And now the customary England batting collapse......

I played cricket with brother Ron in our back yard. The wicket was our next door neighbour's stone steps (quite wide!) and the ball was delivered from the end of the yard, which was the pavement on Doncaster Road right next to the Junction Inn. Runs were scored from straight drives across the road and down Sunderland Terrace or to square leg (the rest of our dog leg shaped back yard. I don't ever recall a ball hitting a vehicle on the road. Nobody's windows got smashed and we both got through it all without being run over.

".......and yer tell that to kids today....they'll never believe yer!"

 

Too much traffic in Donny Rd now Mike lol

 

After a slightly promising partnership with Sam Curran, Ali has gifted his wicket, sweeping a non turning spinner off Ashwin, far too short, top edge, 167-7.

 

To be fair Boycott said he got a good ball and couldn't do much about it & he's usually the first to put the boot in.

 

There was plenty then but the ball always seemed to sneak through the gaps (or is my memory going ). I do remember though that each run counted for ten, to try to make the final score more like a grown up game!

More than 50 years ago - how can that be??

 

Movement in, but his foot went nowhere. Static, pinned on the crease. At least if you get your feet moving and a big stride, you put doubt in the umpires mind. Granted it could be overturned, but you give yourself a chance if you miss it.

 

The standard of county bowling is poor and the moor limited over cricket being played is having an affect.

England batting coach is Ramprakash. A very limited England batsman.

Also the England selectors are going back to ramming the team with as many all rounders as possible.

 

And how long before there are calls for 36 year old Ian Bell to be recalled back into test cricket?

 

Never mind Bell. Would take Atherton and his half back over Jennings, and Gower would still look more assured than most of our top 6.

 

Agreed 100%. The standard of test selection has always been a bit dodgy and they seem to be getting worse

 

The county game is on its arse.

No England batters have the mind set to bat all day long. Its all thrash it cricket these days.

How England must long for another Geoffrey Boycott.

 

What a great advert this test has been for the five days game. People moaning about how many England got, before India played the same pitch. Seems our score was par when you look at where India are. Credit to Ali for getting us back in the game. Credit also to Pujara. He could have stayed at home earning good money in the IPL. Instead he comes over to England for a chilly April, to play our county championship in front of a few hundred people each day.

 

Fair point although I'm not sure Pujara the snail gets a game in the IPL .

 

It just shows how dreadful modern batting is. Ali has hardly even turned one yet.. but has 5 wickets! And Kohli played a really wide delivery.

I'd say the 5 day audience are pretty miffed... another test unlikely to last 5 days unless it rains.

I've a ticket for day 1 of the final test. I'd very much hope one of the teams can manage to bat all day on the Oval pancake.

 

Not sure it's a par score. I just think both batting line ups are much worse than the bowling attacks they're facing.

 

He doesn't. His only chances of playing for India is at Test level, hence why he signed for Yorkshire early season.