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

[Dr Cricket]

Waugh always did it, it was clarke that never really did it only did it once and that too in his last few test matches.
Think cook doesn't like it because of the flintoff sri lanka game where their batted 2 days to save the game after follow on and Greame Smith did a similar thing in 2008 I believe.

[Dr Cricket]

The new tv deal cannot come sooner, Cricket really needs some FTA presence, better highlight shows and the exclusivity of the Sky deal needs to end about time Counties being allowed to show county game live on the net.

[alfie]

With the team Waugh had , it didn't much matter what he did tactically

Clarke not blessed with the same firepower ; so not really comparable.

I wasn't specifically referring to follow on , in the Australian reference : more to the batting on longer than often seemed necessary , to really grind the opponents down.

Anyway , all that's done now. Issue now is how hard - or otherwise - it will be to take eight more wickets.

And whether Moeen can annoy everyone by taking five

[sussexpob]

Waugh always did it, it was clarke that never really did it only did it once and that too in his last few test matches.
Think cook doesn't like it because of the flintoff sri lanka game where their batted 2 days to save the game after follow on and Greame Smith did a similar thing in 2008 I believe.

One thing to remember, Bhaveshgor, is both of those games were at Lords. From the 2005 pitch for the Ashes test that had uneven bounce, to the later summer test in 2009 when England beat Australia (but, its also key to note Australia got a 4th innings total over 400 in that result) no Lords test, of which there was two each year, produced a result. Those pitches were horribly dead, and got flatter and flatter as games went on. Usually because the attempt to add pace and life into the pitch was to keep live grass on it, which was a disaster because by day 3 the grass died and only left matter on the pitch that further dampened the ball. Those pitches were pretty disasterous.

The Sri Lanka game is noted as being one of the most appalling fielding attempts by England in their history. they dropped a lot of catches, and that would lead to Chris Read being drafted back into the squad and Jones being dropped. They must have dropped literally 10 catches in that game. You cant really say a Captains decision is wrong when your fielders drop enough catches for a complete whole innings of extra lives, on a dead pitch.

[sussexpob]

In fact, if memory serves rightly, in the South Africa game in 2008 the pitch was so lifeless, Vaughan and Smith came to an agreement that when South Africa got to about 50 runs past England's score, if they still had not lost more than 2-3 wickets, Smith would declare and Vaughan would agree to refuse to chase.... with the umpires happy to call it a draw.

It ended not long after lunch or tea on the 5th day.... the only match that I can remember that was stoped hours early because both teams couldnt be arsed, and neither could the umpires.

[Dr Cricket]

Stokes injured lol remember this time last week when journo were complaining that he wasn't in the team lol.

[alfie]

Bad luck for Stokes !

Suppose the point about overloading bowlers just got a kick along

[hopeforthebest]

That's bad for Stokes and for England. Moeen is unlikely to take up the slack.

[Dr Cricket]

Bad luck for Stokes !

Suppose the point about overloading bowlers just got a kick along

Oh yeah just remembered it back Cook point about the follow on.

hopefully the injury to stokes isn't that bad.

[Dr Cricket]

That's bad for Stokes and for England. Moeen is unlikely to take up the slack.

About time Ali is dropped from the team.

[Dr Cricket]

apprently rain forecast for tomorrow.

[alfie]

In fact, if memory serves rightly, in the South Africa game in 2008 the pitch was so lifeless, Vaughan and Smith came to an agreement that when South Africa got to about 50 runs past England's score, if they still had not lost more than 2-3 wickets, Smith would declare and Vaughan would agree to refuse to chase.... with the umpires happy to call it a draw.

It ended not long after lunch or tea on the 5th day.... the only match that I can remember that was stoped hours early because both teams couldnt be arsed, and neither could the umpires.

A nice story , Sussex...

But a little research shows that it actually ended ten overs after tea...after they'd gone off for bad light. But it was indeed one of the deadest games and pitches I can remember .
Were some awful pitches at Lord's for a while there. Thankfully they seem to have a little more lately. Must have taken pity on the poor old bowlers ...

[sussexpob]

Suppose the point about overloading bowlers just got a kick along

He has bowled 20.2 overs spread over three seperate days, this isnt over working.

[alfie]

That's bad for Stokes and for England. Moeen is unlikely to take up the slack.

Not to worry...Joe Root will step up

[alfie]

Suppose the point about overloading bowlers just got a kick along

He has bowled 20.2 overs spread over three seperate days, this isnt over working.

Of course not. Hence the