Cricket

I wouldn't bet against them giving everyone another go in the last test too and will talk about no knee-jerk changes and root will still be captain for the next tour and BS about how he has a job to do and wont walk away

Unchanged squad. Root says he's the best man for the job.

Vic Marks is sensible on this I think: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/sep/09/captaincy-robbing-england-of-joe-root-greatest-asset

Not too much point doing wholesale changes for the last test, though it might have been nice to see Sibley, Pope or Crawley get a game it might also be better to give one or all of them a full series in the winter. I think SCurran will play instead of Overton, and they might rest Stokes.

Would be a waste to play Stokes if he can't bowl and why risk aggravating his injury?

yeah deffo

both teams' selectors have really covered themselves in glory this series

looking like a drawn series with australia grimly batting out a draw inbred other game. england dominant

lol my phone knows australia better than i do

Good lord, Smith missed a straight one and is out.

Bob Willis has died :(

I just saw this. I hope the grumpy old bugger has a safe journey. RIP.

Stokes is kind of cricket's Jamie Vardy isn't he. Gay-basher-bashing larrikin who'll hit sixes

A man we can all vote for

the gay couple said he was standing up for them and how hes their friend now

yeah read what I wrote! it's heartwarming :D

Hope that puts to bed the notion of 4 day tests. Magical day.

and that catch by Crawley was WOW. The slips were close in and Stokes bowling at 90 mph and if you haven't seen it yet enjoy.

Dont mess with test cricket!

Stokes is kind of cricket's Jamie Vardy isn't he. Gay-basher-bashing larrikin who'll hit sixes

― imago, Monday, December 16, 2019 8:03 AM (three weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

A man we can all vote for

― imago, Monday, December 16, 2019 8:05 AM (three weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

Sad and almost embarrassing here for SA

I watched the first episode of the Aussie cricket thing - The Test - on Amazon Prime. The access the cameras have is pretty comprehensive but I'm not sure there's anything - or anyone - compelling enough to keep me coming back. Langer is kind of emblematic in his dead-eyed zealotry but it seems to be systemic. Maybe everyone will settle down but not sure I can be arsed.

Probably the only cricket we'll get to watch this year though

The Edge is on streaming services I think, will be giving that a go. Probably only for England fans but the ECB have put a load of sessions from the 2013 Ashes online. The sessions come in apparently random order but it's fun to dip into. The URL is a bit weird but I think it works?
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=geo+restricted+live+stream

The Edge is actually really good. If Trotty doesn't make you bawl, you're a stronger man than I.

Cheers for the Ashes link! That tour is weirdly blank to me. That Aussie side - Clarke in particular - were pretty unlikeable.

I was at a couple of the games, including the Old Trafford match when England really ground it out after Clarke scored an excellent century for Australia. A weird series, it could have been 2-2 had things gone a little differently.

I remember one game where we were lucky with the light but the rest is blank. Will catch up with some of those videos.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/may/19/suwanji-madanayake-the-spinner-who-wants-to-play-into-his-50s-cricket

as a 33 year-old who still has aspirations of becoming a good club spinner (as opposed to the ropey current model), that is p inspiring

“They look fit but don’t use their brains. Without a brain, you can’t play the game.”

Ugh, Sibley, what a hideous looking batsman.

Burns is horrible too. Come on the Windies.

Michael Holding on race/BLM was really good, as everyone said it was.

Well done Windies!

Feels like the first team in fifteen years that wouldn’t have choked.

Cool as a cucumber tbh.

Ben Stokes: "... I thought we had a lot chances with the bat to put our foot on the throat of the West Indies".

... errrrrrrr

classic australianism tbfttl

(cough)

lol england

(West Indies were quite good!)

Yes, excellent, Jason Holder is a class act.

This is going well.

Bizarre review from England there.

Magnificent bowling. This is special.

Good stuff, I really don't like this current England team - batting line-up anyway.

abbas is sort of pudgy, unfashionable and utterly demonic, i love watching him bowl

This is crazy tense.

always a good sign when i've spent yesterday in the pub questioning England's ability to reach 200

that was amazing

Cracking match

Pakistan keep losing the ball as Jos Buttler hits it too hard!

Crawley's the real deal

He's been terrific, the partnership with Buttler has been brilliant.

New ball might change things. 1 wicket could bring a collapse quite easily.

or England could score quite quickly