England vs West Indies 2nd test Headingley

[yuppie]

Indeed, and a bit of pressure released there from Stokes at the start of this over.

Still a lot of runs to get.

[Making_Splinters]

I'm becoming relatively confident that we're going to lose this Test.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Great partnership from Kkraig and Shai. Again. This should be an exciting last session (but I'm at work).

[alfie]

185/2 and these two look capable of getting the rest of the runs themselves...

England just haven't been able to stem the flow of runs at any stage and its getting too late for anything but a bunch of wickets to stop this from heading to an inevitable conclusion.

Mystified by Root's use of Anderson today. Wants to keep him fresh ? But by the time the new ball comes the game will be as good as gone.
Moeen has looked likely at times ; but he's leaked too many runs and I wonder if he's feeling the pressure of being expected to spin England to victory on day five ?

Ah : Anderson back at the other end.

[Arthur Crabtree]

132 off 40 0vers. Shouldn't be a problem regarding RR. Just depends on how WI respond to a wicket.

[bigfluffylemon]

Since that catch of Brathwaite went down early, I had a fairly strong inkling that England weren't going to take this.

I am surprised that the West Indies are up with the run rate, but they are, and even a few wickets shouldn't stem the progress. They have to be strong favourites now. Hard to see a draw happening, unless 4 or 5 wickets go down in the space of an hour.

England must be sick of the sight of these two this game. I know I am.

[andy]

still 21 overs to new ball...125 required...hmmm new ball will come too late

[alfie]

132 off 40 0vers. Shouldn't be a problem regarding RR. Just depends on how WI respond to a wicket.

Yes. If they ever get a wicket ! These two have been wonderful in this match and made a nonsense of some of the critical condemnation of West Indies after Edgbaston. No question they at least are both worthy Test batsmen .

That said I've not been very impressed with England's bowling in this match. They haven't perhaps enjoyed much luck with some close shaves ; but there have been far too many loose deliveries and a seeming lack of a coherent plan for much of the match.
This isn't an easy ground on which to defend ; but I can't help thinking the field settings might have been a little ambitious for too long today. Perhaps England felt all they had to do was bowl and things would happen for them ? You'd think they might have learned from the first innings...

[andy]

Im not bothered by the attacking field settings...i like them...too often captains are criticised for being too defensive so good to see...


Brathwaite gone for 95!!! Mo!!!

[alfie]

And Brathwaite falls on the stroke of tea !

Magnificent innings of 95

Shame he didn't get the second century ; but it brings the game alive again ...can his teammates finish the job ?

[mikesiva]

Kraigg out in the 90s. Pity! Well played young man.

[alfie]

Im not bothered by the attacking field settings...i like them...too often captains are criticised for being too defensive so good to see...


Brathwaite gone for 95!!! Mo!!!

Sure : I'm fine with attacking fields . But sometimes you need to temper things with a bit of cover in places...it is often a fine line.
Opinions will differ. I just felt some of the bowling wasn't justifying the field placings this afternoon and a bit of "dry" might have been a better tactic.

Never mind. Game is still live at tea .35 overs to get 123 or seven wickets.

I'm not going to get much sleep , I'm afraid ...

[bigfluffylemon]

Finally the breakthrough. But I still have West Indies to win from here. England need 2-3 more wickets quickly after tea to snuff out the run chase, and judging from the play so far, they're not going to get them.

I don't think England have bowled that badly. The pitch has flattened out compared to the first innings, there's less turn, and they have been quite unlucky, especially Broad. But Woakes has been poor (and hence is not being bowled), and Stokes fires down too many loose deliveries.

I have to go out shortly, so won't be able to see the end Looks like a good finish is in store.

[alfie]

Not the start needed after tea with Moeen delivering pies to the new batman...

Need Moeen to take wickets (though he's not getting as much from the pitch as he'd have hoped ) but you sense he's good for a boundary most overs ; so he's going to have to get those wickets quickly.

No sign of nerves from either batsman yet. West Indies have been mentally fine in this match - at least when batting.

[meninblue]

One more wicket will force WI to play for a draw.