Cricket (None Leicestershire County Cricket Club)

[Osavo]

Sickening defeat, Brook's dismissal does now look a little silly when those two were cruising. On the other hand, Bethell and Smith really should have seen that out for us and both looked incredibly nervy.

 

A wonderful series though, 25 days where it has flip-flopped throughout. Think a 2-2 result is probably about fair in the end.

[martyn]

3 minutes ago, RowlattsFox said:

Bethell was the ridiculous shot yesterday for me. All he had to do was play along with Root. 

 

England have had good periods but generally been that little bit behind in all aspects of the game. 

 

A drawn series is fair I think. It may not bring winning cricket but this era certainly brings entertaining cricket. 

 

Bethell and Smith this morning are more deserving of criticism for me. People will say Brook but without him India would have been celebrating long before.

 

That Bethell shot was appalling, and Smith's cameo this morning was laughably bad, set the tone for the morning.

 

Fair play to India, they bowled immaculately after the Brook wicket, and Siraj deserved that moment.

 

Edited 4 August 2025 by martyn

[Leicester_Loyal]

Just now, trabuch said:

We're chasing 373 ffs. I know it looked like we bottled it - but the pressure. The ****ing pressure. It was outstanding cricket to even get close.

No-ones saying we bottled the whole thing. But we bottled it FROM the position we were in.

[dmayne7]

2 minutes ago, Ted Maul said:

The 6 dropped catches did it really- should have been chasing 200, tops.

 

I'm not going to complain about the wickets lost in the chase. Attacking/the scoring rate is what got us in a position where we were favourites, sometimes we'll die by the sword.

To an extent yes. Brook was in cruise control but fair enough because that's how he played to get us there. But look at Bethall, Smith and even Root to an extent and they were all nothing shots that basically gave it away.

[lcfc_forever]

What a match, what a series!

 

Fair result overall, England rode their luck superbly but India just wouldn't give in. 

[Leicester_Loyal]

Just now, martyn said:

Bethell and Smith this morning are more deserving of criticism for me. People will say Brook but without him India would have been celebrating long before.

 

That Bethell shot was appalling, and Smith's cameo this morning was laughably bad, set the tone for the morning.

 

Fair play to India, they bowled immaculately after the Brook wicket, and Siraj deserved that moment.

 

Spot on, don't get how people are even disagreeing with any of this. 

[trabuch]

Just now, Leicester_Loyal said:

No-ones saying we bottled the whole thing. But we bottled it FROM the position we were in.

I know what you mean, but it's not as easy or obvious as it looks.

[RowlattsFox]

If you have to change so many of your bowlers ahead of a crucial final test shows that the schedule is ridiculous. Too short a period for a 5 test series. 

Having your next in line batsmen carrying drinks all summer makes no sense either. 

 

[David Hankey]

Thrown away, all starting with the numerous drop catches. England did not deserve to win.

[Ted Maul]

1 minute ago, dmayne7 said:

To an extent yes. Brook was in cruise control but fair enough because that's how he played to get us there. But look at Bethall, Smith and even Root to an extent and they were all nothing shots that basically gave it away.

Pressure. We're still very mentally soft- the Aussies will wipe the floor with us unfortunately. 

[dmayne7]

2 minutes ago, trabuch said:

We're chasing 373 ffs. I know it looked like we bottled it - but the pressure. The ****ing pressure. It was outstanding cricket to even get close.

As said below, we were in complete control and we gave it up. We turned that 373 into a very comfortable position and then certain players bottled it.

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, Osavo said:

4-1 vs India in 2018 no?

Ah yes, sorry, should be the last four attempts over seven years, you're right. 

 

5 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

It was a big couple of days for 'Bazball'. Proper killer blow right before the Ashes. A lot to think about now.

 

4 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Bazball vs Aus. 

 

That'll be some contest if England connect. If they don't, it'll be lots of low scores... 

I think that style is the only way that England have a chance in Oz anyway. Take it to that bowling attack or they take you apart no matter what. 

[trabuch]

Just now, RowlattsFox said:

If you have to change so many of your bowlers ahead of a crucial final test shows that the schedule is ridiculous. Too short a period for a 5 test series. 

Having your next in line batsmen carrying drinks all summer makes no sense either. 

 

Yeah - but we had to get it over and done before the cricket candyfloss extravaganza that is the hundred (I'll not watch one second of that shite)

[RonnieTodger]

Lots of ifs and buts. Dropped catches were the key for me, but if Siraj doesn’t tread on the rope then India walk it.

[kenny]

Just now, RonnieTodger said:

Lots of ifs and buts. Dropped catches were the key for me, but if Siraj doesn’t tread on the rope then India walk it.

Losing Woakes is really the issue. Only 3 bowlers through their innings then a batsman down for 2 of ours does'nt work.

 

He was in pain just running between the wickets, it was a bit pitiful to watch at the end.

 

 

[StanSP]

I can't believe it got so close. 

 

How's everyone's heart rate doing

 

Brilliant series. One for the ages and if anyone ever needed to understand why test cricket is so popular, enjoyable and entertaining and HAS to remain so, these last 6 weeks have been it. 

 

More twists and turns than an epic roller coaster. And that's the beauty of it. 

 

I know there's been some back and forth sometimes but we're all friends here at the end of it

 

[trabuch]

Just now, RonnieTodger said:

Lots of ifs and buts. Dropped catches were the key for me, but if Siraj doesn’t tread on the rope then India walk it.

Yes. It was just a fantastic game of cricket. I'm not happy about anyone criticising any player involved with that. Although Bethell is a twat and shouldn't play for England again 

[purpleronnie]

When everyone seem like they were celebrating I was worried about a collapse..

[leicsmac]

Also, looking ahead, given this result it's pretty much guaranteed England won't qualify for the WTC final this cycle already either. 

[StanSP]

Just now, leicsmac said:

Also, looking ahead, given this result it's pretty much guaranteed England won't qualify for the WTC final this cycle already either. 

Already?! 

 

How so? 

[trabuch]

Harry Brook out on 111 I see. David Shepherd's corpse would have been jiggling around like Michael Flatly on amphetamines.

[Bobby Hundreds]

I know Brook batted superbly but can’t help thinking he gave that away somewhat. His wicket gave the bowlers’ belief and energy when they were completely flat. Bethell’s innings piled the pressure on Root and the overhead conditions then came in and made scoring a real chore. 

Have to say, been a brilliant series and a draw is a fair result. Siraj, Root and Gill probably the players of the series for me.

Need Archer, Wood and Atkinson fit for the Ashes or we are getting an absolute hammering. The pink ball test will be a massacre with players like Pope and Crawley in the side. 

[The Year Of The Fox]

Well done India 

 

 

Inserts ‘Come Dine With Me’ meme 

[leicsmac]

12 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Already?! 

 

How so? 

Well, coming to the conclusion that England will lose at least two Tests in Oz, four lost Tests and the over rate points penalties mean that I reckon they'll find it very difficult to outscore two of India, Oz or the Saffers. 

[Osavo]

On reflection I think that is the best series of Test cricket I have ever watched. Discounting the 2005 Ashes which many will consider it to be, since I was only 6.

 

There is so much to be said for a 5 Test series, rather than squeezing 2x 3 Test series into a summer. It allows rivalries and storylines to develop so much more. Also gives each team so much longer to scope each other out, meaning you start to see weaknesses exposed by the end of the series. There's a reason England vs India, the Ashes and the BGT are considered the pinnacle and ultimate challenge for these lads.

 

I understand why neither side would go for it ($$$) but would love to see New Zealand/Pakistan/South Africa come over and play 5 Tests, with a white ball series against the same team tagged on, in a more traditional style cricketing summer. Far, far superior to next summer's schedule for example, with shortened Test series and then some random white ball tours wedged in.