Idle cricket musing

[maxxi]

Aggers delighted that only TMS realised Broad had a hat-trick - none of the players knew, scoreboard and tv didn't know. Swann like a little kid on his debut in the box (should still be bowling)

[Loz]

I was at the WACA when Merv Hughes got his third wicket for his hat trick. I don't think he knew he'd got one. His was spread over three overs and two innings, so understandable.

[Gray]

Forgive my senility but how can a hat trick be over 3 overs?

[Loz]

Well, in Merv's case (and I think it's the only way):

Wicket 1: Last ball of over

Wicket 2: First ball of next over, final wicket to fall in first innings, so team all out

Wicket 3: Bowler's first ball of second innings

[Gray]

Ah, got you.

Many thanks.

[maxxi]

Nooooo!

Unbelievable - 2 balls to go. Was astonished to tune in this afternoon and hear it still going - what a fight back (but still a failure) - sounds like Anderson's devastated - just when you think they are actually going to pull of the great escape. Gaaah!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Cricket really is too heart attack-inducing. Great finish to Sri Lanka.

[????]

I feel a sense of normality has returned we are now crap at both football and cricket again

[Loz]

I watched the last hour or so yesterday and even this Aussie felt sorry for Anderson and the team. It was a truly great rearguard action. Not sure, though, why Moeen Ali didn't do more in the second last over to ensure he was on strike for the last.

Anyone taking any bets on how long Cook lasts in the job? It's balancing up the fact he is a truly dire captain in the depth of a bad trot on the batting front, versus the traditional ECB refusal to change anything much at all.

[maxxi]

What a great (extraordinary) morning. Sun, tea, GB and Blowers in full flow on TMS, a record last wicket partnership, England taking the lead and Jimmy in the 80s - feels like summer.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Wonderful cricket. The tail enders of both sides have really carried this game.

[Alan Medic]

Why are there so many 'pitches' on the ground? Some appear to be nowhere near the centre. Just wondering as I'm not a cricket fan as such.

[maxxi]

MOTM - Jimmy A ... for his Batting!

Champagne moment? (nearly) Cook taking a wicket.

Lord's Thursday - should be lively.

[Loz]

The bowlers are getting the runs and the batsmen are getting the wickets! Is this a new approach to cricket?

Hopefully the Lord's pitch will be a little more conducive to a result.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Alan, it is so there is time between matches to repair and maintain pitches. Also, they may be formulated for different bowling conditions, so depending on your team, weather, drainage, etc, you can prepare one that favours the home team's strengths.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Something to lighten the last day (goodness knows we need something):

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/relationships/fatherhood/10971098/My-wife-is-due-to-give-birth-today-on-the-first-day-of-Lords.-What-do-I-do.html#disqus_thread

[david_carnell]

50 for Root. A 100 partnership with Moeen.

MOCKERS ALERT - this is a nice little partnership developing. Another 30 odd and the Indians will begin to worry.

Fear it may be papering over the cracks though if we pulled off something remarkable here.

[david_carnell]

Oh come on! I ever did the MOCKERS ALERT thing to stop that happening - Moeen Ali gone. Root needs a 100 here. Although our tail has some depth.

[Loz]

Apparently, if you dial Ben Stokes' last run of scores into your phone (0,5,5,4,0,4,0,0,0,0) you get through to the Samaritans.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Bugger, bugger, bugger. Where's Geoff's mum and her stick of rhubarb when you really need her? Or couldn't it rain - it's an English summer!

I reckon Cook and Prior will soon be off.

[Otta]

Cook needs to go. I used to like him, but his form is shit, and I really lost respect for him and the whole ECB after the way they dealt with Kevin Pietersen.

And I'm not a big KP fan.

[Loz]

Problem is: who replaces him? Bell is the obvious candidate, but his form is hardly much to write home about. Broad, but is he really test captain material? Root is only 12, so he'll have to wait a bit.

Has Ballance got any captaining experience? He may be, on form, the current first name on the batting team sheet.

Other than that, is Mike Brearley available?

[maxxi]

I say stick with Cook - his loss of form is worrying but he can work at it and I think he is a =creative captain when (as Waugh said on TMS) he stops worrying about captaining to please the pundits.

A vote of confidence (a genuine one rather than a football one) and let him get on with it and things will start to change. Team has had upheaval and takes time to settle. Not convinced by some new-ish caps and we need a spinner - oh, and Anderson/Broad are in danger of being run into the ground so we need back-up there too.

[Otta]

KP has put the cat among the pigeons

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/29517817

Of course bowlers have totally denied what he says, but interesting that Vaughan has given it some backing.

Of course he's after selling books, and I'm sure he could be a total dick, but I am sure there is more to it, and it takes two to tango.

[????]

Quids brings up the 1800