Worst thing that could have happened really.

Not quick enough batting for an early declaration but too many runs for England to chase.

Can't see anything other than a draw now.

comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 15 seconds ago
Worst thing that could have happened really.

Not quick enough batting for an early declaration but too many runs for England to chase.

Can't see anything other than a draw now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
60 overs for us to bat, are you confident?

It’s just facking dumb. Playing Billy Big Balls and trying to knock Bumrah over. Childish tactics and now the match has gone.

comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 11 seconds ago
comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 15 seconds ago
Worst thing that could have happened really.

Not quick enough batting for an early declaration but too many runs for England to chase.

Can't see anything other than a draw now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
60 overs for us to bat, are you confident?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitch is dead so would take a monumental collapse from here.

I know it's England but I can't see even us doing that.

Kohli had to declare at lunch.

Both Bumrah an Shami have now scored their highest scores in test cricket. Fair play to them both, it was some poor bowling initially at them with the short pitched stuff but they handled it well enough and have both batted pretty well since as well.

There was so much talk about Pant and the fact that the tail is poor, which it is, they average 8, 12, 4 and 11. They managed 8 runs between them in the first innings but they've managed 97* here with Siraj to come. Should have refocused once we got Pant out and just said, line and length bowling and if they slog a few boundaries so be it but they'll nick off eventually.

Tbh line and length would have done for these, not a clue what the bowlers were doing trying to knock their heads off.

comment by Dave&Danny (U4428)
posted 5 minutes ago
Root as a captain is so inept
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fortunately he's a terrific batsman and he was the reason why we had a chance of winning this test after they scored 364 in the first innings.

Reckon England did not fancy a chase.

Pretty disappointing morning session. Need to make sure we don’t lose this now.

comment by Clever - son son son - ' (U18599)
posted 11 minutes ago
Kohli had to declare at lunch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think Kohli will be happy to see these two keep going, Shami probably fancies a ton.

52 and 30 by 9 and 10 has eliminated England chances of winning.

Nice little taste of this winter there. The Aussie tail will smash us all over the place on their flat pitches.

Seems daft they're still batting, is Kohli actually worried we might score 260 in 60 overs?

Probably a combination of thinking they won't bowl us out on a flat pitch so keep our bowlers out here for as long as they can. We've bowled 235 overs in this contest already and Wood's day is probably done so if they can put more miles in Jimmy's legs then it'll be worth it for them.

I don't get the reason why VK decided to declare just after lunch rather than during?

Or before

Well there you go, a declaration. Effectively 4 overs wasted for 12 extra runs. It's cloudy though and as is always the case, I expect we'll see more uneven bounce when they bowl and more movement with the pressure on us to see out the game.

comment by Bake 'em away toys (U7303)
posted 34 seconds ago
I don't get the reason why VK decided to declare just after lunch rather than during?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Less time for the openers to prepare to bat would be my guess.

I wouldn't fancy chasing 272 if we had a day and a half so I'm not fancying chasing it at 4.5 an over. They can go all out attack, men round the bat with Jadeja on.

Only get one bite with the new ball though so won't need to worry about a second new ball or anything like that.

India’s game to lose from here suspect draw most likely

comment by Emile Death Rowe (TCM) (U8959)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Bake 'em away toys (U7303)
posted 34 seconds ago
I don't get the reason why VK decided to declare just after lunch rather than during?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Less time for the openers to prepare to bat would be my guess.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The openers would have been preparing during lunch 100%

Bumrah no ball… what else is new

If Bumrah could bowl 100 no balls that might help

India being absolutely d1111cks here. There is no need for it. Yes, make it difficult and let them know, but they are taking this too far.