Eng v WI 1st Test

We haven't actually lost this one yet chaps.

Burns and Sibley going strong. 67 behind but the suns out, batting day. Dig in and runs will come.
 
Slow progress but England have done well so far. The conditions are much better for batting and we just need to keep building. This test is fairly evenly balanced at present, although we really do need someone to get in, stay in and anchor our innings.
 
I appreciate with a first innings deficit we can`t afford to take too many chances but OMG isn`t Sibley unattractive to watch.He`s not only crab like and ungainly to watch with a very limited range of attacking shots,but the final straw was when he was in such a defensive mindset that he could not even attack full tosses from their off spinner.Maybe now he`s nearing 50 he might start to be a bit more positive,let`s hope so.
 
Agree . . . this is painful to watch. It would help if Sky / TMS added some cheering for boundaries, etc.
 
Test match cricket isn't always about smashing boundaries. Our 2 openers have done their jobs, tiring the bowlers and putting some overs on the new ball. The next 20 overs should see England build a 100 run lead or so. Then we want our flare players to give us something to bowl at on the last day. This could still go either way...
 
NewburyOne said:
Test match cricket isn't always about smashing boundaries. Our 2 openers have done their jobs, tiring the bowlers and putting some overs on the new ball. The next 20 overs should see England build a 100 run lead or so. Then we want our flare players to give us something to bowl at on the last day. This could still go either way...
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No it isn`t but Test match cricket also isn`t about patting full tosses back and scoring at the excessively slow rate of around 25 runs per 100 balls when we need time to bowl the Windies out to win this game which with the right approach we still could do.

I wouldn`t criticise the tempo of any other batsmen but Crawley was turgid and has reduced the time we will have to win this game.
 
England are trying to save the test first, with only 4 sessions left, we still need to bat for at least 2 of those. If we can get to stumps no worse than 5 down we can then look at posting a score. One bad session and we lose, it is that simple.
 
I know we needed to save the game but Stokes will still have ambitions to win this game.Nasser has just referred to the fact that the first three are very one paced and we know who in particular he was referring to and he suggested they might look at putting the more positive Crawley in top 3 in the next Test and he said to bat with Burns and Denly.I agree with that with Root of course back at 4.
 
On this showing Denley will be dropped and Crawley moved up.
I think Stokes may attempt to move things along at some point during this session. Ten overs of hitting would put us in a potentially match winning position. There should be some fireworks before close of play if Stokes remains at the crease
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
I agree but they are discussing it on TV now
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I think it's clear we invest time in Sibley/Crawley. They don't seem to be Vince/Jennings etc etc players. Sounds like they have a different mental. Burns Sibley Crawley and Root is as solid a top four we've had for a while.
 
Crawley is looking very good and Pope looks like a potentially class batsman and with Stokes and Root I think there`s every chance we will have a much stronger batting line up in the next few years.
 
Yes it looks good and with Stokes at five and Buttler at seven the batting could be a fearsome line up. This is only Crawley's fifth test so still has some way to go. Sibley is good at batting for long periods, we have needed someone like him for a while
 
23 overs remaining today, if we score at 3+ runs per over we will have a 200 run lead by close. Do you think it'll be all guns blazing for a session then have a crack at bowling WI in the final 2 sessions?
 
Funny how maybe only two years ago you wondered how we could ever get a decent top 3 and who would replace Chef.
Now we’ve got great young players coming through inc in the lions squad, and it looks more positive.
We’ve certainly got bowling options but Jimmy will be a huge loss when he retires.
 
We have to dig in again here, we need at least 200 runs to give us a decent chance. I'm not seeing too much in the wicket to make me think we can skittle them cheaply.
 
All that hardwork and we are throwing this away late on day 4. Buttler for all his talent just isn't good enough in the red ball format. Hopefully Pope and our tail can wag.
 
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I honestly think Foakes who averages 41 in his 5 Test matches (much higher than Buttler) with a century in his first and is a better keeper than Buttler should now be given another chance.
 
Rabbits, we just love a good collapse. Don't get me wrong, 170 isn't a given but this is incredibly poor from England.
 
Foakes is head and shoulders better than Butler as a test match keeper and batsman. Butler needs to be dropped now, he is only for the white ball game.
 
Windies have played well. They got through their difficult patch and are applying the pressure. Fair play to them.
 
Great start from England . . . all bowlers spot on and still Stokes to come.

Test match cricket at its best 👍
 
This is the partnership now, break this and we'll have a great chance. Regardless, this has been a good first test.
 
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And as I was saying and as they have just said on Sky West Indies are within touching distance of victory needing just 57 with only 4 wickets down.We could of course bowl them out but it`s improbable.
 
We need some magic or this will drift away. We have no one to blame but ourselves, some decent chances missed.
 
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