#184

The butcher, the batter, the candlestick matter*

*when he wax it for 6!

4 Likes
#185

Canā€™t decide if this is genius or flat out despicable. Iā€™ve liked it for now.

#186

Technically itā€™s candle matter but I think some license can be allowed

#187

I think you know what we need to do - get an expert opinion: @discobot fortune

#188

:crystal_ball: Ask again later

#189

Oh FFS.

At least my schedule is mostly clear and the game is being played in my evening, so a good chance to watch most of the finish. Obviously England will collapse ignominously.

#190

My big stupid words are starting to taste like shit

I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, and Smith is getting a bollocking for it at the moment, but that follow on is really biting now. I understand his logic at the time, long series - and our big injury prone bowlers need breaks - but fuck that night session has really screwed us! Along with his reviews and time at the crease, this is one Test Smith wonā€™t want to talk about much

BUT a couple of wickets could/will change everything - shame Cummins couldnā€™t jag Woakes at the death there

#191

Still very much in your guysā€™ favour, but yeah, it was funny hearing Saker say ā€˜just a shame we couldnā€™t get the new ball at nightā€™ and youā€™re thinking ā€˜well, you could have 24 hrs agoā€™ā€¦

Totally get the looking after bowlers though. The main issue is surely the batting in the second innings. Bowling was excellent, but the pitch isnā€™t a nightmare.

Good to have a game (and series!) on going into the final day!

#192

exactly, the opportunity had presented itself - but was passed over. I just feel every man and his dog, since the pink ball tests have come up, have been banging on about grabbing that new ball with glee for a night session!

definitely good to see some fire in the game; even good to see the Barmies have something to get them going

Would be a brilliant day to be there - personally I want Starc to really fire up!

1 Like
#193

England fans: whatā€™s preferable from here

  • 220 all out
  • 340 all out

0 voters

Show results
#194

Almost worth getting within 5 just to wail and gnash teeth about it for the rest of my life

#195

Imagine them having an Edgbaston moment. Vaughan is bad enough, Smith would be hell

#196

This is absolutely how itā€™ll go. Iā€™ll wake up about 7am and have a look at the BBC site hoping Root is still in only to see it was all over before lunch, because this is ALWAYS the way it goes. Not being down on England particularly, but this is how fourth innings chases go almost all the time - a feisty start, but then the key man gets out and itā€™s all out for 200.

#197

Yeah, you always find yourself questioning it like 'the 10th highest chase? Itā€™s not THAT high?!, pitch looks good still, nice startā€¦"
Few hours later youā€™re watching Andersonā€™s middle stump smashed to pieces for under 200

2 Likes
#198

Itā€™s always the scoreboard pressure which tells in the end. Everything you say is gonna happen but Iā€™m gonna continue to dream until my alarm goā€™s off at 6:00am

Joe, just to say we are all counting on youā€¦

#199

When I first started watching cricket it would always annoy me when the commentators would write off the odds as completely impossible when England were chasing 400 in five sessions in the last innings, but then I learned from experience why theyā€™re so certain about it because it almost never happens.

That doesnā€™t stop you from hoping that this time will be the exception to prove the rule and to be fair England have got themselves out of some pretty big holes in recent years, if this was the football team youā€™d say they had zero chance but the cricket team have been known to pull it out of the bag occasionally. And while Rootā€™s still inā€¦

I think our best chance of winning is if none of us believe itā€™s possible. If any of us have any hope weā€™ll be all out for 200.

#200

Donā€™t tempt meā€¦ Such delicious bitterness and angstā€¦ So tantalising

#201

Cricket is the worst sport ever.

1 Like
#202

Incorrect.

#203

Test cricket is the greatest sport ever. Fact.

5 Likes