creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[Prufrock]

The run rate is very doable. Maybe two down and one gone off hurt they might shut up shop though. Defo an "all three results possible"

[BWFC_Insane]

The run rate is very doable. Maybe two down and one gone off hurt they might shut up shop though. Defo an "all three results possible"

This is the stokes and McCullum way. Try everything to win the game. Risk losing it by doing so. I can’t say it’s a bad thing to be honest.

However the calculation on a completely dead pitch in Pakistan is a bit different to say a crucial ashes test and I hope we do adjust accordingly.

I was surprised we didn’t have 20 minutes after tea as can’t help but feel we are maybe 40 runs light. An extra 40 and Pakistan would know they’d need to bat with purpose to win. With what’s left they just need to bat normally.

However I guess with Livingstone injured and not much else stokes felt we’d spend 20 minutes not scoring very many.

[Worthy4England]

Aye, second para. There as difference between trying to win and losing stupidly. I don't think this declaration is in the totally dumb arena, and you want to try and get the door ajar by giving them a sniff, but they still retain shutters option on a feather bed.

[jimbo]

I think our current philosophy is always going to elicit uncomfortable feelings when it goes wrong. It feels unforgivable to be staring at defeat now from a position of such strength due to a sporting declaration. Similarly Pakistan will feel they’ve been given a lifeline when ordinarily they’d have been batted out of the game.

On the other hand I understand that’s what we’re doing now. We can’t praise them when it goes right just to hammer them when things backfire a little. We’ve engineered a game here that is thrilling when any other team would have seen out a dour draw of the sort that threatens the future of test cricket.

Whatever the results life under Mccullum and Stokes sure is fun!

[BWFC_Insane]

Yeah it’s going to produce wins and the odd frustrating loss too. I do think we could have batted on for a little bit and had the same chance of winning. I do feel we were 40 runs light of making it much tougher for Pakistan and still giving them the carrot. But it is what it is.

We are clearly only a real test level spinner from winning this match comfortably regardless of declarations. Or even one less injury away.

[TANGODANCER]

Real nail-biter just about to resume. Come on the lads...Stoke it up..

[jimbo]

Yes! Ollie Robinson on the charge.

[jimbo]

Can you give Stokes MOTM for engineering this? Also fair argument for Robinson / Anderson too given they’ve got wickets on the flattest pitch in history and bowled us to victory.

[Worthy4England]

Yeah - there was a time just before tea where it didn't look clear cut - but looking like a good deccy now.

The light though - not very good right now.

[TANGODANCER]

Time wasting in cricket...unheard of...

[Worthy4England]

Time wasting in cricket...unheard of...

Unfortunately not. Just not quite as apparent as in some other sports...

[BWFC_Insane]

Can you give Stokes MOTM for engineering this? Also fair argument for Robinson / Anderson too given they’ve got wickets on the flattest pitch in history and bowled us to victory.

We’ve not won yet.

[Worthy4England]

Can you give Stokes MOTM for engineering this? Also fair argument for Robinson / Anderson too given they’ve got wickets on the flattest pitch in history and bowled us to victory.

We’ve not won yet.

Looking mighty dark on tellybox - quite surprised they're still out there tbh.

[Worthy4England]

Not sure Robinson winging down short pitched is the brightest idea I've ever seen...

[Worthy4England]

Yay - great win

[Prufrock]

I agreed with BWFCI, I'd have batted a bit longer.

Fair, fair f*cks Ben Stokes.

[TANGODANCER]

V Pakistan at Rawalpindi will surely go down as a classic..

[Worthy4England]

I agreed with BWFCI, I'd have batted a bit longer.

Fair, fair f*cks Ben Stokes.

And probably a few others - Skipper doesn't tend to sit in a corner on their own and determine when to declare with a "Ta-Da"

[BWFC_Insane]

A classic and as I said at the time it was understandable why he declared but was very very brave.

This is a very different England side. It’s truly brilliant and I think aside from what we do or don’t win we will revitalise test cricket.

On another note this should put to bed any debate. James Anderson is the best bowler of his type who has ever existed. To have figures like that on a pitch like this with a test that had the highest number of runs scored ever in a time limited test match is beyond good. It’s utterly impossible. And he’s 40. Ridiculous.

[Prufrock]

I agreed with BWFCI, I'd have batted a bit longer.

Fair, fair f*cks Ben Stokes.

And probably a few others - Skipper doesn't tend to sit in a corner on their own and determine when to declare with a "Ta-Da"

Absolutely, but you look back at them deciding not to have a go at chasing against NZ the summer before last, and it seems to come from Stokes (and McCullum) setting that tone.