3rd Test England v Pakistan, Edgbaston, Aug 3-7.

[Making_Splinters]

So, if touring teams are slower in England than they are at home, why would this be?

Surely it can't be a global conspiracy to reduce the level of interest in cricket in England?

[Dr Cricket]

So, if touring teams are slower in England than they are at home, why would this be?

Surely it can't be a global conspiracy to reduce the level of interest in cricket in England?

????
Not really sure what you are trying to say.

[Making_Splinters]

Simply pointing out, that if everybody is playing slower in England than elsewhere, then there is likely an underlying reason for this.

[Dr Cricket]

tbh don't see players rushing to bowl in England, in Asia when spinners on top they bowl really quickly like wise in Australia/ SA when fast men get in a roll they bowl quickly, broad rushed through his overs at Johannesburg and so did Mitchell Johnson when on song.

Weather probably plays a part although reckon a lot of it is down to the players just slowing down when nothing happens.

I am pretty certain if umpires were scrict overates would be better since a lot of time is wasted when overs are changed over or when a batsman is out I bloody saw a batsman today have a drink break after younis Khan got out think Shafiq had a meeting and a drinks for a while before facing first ball.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wonder why Chris Woakes took so long to look so good.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Watching the highlights. Not sure Boycott has ever been more annoying. This is peak-Boycott.

Another drop for Finn.

[bigfluffylemon]

Looks as if we're potentially in for a nail-biter. A one-innings game to be played over two days. Best result for the game would be in England are bowled out late on Saturday, setting up the prospect of around 280 to win with 3 sessions to do it - all three results will then be very much possible. I can't imagine England declaring with any target that would give Pakistan a sniff, and if the pitch is good enough for England to bat long enough to bat Pakistan out of the game, it will be good enough for Pakistan to survive a couple of sessions for the draw.

[hopeforthebest]

Six months ago the pundits and journos were writing off Woakes as a test bowler now they hang onto his every word and shower him with praise.

[Dr Cricket]

Since when did Dobell turn into an pakistan correspondent.
2 days in a row he given an pakistan side of the story report, although do hate the cricinfo reporting style can't they just write one balanced report instead of two teams perspective report.

[hopeforthebest]

I think Mickey Arthur's rant against his bowlers saying they threw away the hard fought advantage the batsmen gave then was way over the top. The pitch was incredibly benign much of yesterday and the ease with which Hales played the bowling reinforces that fact. Add to that, that Sohail was unable to bowl above 78mph due to lack of fitness and that England batsmen have got the measure of Yasir then you can understand why England was able to bat with comfort.

[dan08]

10,000 tickets still available for today.

[Aidan11]

10,000 tickets still available for today.

Strange for a Saturday. Thought this would have been close to a sell out.

[Aidan11]

Damn. Cookie gone early this morning.

[hopeforthebest]

Cook will not be happy with that shot a really loose stroke that will give Pakistan hope and raise their spirits.

[Aidan11]

No idea what they were appealing for there.