2nd Test England v Pakistan, Old Trafford, 22-26 July

[Arthur Crabtree]

Vince should, he's not a certainty for the next game.

[backfootpunch]

Sky commentators have been going on throughout this test that bowling here is harder work because the ground is so hard, now they are moaning about Cook batting again.

The only valid reason is what nasser mentioned

That stokes and jimmy are coming back from injury so batting for a couple of hours means they get some time to recover and will get a nights rest after a spell later

Assuming they give themselves 20 overs tonight

[budgetmeansbudget]

Sky commentators have been going on throughout this test that bowling here is harder work because the ground is so hard, now they are moaning about Cook batting again.

Maybe, but all of them to a man have been saying enforce the follow for the past few hours.

Maybe getting below the 400 deficit was the clincher.

[backfootpunch]

Maybe cook fancies an easy 50 not out to boost his average and run total

[hopeforthebest]

Why are we batting

We are 390 ahead

What we going to do bat for 20 overs then declare

England have bowled 63 overs in batting conditions There are 48 more to go today, batting again is a no brainer.

60 overs isn't that many really

Especially since we have 5 bowlers

63 plus 48 makes 111 overs. too many in my book. I reckon we have 4 bowlers plus Moeen not 5.

[Aidan11]

Ah they're off for rain.

At first I thought Cook had gone for a quick declaration

[Dr Cricket]

Rain now falling which shows how poor the decision it was.

[Arthur Crabtree]

The rest of the day being rained off suits England's purpose just as well. They have enough runs, they just want the bowlers not to be bowling.

It's bad for the image of the game though. There's nothing duller than a third innings spent resting the bowlers. With maybe the opposition slowing the game down.

How about a rule where the follow on has to be enforced?

[budgetmeansbudget]

Rain now falling which shows how poor the decision it was.

Certainly does.

Forecast looks okay for tomorrow and Tuesday but you can never be certain with the weather.

At least this break can be offset by an early tea.

[Dr Cricket]

Now to show how laughable the decision was they now can not declare till maybe they lead by 500 so if rains for most of today then they wasted most of today and probably a session tomorrow.
Pakistan would probably have to bat 5 session to save the test could possible be less if more rains falls tomorrow or tuesday

[budgetmeansbudget]

The rest of the day being rained off suits England's purpose just as well. They have enough runs, they just want the bowlers not to be bowling.

It's bad for the image of the game though. There's nothing duller than a third innings spent resting the bowlers. With maybe the opposition slowing the game down.

How about a rule where the follow on has to be enforced?

Thin end of wedge, they'll be calling for four day tests next.

Then you won't have much choice but to enforce the follow on.

[ianp1970]

The rest of the day being rained off suits England's purpose just as well. They have enough runs, they just want the bowlers not to be bowling.

It's bad for the image of the game though. There's nothing duller than a third innings spent resting the bowlers. With maybe the opposition slowing the game down.

How about a rule where the follow on has to be enforced?

Or maybe the reverse and abandon it altogether?

[ianp1970]

If you're well clear on first innings you can declare on 0-0 second time around...

[Dr Cricket]

The rest of the day being rained off suits England's purpose just as well. They have enough runs, they just want the bowlers not to be bowling.

It's bad for the image of the game though. There's nothing duller than a third innings spent resting the bowlers. With maybe the opposition slowing the game down.

How about a rule where the follow on has to be enforced?

How does rain suit England since they lose time because of the rain and then time batting
If they didn't bat again then they would have more time to bowl the opposition since they wouldn't bat unless they needed to.
Any time England bat now is wastage, doesn't matter if the weather good but the weather dodgy for the next few days so make the decision look weird.

[Aidan11]

Just in case the decision by Cook to bat on backfires, everybody bookmark this thread just in case....


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