leicsmac

Fascinatingly poised.

I wonder what the odds on that are.

About 105 overs of total play left, not counting any that may be lost tomorrow for weather? Inclined to think that's more than enough for a result either way if this last wicket falls quickly.

Okay... looks like the draw is less likely on the table now.

Fair enough. Goodness knows I have my own biases regarding people who choose to disregard scientific knowledge and dire things happen as a result.

The mothers isolating behaviour was obvious, and I can imagine it's very difficult to fight that when sick from cancer. She did choose, but for me the mother bears almost all responsibility for that choice.

That amount of overs really shouldn't have to rely upon "sensible" batting to go through to be honest, given the conditions and that the opposition only have one world class bowler.

This is still going to be a position where England have to bat out around 90 overs (less whatever gets taken off for rain delays) to draw the match. If they can't do that given the conditions, they don't deserve the draw and it would be piss poor.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crenzwyvpn1o Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani watched with concern as their mother Kate rose to notoriety during the pandemic, eventually getting struck off as a nurse for promoting misinformation about Covid-19. Then, their sister Paloma was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors told her she had a high chance of survival with chemotherapy. But in 2024, seven months later, she died - having refused the treatment. The brothers blame their mother's anti-medicine conspiracy theories for Paloma's death at 23 - as cancer doctors tell BBC Panorama these beliefs are becoming more mainstream. Kate Shemirani has not responded directly to the allegations we raised, but she has publicly blamed the NHS for her daughter's death. As far as I'm concerned, that woman is civilly, if not criminally, culpable for her daughters death.

Particularly as even if not bowled out India won't likely have enough to be comfortable with a declaration until close of play today at least. If England lose this from here then it will have been a shocking batting performance in the fourth innings.

Anything above 250 will definitely be tricky, I think.

First blood to England.

Pretty much even money from here, I think. Over/under line on the chase around 250.

One innings shootout it is, then.

The England tail certainly wouldn't have done this under previous management, that's for sure.

England won one Test in 17 before it was implemented. I think this bears repeating quite often tbh.

Also, England cricket fans are about the only sporting fans I know who are as reactionary as Leicester football fans.

Nah, it really matters here, too. People overvaluing the Ashes is why England sometimes lose other series they should win. As for Brook himself, his numbers speak for themselves so far, so I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

That's a sickener.

Brook moving into full heart attack mode.

Honestly, I think there are quite a few places in the US that applies to as well.

He had more than his fair share of bad luck in the last Ashes series, if I recall. it's good to have him have a bit better luck here.

Poor shot selection from Stokes as well. This partnership is critical now.

Brook not hanging around this morning then. ...and apparently neither is Pope.

"Nothing worse than a monster who thinks he's right with God." - Malcolm Reynolds, Firefly