Cricket 2026

[1964white]

Only England could blow that match after a 200+ lead at the halfway mark.

Root & Brook saved England bacon in the 1st innings.

Even our rookie bowlers Root & Brook were called upon to break up the opening partnerships after our mainstream bowlers failed to do the business.

Then Root was the only batsman who got going, just missing out on another century in the 2nd innings.

Four catches for Joe too.

Where would we be without him? In the doldrums, I suspect.

[whiteswan]

Only England could blow that match after a 200+ lead at the halfway mark.

Root & Brook saved England bacon in the 1st innings.

Even our rookie bowlers Root & Brook were called upon to break up the opening partnerships after our mainstream bowlers failed to do the business.

Then Root was the only batsman who got going, just missing out on another century in the 2nd innings.

For catches for Joe too.

Where would we be without him? In the doldrums, I suspect.

Pity he blotched his copy book by running Harry Brook out

[The Subhuman]

And panicking at the end

[1964white]

Pity he blotched his copy book by running Harry Brook out

A shame the rest of them are so inconsistent, Swannie.

[andrewjohnsmith]

Only England could blow that match after a 200+ lead at the halfway mark.

Root & Brook saved England bacon in the 1st innings.

Even our rookie bowlers Root & Brook were called upon to break up the opening partnerships after our mainstream bowlers failed to do the business.

Then Root was the only batsman who got going, just missing out on another century in the 2nd innings.

Four catches for Joe too.

Where would we be without him? In the doldrums, I suspect.

It's great to watch England lately with Root, Brook, and Bairstow being the best performers.

[SnifferClarke]

Wow what a finale, test cricket is so boring

I logged on last night to have a punt on England, but at 1/7 no way !

Phew,

[whiteswan]

Wow what a finale, test cricket is so boring

I logged on last night to have a punt on England, but at 1/7 no way !

Phew,

Brilliant test match. Just the wrong result for me....

[weasel]

The 4th test between India and Australia shows why Test Cricket is dying in most parts of the world. Australia needing to win to draw the series yet never once adopted a positive approach. Both teams trudging along on a flat wicket scoring at around 3 per over. Australia eking out every run they could get at the end of their first innings rather than declaring early and having a good go at tired Indian batters. Second innings and Australia start the final day around 90 runs behind and simply trudge along on a flat wicket ensuring the draw that simply sees them lose the series 2-1. Why not go out and try to blast 300 runs off 50 overs, getting a lead of 200+ and then try to bowl India out in 40 overs. Yes unlikely to get a win but they instead trudged along and simply made sure they avoided a defeat that would have turned a 2-1 loss into a 3-1 loss - just why? They still lose the series. Why not give yourself a chance of victory, no matter how small, than simply limp to a draw that simply sees them lose the series. I'm sure the fans were really entertained today.

[andrewjohnsmith]

The 4th test between India and Australia shows why Test Cricket is dying in most parts of the world. Australia needing to win to draw the series yet never once adopted a positive approach. Both teams trudging along on a flat wicket scoring at around 3 per over. Australia eking out every run they could get at the end of their first innings rather than declaring early and having a good go at tired Indian batters. Second innings and Australia start the final day around 90 runs behind and simply trudge along on a flat wicket ensuring the draw that simply sees them lose the series 2-1. Why not go out and try to blast 300 runs off 50 overs, getting a lead of 200+ and then try to bowl India out in 40 overs. Yes unlikely to get a win but they instead trudged along and simply made sure they avoided a defeat that would have turned a 2-1 loss into a 3-1 loss - just why? They still lose the series. Why not give yourself a chance of victory, no matter how small, than simply limp to a draw that simply sees them lose the series. I'm sure the fans were really entertained today.

I feel the same about test cricket. Its the pinnacle of the game but interest in it is waining. I was getting tired of watching Kuwaja plod along at a strike rate of 30-something too.

I love the Bazball/Stokes approach. It's really caught fans imaginations again. It's a shame more captains around the world aren't taking on the same philosophy. In the end what's there to lose? There's no consequence for losing (or winning) in test cricket. There's some final that nobody really cares about. So throw caution to the wind and try and force results.

The ICC should try and make some changes in test cricket. Something to force more results instead of sitting in the antiquated system they still have.

Longer rant than I intended:

How many times do we see a day's play ending early because of light? Why not start at 9 a.m. instead of 11 a.m? Make severe punishments for slow over-rates (like runs or wicket penalties). If a day's play ends early - start the next day early. There's lots that could be done.

That's without getting into any ideas of making the game more batter friendly for the crowds. Or making it more bowler friendly to ensure 40 wickets fall.

Anyway. I love test cricket. And I wish the authorities would do something to keep it where it belongs.

[wilsdenwhite]

I feel the same about test cricket. Its the pinnacle of the game but interest in it is waining. I was getting tired of watching Kuwaja plod along at a strike rate of 30-something too.

I love the Bazball/Stokes approach. It's really caught fans imaginations again. It's a shame more captains around the world aren't taking on the same philosophy. In the end what's there to lose? There's no consequence for losing (or winning) in test cricket. There's some final that nobody really cares about. So throw caution to the wind and try and force results.

The ICC should try and make some changes in test cricket. Something to force more results instead of sitting in the antiquated system they still have.

Longer rant than I intended:

How many times do we see a day's play ending early because of light? Why not start at 9 a.m. instead of 11 a.m? Make severe punishments for slow over-rates (like runs or wicket penalties). If a day's play ends early - start the next day early. There's lots that could be done.

That's without getting into any ideas of making the game more batter friendly for the crowds. Or making it more bowler friendly to ensure 40 wickets fall.

Anyway. I love test cricket. And I wish the authorities would do something to keep it where it belongs.

I think I can touch upon one of the main reasons why they start at 11.00am and not for example 9.00am. Dew. Take a perfect summer's day, Not a cloud in the sky from when the sun comes up at 5.00am right through until play begins. The sun will have usually burnt away any night dew by 9.00am, 10.00am at the very latest. Any morning grass cutter can tell you this. However on days of cloud or even light cloud dew can remain on the surface a lot longer therefore making sports such as golf and cricket where a morning start is required somewhat risky on wet grass. I expect this is the case right across the world.

I know golf courses have something called a dew wire which is attached to the back of a cart and in the early morning it is pulled across the green in the hope that it will skim the surface of the grass and make it dry that bit quicker ready for a 8.00am course opening. I expect they might do the same in cricket but I can't confirm that. In essence I think the cricket start time is in the main all about surface safety. To be honest I wouldn't fancy trying to get to a cricket ground for 9.00am and I think while dew isn't the be all and end all to it, other factors work in the 11.00am start's favour too.

I hate the bad light thing and that's the main reason I'm glad the Ashes is starting in June this year and will be over by August. In recent years it has been starting early August and ending mid-September. The sight of Michael Clarke moaning at the umpires and waving his players off to avoid a white-wash that time still bugs me

The CC games suffers the same fate each year and seem to be finishing later in September than ever though they adjust the start to 10.30 in late summer but the difference is marginal.

[wilsdenwhite]

Dew wire:

[wilsdenwhite]

The 4th test between India and Australia shows why Test Cricket is dying in most parts of the world. Australia needing to win to draw the series yet never once adopted a positive approach. Both teams trudging along on a flat wicket scoring at around 3 per over. Australia eking out every run they could get at the end of their first innings rather than declaring early and having a good go at tired Indian batters. Second innings and Australia start the final day around 90 runs behind and simply trudge along on a flat wicket ensuring the draw that simply sees them lose the series 2-1. Why not go out and try to blast 300 runs off 50 overs, getting a lead of 200+ and then try to bowl India out in 40 overs. Yes unlikely to get a win but they instead trudged along and simply made sure they avoided a defeat that would have turned a 2-1 loss into a 3-1 loss - just why? They still lose the series. Why not give yourself a chance of victory, no matter how small, than simply limp to a draw that simply sees them lose the series. I'm sure the fans were really entertained today.

Would've taken some doing to win from that 90 deficit on the final day on that wicket. England would probably have had a go though. Think we need to remember that the majority of teams don't have England's current mindset. If they did wouldn't we all start moaning that test cricket is just turning into a smash and bash? It's working well for us so far but there comes a time when it's not always possible to play like that and I don't think some teams have the players to adopt such an approach anyway.

[Irish Ian]

Heading over to Lords to cheer on Ireland against England.

Both sides will have half an eye on other things with the Ashes on the horizon for England, and WC qualifiers looming for the Irish. Both teams will have players wanting to impress.

Did you know you can bring a carry out into Lords?
Who knew?
Two tinnies max

Cant wait.

[whiteswan]

Heading over to Lords to cheer on Ireland against England.

Both sides will have half an eye on other things with the Ashes on the horizon for England, and WC qualifiers looming for the Irish. Both teams will have players wanting to impress.

Did you know you can bring a carry out into Lords?
Who knew?
Two tinnies max

Cant wait.

I'm watching on the telly Ian....hope you're enjoying the cricket and your 'tinnies'

[andrewjohnsmith]

Just tuned in after tea.

Good start. Well done Stuart Broad. Let's hope they make short work of this test. It's just a warm up game for the Ashes.

[whiteswan]

Just tuned in after tea.

Good start. Well done Stuart Broad. Let's hope they make short work of this test. It's just a warm up game for the Ashes.

I'm really looking fwd to the ashes andrew

[whiteswan]

I've been trying to spot Ian in the crowds....it would help if I knew what he looked like

[andrewjohnsmith]

I've been trying to spot Ian in the crowds....it would help if I knew what he looked like

Do they have an Irish barmy army in the crowd? Nobody making much noise. Is the bar closed?

[Irish Ian]

I've been trying to spot Ian in the crowds....it would help if I knew what he looked like

I'll try and make myself know tomorrow.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I'll try and make myself know tomorrow.

If you're going to streak, can you do it after tea? Start of play is too early here in California (3 a.m.)