WI tour of England, July 8-28

[Arthur Crabtree]

I thought they would be making time up today? Presumably they'll pick the rate up at some point and then have a hit. Maybe they'll bat to the close and then declare if tomorrow is lost. I've got a hunch they'll bowl tonight though.

[alfie]

I thought they would be making time up today? Presumably they'll pick the rate up at some point and then have a hit. Maybe they'll bat to the close and then declare if tomorrow is lost. I've got a hunch they'll bowl tonight though.

The trouble might be the light. I fancy we will be going off early again tonight - not exactly sunny out there !

They've raised the rate a bit. Maybe if Stokes goes nuts again they'll get the lead up enough to have a dash ; but I reckon it is more likely they'll be hoping to get a full day Tuesday and will wait and see about tomorrow before choosing when to close.

I was hoping for a lead of 270 by tea ; and it won't be too far short of that. So we could see some fireworks later on...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Series team time:

Burns/Sibley/Crawley/Chase/Stokes/Blackwood/Dowrich/Holder/Broad/Anderson/Gabriel.

[mikesiva]

Forecast is still coming up very wet for tomorrow. I presume England will declare today. Should be approaching 400 lead by then Unless Sibley is still in.

Can't see them getting anywhere near a 400 lead today. Going at 2.3 per over , Burns & Sibley tied down by the spinners. Shouldn't need that anyway ; but I wonder will they get enough to feel safe declaring with (nominally) two days left ?

Bat the day and declare overnight going into Tuesdays final day.

A batting line up with John Campbell and Shai Hope won't last the day.

England 86-0 at tea.

[alfie]

Suspect you are right there , Mike. The problem that could arise is more dodgy weather on Tuesday - but there's not much they can do about that.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fifty from Sibley. Fireworks still in the box.

[alfie]

Fifty each for the openers. All a bit sedate at the moment , although they have stepped it up a bit since tea.

Still plenty of overs left today - light permitting. No sign of any extreme aggression yet. Somehow doubt they're planning to get West Indies batting tonight...but you never know. Will be interesting to see what happens when one of these two gets out.
Nearly was one then . Close call on lbw but Sibley survives , umpires call on height.
But he's gone this time...lbw next ball. Review but it won't save him...

[mikesiva]

Holder!

[Durhamfootman]

Burns and Root are trying to increase the rate now

[Durhamfootman]

I'd probably want a bit of a bowl tonight, but I guess that depends on setting a total that WI won't chase, so they may wait and see what the weather does tomorrow. It seems to me that the WI would be better at chasing a target to win, rather than holding on for a draw, whereas England seem to be more attacking with the ball when they don't have to keep one eye on the economy rate

[alfie]

Light is getting a bit better. May not be in an hour though.

Technically could bat another 15 overs - add , say , 70 ? So they actually could get Arthur's 400 lead ...And have a few overs at them tonight ? Root looks keen to get on with it. But that does rely on the light holding up.

[alfie]

Root really going for it now...just possible he's thinking about having a bowl tonight ? Light has actually improved so there is still 45 minutes left...

If they are going to pull out it will surely be in the next ten minutes. They are 382 ahead.

Might just be going for it. I'm sure West Indies openers would rather not bat tonight !

[alfie]

Yes ...Burns out for 90 and they all walk off...

Right call I think. Maybe five overs tonight ; West Indies need 399...good luck with that !

[alfie]

Burns maybe deserved a hundred but I'm glad they didn't mess around trying to get him there. And Root played really well to get that lead so quickly

Just need a Stuart Broad burst now...

[mikesiva]

Chase had more success than Cornwall in this match.