The Cricket Society IV

Second Test between WI and Pakistan tomorrow. The latter have dominated through all three formats thus far, but the Windies can take positives after almost pulling off a remarkable comeback, thanks largely to Bravo's 116 and Bishoo's eight-for.

But the away side will need more than just him, with the game swapping the pink ball and the day/night arena for the traditional red-ball. By all accounts, the pitch is a bit of a road - but Pakistan will be boosted by Aslam's form, Yasir's brilliance with the ball, and Younis' return.

I imagine Azam will make way.

Reply 1904

The Wavefunction

People complaining about Bangladesh preparing a pitch that turns big from day 1, but it's ok for England to prepare lush, green wickets that allowing the ball to swing around corners. It's Test cricket. As long as the bounce is consistent you should prepare to it however you wish.

Reply 1905

Original post by barnetlad

Tomorrow will tell how good Bangladesh were. I think England may have got just enough for a contest.

Bangladesh now at 175/4. England regularly picking up wickets.

Tough thing for Bangladesh is that their tail aren't known for batting and there are quite a few test debutantes in there too.

Need one more decent partnership so they can get close..

Reply 1906

I think Bangladesh will be relatively pleased to finish the day on 221/5. England's lead is still 72 runs but Bangladesh should get close to that unless they collapse in the morning.

The only real frustration is losing so many wickets before the breaks.

- Kayes and Mominul fell just before lunch (5 mins before/the last over)
- Mahmadullah fell in the final over before tea
- Mushfiqur fell with 3 overs remaining in the day

Not sure if it is a mentality thing but it needs to be worked on.

Reply 1907

It's all about Iqbal today, let's be honest. His 78 was measured, well-crafted and really benefited the hosts after they made quick work of England's tail this morning.

It was downhill for the tourists as soon as they lost Woakes to the first ball of the day, before they scraped together another 35 runs with Rashid and Broad also falling.

Mehedi Hasan ended with impressive figures - 6 for 80 - and the tourists' spinners found good purchase to trouble Bangladesh, in particular Moeen, who struck twice early on in the hosts innings to remove Kayes, bowling him, before Haque just three balls later.

Tamim was fortune at times - successfully reviewing a decision to stay at the crease after being given out after knocking the ball to slip - but he did well on a minefield of a surface.

Mahmudullah's innings of 38 from 66 balls was solid, but he too went to a spinner, this time Rashid.

In truth, Rashid was poor today - he bowled too many full tosses - but Batty was excellent, and got a prized scalp in the form of Tamim.

England have a meagre lead of just 72 runs with five wickets still in hand now, with Rahim and Shakib enjoying a 58-run stand to take them to the close after Mushfiqur was caught behind off Stokes.

Reply 1908

username402722

I can see a small Bangladesh lead but not the 100 or so to put England under pressure.

Reply 1909

The issue for England is that their bowlers - even with Batty firing in to claim his first Test wicket in 11 years - don't spin the ball quickly enough, especially with the needed line.

Interestingly, it was the second time England deployed four designated spinners.

Bangladesh will be disappointed to have lost key wickets at key stages today.

Elsewhere, Pakistan enjoyed a good day - with their most potent partnership, Younis and Misbah, posting an impressive partnership. 15 century stands for that pair now, and 3100+ Test runs shared, the most by any Pakistan pair in Test cricket.

The latter ended on 90 not out after the former steadied the innings, posting 120 as Pakistan ended on 304-4.

A very good total, especially after Azhar was bowled by Gabriel after Bishoo claimed Aslam. The third and fourth wicket stands were mammoth, though, and West Indies' bowlers endured a long and largely thankless day on the field with Braithwaite in particular putting down a costly drop.

Reply 1910

Frustrating that Bangladesh got bowled out so cheaply in the morning. Shakib the worst offender charging the 2nd ball of the day and then exposing the tail without experienced partners.

Good reply with the bowling to pick up quick wickets - England's top order again failing.

But once again England batting deep means Stokes and Bairstow have enough quality to put together an important partnership. Not sure how we break this..

Reply 1911

Big partnership of around 120 runs but finally one gets dragged on (was the third time it happened) and Bairstow bowled. Shakib chips in and Stokes gone now too.

7 wickets down and getting into the tail now along with 2 new batsman. Hopefully can get another wicket or two before close of play..

Reply 1912

I ****ing love Ben Stokes. What a guy.

Reply 1913

Well done Ben Stokes. At 85, I was convinced he would go on to claim a Test hundred, but it wasn't to be. But what an innings. He single-handedly pulled England back from the brink, after giving them the advantage and putting them into the ascendancy with a brilliant morning spell of bowling.

Cook displayed good captaincy - refusing to take the new ball - as Stokes delivered a masterclass in seam bowling, with plenty of movement and dangerous deliveries. Bangladesh succumbed to his quality, falling quickly to give the tourists a first-innings lead, but they hit back to reduce England to 46-4, before Stokes' masterclass.

Jonny Bairstow offered steady, sound assistance to become the leading wicket-taker in terms of calendar year runs, but he was scratchy if we're honest, and it was all about Stokes today. He will grab the headlines. He is absolutely right - today was his most mature performance yet. None of the specialist batsmen could reach 20 against the spinners, which is a huge worry, as Cook and Root failed once again, with Ballance increasingly skittish and worrying at the crease, and Duckett failing to arrive on the international Test stage.

By the close, England had recovered from a ropey 64 for 5 in their second innings to reach the close on 228 for 8 - an overall lead of 273. And, with Woakes and Broad at the crease, there are still runs to be had on this pitch. The pitch will worry Bangladesh, with a lead of 300+ looking impossible to chase down.

Another 30 runs tomorrow morning then I think I'd definitely back England.

Reply 1914

So it only took 20 minutes in the morning for Bangladesh to wrap up the last 2 wickets for 13 runs.

286 the target. Bangladesh batsmen all getting starts generally but the pitch is very tough - so much spin and bounce so wickets falling regularly.

I think it was over when Shakib got out but Sabbir has come out with some aggression (two sixes and a four already) and it's propelled Bangladesh to now needing 107 runs at Tea. Only 5 wickets left and on a tough pitch but I think that psychologically effect of needing less than 100 runs will make it tough for England - do you keep the field packed in to get wickets and potentially make it easier to get runs or do you stifle off the runs and see if Bangladesh make mistakes/bowlers get purchase on a turning pitch.

Going to be a cracker and with 34 overs left, we might even get a result today :eek:

Reply 1915

Original post by Zerforax

Going to be a cracker and with 34 overs left, we might even get a result today :eek:

Think run rate is really important here. As Stokes and Bairstow showed, these overs can are relatively easier to bat in. Give it another 15/20 overs and it could get a lot more difficult, either through getting some reverse or through the new ball. England are currently trying to contain the scoring with our seamers, but they can't go on forever. If Bangladesh can get on top of Rashid here you'll give yourself a real chance.

Reply 1916

Original post by Louis.

There's an extra day of play to go yet so I guess time isn't a factor for the result but yea the old ball could make it very tough.

Doesn't look like Bangladesh will knock off the runs tonight imo.. 80 runs from 20 overs is a bit too aggressive.

Hugely important partnership and so long as these two stay in, England will get more and more nervous as the target gets smaller.

Going to be an exciting finish!

Reply 1917

Bangladesh will achieve this target. Cook has played himself into a hole. He doesn't trust the spinners, even though they have taken all five wickets, because they have proved to be so much more expensive than the seamers. But the seamers aren't finding a breakthrough, and Bangladesh wouldn't have inflicted so much damage on the spinners in terms of runs if Cook hadn't allowed them so many singles.

Reply 1918

The **** did that bounce come from? :lol:

Reply 1919