Geoffrey Boycott last night wagered all three of his houses that England will win this test match against Pakistan. You have to wonder who that bet was with? I reckon it was England's top order that have collapsed to 56–5. Boyc’s houses now depend on Trott who has been in fine form, but not feeling very well today and Prior who is also a quality batsman…taking England to the relatively small total of 145
Its going to be an interesting end to this match.
England did manage to get past Pakistan’s total in fact they got a nice little 70 run lead. Thanks to Stuart Broad chipping in with nice 58 not out. It has been the Monty show with the ball, Panesar taking 3-40 so far leaving Pakistan on 93-4. Its a good position for England but they want to be getting the remaining Pakistan batsman out cheaply so they are a chasing a bare minimum total to win. Boycott seems to think that England will win it from here and they have to be favourites but with England…you never know!
In short Trott and Cook have got England into the game today with some tough batting. It was looking like England’s day until the last hour when Pakistan struck back England finished on 207-5 50 runs behind with 5 wickets left. If England can use their last 5 wickets to get to past the Pakistan total and even get a lead of 50-80 they will be a good position to push on and win the game. If Pakistan stop them going past them or keeping the lead to small amount then they could be in pole position with England batting last. It has been argued that the play tomorrow could have a huge impact in the outcome of the series.
Trott got himself bowled for 74and Alistair Cook got trapped LBW for 94 both falling before making their hundreds. With around 30 minutes left today, I wonder if they will send in a night watchman. Keep as many wickets in tact as possible and come back tomorrow for some more endurance batting…198-3
Trott and Cook have battled hard and slowly getting England into the game. At 132-1 they are still 125 runs behind and its is going to take some hard work in the evening session to keep clawing away at that lead.
TMS will be continuing its coverage of the cricket right up to and including the 2019 ashes. That has to be good news for the BBC and every cicket fan. I think everyone loves TMS
Seems like England have been some issues against the spin this morning with Hafeez making a good start and getting Strauss out cheap. Cook and Trott have steadied the ship and I think England’s batting need these two to push on get the runs and competitive total. With KP in next, who some call a “flat track bully” you knows it going to be hit or miss from him…currently 78-1
So Ireland want to be considered for test status. On the face of it, this can only be a good thing. Another country to expand the test match game. Let’s face it Test cricket is where its at and where everybody wants to be.
That said it will be another country who will turn up underdogs and smash England into next week. (In a one off fixture.)
I think the expansion of the game, as long its supported and implemented properly is a good thing and can only benefit the game, what the ICC and the international game need to try and avoid is two tier test system where a hundred or five for against one country is not worth the same as it is against another country. Can that be achieved?
Of course it can
