comment by Afridi14.... You gotta love it!! (U2805)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Afridi14.... You gotta love it!! (U2805)
posted 0 seconds ago
Hard to see how this England team is going to find the consistency to win down in Australia. Way too inconsistent batting from 2,3 and 5....

But I still can't get over Root batting first on a cloudy day. Bonkers.
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At HEADINGLEY
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I'm not convinced it was bonkers, all the media stated that whoever wins the toss should bat first, even Holder said they would have chosen to bat. This wasn't a Ricky Ponting "we'll have a bowl" moment at Edgbaston all those years ago. In fact, it's moments like that which make captains question whether they should bowl first if they win the toss. Choosing to bat first will usually mean you get to bowl last which is usually more favourable in test matches wherever.

If either Stokes or Moeen is batting at the close.. England will still finish in a decent enough position.

As for Root getting so many 50s and not many 100s.. I think that's due to Roots approach hes still very attacking and thats good to see. he could easily reign it in a bit and make sure he gets more 100s.

Mentioning England in Australia.. Aussie wickets are usually good for batsmen.. so I think England have a better chance to get bigger runs there.. Thankfully theres no Mitchel Johnson..When England was there last in Aus he was 95mph and hour and at the body.

Theres less chance of being LBW down under..so I think in a way it will suit England more than at home..

comment by United_kaz (U9943)
posted 7 minutes ago
I just checked out of interest because I cant remember him running of consecutive centuries, but its 3 out 12 atm as this match hasn't finished yet and his average is hovering just over 50 during that 12 game span(which is about his career average), he's a very consistent scorer no doubt but he's let a few opportunities go

ab btw got 6 during that 12 game span

http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerProgressBat.asp?PlayerID=3241&From=20121130&To=20140220
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Interesting stat, although as a few of us have said in this thread and The Joe Root 50 man thread, he usually comes in at a crisis and tries to get the momentum back with England. He ups the tempo and after bowlers look like they're on top, he kick starts England innings time after time.

I guess there is argument that after getting momentum back, like getting England from 37/3 to 140/4, maybe he should look settle down again and ensure England get to tea at 4 down.

Stokes driving England towards 200 here following the loss of Root. Big 2 hours coming up.

Root and Stokes both could have gone early. Could be even worse. Really need to sort that batting out.

upside is. The two in the middle are dangerous and england have Woakes at 9

against this wi team anything above 250 will probably be too much over 2 innings for them in these conditions

Stokes get dropped on 98 then goes on to a 100.. hes starting to produce the goods at 6 now..

All out 258

West-indies to be 4 down by the close!!

at least the west-indies wont lose by an innings not enough runs.. even if England bowl them out before the follow on.England will bat again

A good day for WI despite some appalling fielding. Can they keep it going?

England when they wicket is slowish and flat struggle to get teams out.. Even the west-indies.. We miss a special bowler in situation like this.

Credit to Hope and Braithwate today. They have played superbly. Probably got a huge shouting after the first Test and they've decided to show up at Headingley.

Reckon England dropped one dropping Toby Jones. Woakes has done nothing with the ball. Very harsh. Should come back at lord's.

If England lose this game. it will be a laughing stock considering the west-indies away record in the last 15 years.

comment by Bennythedip - Living The Dream (U9359)
posted 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
Reckon England dropped one dropping Toby Jones. Woakes has done nothing with the ball. Very harsh. Should come back at lord's.
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It could look like England have been complacent. "Hey, let's give Woakesy a go, it's only the West Indies".

Jimmy takes 2 wickets with the first 2 deliveries of the day. Then, off Broad, Moeen drops the easiest catch imaginable.

woakes is still working to regain fitness after a few weeks out with a side strain. i'd have preferred it if England had let him do that back at Warwickshire, but they obviously want to get him back in the fold ready for the ashes tour.

a little harsh on TRJ, but a fit woakes is England's third choice seamer and will become the natural replacement for jimmy once he retires (albeit not as good a bowler...but a far better bat).

woakes bowled a good spell when fresh yesterday and was unlucky with a few edges and close deliveries. but visibly tired as the day wore on. in all honesty tho, this game is not swinging in windies favour because of the bowling...we're behind because once again the numbers 2,3 and 5 failed when batting leaving us 100+ runs short of where we should have been.

Jimmy would love to get to 500 wickets in this match.

Root a lucky boy there.... how the F is that missing. Ridiculous

On the face of it, WI are in the better position with England only 2 runs in front and 3 wickets down - but England still have a good chance to win. It's been a good, interesting Test so far.

If England are still batting at tea I fancy us to win.. Morning session is vital to both teams

England need a 200+ run lead. I think anything over 250 would fancy them to win. It would all depend on whether West Indies can handle the pressure but first things first need to build a respectable lead before getting carried away.