creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[TANGODANCER]

What's the first thing an Oz cricketer does as he gets out of bed in the morning?
Leaps in front of a mirror and shouts "OWZAT......?"

[jimbo]

Cricket is supposed to be joyful and spirit-lifting, not depressing and soul-destroying.

My highlight of today was watching Jofra Archer nick that inflatable melon back of that jobsworth steward and bat it back into the crowd

Unpopular opinion: party stands are bad for cricket and should be scrapped.

And a fair opinion it is too. I just choose to sit nowhere near them and let them crack on with it. Really not sure how they're 'bad' for cricket, Chief.

I just think it's bad in the sense that it attracts a boorish element who have zero interest in the sport but just go for a day out on the razz. No doubt it's financially beneficial, and obviously no-one's forced to sit in the "party stand", but even when sat in the other areas there's still no way to avoid hearing the droning sound of the afternoon's 250th "Don't take me home" chant.

As I say though, it's just a personal thing.

Agreed. Last 10 years getting hammered has become a key part of a day at the cricket for a lot of people - see also ‘day at the races’. The sport in front of them is a sideshow to the bantz.

Another unpopular opinion - I’m not a fan of the barmy army. They seem such a bunch of smug self important knobs with a weird hierarchy where people look up to them and follow.

[Worthy4England]

Not sure the amount of drinking has necessarily changed. I can remember in the 70's with the Windies banging empty beer cans together all day. In the 80's we used to go on cricketers Friday and spend the day with other teams mulling over the season which often left Saturdays match being last man standing affair. Sure it's moved on some with the inflatables and dressing up, but they always were a bit boozy.

[Worthy4England]

Job 1 need Root and Stokes to try and get us to lunch.

[TANGODANCER]

Job 1 need Root and Stokes to try and get us to lunch.

Indeed. A lot hangs on Joe and big Ben staying in today. Oz will throw the kitchen sink at us but if we can keep our batsman from committing sepuku we might just.....

So FIGHT......!

[Worthy4England]

Who dressed Ian Botham? That's a crime against humanity.

[nicholaldo]

After yesterday's determination, it'd be entirely in keeping for us to get bowled out before lunch here, wouldn't it?

[TANGODANCER]

In the true spirit of cricket.. (nicked from the Guardian site...)

[Worthy4England]

I reckon Moeen could get it to turn on there.

[Worthy4England]

Interesting "stat" from Warne. One I'd not heard of. Three maidens in a row and you're 85% to take a wicket. 4 in a row increases it to over 90%.

Clearly no one told Chris Tavare that.

[Worthy4England]

Enthralling morning.

[Enoch]

Proper test cricket.

Wax & wane, up & down, the beauty of the five day game.

Cracking.

[TANGODANCER]

Wonder if the team know just how gut-wrenching, dry-mouthed, nail-biting all this is for the supporters? It's probably just the same for those in the pavilion mind, but ....
Anyway, as a Christian I know all about faith and hope, I live by it, so..... ...FIGHT.....

[TANGODANCER]

Great on-the-spot image from the Guardian....

[Worthy4England]

Proper test cricket.

Wax & wane, up & down, the beauty of the five day game.

Cracking.

Need another partnership between Stokes and Buttler now..

[Worthy4England]

Piss poor

[Enoch]

Piss poor

Aye. Big ask now.

[Worthy4England]

Piss poor

Aye. Big ask now.

Need a Stokes ton to make up for that, with 40 from the rest...

[TANGODANCER]

FIGHT........Archer and Broad are both capable of "slogging" a few in only.....

[Worthy4England]

Think it's time for Mr Stokes... Car is started in the car park...