England are aiming to just bat the once in this test match.
With only two days decent weather guaranteed, when should England declare?
India has failed to score 300 in 6 innings so far, but this may well be the best batting pitch of the lot so they may have a chance.
England definitely need more than 600, but I wouldn't expect them to bat much more after lunch.
It will all depend how fast they can score in the morning and how slowly India bowl their overs.
I reckon bat for 40 overs today, trying to score at 5 per over to declare around 650. That would leave India needing 450 to avoid the follow on, a target they are unlikely to achieve. England would have about 155 overs at them today and all tomorrow to get those 20 wickets.
If the weather forecast for Monday had been good, I would have advocated England batting 60 overs today, trying to score 250-300 runs.
Another score in excess of 700 would be nice.
When should England declare?
posted on 20/8/11
i would agree with that scenario topdawg , i reckon we will bat for 45-60 mins after lunch then declare
posted on 20/8/11
When KP was batting yesterday, England scored at a ridiculous rate - about 80 runs in an hour. Could England achieve that rate for 3 hours and declare on 700 again?
posted on 20/8/11
just hope jimmy comes out this morning and just has a bit of a slog and doesn't worry about getting out , nothing worse than seeing a nightwatchman block away the next morning rather than get on with the game
posted on 20/8/11
I think it was a mistake for Jimmy to come out last night. What was Morgan afraid of? It was powder puff bowling. India will come out firing better this morning so it will be harder for Morgan and Bopara.
Though it only cost about 15 runs last night, the weather has been against England and Monday doesn't look brilliant.
posted on 20/8/11
England will have to keep one eye on the weather, further rain is a possibility. I think 600 is more than enough and declare before tea.
India will have to bat pretty badly for England to force a win.
posted on 20/8/11
I have nothing against Jimmy coming in as night watchman, he's very good at the job and his highest score was made there.
posted on 20/8/11
One answer to why England would want to declare is that we might want to win this test match as well. Sehwag and Laxman have gone with the score on 13. You could hardly make this up could you? I have never seen such a one sided dismantling of the worlds best team ( although that title was always a joke) as I am I witnessing these past few weeks. Total and utter outclassing all over the park.
posted on 21/8/11
what are you talking about man ? england declared yesterday
posted on 21/8/11
elvis is a dead spurs fan - look at the dates for comments, this thread petered out yesterday
posted on 21/8/11
peter wasn't even batting