Surly Cricket Thread

[UDontKnow 10444]

15 hours ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

I’m glad Willow isn’t covering this else I would be tempted to stay up to all hours of the morning watching this travesty.  India can only hope for a draw at this point.

And Rohit isn't helping the case for a draw, goddammit. Need like 10 Pujaras batting for India.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Rohit is not a good test player.  Kohli is not a good captain. 

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

West Indies with a great win in Bangladesh in their first test match.  WI chased down 395 in the fourth innings behind Kyle Mayer's 210 runs on debut.

[satyanash 14481]

England's bowlers got so much more out of the pitch than ours. It's frankly embarrassing.

Also spare a thought for Pant, this was his fifth 90+ score he's failed to convert.

[remoh 87]

26 minutes ago, satyanash said:

England's bowlers got so much more out of the pitch than ours. It's frankly embarrassing.

England used a heavy roller before the start of the day to accelerate pitch deterioration. Really great tactic. (Found it kinda interesting In the Pakistan-SA test, Pak didn't use heavy roller yesterday because they didnt have enough runs on the board to confidently defend.)

With all that said, I think the pitch is to take a lot of blame - the pitch simply gave too much advantage to the toss winner. Day 4 and day 5 will get even better for the spinners.

Its hard to see anything but an English win here. If India force a draw, that would mean they continue with the grit they showed off in Oz. But I dont see that happening with the current XI. Would be happy to eat crow here.

 

 

 

 

[UDontKnow 10444]

12 hours ago, satyanash said:

England's bowlers got so much more out of the pitch than ours. It's frankly embarrassing.

Also spare a thought for Pant, this was his fifth 90+ score he's failed to convert.

Still better than most higher than him in the batting order.

11 hours ago, remoh said:

England used a heavy roller before the start of the day to accelerate pitch deterioration. Really great tactic. (Found it kinda interesting In the Pakistan-SA test, Pak didn't use heavy roller yesterday because they didnt have enough runs on the board to confidently defend.)

With all that said, I think the pitch is to take a lot of blame - the pitch simply gave too much advantage to the toss winner. Day 4 and day 5 will get even better for the spinners.

Its hard to see anything but an English win here. If India force a draw, that would mean they continue with the grit they showed off in Oz. But I dont see that happening with the current XI. Would be happy to eat crow here.

 

 

 

 

Well shit. Can't do anything with that if you don't win the toss. India is going to be down 200+ runs at the rate they are currently. And what a terrible innings for Nadeem, 6 no balls bowled and out for a duck. Wasn't he supposed to be good with the bat?

[satyanash 14481]

4 minutes ago, UDontKnow said:

And what a terrible innings for Nadeem, 6 no balls bowled and out for a duck. Wasn't he supposed to be good with the bat?

Apparently he has a FC hundred... somehow 😂

Regardless this is likely his last match so I feel for the guy. He got his chance with Axar Patel's injury and Kohli leaving out Kuldeep Yadav for reasons that are only known to him.

[UDontKnow 10444]

5 minutes ago, satyanash said:

Apparently he has a FC hundred... somehow 😂

Regardless this is likely his last match so I feel for the guy. He got his chance with Axar Patel's injury and Kohli leaving out Kuldeep Yadav for reasons that are only known to him.

Kohli is a terrible captain and his weaknesses were overshadowed for so long because Dhoni was behind the stumps.

Rohit should be captain for the limited overs formats and Rahane should be the Test captain. Rahane has never lost a Test when he has been calling the shots. Fat Ravi Shastri needs to quit stuffing his face full of chaat and laddus and actually intercede as coach.

Edited February 8, 2021 by UDontKnow

[UDontKnow 10444]

Goddammit. All out for 337. With some 68 overs remaining in the day, it looks likely that England will declare by day's end. Gonna need a herculanean effort by the bowlers to keep England at bay. And then will need the same from the batsmen tomorrow to not get bowled out to secure the draw. 

[remoh 87]

17 minutes ago, UDontKnow said:

Fat Ravi Shastri needs to quit stuffing his face full of chaat and laddus and actually intercede as coach.

Bring back Kumble as coach. Kohli will quit automatically.

No matter how good a player Kohli is, I cant get past him running out a coach. A good one too. 
 

If I can have my dream coach, it would be Rahul Dravid. He did amazing work with India A and U19s. 
 

But Kohli/Shastri team selection is almost always suspect. Not sure who to blame here... but it seems Shastri just lets the captain do whatever he wants. His maIn job is to do Press Conferences and speak Yoda. 

[remoh 87]

Its gonna be funny if Australia quality for WTC final. Looking like there is a decent chance for that happening if England win the first one. 

[UDontKnow 10444]

England starts their second innings up 241 runs and Ashwin bags Burns's wicket on the first delivery. When will England declare? No more than 350 runs, right?

[satyanash 14481]

And right on cue, Nadeem with a no-ball.

How the hell was Nadeem so successful in domestic? Dude is literally struggling to bowl the correct line and length, keeps leaving every alternate delivery way outside off.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

I see the fat tub of goo known as Rohit Sharma put in another brilliantl effort.  Combine that with Rahane’s complete inability to bat spin in Indian conditions and a tail end that won’t provide anything India start every test match at best 20/5.  That’s too much pressure to put on the rest of the team.

Better hope Kohli can start winning tosses else India won’t make it to the finals.

[UDontKnow 10444]

India tries to go for the win and likely waits until tea to reassess the situation whether to play it safe for the draw.  A draw in this case would be taken as a loss for the English side who started out with all the momentum.

[remoh 87]

2 hours ago, UDontKnow said:

India tries to go for the win and likely waits until tea to reassess the situation whether to play it safe for the draw.  A draw in this case would be taken as a loss for the English side who started out with all the momentum.

I am anywhere close to as optimistic as you. Absoutely zero chance for India to win.

 

Most likely England wraps up the win by tea.

India’s only chance for a draw is Pujara. He needs to survive until after Tea for a shot at the draw. 

[APMP 688]

That pitch is going to be a monster. It is going to take an unbelievable effort just to draw this thing.

[UDontKnow 10444]

Well Pujara is gone early. Play for the tie and the tie only. The ball is turning quite well for England.

[remoh 87]

Tie is the the least likely outcome 😉

[remoh 87]

And this is why people hate test matches. When the pitch does nothing for the first 3 days then deteriorates like crazy. 
 

India will have to play really well rest of the series to make WTC final. 
 

Kuldeep has to get a chance for the next match over Nadeem. Also, not sure about Washington - you have to bowl him more if you pick him. Otherwise, you are selecting him as a batsman.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

23 hours ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

I see the fat tub of goo known as Rohit Sharma put in another brilliantl effort.  Combine that with Rahane’s complete inability to bat spin in Indian conditions and a tail end that won’t provide anything India start every test match at best 20/5.

I overestimated their production.  Rohit, Rahane and the 3x clods at the bottom went 11/5.  Absolute pathetic performance all around for India.

And Mr. Nadeem,

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

4 hours ago, remoh said:

Also, not sure about Washington - you have to bowl him more if you pick him. Otherwise, you are selecting him as a batsman.

It's almost as if India's captain is a complete moron.  Washington would generate more bounce with the new ball in England's second innings than Nadeem's malnourished self.  Nadeem is useless.  Since Kohli doesn't seem to want to pick Kuldeep ever, then hopefully Axar Patel is fit for the next test.

Of course is Root continues his dominance in coin tosses will it matter?  I've always felt in a test series you have one toss for the first match then all other matches alternate who picks to field or bat.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Anyone else ready to take a gamble and bring Hardik into the side?  There’s so many walking wickets on this side he could come in as a pure batsman since he’s still likely not bowling fit. 

[remoh 87]

Nah. Hardik is unlikely to be a better bat than Ajinkya or Rohit. You gotta stick with those two for the series no matter. Then cut then if they dont perform  - India has always been way too knee jerk and we cant do that - they need to be selected for a series or not selected.  Players cant perform when being cut on a game by game basis is always on their mind.   

More than batsman, The bigger problem is the 4th and 5th bowlers. You cant win a test match in India with just 3 bowlers - especially when 2 of em are seamers.

  
To be honest, 4th haaaaaas to be Kuldeep. He haaaaaas to be given a chance. A real chance. For the rest of the series. More below.

 

Would actually prefer Siraj or Thakur for 5th until Jadeja comes back. Those guys bring a lot more moxie/energy even though they are pacers. 
 

More on Kuldeep: What is Kohli’s problem with Kuldeep? Does anyone know? Nadeem wasnt even in the main list pf players for the first two tests. He was an alternate. He picked him over Kuldeep when Axar got injured.  WTF. Kuldeep should have been picked over Axar so why does that matter. 
 

I think Indian board gives way too much flexibility too Kohli. He should be forced to pick from the main list of players before going to alternates. Otherwise, whats the point of even selecting Kuldeep. Just keep him home. 

Edited February 10, 2021 by remoh

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

The only thing I can see as to why No Ball Nadeem (NBN) got picked instead of Kuldeep is NBN is SLA - same as Jadeja and Axar, while Kuldeep is a wrist spinner.  But if you can't bowl properly it really doesn't matter what type of spinner you are.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

11 hours ago, remoh said:

Would actually prefer Siraj or Thakur for 5th until Jadeja comes back.

I certainly hope Thakur gets a game in the day/night test.  He was the only one on either side getting any type of swing in the Gabba test; he should get even more swing in night conditions.  That said, I'm scared to death what Jimmy Anderson is going to do in the same test.  We might see another 36 ao.

[remoh 87]

Jadeja not coming back this series per Cricbuzz.

I am putting my captain bat on.

Ashwin / Bumrah / Ishant / Kuldeep. Stick with these 4 for the next 3 tests unless one of em gets injured. 
  
5th: Pick from hat: Axar / Washington / Siraj / Thakur. Must be made to bowl at least 15 overs per 100.  
 

Batsman: Stick with current lineup for rest of series unless injury. Drop all who fail consistently at end of series.  If injury, Mayank is next up. 
 

 

 

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Well that ain't no fun.  We need hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth.  Emotional outbursts laced with profanities should also be used in great quantities.

And I pick Siraj from your hat.  Dude is a flat out gamer.

Edited February 11, 2021 by Fudge Nuggets

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Couple of updates I saw today mention England plan to rest Jimmy Anderson and Archer may be out due to illness and arm injury.  Not sure if the Archer news forces them to keep Anderson or not.  I guess they have a rested Stuart Broad that can be used in place of Anderson.

Buttler has returned to Pommie land and will be replaced by Ben Foakes who last played in a test 2 years ago.  Guess that means he will get a double century and take at least five catches along with a couple of stumpings.

[UDontKnow 10444]

1 hour ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

Well that ain't no fun.  We need hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth.  Emotional outbursts laced with profanities should also be used in great quantities.

And I pick Siraj from your hat.  Dude is a flat out gamer.

Why not Sundar? He should have been asked to bowled more in the first Test, can use his spin in Chennai (pair him with Kuldeep for lefty and right spin combo), and you use his bat late in the order. No insult to Siraj.

1 hour ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

Couple of updates I saw today mention England plan to rest Jimmy Anderson and Archer may be out due to illness and arm injury.  Not sure if the Archer news forces them to keep Anderson or not.  I guess they have a rested Stuart Broad that can be used in place of Anderson.

Buttler has returned to Pommie land and will be replaced by Ben Foakes who last played in a test 2 years ago.  Guess that means he will get a double century and take at least five catches along with a couple of stumpings.

Can the selectors add Yuvraj to the XI just to face Stuart Broad? Kidding.

Ben Foakes? What happened to Jonny Bairstow? Does he not keep wicket for England in Tests anymore?

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

1 minute ago, UDontKnow said:

Why not Sundar? He should have been asked to bowled more in the first Test, can use his spin in Chennai (pair him with Kuldeep for lefty and right spin combo), and you use his bat late in the order. No insult to Siraj.

It's a tough choice for sure but going with 2.5 spinners (can't consider NBN a full player) didn't work out so well so why not go with three seamers for the hell of it?  England faired ok with three seamers (Anderson, Archer, Stokes).  Granted in Chennai it's all about winning the toss which is horseshit.  Lose the toss and it probably doesn't matter who you trot out there.

 

4 minutes ago, UDontKnow said:

Ben Foakes? What happened to Jonny Bairstow? Does he not keep wicket for England in Tests anymore

I believe Bairstow went back to England after their Sri Lanka series but is expected to rejoin the team for the third test.  I wonder if they have a back-up in case Bumrah busts a high hard one into Foakes' wrist?

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Apparently Kuldeep is warming up so looks like he gets a game.  Axar Patel gets his cap today so he's in.  Now win a damn toss, Kohli.

Edited February 13, 2021 by Fudge Nuggets

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Yes!!! We win the toss.  Game on, bishes.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Playing XI's:

IND -
Sharma
Gill
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Pant
Axar Patel
Ashwin
Kuldeep
Ishant
Siraj

Bumrah getting a rest, No Ball Nadeem's stupid ass got dropped, thankfully.

 

ENG -
Burns
Sibley
Lawrence
Root
Stokes
Pope
Foakes
Moeen Ali
Leach
Broad
Olly Stone

Anderson rested, Archer out with injury, Buttler went home.

[remoh 87]

Bumrah rested? Wth. You dont rest a race horse in his prime. Otherwise, all sensible choices from India. 

[UDontKnow 10444]

And India loses a wicket before it scores a run. Seriously what gives? At least it wasn't Rohit. We're all tired of his putrid Test performances.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Gill goes for a duck.

[remoh 87]

Gill out. Thought he should’ve reviewed it. It was kinda high. 

[remoh 87]

1 minute ago, remoh said:

Gill out. Thought he should’ve reviewed it. It was kinda high. 

Ok. Guess not. Good call not reviewing 

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

2 minutes ago, remoh said:

Gill out. Thought he should’ve reviewed it. It was kinda high. 

At best it would be umpire's call so no sense to review.

[UDontKnow 10444]

Broad looks stupid with his headband.

Just realized that Bumrah is from Ahmedabad. No way he misses the two Tests at Motera. Fair to give him this Test off considering he's in contention for all the limited over matches.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Yep, no problem giving Bumrah a rest for this one.

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Rohit is 23 off 22 but feels like he could lose his wicket on any ball.

[remoh 87]

10 minutes ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

Yep, no problem giving Bumrah a rest for this one.

😑 

disagree. 
 

bumrah needs to play every game! rest is for the dead. 
 

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Good lord, this Leach guy is ugly as hell.

[remoh 87]

6 minutes ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

Good lord, this Leach guy is ugly as hell.

😂 

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

This is when Rohit scares the shit out of me.  He tends to get ahead of himself and throw away his wicket.

[remoh 87]

I had predicted he was gonna get 3 100s this series since it’s in India.  Today has to be one (even with copious amount of luck). 

[Fudge Nuggets 19190]

Taliban Man in for England.  Yet another Pom I can't stand.

[remoh 87]

5 minutes ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

Taliban Man in for England.  Yet another Pom I can't stand.

Thats cuz you hate all the pakis