creeeeeeeekeeeeeet

[BWFC_Insane]

If we are batting at any point tomorrow I think there's a very good chance we'll win the test.

Batting tomorrow? Blimey I can't see it. Be delighted if we were.

I meant in either innings.

Haha can't see it either way. The next session is pretty much the test for me. If England can bat for most of it we're on top and at least have stopped India enjoying the good conditions. Tomorrow still is sunny but a bit more cloud...maybe.

Right now you look at India and think a few of their players are capable of scoring big in the next innings and due doing so. And that's a fear if there isn't much assistance. I'd rather be India right now but a good couple of hours batting and then England are in the ascendency. Critical session.

[Worthy4England]

I'd rather be England right now. A lead's a lead. And regardless what your form's like, you have to back yourself.

[BWFC_Insane]

Pope's been great but that's another wicket thrown away for no good reason.

[Worthy4England]

Good knock by Pope. Not the way you wanna get out in your 80's...will be disappointed with that

[BWFC_Insane]

Good knock by Pope. Not the way you wanna get out in your 80's...will be disappointed with that

If you look at wickets thrown away and 4 drops first innings...England could easily be hugely in the lead by now. Not to be.

[Worthy4England]

Well Overton just played down the central line and the ball came down the Northern...it's been a decent effort after the top order collapse.

Someone does need to tell Jimmy that reverse sweep isn't the shot for him.

[Prufrock]

I'd rather be England right now. A lead's a lead. And regardless what your form's like, you have to back yourself.

Definitely. Don't get the doom and gloom. India were all out for less than 100 in the first innings last time, and a bit of a lucky tail ender having a bash away from being under 150 this time. It's classic Eeyore-ism. Our lot are morons for throwing it away, theirs are "due" a big score.

India can certainly win from here, but neither said have done anything to suggest they can put together a big score, so a lead above 70 looks good to me!

[Bruce Rioja]

FFS that was absolutely ridiculous Moeen. A good innings spoiled with absolute utter nonsense.

Horrible. Just seen it. And I know he's a bowler, but WTFWT, Robinson?

[BWFC_Insane]

FFS that was absolutely ridiculous Moeen. A good innings spoiled with absolute utter nonsense.

Horrible. Just seen it. And I know he's a bowler, but WTFWT, Robinson?

Robinson can hold an end so his shot was inexplicable to me. Bat normally.

[BWFC_Insane]

I’m still not convinced I’d not rather be India in this situation. We got a good lead but for me pitch is not premium for batting. Not sure we will find wickets easy to come by.

[Worthy4England]

I’m still not convinced I’d not rather be India in this situation. We got a good lead but for me pitch is not premium for batting. Not sure we will find wickets easy to come by.

As Pru said and I agree, India might win, but preferring to be a side with 100 deficit is crazy.

[TANGODANCER]

Good knock by Pope. Not the way you wanna get out in your 80's...will be disappointed with that

If you look at wickets thrown away and 4 drops first innings...England could easily be hugely in the lead by now. Not to be.

If. They may be professionals, but they still ain't robots. They're humans and make mistakes. Many things can factor. Happens to everybody sometimes. Right how India have made more than us. Many an innings less then 300 have won and lost Tests. Fact.

[BWFC_Insane]

I’m still not convinced I’d not rather be India in this situation. We got a good lead but for me pitch is not premium for batting. Not sure we will find wickets easy to come by.

As Pru said and I agree, India might win, but preferring to be a side with 100 deficit is crazy.

Just conditions. Pitch looks flat. Sun might be out. If it was cloudy and pitch hadn’t lost pace then you know we’d be massively in front. The problem in this scenario is I expect India to bat through tomorrow. Probably puts them 220 ahead something like that. Hopefully with not too many left to come in. Maybe a lead of 250. But from there that’s where I worry about England batting last. The situation probably dictates that chasing 250 last up is not too challenging but this side just worries me in such a scenario.

[Worthy4England]

What you've posted isn't at all inconceivable and could happen. The pitch is pretty benign. India are currently a better team than England. But, were the situation reversed, I suspect you'd be doubting England's ability to clear the deficit, let alone post a 250 lead. I very much doubt you'd be posting how advantageous it was. So for England you take 100 lead every time.

[BWFC_Insane]

What you've posted isn't at all inconceivable and could happen. The pitch is pretty benign. India are currently a better team than England. But, were the situation reversed, I suspect you'd be doubting England's ability to clear the deficit, let alone post a 250 lead. I very much doubt you'd be posting how advantageous it was. So for England you take 100 lead every time.

The thing is we know that India have proven batsmen who perhaps have struggled with the conditions. But their averages suggest they might not fail in these conditions. Whereas England’s….

I think honestly I’d prefer England to be bowling last here even with a deficit. Just the way it’s panned out. I’d probably look and say there were a few too many missed opportunities without any fanciful stuff England could easily have a lead of 150 plus. Just fingers crossed now we nab a few early because that would change the game again.

[jimbo]

This could be a long, long day.

[Worthy4England]

Would help if we could catch.

[BWFC_Insane]

Would help if we could catch.

Burns put him down twice. Just not good enough. If you are in the slips you’ve got to do better.

[Worthy4England]

Would help if we could catch.

Burns put him down twice. Just not good enough. If you are in the slips you’ve got to do better.

Last 18 months or so, felt like all the cordon from wk round have dropped more than their fair share...

[BWFC_Insane]

Would help if we could catch.

Burns put him down twice. Just not good enough. If you are in the slips you’ve got to do better.

Last 18 months or so, felt like all the cordon from wk round have dropped more than their fair share...

Yeah. In effect 19-1 now. So lead has at best given us a 1 wicket advantage.