England's Summer Of Cricket against New Zealand and AUSTRALIA!

[RichC]

two full days left and by the looks of it no danger at all of rain. If we can get to lunch tomorrow still in bat I can't see us losing the test.

[Shaggy]

Magnificent innings by Bell. He always produces the goods when people start asking questions about his form. He's frustrating as hell, but he comes up trumps time and time again for us. Fancy him to have a big summer for us.

Still won't be happy unless we get a 300 lead, but 260 is a defendable lead.

re shaggy's point about batting too slow - I'm not too fussed about it. Runs are important but dragging the innings out is giving time for the pitch bake and in the sun. In the context of the game I think it was important to dig in and make sure we didn't collapse like the first innings. It's not as if there is a time pressure in this game, there's loads of time left.

When we win the game - as happened v NZ when batting really slowly and looks like happening here - there can be no complaints. I do think we make things difficult for ourselves at times. 2 an over in the modern era is painfully slow and we allow the bowlers to dominate at times when we could and should be dominating.

As I said though it's all completely invalid when they go and win.

[Vermilion]

Bet they wish they hadn't used a review on a shocker which was missing leg stump.

Boycott on the commentary when/as it happened...

"hee heeee you've got no referrals left either lads hee hee"

[ChesterDave]

Not seen it but from what I have read it sounds blatant. Should of walked.

[RichC]

It was blatant, he probably should have done but then there was a clip of Clarke who had something similar and didn't walk but we had a review so went that way.

[ChesterDave]

Also. Essex CCC should be banned. Bowled out for 20 against Lancs. Reduced to 12 for 5 today. Middlesex bottling it though. Let em off the hook by conceeding 13 in a single over

[Shaggy]

It was unbelievably blatant. Blatant in real time. Maybe he should've walked but the way it is at the moment he has every right to stand there. Probably 9 out of 10 would've done the same. Incredibly poor decision though.

[RichC]

Most would have done the same but not great to see.

On a plus point he's still in and we're 261 in front

[ChesterDave]

Most probably would. Makes claims of the gentlemans game seem hollow though!

[destinydude]

It was unbelievably blatant. Blatant in real time. Maybe he should've walked but the way it is at the moment he has every right to stand there. Probably 9 out of 10 would've done the same. Incredibly poor decision though.

Absolutely no need to walk. I wouldn't. **** morality and the spirit of the game and all the other bull****.

I ain't walking until I'm given out but Stu Broad's straight face with no change in expression was so funny to watch. It's like he's ****ting bricks in the inside yet playing it impeccably cool on the outside

[destinydude]

When we win the game - as happened v NZ when batting really slowly and looks like happening here - there can be no complaints. I do think we make things difficult for ourselves at times. 2 an over in the modern era is painfully slow and we allow the bowlers to dominate at times when we could and should be dominating.

As I said though it's all completely invalid when they go and win.

It's the 3rd inninds on day 3. What's the harm?

[Shaggy]

Absolutely no need to walk. I wouldn't. **** morality and the spirit of the game and all the other bull****.

I ain't walking until I'm given out but Stu Broad's straight face with no change in expression was so funny to watch. It's like he's ****ting bricks in the inside yet playing it impeccably cool on the outside

It's the 3rd inninds on day 3. What's the harm?

Like I said I don't think it's anything major and it is invalid when we win. I just think we sometimes unnecessarily hand the initiative to the opposition. Eg that last great Aussie side would rub their opponents' noses in it at every opportunity. We often play with extreme caution, sometimes let the other side off the hook and maybe make things more difficult for ourselves.

But it's a minor quibble and I cannot argue at all when they play that way and win.

[Chazza]

Magnificent Ian Bell and Broad

In further good news I've just been told it's a free bar and free food all day tomorrow.

A corporate affair is it?

Get proper smashed and try to storm the pitch in some sort of I love est get up or your Batman outfit.

[Shaggy]

A corporate affair is it?

Get proper smashed and try to storm the pitch in some sort of I love est get up or your Batman outfit.

Yeah it is a corporate. Got to behave...which might be difficult

[RichC]

Easy just alternate between beer and wine, you'll be fine come end of play