Looks like the Poms have unearthed a good one with their keeper batsman, Jamie Smith.
Scoring a ton in the first dig tonight against India.
He had a good series previously, not sure who against.
Got a 100 in the first session tonight.
Not sure if it is his first hundred.
An amazing batting innings statistically, 2 guys scored 150+ and there were 6 ducks! The partnership of 303 between Brook and Smith made up over 75% of the England score. The other 9 wickets contributed 104. Smith does have at least 1 other test century, He reminds me a little of a right handed Adam Gilchrist. He will do well in Australia I think
Interesting game. India are in a dominant position with 2 days to go. Their lead is 244 but their quandry is when they should declare. How many runs is a safe lead? England have already said that they will go for any target that they are set so the Indian Captain will have to judge how many runs is enough while still giving his bowlers enough time to dismiss England. He will want to set England a minimum of 5 runs per over to win, so 450 on the last day, which you wouldnt write England off from getting given the way they bat
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I did a quick number crunch, mikeh, and Smith and Brook scored an incredible 84% of England’s first innings of 407. India now leads by 412 with 57 overs remaining today and of course 90 tomorrow. If India keeps scoring at a run-a-ball for the next 23 overs, their lead will be 550 and England will potentially have 120-125 overs to chase this target down. Assuming they have sufficient wickets to do so, India could maybe set England 600 in, say, 110-115 overs (weather permitting).
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3/72 at stumps…will be a good test for Eng’s bazball…especially with Root gone, as he usually is the calming glue to it all…should be an intriguing last day’s chase…
Looking forward to watching the 3rd test at Lords. The series is beautifully poised at 1-1 and both sides will be strengthened by the return of some first choice bowlers, Bumrah for India and Atkinson/Archer for England.
@mikeh yes mate looking forward to watching day 5, late wickets last night for the poms has left this game in the balance, both sides will want to go 2-1 in front
Pant is the key here…a quick fire 50, and that run chase quickly shortens from over 100 to around 50…get Pant early and I can see India fold here for under 150. Looks like an intriguing chase for runs and wickets for both sides…game on as they say.