I will never knock an opener who gets to the 2nd new ball. I don't care how slowly

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

you score, if you've seen off roughly 240 balls, job done. It's up to the dashers to build on your foundations.

And a young one, in his first test in India?

Against a world class bowler with a very unorthodox, un-English style, again.

Basically, I'm just trying to say that I'm fücking gutted, but don't blame him. Had that been peak form Cook, I'd have been shouting abuse because I know he's better than that.

However, last time we played in Chennai, we were 3 down at the end of the first day. We got to the 3rd new ball, scored 477, but as Shiva's better at cricket than Jesus, my boys scored oodles and won by an innings.

Btw, it's great watching cricket when you support both sides. Makes Aus-Pak a bit of a bügger.

[redgunamo]

Yes, indeed. Useless *******s to a man, I was about to call them. But your words opened my eyes.



you score, if you've seen off roughly 240 balls, job done. It's up to the dashers to build on your foundations.

And a young one, in his first test in India?

Against a world class bowler with a very unorthodox, un-English style, again.

Basically, I'm just trying to say that I'm fücking gutted, but don't blame him. Had that been peak form Cook, I'd have been shouting abuse because I know he's better than that.

However, last time we played in Chennai, we were 3 down at the end of the first day. We got to the 3rd new ball, scored 477, but as Shiva's better at cricket than Jesus, my boys scored oodles and won by an innings.

Btw, it's great watching cricket when you support both sides. Makes Aus-Pak a bit of a bügger.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Yes, indeed. Useless *******s to a man, I was about to call them. But your words opened my eyes.

Poor show this afternoon. And it's a quintuple Nelson. Will lose at least one wicket without adding to the overnight score.

[Tony C]

Maybe a repeat of Australia here...India lose the first then fight back.

Probably what the series needs ie England 1nil up.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Maybe a repeat of Australia here...India lose the first then fight back.

Probably what the series needs ie England 1nil up.

I was thinking that. Esp when Che got out pulling the ball into the gora at short leg before it dollied up off him for a catch.

I worry we'll play 3 seamers who'll only get 2-3 wickets with each new ball and that's that.

Gutted for Pant. {And, selfishly, for Gill given I got up at 5am to watch him bat.}

But as an aside, isn't it nice to have a major test series where the players and fans of both sides can get on and just enjoy the cricket?

[Tony C]

Indeed...

Root now in a familiar position...when to declare....mixed results imo

[Tony C]

India did Root a favour there!

[Luis Anaconda]

I was thinking that. Esp when Che got out pulling the ball into the gora at short leg before it dollied up off him for a catch.

I worry we'll play 3 seamers who'll only get 2-3 wickets with each new ball and that's that.

Gutted for Pant. {And, selfishly, for Gill given I got up at 5am to watch him bat.}

But as an aside, isn't it nice to have a major test series where the players and fans of both sides can get on and just enjoy the cricket?

Very well said, gg

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Very well said, gg

Respect LA. I thought you were going to highlight my comment about our seamers only taking wickets with the new ball before mentioning JA and reverse.

Hope we try that in both innings next time. Joffra injured. Though this could mean we play JA+SB together and then bring Jof back too for the lights at Modi's Stadium Adolf.

[Luis Anaconda]

Respect LA. I thought you were going to highlight my comment about our seamers only taking wickets with the new ball before mentioning JA and reverse.

Hope we try that in both innings next time. Joffra injured. Though this could mean we play JA+SB together and then bring Jof back too for the lights at Modi's Stadium Adolf.

No Jimmy tomorrow :( probably sensible to save him for the day nighter. Would like to see Stone play but suspect Woakes will get the nod (Woakes is unlucky to be out of the team). Happy to see Moeen back though

[Tony C]

Wait...there’s a day nighter?

We should have a pool on the numbers of times ‘dew’ gets mentioned in commentary.

World record Incomming imo

[Luis Anaconda]

Wait...there’s a day nighter?

We should have a pool on the numbers of times ‘dew’ gets mentioned in commentary.

World record Incomming imo
:hehe: So true

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

No Jimmy tomorrow :( probably sensible to save him for the day nighter. Would like to see Stone play but suspect Woakes will get the nod (Woakes is unlucky to be out of the team). Happy to see Moeen back though

I don't wish to sound ungrateful. Because I know in a few years time I'll be looking at English bowlers and none will be fit to have laces JA or SB's boots.

But we are rotating the 2nd and 4th best quicks on the planet.

If it was the '80s again, with a rest day on Sunday and no back to back tests, we'd be able to play both. And we'd have an attack, if not quite WIndian, then better than Lillie-Thomo cos we'd have Jofra's pace in reserve as well as Stokes as a 4th/5th seamer.

If we had Jimmy then Steuy going at under 2 an over, they have to take risks against the spinner at the other end.

Basically, we have two quicks with 1100+ wickets between them who have been averaging in the teens recently and we won't play them together.

Btw, given Moeen's replacing Bess, who do you fancy for Archer - Stone's pace or Woakes for the reverse?

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Wait...there’s a day nighter?

We should have a pool on the numbers of times ‘dew’ gets mentioned in commentary.

World record Incomming imo

It will be the first test since they upgraded the stadium in Modi's home state to make it the biggest it the world. 100k+. Got Trump to open it.

You can imagine how I feel about the England cricket team being used for Hindu fascist propaganda.

[Luis Anaconda]

I don't wish to sound ungrateful. Because I know in a few years time I'll be looking at English bowlers and none will be fit to have laces JA or SB's boots.

But we are rotating the 2nd and 4th best quicks on the planet.

If it was the '80s again, with a rest day on Sunday and no back to back tests, we'd be able to play both. And we'd have an attack, if not quite WIndian, then better than Lillie-Thomo cos we'd have Jofra's pace in reserve as well as Stokes as a 4th/5th seamer.

If we had Jimmy then Steuy going at under 2 an over, they have to take risks against the spinner at the other end.

Basically, we have two quicks with 1100+ wickets between them who have been averaging in the teens recently and we won't play them together.

Btw, given Moeen's replacing Bess, who do you fancy for Archer - Stone's pace or Woakes for the reverse?

I'm not arguing with that but I guess at 38 they are taking no risks with Jimmy. I would go for Stone - depends on Stokes's fitness of course. Don't like the sound of a "knee" problem. No argument if Woakes plays though - good opportunity to show he can bowl in less friendly conditions. To be honest I still think 3-1 India is the most likely score but we're giving it a go.

On another note, I like that it takes STOnes and WoaKES to make a Stokes

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

I'm not arguing with that but I guess at 38 they are taking no risks with Jimmy. I would go for Stone - depends on Stokes's fitness of course. Don't like the sound of a "knee" problem. No argument if Woakes plays though - good opportunity to show he can bowl in less friendly conditions. To be honest I still think 3-1 India is the most likely score but we're giving it a go.

On another note, I like that it takes STOnes and WoaKES to make a Stokes

I'm trying to work out the WTC table. I think that if it's 3-1 to us, we go through. 2-1 or 3-1 to India and they go through. If not, then it's the Convicts.

If that's right, if we're 2-1 down going into the final test then I don't want us to win.

Let the Indians and Kiwis play at Lords. Then we have the 5-test Pataudi trophy at home {so when I next get to India, I can hold my head up high after an Eng victory, Ganpati willing} and we can get ready for the Ashes. If only we had a Swann level spinner. I so hope we can play JA and SB together in Aus.

[Tony C]

Here we go...a painful slow death for England.

Would he amusing if India can stretch this out into Day5.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Here we go...a painful slow death for England.

Would he amusing if India can stretch this out into Day5.

Yeah. We're just going to have to accept that you can have one fluke, but if you go to India with all their spinners better than all ours, we'll lose.

We only one when Panesar and Swann were bowling better than the Indians.