Good grief, doesn't Test cricket fluctuate from one game to another? Probably not a popular view on this forum, but... I don't think there is a better sport.
Indeed. I didn't agree with Root electing to bat after winning the toss but it appears to be a masterstroke. Shame that we couldn't get that last wicket this evening, if Philander is feeling better tomorrow, he could get them past the follow on and it puts the draw back on the table. So much drama.
What an exciting conclusion! Felt a little for their batsman( Edward) Elgar,heroic defiance from him.
I went to the Oval yesterday. England looked fantastically in control. I couldn't believe how different a side they looked. Disagree with your second sentence however. Cricket is great at times, but doesn't compare to football and rugby as an overall spectacle in my opinion.
A convincing win and finished off in style - if the pattern continues we are due to lose badly at Old Trafford though.
It's the dramatic tension it creates, the gradual build up, and the "game within game" aspect that I find enthralling. But yes. sometimes it can be dull. Of course, football is a great sport but somehow in a different way.
Loved the way Nasser was comparing playing the Australians with having Bairstow and Moeen in the time . You knocked 6 Australians over and in walks Gilchrist at number 7.... England have that now .
Our batsmen playing at 6, 7 & 8 are better than our batsmen at 2, 3 & 5. Miles better in fact. We'll probably need to sort that out before we play the Aussies
Very true but sounds like there are very few red ball matches taking place at the moment to find alternatives.
Cook and Root into 3 figures. God knows where we would be without those 2 in the top order Picking a different top 5 each test?!
Seems a bit weird this, I grew up with Ambrose and Walsh terrifying batsmen, W. Indies seem to just be going through the motions already, even with the new ball. Off to watch it on Saturday, hopefully will be them following on.
Probably not learnt much from playing under lights in this match - only going to last 2 and a bit days!
I grew up with Lloyd, Greenidge, Richards, Holding, Garner etc. Then moved onto Walsh and Ambrose: saw their final Test in England when they were given a guard of honour off the pitch. I find the decline of Windies Test cricket pretty sad.
Cosmic Keighley! That is precisely the point I was going to make! It is quite shocking to see their current sorry state.
I'm planning on being at Lord's from Saturday morning onwards- now wondering whether booking the Monday off work as a precaution was overkill! (It is a 4-5 hour journey home at the end of the match for me though)
Yes - they were very patient to start with then went on the attack and we didn't really have much in response. So many dropped catches from both teams in the test.
Lots of missed catches by England and a wretched first innings. Windies took their opportunity with some style. Makes Lords interesting.
Fabulous victory by the Windies. A shame that these great young players they have will no doubt have their head turned by the IPL and disappear from test cricket like so many others.
Play suspended at the Oval this afternoon due to an arrow being fired onto the pitch. That's right, an actual arrow. The crowd have been told to take cover and the ground is on lockdown.