by sussexpob » Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:23 pm
After years of seeing Cook bat past a 700 lead, leaving 10 overs to bowl a team out, I can understand a willingness to be more risky, but there are levels of risk; this showed little more situational nous than shoving all your mortgage on black, and sitting crossing your fingers. It wasnt being aggressive, it was pretty suicidal, wantonly reckless.
I mean, you have to satisfy AT LEAST one of three criteria with a declaration. The first, set a target that you think the opposition is incapable of getting given infinite time. Second, give them not enough time to get it if it is within their capability given infinite time. Third, assess how likely the pitch is to give your bowlers the upper hand. Root essentially gave Windies a very easy target, on a pitch that had looked docile for 4 days, asking them to bat at a comfortable jogging pace. Now, I am pretty sure what Root was saying is this band of rubbish wasnt even worth exercising due process over, which lets be honest, is the actions of a rubbish leader.
A team coming here and not winning a game in 17 years, and there were plenty of matches in that time too, are less likely to play like that for 4 days and back away from a challenging total had they been given one, because lets face it, they would be more inclined deep down to play risky not knowing if they get another chance on day 5 to come away with a win. Australia in a very close series would probably be more likely to bat it out normal and take the draw.
Lets say England bat for another 15 overs, give Windies a total of say 380 in 85 overs. Doesnt sound a lot, but I have no doubt Windies would at least attempt to go for it initially based on the reason above. But instead of 3.2 an over, they are going at 4.6 or something. You are asking them to invest a lot more risk into it with every stroke, every ball. You probably buy a few more wickets with that while protecting your risk of losing, simply being forcing the other team to be aggressive.
Nothing but rubbish captaincy here.
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And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!