call a disciplined batting display by England 207-3 at the close, Sibley batted all day 86 not out, and Stokes reliable as ever 59 not out, they've set up England to amass a big 1st innings total, and Jason Holder might be regretting his decision to bowl first.

Traditionally Old Trafford is a bat 1st pitch, and it's normally on days 4 and 5 that the bowlers come more into play.

Hope Sibley can get to three figures tomorrow, he deserves his ton just for his hard work. at long last England might have a reliable top 4 who can build test match totals.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:02 pm

Sibley gets his ton, whilst Stokes is on not out 99 at lunch. 264/3 at lunch.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:13 pm

Another good session for England, put 400-450 on the board, and see how the West Indies react to scoreboard pressure, makes Holder's decision to bowl more baffling by the hour, and why did they wait an hour to take the 2nd new ball, that was peculiar, a couple of early wickets, and they'd have been tight back in this match, as it is England have a great chance to bat them out of the game today.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:45 pm

Ton for Stokes

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:54 pm

255 balls for Stokes century, but that's fine in the context of the game, if England bat well, they might only have to bat once in this natch, and this session in the field must be wearing the WI bowlers down, surely they'll have to make changes for the 3rd test, Gabriel looks spent, and his radar is well off to the left hander, he's wasted 2 new balls due to not making the batsman play enough, and he's not alone in that respect, i'm surprised the spinner hasn't bowled more, he's caused some problems, and there is turn in this pitch.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:01 pm

England have two players on over 100 at the wicket with only three down. Given there is talk of possible rain tomorrow, we need to get a move on during the afternoon and evening sessions.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:04 pm

Sibley/Stokes partnership over 200, as I said push on lads.

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:06 pm

Why are we talking cricket on a football site?

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:08 pm

Coz it's better than talking politics.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:18 pm

Stokes has hit the accelerator another maximum for him, yes England do need to push on now, there's almost 300 on the board, and there's plenty of batting to come, and the bowlers must be tiring, they've been out in the field for nearly 120 overs, and haven't taken a wicket for a long while.

Joseph now gone off the field, you do wonder whether the WI should have freshened up their pace attack for this match, given the quick turnaround.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:19 pm

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:06 pm
Why are we talking cricket on a football site?

Cos there's lots of cricket fans on here.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:45 pm

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:06 pm
Why are we talking cricket on a football site?

There's more football threads on here than I can remember for a while.

Get yourself on one.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:54 pm

Stokes has suddenly gone into overdrive, another hour of him, and England will be rattling along, Sibley the perfect foil at the other end.

250 partnership. 150 for Stokes.

dandeclaret · Post by **dandeclaret** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:58 pm

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:06 pm
Why are we talking cricket on a football site?

It's where the grown ups come to talk, usually respectfully and knowledgeably, and with a bit of micky taking, especially of those unfortunate glory hunters from Yorkshire.

dandeclaret · Post by **dandeclaret** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:59 pm

Sibley gone for 120.... will England press on, or collapse? The latter may quieten some of the pundits who have been on his case since minute one.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 3:01 pm

Sibley out for 120, he did his job though, and it's set up perfectly for the stroke makers to make hay against a tiring attack.

Partnership of 260 puts England in a tremendous position to win the game.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 3:02 pm

Perfect chance for Jos Buttler to come in and get some runs, he could do with some.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 3:04 pm

dandeclaret wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 17, 2020 2:59 pm
Sibley gone for 120.... will England press on, or collapse? The latter may quieten some of the pundits who have been on his case since minute one.

I've certainly not been on his case, i'd rather one of our openers batted like that and got a ton, than a flashy 30/40 and then get out.

dandeclaret · Post by **dandeclaret** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 3:04 pm

I don't think Jos is a test match cricketer to be honest. I can't understand Michael Holding's criticism of Sibley here. England have been 30-3 far too often, now they're 342-4 and set up to not lose this test match. Root called out pre match that one of the things they need to improve were first innings runs - job done so far.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 3:07 pm

It's been a good knock and put us in a great position.

I don't think he can play that way every game and partner the other slow scorer Burns though.

I'm sure he will work it out though.