The Cricket Thread

[Alee. 182]

has any game looked more like a FIX than this .. not even Germany v Brazil

Not really. Just another example of India's inability to play spin, it's nothing new. India have a good young side but they've had trouble with it since ages. Plus, that was a typical South Asian batting collapse.

[Madmax 9,219]

This shit only hurts because we know we're much, much better than this. Fuck's sake, pull your fingers out you twats.

[EBH 283]

I am loving this new Sri Lanka team under Angelo Mathews. I don't know how he does it but he has inspired the squad so well, he's a colossal Drogbaeseque figure of influence, who can make an entire team lift through sheer force of personality, and that's the only captain of the sort we've had other than Arjuna Ranatunga. The team enters every match believing it can win and sticks to that belief right across the five days, and in that sort of mentality we would probably beat Australia in Australia right now. The improvement of the pace bowling under Mathews has been unprecedented. Dhammika Prasad has somehow turned into a slower, right armed Mitchell Johnson; and even Eranga and Lakmal are quality these days.

[boshman 1,073]

After all that has been said about the Indian team after the match I have to say i did have a smile on my face when Pankaj Singh got his wicket. I think he has bowled fantastically well and been so unlucky. I was pleased for him. He deserved it.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

After all that has been said about the Indian team after the match I have to say i did have a smile on my face when Pankaj Singh got his wicket. I think he has bowled fantastically well and been so unlucky. I was pleased for him. He deserved it.

He will probably be replaced for the 5th test though, words is Ishant is ready to return. If we go into that match with Ishant and Aaron, we stand a very good chance not to lose this series. The batsman will have to deliver this match though, they got away with it at Lords because of Bhuvi, but they've been far too exposed over the last 4 matches. Dhoni's biggest test of his captaincy could be upon him right here, right now. I'd personally drop Jadeja and bring in Rohit. As off form as Virat is, he seems like the type that needs to play through this to rise above it. Jadeja is struggling to prove his undroppable status, particularly with Ashwin finding form with the bat.

[boshman 1,073]

Do not understand how the balance of power can shift so drastically in such a short space of time. 28/4.

[Madmax 9,219]

Hang every last single one of these morons

[Ankit 3,176]

I swear call me an idiot but I would really like to slap each one of them batsmen right now. Freaking hell, this is like 90s revisited, at least we knew back then that we don't stand a chance. But this is just like you tell a school going kid who you know is talented to concentrate and they just keep ignoring you with our giving a flying fuck. Gaandu BC. (hindi expletives, just had to get it out)

[EBH 283]

Who's talented? Pujara, Rahane, Vijay... Virat is India's Mohammad Ashraful, Gambhir may as well be dead, Dhawan is the most epic FTB of all time, Rohit is second only to him on that front. And that's a list of pretty much the only viable 7 specialist batsmen for India at the moment.

Still with three actually talented youngish batsmen India are way ahead of any other team. Batting resources worldwide have dwindled to very low levels.

[EBH 283]

I think Kohli must be the most frustrating one because he announced himself on the world stage two years ago with the great ODI form and century in Adelaide and since then he hasn't improved one iota. For a country as steeped in batting tradition as India, it's shocking that the 'star' batsman averages less than 40 after nearly 30 tests.

[Ollie 4,400]

This is extremely FUN!

I went to the pub on my lunch break at about 3:15 and got there at 78/8, was stunned. Although Dhoni played the rescue act once again, 148.... that'll do. And we closed on a very nice score too. Can't see anything other than an England win already and we've only had a day. Maybe we can win it before the 4th day? That'll be nice.

[boshman 1,073]

I think credit has to be given to the England players though. As bad as India have played, this has been a fantastic fight back from England. After losing the series to Sri Lanka and the embarrassment at Lords, i couldn't see us even winning a match never mind the series. And to win it 3-1 would be incredible. Ballance and Root have been fantastic all summer. Ali actually looks like he could be an international spin bowler. Cook seems to be recapturing some sort of form. Buttler has been impressive. Anderson and Broad look back to their best. A couple of tweaks here and there (opener to partner Cook, Robson doesn't cut it for me. And back up bowlers to Broad and Anderson, i would chose Finn and Stokes) and England could be back to where we were 2/3 years ago. The future looks bright.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Well, barring an absolute capitulation, there's no way we're losing this series now.

[boshman 1,073]

India 46/5.... oh fucking dear!! Root scored 1 more on his own than the entire Indian team in the first innings!

[Ankit 3,176]

So is this the 4th time or 5th time that we have been 66 for 6 in this test series.

I am literally exploding here, Worst Indian performance probably after Australia 99. This is way beyond embarrassing, i am now concerned about the future.

Gambhir just buried his test career for good. Dhoni did play rescue innings but his captaincy was horrific of what is expected of him. Its that time for Kohli when the player is dropped from the team and he makes a come back stronger and better.

Bowlers still did a good job considering they are never expected to do so.

[boshman 1,073]

India... wow!! Shambolic batting! Fantastic performance from the England boys however. What a comeback. After the monstrosity of the winter tour, the series defeat to Sri Lanka and the shambolic performance at Lords, what a comeback. Three convincing victories. The last two both on DAY THREE!! Fantastic!! What a confidence booster! Let's carry this forward and bring on the Aussies next summer!! Come on England!!

[zolayes 14,489]

one has to believe this could possibly be a massive match fix

[Ollie 4,400]

There's still 2 and a half days to go....

HAHAHA that... that is what you call a spanking. Easy, Easy, Easy, Easy.