creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[TANGODANCER]

36-4. Again.

None of our top 4 score 20.Again. Abject failure. Again No doubt Tango will be along to enlighten me as to why a batting lineup that fails consistently isn't actually a bad batting line up....

And here I am...absolute rubbish our top order...

[Prufrock]

Go on Chef!

[jimbo]

36-4. Again.

None of our top 4 score 20.Again. Abject failure. Again No doubt Tango will be along to enlighten me as to why a batting lineup that fails consistently isn't actually a bad batting line up....

And here I am...absolute rubbish our top order...

Rubbish might be a tad harsh, but they’re still not very good. The last 24hrs doesn’t override the weight of evidence from the last 12 months.

[BWFC_Insane]

36-4. Again.

None of our top 4 score 20.Again. Abject failure. Again No doubt Tango will be along to enlighten me as to why a batting lineup that fails consistently isn't actually a bad batting line up....

And here I am...absolute rubbish our top order...

Our two batsmen who are proven at test level have scores. One of those is retiring. The other elements of our top order a rotating "who wants it" number 3 and an opener averaging less than 20.

Cook has had a horrid two years and it was clear he wasn't "right" somehow. That doesn't diminish his career.

But one innings doesn't rescue the fact that our top order is shocking and we aren't picking out and out batsmen. One will have to replace Cook, but we've given nobody the experience. So someone in from the cold. Alongside the failure Jennings. Great. Lets celebrate.

[TANGODANCER]

But one innings doesn't rescue the fact that our top order is shocking and we aren't picking out and out batsmen. One will have to replace Cook, but we've given nobody the experience. So someone in from the cold. Alongside the failure Jennings. Great. Lets celebrate.

Is winning test matches less important than who scores what? We don't seem to think so as far as our local team are concerned. Or does "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" not matter at cricket? Just wondering. Looks like we may well beat India 4-1 in this series, or worst case 3.5 to 1.5. Not bad I'd have thought.

[BWFC_Insane]

But one innings doesn't rescue the fact that our top order is shocking and we aren't picking out and out batsmen. One will have to replace Cook, but we've given nobody the experience. So someone in from the cold. Alongside the failure Jennings. Great. Lets celebrate.

Is winning test matches less important than who scores what? We don't seem to think so as far as our local team are concerned. Or does "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" not matter at cricket? Just wondering. Looks like we may well beat India 4-1 in this series, or worst case 3.5 to 1.5. Not bad I'd have thought.

Winning test matches is fine. But we're 5th in the world in the rankings. We win at home, when we have decent conditions for swing. Had this series been earlier in the summer with hot sunny clear days it may have been different even in England.

Winning the series is great, but we're still a far cry from being the best England test team in the last decade even and certainly, not the best test side around currently.

[Enoch]

Not bad I'd have thought.

.
When has convincingly winning a test series against No.1 ranked opposition been cause for celebration? Take a long look at yourself, Man.

[Bruce Rioja]

England lead India by 457 runs with 3 wickets remaining. Why are we still at it?

[TANGODANCER]

England lead India by 457 runs with 3 wickets remaining. Why are we still at it?

And as you write, Root calls the troops in. 464 needed to win for India....

[TANGODANCER]

Winning the series is great, but we're still a far cry from being the best England test team in the last decade even and certainly, not the best test side around currently.

Is that critical? I'd imagine the selection boards of Australia, the West Indians, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan etc, etc....are of much the same desire. We don't automatically win anything any more, (did we ever or is it just an English thing?)

[Prufrock]

Bollocks to all that. Chef gets 147 to sign off. Skipper gets a first ton in what feels like a life time. Jimmy equals McGrath's record and then Kohli gone for nowt.

Best ever day of cricket that didn't end with Australian tears?

[TANGODANCER]

Just finished watching the highlights. What a day's cricket. Crowd figure was 19,000. Superb display from Joe Root and Cookie. Come on Jimmy, join in tomorrow and beat McGrath. Magic.

[Enoch]

Meanwhile, there's the small matter of a 4-1 series victory to wrap up.

[Enoch]

Yeah! The breakthrough.

[TANGODANCER]

Yeah! The breakthrough.

167-5 doesn't look a worry, but Rahul is in great form on 108 at lunch. Right after the break is the time to see him off, then the rest won't last that long (says he hopefully). Come on.....

[Enoch]

Too many onion bhajis with his curry and Lokesh will soon be on his way after lunch.

Get that Champers chilled.

[TANGODANCER]

Rahul and Pant are scoring at will and at a great rate....Root doesn't call for Jimmy....it couldn't happen.....could it?

[Enoch]

He's toying with them, giving the paying public value for money.

[TANGODANCER]

He's toying with them, giving the paying public value for money.

166 behind at tea with five wickets left? Have to say this has been a great day for India. If we don't shift somebody soon it looks like an inevitable draw. If they lash out they chance getting out, play safe and they go for the draw. Terrific batting from the Indian pair. My biggest worry is, if we don't get them out, Insaney will be along telling us our bowlers are rubbish....

[Enoch]

Very entertaining. Interesting captaincy from young Root, would enjoy a chat over a beer with him this evening.

Cracking batting.