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

[backfootpunch]

I bet cook wishes he could face rahat every game

Two short ones an over

He's got used to teams bowling two short balls a game at him

He should fill hos boots while he has the chance

[backfootpunch]

Which one of these is the one day dasher and the other dropped for batting to slow

[pompeymeowth]

Can anyone shut Warne up, his repetitious GOB is appauling.

Repetitious is the mot juste. He makes a point, backs it up (usually with an anecdote/reference about Australia), then just starts talking in circles. It's almost as if he can't bear anyone else to talk whilst he's around.

Maybe it's an in house game amongst the other commentators.

[hopeforthebest]

The general consensus seems to be that Cook has made the wrong call.

The general consensus just got the UK out of the EU and now many of those who created that situation are wishing they'd made a different choice.

[Arthur Crabtree]

As indicated on this site, cricket followers wanted to stay in the EU. Maybe the consensus of cricket followers is right about the declaration too?...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Raining though.

[KipperJohn]

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

If any player isn't fit enough to play a full 5 day Test he shouldn't be picked. Nobody knows in advance how a game will play out. All England are doing are taking their own time to win out of the game.

Terrible decision making all round.

[meninblue]

England will win imo. I dont see this decision being wrong at all.

[hopeforthebest]

When Cook decided to bat again it was after seeing that batting was looking very comfortable and Woakes and Stokes were being played with ease. Until this innings Wahab had an average of 7 and a high score of 27, he made 39 runs. With 48 overs still to go in the day, he judged it better to rest the bowlers and bat. The decision was never about runs despite what Warne, Botham and Holding keep going on about.

[Aidan11]

Ah good, they're coming back on.

[Aidan11]

Beefy says there have been over 2000 test matches and no one has ever successfully chased the lead we have now.


Fair enough but two things worth noting...

1. Just because no-one has chased 450+ in the past doesn't mean it can't be done in the future
2. The highest successful run chase has already been broken twice in the 21st century.

[Aidan11]

Hales goes for 24.

[hopeforthebest]

Another beauty from Amir to get Hales. Hales must feel Amir saves his best for him.

[yuppie]

Cook look for back to back 100's?

[budgetmeansbudget]

Good ball got Hales, but he was looking very uncomfortable in a situation he should relish. Cook going at twice the rate. Hales, like Vince is not cut out for test cricket.