Cricket (None Leicestershire County Cricket Club)

[leicsmac]

At this point I'm reminded of an idiom:

 

"The distance between bravery and stupidity is measured only by success."

 

We shall see which applies regards this declaration.

[taupe]

Brave declaration. Will fortune favour the brave?

 

Whatever, can't fault England for trying to make a game of it.

[Super_horns]

But if they play shots like that we will win .

[Tommy Fresh]

38 minutes ago, StanSP said:

A day and a bit to bowl Pakistan out for less than 343.

 

Think it'll be more than enough, but hopefully a good fight put up by Pakistan to make it entertaining... 

They comfortably batted out against Australia when they were chasing down 500 odd on a similar wicket and in the end actually almost did it.

Edited 4 December 2022 by Tommy Fresh

[StanSP]

16 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

They comfortably batted out against Australia when they were chasing down 500 odd on a similar wicket and in the end actually almost did it.

After that flurry of wickets I think you'll be fine! 

[leicsmac]

Interesting one for the record-keepers, this match,

 

As well as utterly blitzing the record for highest run-rate in a completed Test innings (6.5 per over compared to the previous 5.8), this match has already seen a combined aggregate of 1580 runs.

 

Just needs 168 runs tomorrow to break the record for aggregate runs in a five-day Test, and 216 would put it in second place overall behind the truly ludicrous South Africa-England 1939 Timeless Test that had to be drawn after ten days because England were going to miss their ship home.

[leicsmac]

And I must say that the current mentality in the England Test team is impressive.

 

"We don't want draws, and we will back ourselves to win in positions where it's win or lose".

 

 

[RowlattsFox]

You have to admire the bravery, at some point it will backfire, but it shows the opposition that you believe you can win and they go out to bat with that on the mind. 

[purpleronnie]

It seems we have have done a 190...we always used to declare too late, but this seems too early and fair play if we win but Pakistan are favourites.

[Brainy]

Of course if they win its a good decision, if not I don't buy into this brave defeat nonsense. It's reckless. Bit like football you want to win, if you can't win then you don't want to lose. This declaration means a draw is out of the equation. 

[CosbehFox]

Yeah it’s not looking a great decision this morning 

[StanSP]

Great take from Stokes. 

[EastAnglianFox]

Win or lose this and ill still not have a problem with the declaration.

 

Imagine Cook or Root were still captain and day 5 would have been an absolute write off with both teams shaking hands before tea.

 

 

[RowlattsFox]

Just wish we had a quality spinner to call upon, would make such a difference. Not that it's spinning but they offer no pressure or control. 

 

For test cricket to survive it needs more final days like this, whatever the result. I do think there is a chance we lose more than we win with the attacking declarations or trying to chase when we bat 4th so it will be interesting to see if they follow through. 

[Tommy Fresh]

38 minutes ago, RowlattsFox said:

Just wish we had a quality spinner to call upon, would make such a difference. Not that it's spinning but they offer no pressure or control. 

 

For test cricket to survive it needs more final days like this, whatever the result. I do think there is a chance we lose more than we win with the attacking declarations or trying to chase when we bat 4th so it will be interesting to see if they follow through. 

Rehan 😎

Edited 5 December 2022 by Tommy Fresh

[RowlattsFox]

1 minute ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Rehan.....

He could be the game-changer. And with Livingstone out for the rest of the tour his chances of getting picked have improved. 

[Silebyfox_89]

38 minutes ago, RowlattsFox said:

Just wish we had a quality spinner to call upon, would make such a difference. Not that it's spinning but they offer no pressure or control. 

 

For test cricket to survive it needs more final days like this, whatever the result. I do think there is a chance we lose more than we win with the attacking declarations or trying to chase when we bat 4th so it will be interesting to see if they follow through. 

Indeed. 

 

The squad does seem to lack a quality control spinner, Jacks and Livingstone are pretty much the same player in the side.

 

The game would have been worth giving Rehan a go just to see what he could do given its a lifeless pitch.

[RowlattsFox]

Yes Ollie. Big chance of the win now. 

[Guest Basildon Fox]

Playing aggressive cricket is what the great Aussie sides used to do.  I think we win a lot more than we lose this way.  By declaring they have shown they back themselves to get a result.

 

Far more interesting than a bore draw.

Edited 5 December 2022 by Zaphod Beeblebrox

[Izzy]

Booya!

[RonnieTodger]

What a grab Ollie Pope

[Izzy]

One to go!

[coolhandfox]

How the earth does Anderson keep going at 40, wow

[Izzy]

Darkness falling. Everyone around the bat. One wicket to get.

 

I fvckin love test cricket.

[Captain...]

21 hours ago, Stinky said:

Of course if they win its a good decision, if not I don't buy into this brave defeat nonsense. It's reckless. Bit like football you want to win, if you can't win then you don't want to lose. This declaration means a draw is out of the equation. 

Not just being captain hindsight here, I said this last night, the only chance of winning was that declaration. They needed a target to aim for otherwise it would have just been a stodgy block fest where our bowlers took for no reward. Especially with the fact that bad light is taking 15 overs out the day. If they were expecting to complete 90 overs yesterday and today they would have batted much longer yesterday. When we declared yesterday, taking the first innings run rate and the expected number of overs left it would have been tight. So it came down to backing our bowlers Vs their batters and sends a great message.

 

Even if we don't win now, the experience of chasing a win and being in a contest would be so much more beneficial then a day of stodgy lifeless cricket, and so much better for the fans.