India tour of Eng, June 20 - Aug 4

[sussexpob]

Today was pretty predictable. A late order partnership forming relatively untroubled as miles get into the bowlers legs, the four man attack made of glass ending with an injury, and the player who can't be bothered to play 4 day cricket bowling like a drain all day. Who would have thought that would happen. I agree with Atherton, England would have hoped to bowl out India in those conditions given early wickets. The pitch has seamed, swung, and I reckon a good few runs have been lost to the outfield, which was seemingly made of treacle all day with plenty of drives beating the infield and slowing to a halt.

Assuming the pitch doen't flatten out and the weather forecast is right, I think 250 should be enough if you bowl well. This is a pitch where you hit your line and length, and you will get wickets. England will need to break this parternship early doors, because after 250 with 1 batter/bowler down and a whole 1.5 innings to play with a three man attack left, things could really slip quick.Understandably, Pope gave overs to his pacers all day to try to make the key breakthrough to the tail.... but Atkinson has already bowled 19 overs, Overton 16.... If the next 1 or 2 partnerships can get those figures to 25-30 overs, the second innings is going to be a tough slog.

One only has to look at Tongue's misfield at the end to see the state he was in. He went down towards the ball in slow motion. 1 day in, and he already looks like he needs a holiday

[sussexpob]

England confirm Woakes will play no further part in the test, either with bat or ball....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Unlikely to feature in the Ashes. So could it be end for the stolid old Woakes of England?

And can an attack of Tongue, Overton and Atkinson, plus part-timers bowl out India twice? Going to get messy in the second innings, I feel.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Everyone's going to be talking about subs for the next four days.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Seems like Tongue has the yips.

Graham Thorpe day at the Oval. Coincidentally I was reminiscing about his hundred in Barbados in '03 in a pub last night.

[sussexpob]

Seems like Tongue has the yips

He's having the most bizarre game. He's bowled three passable balls all innings, and all of them are jaffas taking wickets....

218/7... India will want 250, and I think that will be a decent score.

[sussexpob]

Graham Thorpe day at the Oval. Coincidentally I was reminiscing about his hundred in Barbados in '03 in a pub last night.

Colombo 2001 is the masterpiece in my eyes. Will always remain one of my favourite players of all time.....

[sussexpob]

Atkinson gets Sundar now. India all done save for the bunnies having a swing.

[sussexpob]

India going for the better to burn out than to fade away approach...... 4 wickets in 25 minutes, 224 all out. A little on the short side in the end, but this pitch will do things, bowl well and the game is far from over.

[Durhamfootman]

that was quick this morning

England must be playing Durham instead of India

[Arthur Crabtree]

And a 5-fer for Atkinson on return. Well done.

Now need to give the bowlers a long rest.

[sussexpob]

England off like a rocket.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Giving Siraj some grief.

[sussexpob]

Deep gets Duckett, but some severe damage has been done already.

Deep gives Duckett a send off with some words, then puts his arm round his shoulder.... KL Rahul has to step in before the bomb explodes to drag Deep off.

Not a sensible thing to do in the slightest. Going to pay a good portion of his match fee for that one I think

[sussexpob]

India are having one of those days. Chances being generated not falling to fielders, and then one does and its a drop