Cricket, lovely cricket (Part 1)

321-8 COP

I’ll take that.

Foakes. :ok_hand:

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Sir Viv Richards is asked on The Cricket Social what slogan the great West Indies’ team of the 1970s and 1980s would have had:

“Beware”

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“Lie with us, cry with us”

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He’s certainly giving the selectors a headache. Seems to be widely regarded as the best wicketkeeper in the country (or the world, if you listen to Alec Stewart) so if he can bat as well as that too, maybe Bairstow loses the gloves?

Bairstow would be unhappy with that, but he still plays as a specialist bat.

Could Bairstow play higher up. When he concentrates his technique looks decent.

Jennings still doesn’t look right to me despite getting a couple of scores.

Shame Curran lost concentration after drinks. He looks a decent batsman.

Bairstow might get a shot at opening. Not convinced he can do that against real pace, but they might have to try it here and maybe in W.I’s, we need the opener situation sorted before the Ashes.

Curran is a real talent. His contribution today was huge, at a time we really needed someone to dig in.

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Just think of the possibilities if we could find a functioning upper order. :roll_eyes:

Are other countries having the same problems ? Can’t think of any great opening partnerships in test cricket. Back in the day you could probably name them all.

Not sure if it’s a trend or a cycle, but the county game isn’t exactly set up for producing trad test batsmen any more, is it?

England have been on the cusp of an amazing team for a while but for the upper order. I hope Burns works out! Ali is at three because of playing another spinner and won’t be come the Ashes imv, maybe Bairstow could play three… Jennings doesn’t inspire much confidence.

England doing pretty well here, this last session very important!

Well on top now.

Great to see Foakes get his ton, looks very impressive with the gloves on too. Moeen bowling beautifully now, getting drift and dip and looks very dangerous.

A very good performance so far. Here’s hoping we can bat them totally out of the game now.

Well done Jennings!

Great for his confidence, I’m really pleased for him and hope this is the turning point in his England career.

He’s fine until the bowling gets anything like nippy. I’m happy for him but it’s the hope that kills you. :tired_face:

Anyway, England playing like a Boss. :smiley:

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Cummings and Starc will be delighted that Jennings got his ton. They’ll get the chance to torture him next summer now.

England have both feet on the throat of Sri Lanka right now, I still expect them to bat into tomorrow before declaring though.

I hope they do, the pitch doesn’t look too threatening does it? Keep em out there. :+1:

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Yep. Keep them under the cosh and the pitch will be wearing, their players will be tiring and they will know they can’t possibly win.

The lead is moot. Highest successful run chase at Galle is 99.

Highest 4th innings total is 300.

England already 434 in front.

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Soften them up for the next game too. I’m impressed by how they are playing so far, they look really determined. They were fantastic in the field yesterday, Leach was mustard.