The Cricket Society IV

Unreal from Cook. Just why

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Must be taking lessons on winning from Jeremy Corbyn.

Seen plenty of anti-Cook criticism on social media, but there's method in his madness.

I thought perhaps he wanted to give Vince and Ballance the chance to make themselves indispensable ahead of the third Test, but then again, they may not get to the crease too quickly anyway.

You imagine Pakistan feel they've got away with one, to be honest. For a period today, I thought we may have not reached day four.

Misbah struck a well-timed half-century to anchor the visitors, on what was promising to be a dismal day for them, but he and Riaz's ninth wicket partnership of 60+ was key and frustrated the hosts.

Moeen finally found a wicket, and about time too, but we can't overlook the way Riaz targeted him. *
All the seamers found glory in the form of a wicket *but it was a shame to see the day interrupted by the weather.*

Again, Woakes emerged with added reputation and a genuine ability to change games. Remember his batting average is so strong, it can be argued he's very much an all-rounder.

The pitch did things for the seamers, and there was plenty of swerve and pace in it for England, which probably went some way to helping Cook make the follow on decision what it was. Still, can it be viewed as conservative and a little timid, perhaps? Probably. I can see why Cook did it, but i can't imagine Steve Smith, Virat Kohli et al making that call.*

All set for our template innings:

2nd opener gone early, Cook and Root rebuild, middle order collapses, lower middle order rebuild, ~320 all out.

Just the 250 runs and two wickets off

Must be taking lessons on winning from Jeremy Corbyn.

I know Cook shouldn't have followed on. But Michael Clarke only ever forced the follow on once, and that was his last test...

Pathetic batting on a flat wicket by Pakistan. Openers once again doing nothing. Azhar and Younis failing again. Younis should have retired ages ago. His reflexes and hand eye coordination are gone which is why he does these ridiculous dance moves while batting. Misbah once again the lone warrior. Pace bowling is also equally pathetic. Wahab is all pace and nothing else. Rahat despite possessing the skills is a brainless bowler. Amir is vastly overrated. There is no Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis or Imran Khan there anymore. Only rain can save Pakistan now.

Cook is such an attacking captain. We all know Pakistan can get 600 on this pitch to win on the final day.

I think there's an argument to suggest Cook's captaincy isn't a brilliant one, but as an England fan, I was more disappointed with his rigid decision making in terms of the bowlers, rather than the lack of a follow-on.

Having Broad and Anderson open the bowling, because they are the "senior" bowling partnership, rather than deploying Woakes and Stokes who are in such a rich vein of form, was pretty poor in my opinion.*

They can, that chase by Pakistan on the final day against Sri-Lanka a couple of years ago is evident to that.

Edit: Not likely though.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Lakmal and Eranga aren't exactly on the same level as England's bowlers. Pakistan to be all out 163.