Test Cricket 2024

[Belgrove]

….. our local hero Wood should IMVVHO bowl at the stumps more …..

Too true Anton. It’s rather thrilling watching a genuine fast bowler firing off missiles from which only the finest of batters have a hope of delivering a shot. Is there any other sport where a legitimate ploy is to launch projectiles with a purpose (of many others) to intimidate and even hit an opponent?

[DracoM]

Wood at last a real revelation - agreed. Might even shake the Aussies!

[mikealdren]

More importantly, Ireland came from 35 - 5 to win their first full test on home soil Och aye the noo as they say

Isn't that what the Scots say???

[Belgrove]

Even if it wasn’t the most even of contests, it was a thoroughly entertaining Test at Lord’s, notable for a century per innings from Joe Root (passing Alastair Cook’s impressive career haul), and another century from Gus Atkinson plus his taking five wickets. Lord’s certainly seems to suit him given his ten wickets at the previous Test there. Sri Lanka’s mid-order batting was pretty resilient to the short ball attack, but eventually succumbed, England having sufficient runs in the bank for the expensive strategy to eventually reap rewards. Lawrence is evidently ill placed in the order as opener, having replaced the injured Crawley. So a successful summer for England with one Test to go, another win securing an unbeaten run.

[cria]

I'm really pleased that the brilliant Irish Kiwi, Brendon Mc, is going to do the white ball job from next Spring!

[antongould]

Even if it wasn’t the most even of contests, it was a thoroughly entertaining Test at Lord’s, notable for a century per innings from Joe Root (passing Alastair Cook’s impressive career haul), and another century from Gus Atkinson plus his taking five wickets. Lord’s certainly seems to suit him given his ten wickets at the previous Test there. Sri Lanka’s mid-order batting was pretty resilient to the short ball attack, but eventually succumbed, England having sufficient runs in the bank for the expensive strategy to eventually reap rewards. Lawrence is evidently ill placed in the order as opener, having replaced the injured Crawley. So a successful summer for England with one Test to go, another win securing an unbeaten run.

yes a good summer …. Who knows how far Root will go …. Jack Hobbs, IIRC got 8 Test centuries after his 40th birthday ….. Lawrence should not be opening IMVVHO we should bring into the squad a recognised opener, say Lees ….

[Belgrove]

A remarkable match in Multan. The plethora of records, both major and minor are nicely summarised here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/oct/10/cricket-pakistan-england-first-test-day-four-joe-root-harry-brook

Root’s record is unlikely to be surpassed by an English player, and there is every reason to believe that Tendulkar’s record is realistically within his sights. And Brook continues to impress; scoring a 300 is a rare event (especially in such energy sapping conditions), and a cause for celebration. And I particularly enjoyed Woakes knocking out Shaffique’s off-stump on the first ball of the 2nd innings. Say what you like about ‘bazball’, it’s unlikely that a traditional approach could not have achieved anything better than a draw following Pakistan posting 556 in their first innings.

[antongould]

A remarkable match in Multan. The plethora of records, both major and minor are nicely summarised here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/oct/10/cricket-pakistan-england-first-test-day-four-joe-root-harry-brook

Root’s record is unlikely to be surpassed by an English player, and there is every reason to believe that Tendulkar’s record is realistically within his sights. And Brook continues to impress; scoring a 300 is a rare event (especially in such energy sapping conditions), and a cause for celebration. And I particularly enjoyed Woakes knocking out Shaffique’s off-stump on the first ball of the 2nd innings. Say what you like about ‘bazball’, it’s unlikely that a traditional approach could not have achieved anything better than a draw following Pakistan posting 556 in their first innings.

indeed a remarkable match that will surely provide pub quiz questions for years to come ……
Root is the best batsman I have ever seen in the flesh, always looking to keep the scoreboard ticking, if indeed scoreboards tick nowadays …..