England vs India - First test thread

I can confidently say I'll be fast asleep at 4a but am really looking forward to the series, sadly I think India will win.
 
I’m recording it on SkyGo
Working from home tomorrow so will catch up
This will be a tough gig. Can see us getting a bit of a drubbing but hope I’m wrong
 
Test cricket is where we still seem to be okay, it's the white ball game that we have completely capitulated at. Up at 6.20 so will probably llunch, that always seems to happen!!
 
No Kohli first two tests so that alone will be a big advantage.
Can we do it? Yes
Will we do it? Honestly can’t see it.
 
Hope Hartley does well but having seen him bowl a lot over the last few years it's hard not to think he's in the Test team as a spinner because he can hold the bat and field well.

And for the record, he's a really good white ball bowler of a certain type.
 
straightatthewall said:
Hope Hartley does well but having seen him bowl a lot over the last few years it's hard not to think he's in the Test team as a spinner because he can hold the bat and field well.

And for the record, he's a really good white ball bowler of a certain type.
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Agreed. He makes a limited impact in the County Championship as a spinner so the next step up is a huge ask. If Lancs thought he could bowl teams out we wouldn’t have signed Nathan Lyon.
 
hampshire_exile said:
Agreed. He makes a limited impact in the County Championship as a spinner so the next step up is a huge ask. If Lancs thought he could bowl teams out we wouldn’t have signed Nathan Lyon.
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Not so sure about your comments about signing Lyon’s - as when a player of that quality becomes available you have to look at it regardless.

Although I am not saying Hartley is necessarily the answer and it is a HUGE step up.
 
Nothings changed has it.

One man holding the innings together how many times have we said that about England? All following a decent start then the usual collapse. 🤷‍♂️
 
Is 246 a decent 1st innings, I'd suggest not.
Decent starts from individuals yet the customary collapse 🤦
Having said that, the ball is turning unbelievably and a couple, especially Bairstow was done by a right jaffa!!
 
Wizaard said:
Same every series. We seem to think we can just turn up in different conditions to an indoor net and hit the ground running. Series after series we lose the first test. It's as if we write it off as practice time.
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The really daft thing is the England Lions played an India A side last week...
 
Seasider1953 said:
Since adopting its swashbuckling style of cricket, colloquially dubbed 'Bazball', England has won 11 of their 13 Tests under Brendon McCullum's guidance, with no series defeats.
i would say to win & entertain, as results prove .
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Yes agree 100% with the entertain and win bit only you just mentioned entertain in your earlier comments that’s all. 👍
 
Leither said:
Seemed a crazy decision to get him to
Open the bowling? Surely the experience of Leach should have been the call?
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Trouble is they already known that Leach is not the strongest. Any they love playing spin, a skill we seem to have lost, both batting against and bowling. I expected them to open with Root as at least he has some variety.
 
I think we all knew what was coming, the team is unbalanced without Stokes bowling and our lack of quality spinners is a joke we've been pointing out for years. India is no place for two rookies because experience out there counts. Leach has the know how to tie an end down but we need variation at the other end. India seem to be unearthing fresh talent at a sickening rate.
 
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