England v Ireland & Australia Test Cricket 2019

On a positive note it's England's highest ever Test score against Ireland and in a Test sponsored by Specsavers too

(24-07-2019 12:51 )babefan2012 Wrote:  Only positive not its not the Ashes, although if it was it would 51 all out by now I'd guess.

And there is the reality writ large!! Ashes deemed more important, hence 4 day match (not a test) and everything presented as an ashes practice match, not a test on a par with all the rest!!

Whatever the outcome here, particularly should England fail to win, it will be quickly forgotten and portrayed as not being that important anyway - hence the second XI team.!! All the commentary/build up has-is/was presented in this light, with England being the reason everybody turned up to watch!! and listen on Sky. Oh how I wish k.McCallen had been/was being more of a man and responding appropriately!

Ireland have zero to gain here - whatever the PR effort suggests!!

(24-07-2019 13:05 )William H Bonney Wrote:  

(23-07-2019 15:33 )hornball Wrote:  Test matches have always been 450 overs and 5 days long

Not always. Test matches were originally played for either 3 or 4 days.

South Africa and Zimbabwe played a 4 day Test as recently as December 2017.

I know and that was a special dispensation for SA who considered Zim not worthy of anything better (sounds familiar??!! The ICC have made a rod for their own backs here. How you can determine an ICC sponsored 'world test championship' with this chopping and changing I simply do not know!!

Do you think that this Test will last 4 days. Pathetic batting from England.

(24-07-2019 15:07 )Charlemagne Wrote:  Do you think that this Test will last 4 days. Pathetic batting from England.

The Irish bowlers were exceptional also though!! Disciplined bowling which, had it been Broad Anderson etc sending those down, would have been portrayed as being world class bowlers doing what they do, and the perceived (or real) batting frailties from Ireland as would have been the case, would have not been so readily highlighted!!

Two down now....getting real!! any lead is gold from here!! Ports' wicket is a text book case of reacting after being sconned!!

Mr Gower just now....quote: 'The need to play this test...…...apparently!!!! Too bad DG!!

England have to face the last over of the day. They sent out a night watchman. They trail by 122 runs.

Great day for Ireland!! Weren't perhaps professional enough in the middle of their innings having built a really good platform, but would have bitten your arm of for this position at the toss.

A day of negatives from just about all contributors in the commentary box. Athers believes they should all have been resting after their (WC**) efforts. Why didn't they seek to rearrange this match then, if fatigue was going to be a 'major contributing factor' which was of course used to explain 80 odd all out!! Give me a break!!

Big day ahead tomorrow for Ireland to take control. Tim's final over tonight showed that there is still some life in the track. May not last long in the searing heat of tomorrow however!!

Sky crew just will not give Ireland a fair shake! So pleased to see their actions (Ireland's that is)speaking louder, and sticking it to the whole damn lot of them!!

Finding it tough to sweep away the tail!! A trend in modern day cricket, where lower order batsmen are as entitled to that term (batsmen) as they were previously accurately described as 'tailenders' Bowling units have to stop taking 9,10,jack for granted with funky fields and changing bowling disciplines. Ireland need to stay on message here!!

As I type play halted for impending doom!! Forecast suggests mother and father of all thunderstorms in the time ahead across England....good luck to all Keep it to yourselves I beg you!!!