England Versus India - 1st Test (9 Nov - 13 Nov)

[KipperJohn]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

It's not the number of runs but the young man's demeanor that's worthy of praise. Of course it's early days but this debut has been one of real promise. Incidentally he's not out, so a century is still possible and he has outscored two top India batsmen Kohli and Rahane already. I find it odd that as a Lancs supporter you object to him being praised at all.

Have you read Dobell's write up? That should answer any question over this.

If you are directing your ire at the media who hype players up far too much and often far too early, then we're on the same page but my remarks on here have been subdued and will certainly not be widely read around the world.

Looks like we'll have to rely on CMS posters downunder to spread the word that he's the second coming.

[Making_Splinters]

Hameed scores 50 on a pitch that five other players have scored a ton on over the last few days and it's viewed as a huge achievement.

It's ridiculous.

It's not the number of runs but the young man's demeanor that's worthy of praise. Of course it's early days but this debut has been one of real promise. Incidentally he's not out, so a century is still possible and he has outscored two top India batsmen Kohli and Rahane already. I find it odd that as a Lancs supporter you object to him being praised at all.

Have you read Dobell's write up? That should answer any question over this.

If you are directing your ire at the media who hype players up far too much and often far too early, then we're on the same page but my remarks on here have been subdued and will certainly not be widely read around the world.

Looks like we'll have to rely on CMS posters downunder to spread the word that he's the second coming.

It's not just the media, or the fans, the whole situation I find troubling. We've seen seasoned pros who have had great success crumble mentally under the strain of Test cricket when things go south, yet we're expecting a 19 year old to deal with that. We've seen England harshly throw away openers over the years even when they've had good series and out performed the Captain, how can you throw such a young kid into that environment?

A poor series or two and he'll likely be thrown back into the ranks alongside County pros who've never had a chance despite decent records on the back of all that hype he's generated, heck our assistant coach had one of the best records in the modern game and never played a Test. Let's not forge the wasn't even the top scoring opener in Division 1, probably the third off the top of my head. He's got picked based of hype. Even openers who've come in and done well for a time never generated the press Hameed has done.

Just imagine the resentment that's going to cause form players and mental damage the fall is going to bring. There's plenty of stories about U19 players getting a very cold shoulder and harassment from County pros. If Hameed falls he could well fall out of the entire game.

[rich1uk]

i'm probably not as worried as M-S is about this but definitely on his side

not sure we have done a great job handling players over the last few years and when you have someone as young and inexperienced as hameed that requires even more care imo

lets hope he doesn't have the sort of barren spell that would lead to the sort of scenarios being mentioned ever being necessary, some people just naturally thrive under the pressure and itensity of test cricket, but its asking alot

i would have liked to have seen bell-drummond get a crack before hameed, he has been playing with that sort of hype and expectation for a couple of years now and still been scoring runs, albeit in division 2.

[Dr Cricket]

You sense this series to be the battle of the all rounders.
Stokes vs Ashwin.

[rich1uk]

so how do people think today will go ?

163 ahead overnight, do we just bat normally for an hour or so get 200+ ahead and if there are still plenty of wickets in hand try and go for it for another 20-25 overs and declare 300+ ahead with around 50 overs left ?

or do we think cook will just keep batting and be happy with a draw ?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Draw. There's only a game here if England collapse. Time to massage some averages, then shake hands.

[rich1uk]

Draw. There's only a game here if England collapse. Time to massage some averages, then shake hands.

yeah cant see any other result, just wishful thinking above

suggestions that the pitch was prepared to be fairly flat to make sure the game went 5 days as because of the wednesday start they wanted play at the weekend too

[Arthur Crabtree]

The Chief Executives wicket feels like a noughties idea. Maybe especially now the boards are pushing for four day Tests.

[meninblue]

Still the wicket is good to bat on.

[meninblue]

Helmets used by England team does not has the flap which was introduced post Phil Hughes incident. Other teams are using it.

[meninblue]

9 overs for 20 runs. India would not have any issue with it.

[meninblue]

15 overs 37 runs in first hour today

[meninblue]

More urgency is seen in second hour with attackibg strokes.

[meninblue]

Will England declare after both Cook and Haseeb score tons

[meninblue]

Mishra