Cricket

[Le Chef]

Left the house this morning England were 70-1

Just got to my desk... 98-5

According to the BBC commentary it's a doozer of a wicket as expected but England have played some poor shots...

I get that Pak need to win a series at home, but doctoring pitches to suit is stupid, they are ****ed when they go away, also makes a wee bit of a mockery on the fans and tourists therein. Needs to be controlled IMO

[BobTheCharmer]

Baz ball is turning into a farce. Some of the stupid wickets thrown away is criminal. Playing a test match like it's a 20 20 game. I think they need to show test match cricket more respect.

[ChesterDave]

It will only get worse. ECB seems to have little regard for the red ball game.

[spud_gun]

I get that Pak need to win a series at home, but doctoring pitches to suit is stupid, they are ****ed when they go away, also makes a wee bit of a mockery on the fans and tourists therein. Needs to be controlled IMO

Hasn't it always been the case that the home team gets to prepare the wicket to suit their strengths?

[Le Chef]

Hasn't it always been the case that the home team gets to prepare the wicket to suit their strengths?

I can't recall ever, the same pitch being used immediatley after a game, plus I've never seen fans and heaters being used on a sub continental pitch either.

I get that pitches are usually suited the home side regardless, but I think those efforts were against the spirit TBH -

[spud_gun]

New Zealand just swept India 3-0 in India.

First time India have been whitewashed in a home test series. That's pretty special from New Zealand

[Yozza]

England battered over in the Windies...

[Scratch]

Not the best way for the fringe players to say "pick me, pick me" I guess!

[Le Chef]

Approx 10 either rested or injured which makes a bit of a mockery. of the series to be fair, especially having just come off the Pakistan series and another one start in 3 weeks time again the kiwi's. That said, it will be interesting to see what job Brendon does

[spud_gun]

England looking mightily impressive against New Zealand.

[spud_gun]

Crushing victory for England against New Zealand inside 3 days.

After what transpired in India I thought New Zealand were in with a real chance this series.

Test cricket, eh?

[Le Chef]

Just how good is Jasprit Bumrah these days - 9 wickets in the drawn Test

[Le Chef]

Hardly anyone there today at the test - so many empty seats, looked COVID all over again

[SB]

Hardly anyone there today at the test - so many empty seats, looked COVID all over again

Yeah the forecast was for heavy rain & a severe thunderstorm

[ChesterDave]

More likely it was a done deal. Why waste your cash on a foregone conclusion. I have a Lancs season ticket (or for the pendants membership that entitles me to attend matches) and I can't be arsed paying for travel and wasting my time when the game is done after 3 of 4 days