Cricket 2017

[EOLAN]

Ya still out there Shoulders-Stomach. Damn work commitments called me away.
Fair play to O'Brien (Kevin). Great to get our first Test centurion on the board.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

I would call him a clutch player but this is basically the second really clutch performance out of a large number of failures.

You're looking a fair threat but it is embarrassing if even the world's number one test team can't win away.

[sevendaughters]

great fight by Ireland here, bookies still paying good money for an Ireland win.

glad Lancs did to Notts as they did to us opening day. worried that Haseeb Hameed might be done.

[confettiinmyhair]

Hameed has been blighted by injuries, but I also wonder if he has been affected by all the comments suggesting that he was a cert to open again alongside Cook. Too much pressure on the lad.

Vince got a double hundred at the worst possible time.

[sevendaughters]

Ireland in with a real chance here. Tyrone Kane's knock brings tears to my eye. 14 off 90 odd balls. Real cricket.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Chance gone. Bit of a worry what Ireland have got after the new ball goes soft. Probably need a decent spin option.

[sevendaughters]

what happened to George Dockrell? last seen at Somerset learning to tweak on the road at Taunton.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

what happened to George Dockrell? last seen at Somerset learning to tweak on the road at Taunton.

Left out at a late stage. I thought he looked like a canny operator tbh.

[king_tubby]

England win the toss, and are going to have a bat.

[king_tubby]

Stoneman? More like SHITman.

[monolith]

At least Cook has scored a 70 and not a double hundred as apparently double hundreds shouldn't count when taking in to account his recent averages.

[Mr Eggs]

Come on England. No cunt wants Ed Smith back on TMS.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Anyone work out what Bayliss has added to the test side? Moores would have been sacked a further two times by now. We've got the one day formula, now we need to get rid of the bloke.

[The Boston Crab]

One day: Hit everything.

Tezzers: Don hit everythin

[thraxx]

I know that the adage is to always bat first but if there was ever a surface to put the opposition into bat first this was it. Otherwise, same old failings. Understand the logic of the Buttler selection, but surely it will end in tears for him and the team.

[Emotional Support Peacock]

It's 2018 now you wazzocks.

[sevendaughters]

Absolutely steaming at the Buttler selection. Just total school tie bollocks. And I'm a Lancastrian!

[Pranet]

The Buttler thing in its way reminds me of the sort of selection that they'd do back in the early nineties. It is sort of the modern day equivalent of someone getting picked on the basis of a brisk 75 in the Texaco Trophy. Not that today is his fault. 

[sevendaughters]

he's a modern day genius with the bat and he talks a good game re: red ball cricket but it is just not his strong suit at all. he's the third best WK/batsman in first class cricket at Lancs behind Vilas and Davies. i just do not know what Smith was thinking at all. i don't want Bess to fail either but that seems a wild pick.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Buttler plays well on flat pitches with no slip cordon because his brute force allows him to do more than nurdle singles. In my opinion he is not good enough at this format so may as well get his eye in by playing aggressively than what's happened in his career so far which is to play properly and then get out with lame fencing at the ball.

Vince was wretched but arguably Buttler is only a very minor improvement.

Leach is injured and Bess really seems to be a decent option. They also will have seen him score 100 the other day which guarantees you at least one test on the basis that if you're total shite with the ball you might score a few runs. Batty, Patel etc

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

May is going to get a fast tracked MCC membership, as if that didn't just sum everything up.

[Pranet]

Cunts.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Major selection decisions:

Keep Stoneman
Progress so far: out for 4

Move Root to 3
Progress so far: out for the worst 4 I've ever seen

Recall Buttler as a specialist batsman
Progress so far: out for a loose 14

Pick Bess as a frontline spinner
Progress so far: Used for only 17 overs, 0 wickets, economy of 3.5 an over, out for 5 runs



Going spectacularly, isn't it?

[sevendaughters]

Ireland went at these guys harder. I bet we struggle to make them bat again, let alone get to a winning position.

[Mr Eggs]

On their arse again. Be over today.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Fucking hell

[Moonshine]

AIDS at the crease

[sevendaughters]

Bayliss has to go as test coach. Been dreadful for a while now.

[thraxx]

We've been complete pump so far.  Everything looks in disarray, from the management of the slips to the pitch of the bowling to the half-arsed batting.  But at least Bess and Buttler are showing a bit of resistance.  So I assume they'll both get out now.

[thraxx]

I bet you we'll get skittled out the last 4 wickets for 30 odd runs tomorrow morning.  It's the hope I can't stand.  But well done Bess and Buttler.  You've only done half a job as a team, but you at least did yours this innings.