England V India 4th test

[claretonthecoast1882]

Another poor start

121/5 Stokes just gone for 55.

Sibley Crawley & Bairstow really is about as poor as it gets in test cricket for a top 3. Another weird team selection with Lawrence batting at number 7

[Mondsley]

Another poor start

121/5 Stokes just gone for 55.

Sibley Crawley & Bairstow really is about as poor as it gets in test cricket for a top 3. Another weird team selection with Lawrence batting at number 7

Agreed! Can't blame the wicket this morning. Last test on a turning pitch we picked one specialist spinner. This test on a flatter pitch we've left out 2 pace bowlers. Hard to fathom. Need 250 minimum to be in this game.

[CleggHall]

Another poor effort, Stokes apart.
Cannot bat against spin and the 2 Yorkies undone by pace. Win the toss, bat then get a big score seems beyond them.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Some funny antics in the 20/20 game with Sri Lanka West Indies too

Sri Lanka made 131/9

Their spinner Dananjaya then took a hattrick then Kieron Pollard hit the same bowler for 6 sixes in an over

[claretonthecoast1882]

189/9

Could be all over tomorrow

[dpinsussex]

205 all out. Here we go again

[claretonthecoast1882]

Go on Jimmy 0/1

[dpinsussex]

Go on Jimmy 0/1

Who needs spinners when you have a Jimmy

[Quickenthetempo]

I woke up at 5am to watch their spinner getting lots of bounce.
I thought Archer will be dangerous on here even if the batters fail again.

Then I saw he wasn't playing.

I know it's lottery like conditions but you can't keep getting these decisions wrong.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I woke up at 5am to watch their spinner getting lots of bounce.
I thought Archer will be dangerous on here even if the batters fail again.

Then I saw he wasn't playing.

I know it's lottery like conditions but you can't keep getting these decisions wrong.

The constant leaving out of Woakes is puzzling especially when they seem to struggle balancing the bowling department

[jrgbfc]

The constant leaving out of Woakes is puzzling especially when they seem to struggle balancing the bowling department

I'm sure Woakes has gone home now for a break, after being stuck in the bubble all winter and not playing a single game, bizarre. I'm assuming he's going back for the one dayers.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I'm sure Woakes has gone home now for a break, after being stuck in the bubble all winter and not playing a single game, bizarre. I'm assuming he's going back for the one dayers.

Gone home ? So they have kept him in the bubble all winter and sent him home without using him ?

They are trying way too hard with this managing the players business.

[tiger76]

Absolutely no excuses for England's pathetic batting display this time, the pitch is decent enough, and having won the toss we should have been looking at 300-350 on here, yet again the spinners wrecking havoc, but it's also a track where the seamers will get some joy if they bend their backs.

The only batters who can hold their heads high after that are Stokes who played nicely for his 50, Lawrence showed promise before playing a rash shot, and Pope was unlucky with his dismissal, and at least he tried to take the attack to the bowlers, Root got a good ball, but the rest succumbed meekly on a good pitch again.

And you do have to question the balance of England's attack, Jimmy is obviously the spearhead, but he appears to be carrying an ankle injury, Stokes as the 2nd seamer when he's also under the weather is a big risk, and neither of the spinners look anywhere near the class of their Indian counterparts I'm afraid.

Highlight of the day for me was Jimmy's reserve sweep, he'll have enjoyed that, but unless India implode tomorrow which is unlikely, or someone produces a match turning spell, England will be facing a large 1st innings deficit, and I assume the pitch won't get any easier to bat on, hence why it was vital England scored heavily in the 1st innings, apart from the 1st innings at Chennai, India have had a stranglehold over England in the field, and you aren't going to win many test matches in India when you're scoring under 200.

[Dark Cloud]

Pope was playing really well, especially considering his relative inexperience and he was so, so unlucky. Lawrence worked really hard for his 46 and then stupidly threw it away sadly. But I have to definitely agree with the above that Anderson's reverse sweep for 4 was the highlight of the day! (Especially after what happened to the last one he tried!!)

[TheFamilyCat]

India 121-5.

Game on.

[Buxtonclaret]

Been a good watch, this morning.
Bess keeps sending down a few bad ones though.

[Buxtonclaret]

Typical!
Batsman given out caught, wins appeal, then skies next one just over slip for 4!

[claretonthecoast1882]

146/6 Leach gets Ashwin

[TheFamilyCat]

Pant survives a review by millimetres

[Buxtonclaret]

Pant survives a review by millimetres

Have to say, looked plum that, in real time.

[expoultryboy]

What a shot by pant off jimmy . Cheeky rascal !!

[Bordeauxclaret]

I’ve not seen a professional cricketer bowl as many full tosses as Bess.

[nelincsclaret]

I think Dom is past his Bess

[claretonthecoast1882]

Think England have done well here, managed to make it to day 3

[tiger76]

Frustrating day for England again, at 146-6 we were well in the game, but that couple of hours of mayhem by Pant & Sundar has totally changed the outlook of the contest.

And England's lack of a seamer was laid bare, plus Bess was expensive again, meaning Root was forced to bowl himself, and both Anderson and Stokes more than he'd have liked, and India cashed in big time in that long evening session.

England aren't completely out of this game yet, but with a lead which is going to be 100+, then unless either Root or Stokes can make a century it's difficult to see how England are going to set India a challenging target in the 4th innings, I specifically name those 2 as can anybody honestly see any of the other England batters making a big score, because I can't not against an attack of this quality.

[Burnley1989]

Absolute melt down again this morning...

Bairstow now sits on 6 ducks in his last 9 innings against India

[Burnley1989]

Another stat I’m not sure if it was missed yesterday


international wickets brought up by Jimmy Anderson

614 Test wickets
269 ODI wickets
18 IT20 wickets

[SMClaret]

Absolute melt down again this morning...

Bairstow now sits on 6 ducks in his last 9 innings against India

Staggering how many chances he gets to be honest

[The Enclosure]

Absolute melt down again this morning...

Bairstow now sits on 6 ducks in his last 9 innings against India

Is he a Yorkshireman?

[Burnley1989]

Is he a Yorkshireman?

He is until his next decent knock

[Burnley1989]

65/6

The batting has been terrible, granted against one of the best spinners ever and a few other good ones, it’s usually not the good ball that’s taking the wickets though

[TheFamilyCat]

Absolute melt down again this morning...

Bairstow now sits on 6 ducks in his last 9 innings against India

And why on earth anyone sees him as a number three is beyond me.

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Ok calling Bairstow but none of the others have got runs this morning

[MACCA]

Top 3 look way out of their depth, how many times has Root had to come in with only a handful of rundls in the board.

None of the openers fill you with confidence or look comfortable.
However the whole team looks a bit thrown together with some strange selections and batting order.

These have been absolute hammering handed out by India.

[SMClaret]

The majority of the others are young cricketers who haven't had countless chances at test level

[TheFamilyCat]

Smart move by the third umpire to check there was no bat there.

[jrgbfc]

That should be it for Bairstow as a test player now. At 31 he definitely isn't going to improve, and he's had numerous chances.

[Quickenthetempo]

It's been appalling from England. As bad as it gets.

The white ball that doesn't swing, seam or spin has been a disaster for batting techniques in England.

That and that's where all the money is in the game.

[LeadBelly]

The only realistic(ish) aim for England here now is to make enough to get India to bat again.

Then roll on the T20s starting next Friday. A different group of players - & probably a more "can do" attitude.

[matttheclaret]

Root aside, we have no one even averaging 40 with the bat in this side. You're certainly not winning in places like India or an Ashes series in Australia with this batting lineup. It's been a problem for a long time now, we were spoilt in the early 2010s with the likes of Strauss, Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Bell.

We haven't come close to replacing them

[Aclaret]

This squad rotation doesn't help. We have gone downhill since the Lancastrian Buttler went home !

[The Enclosure]

Abysmal .

[Burnley1989]

The only realistic(ish) aim for England here now is to make enough to get India to bat again.

Then roll on the T20s starting next Friday. A different group of players - & probably a more "can do" attitude.

I guess the difference is the T20 & ODI sides will be full strength, I sort of get this whole bubble thing and resting players to send home but what did they expect playing one of the best in their backyard with so much rotation.

For what it’s worth, the bowling has been good enough really all things considered, it’s the batting

[bobinho]

Nice holiday for them tho...

900 though... that’s staggering. What a world class sportsman Jimmy is.

[Stalbansclaret]

Channel 4 surely merit a rebate on whatever they have paid to cover this series given the early finishes we have seen.
Brilliant coverage...abysmal England batting.

[tiger76]

Another stat I’m not sure if it was missed yesterday


international wickets brought up by Jimmy Anderson

614 Test wickets
269 ODI wickets
18 IT20 wickets

Jimmy is also rapidly closing in on Anil Kumble's 619 test wicket haul, and all being well he'll surpass it this summer.

However as good as Jimmy is the batsman have to give him something to bowl with, and apart from the 1st test England simply haven't applied themselves well enough with a bat in their hand.

The bowling by and large has been decent enough considering the quality batsman India currently possess, but the batting is a major worry, in simplistic terms if Root doesn't score then England don't score and that's been the case for too long now, in English conditions and with a top bowling attack these cracks can be papered over, but India have ruthlessly exposed England's lack of technique on spinning tracks, and my fear is the Aussies will do precisely the same next winter on bouncier surfaces.

Changes need to be made ASAP, Bairstow should be the first out of the door, he's simply not good enough to play at test level, how many times has he been clean bowled in the past couple of years for goodness sake, and players at this standard have to have a solid defence, which he simply doesn't have, why England though it was a clever idea to promote him to number 3 beats me.

I'd persist with Burns, Sibley & Crawley at the top of the order for now, they've each shown at various times that they can play the long innings when needed, and they will hopefully be the future of England for the foreseeable.

Those 3 with Root, Stokes & Pope 4,5,6, should be able to put runs on the board, Foakes should bat at 7 and be given the gloves, and then depending on the conditions you'd pick your attack to suit.

[jrgbfc]

Jimmy is also rapidly closing in on Anil Kumble's 619 test wicket haul, and all being well he'll surpass it this summer.

However as good as Jimmy is the batsman have to give him something to bowl with, and apart from the 1st test England simply haven't applied themselves well enough with a bat in their hand.

The bowling by and large has been decent enough considering the quality batsman India currently possess, but the batting is a major worry, in simplistic terms if Root doesn't score then England don't score and that's been the case for too long now, in English conditions and with a top bowling attack these cracks can be papered over, but India have ruthlessly exposed England's lack of technique on spinning tracks, and my fear is the Aussies will do precisely the same next winter on bouncier surfaces.

Changes need to be made ASAP, Bairstow should be the first out of the door, he's simply not good enough to play at test level, how many times has he been clean bowled in the past couple of years for goodness sake, and players at this standard have to have a solid defence, which he simply doesn't have, why England though it was a clever idea to promote him to number 3 beats me.

I'd persist with Burns, Sibley & Crawley at the top of the order for now, they've each shown at various times that they can play the long innings when needed, and they will hopefully be the future of England for the foreseeable.

Those 3 with Root, Stokes & Pope 4,5,6, should be able to put runs on the board, Foakes should bat at 7 and be given the gloves, and then depending on the conditions you'd pick your attack to suit.

I think Lawrence has shown enough to definitely be worth another look. I agree that Bairstow shouldn't play test cricket again, and Foakes should keep the gloves, but I'm pretty sure Buttler will be back.
Such a shame Hameeds career has stalled. Last time out in India looked like we could pencil him in as our opener for the next 10 years.

[tiger76]

I think Lawrence has shown enough to definitely be worth another look. I agree that Bairstow shouldn't play test cricket again, and Foakes should keep the gloves, but I'm pretty sure Buttler will be back.
Such a shame Hameeds career has stalled. Last time out in India looked like we could pencil him in as our opener for the next 10 years.

Bairstow has had plenty of chances to cement his place and failed to take them, he'll still be a fantastic asset for England in white ball cricket, and that's where his future should lie, I do agree it'll be a straight fight between Buttler and Foakes for the WK, as sadly I can't see how England can find a place for both, Ollie Pope has shown enough in the last year to suggest he'll be an England regular for many years, so unless you promote him and drop one of Burns, Crawley or Sibley, then it's hard to see how both Buttler/Foakes can possibly play.

Yes it's a real shame about both Hameed and Jennings, both looked the real deal in their early test careers, however both are still young enough to come again.

[Burnley1989]

Jimmy is also rapidly closing in on Anil Kumble's 619 test wicket haul, and all being well he'll surpass it this summer.

However as good as Jimmy is the batsman have to give him something to bowl with, and apart from the 1st test England simply haven't applied themselves well enough with a bat in their hand.

The bowling by and large has been decent enough considering the quality batsman India currently possess, but the batting is a major worry, in simplistic terms if Root doesn't score then England don't score and that's been the case for too long now, in English conditions and with a top bowling attack these cracks can be papered over, but India have ruthlessly exposed England's lack of technique on spinning tracks, and my fear is the Aussies will do precisely the same next winter on bouncier surfaces.

Changes need to be made ASAP, Bairstow should be the first out of the door, he's simply not good enough to play at test level, how many times has he been clean bowled in the past couple of years for goodness sake, and players at this standard have to have a solid defence, which he simply doesn't have, why England though it was a clever idea to promote him to number 3 beats me.

I'd persist with Burns, Sibley & Crawley at the top of the order for now, they've each shown at various times that they can play the long innings when needed, and they will hopefully be the future of England for the foreseeable.

Those 3 with Root, Stokes & Pope 4,5,6, should be able to put runs on the board, Foakes should bat at 7 and be given the gloves, and then depending on the conditions you'd pick your attack to suit.

The nice thing about being that good is that when you aren’t quite on it, batters still hold such a respect that they wouldn’t dream of going after you because they know what might happen. I really will miss Jimmy!

[tiger76]

The nice thing about being that good is that when you aren’t quite on it, batters still hold such a respect that they wouldn’t dream of going after you because they know what might happen. I really will miss Jimmy!

Yes the mindset definitely plays a part, but that's due to Jimmy, although credit to Young Pant he showed that even the best bowlers can be scored off if you have a positive approach.

I'd certainly hope Jimmy will have at least a couple of English summers in him at least.

And he definitely deserves a proper send off at Lords and OT after everything he's done for English and Lancashire cricket throughout his entire career.