3rd Test (Lord’s) - 10 July to 14 July

[Johan]

I would if they'd not really shown over significant portions of their career that they can do it on flat decks too. The spicy greentop era of Australian pitches has been like fifteen tests, for most of Cummins' career Aus pitches were still mostly absolute roads (less true of Rabada, tbf).

Er, hasn't Australia been extremely spicy since the 2020 BGT? also, I just checked, all the aussie bats bar Khawaja averaged under 40 in the 2023 Ashes, if it were so easy then they should've performed better no?

 

[centurymaker]

I do think the ridiculously dry Summer we're having is possibly part of it. India couldn't have chosen a better time to come here. Ideally, we'd have had a lot more green in our pitches.

Indian bowlers would have loved some green tops to run through a lineup of dashers. India never wanted these kind of conditions in England which amplify the batting capabilities of bazballers.

 

[Spark]

Er, hasn't Australia been extremely spicy since the 2020 BGT? also, I just checked, all the aussie bats bar Khawaja averaged under 40 in the 2023 Ashes, if it were so easy then they should've performed better no?

I'd say only in the last two years has it moved decisively to "all spicy all the time". The 22/23 pitches were very, very roady, for instance with one infamous exception.

 

[GIMH]

English fans thinking they have a decent batting line up is hilarious

Anyone thinking that we don’t is denying reality.

Duckett, Root and Brook walk into any side in the world and Jamie Smith gets into a lot of them.

 

[centurymaker]

It's either extreme for me. If you're allowed a sub fielder that can field in critical positions, then you should be allowed a wicketkeeper as well. If you can't have a sub wicketkeeper, then you can't have a sub fielder either. Make do with one less person in the field.

Well said

 

[Johan]

Indian bowlers would have loved some green tops to run through a lineup of dashers. India never wanted these kind of conditions in England which amplify the batting capabilities of bazballers.

They literally amplify your batting capability, Gill 430 last game is clear evidence of that.

 

[cnerd123]

Not to the same extent as having one less fielder on the ground. This is an extreme thought bubble even by thought bubble standards, it'd render the entire contest a farce. Who would pay money to watch that?

Disagree. At the professional level if you go into the game without an actual wicketkeeper you may as well forfeit the match. Having someone inexperienced behind there won't just cost you runs and wickets, it is an actual safety risk.

I see the point that there is a lot of part-time wicketkeepers going around and very rarely will a team have no one able to substitute in the XI. But the rules have to cover every possible scenario. It doesn't make sense to allow for a substitute for every position on the field barring one

 

[Chin Music]

You really haven't been paying attention to that series if you think Head is out of form. Regardless I'm not even calling England bad on spicy pitches, just completely unproven - the decks in NZ weren't that helpful and we saw what happened in Pakistan after their admittedly unconventional methods there. We simply have no idea how they'll go if the pitches suddenly become traditional English greentops again because they've not played on any.

I'd have said that the previous two English summers, the pitches were more conventional. Not without help for seamers but far from green tops and decent enough for batting. The last time I recall English pitches being particularly helpful for seamers was when India toured in 2018. There were a lot more helpful decks then and that was a hot and dry summer too. Of course, there have been the odd exceptions, the 3rd test of the 2021 series was in dark, moist conditions at Headingley where Robinson and Craig Overton (a very typically English medium-fast bowler) knocked over India for an innings victory. When Overton then played at the Oval, a lot flatter, he looked utterly innocuous.

 

[centurymaker]

This is Indias game to lose.

Be a huge choke if they don't win this.

Nah all the pressure is on England now after taking four wickets. The majority are expecting Eng to win -bowling last on a difficult day 5 pitch at home. India will just play with freedom knowing that the Indian media is already expecting India to lose from here.

 

[Johan]

Nah India are favs, 135 runs, 6 wickets in hand, mid bowling attack, Rahul and Pant in form, batting till 9.

 

[Johan]

They literally amplify your batting capability, Gill 430 last game is clear evidence of that.

convineantly no response, heh

 

[Molehill]

Indian bowlers would have loved some green tops to run through a lineup of dashers. India never wanted these kind of conditions in England which amplify the batting capabilities of bazballers.

And you don't think Woakes wouldn't have quite liked those conditions too? Bumrah takes wickets in any conditions, it wouldn't have made much difference to him.

 

[Shady Slim]

I am calling this out every time I see it because the 2019 WC happened

a competition where there was no winner and the title was awarded cannot be held in the same esteem as the big bash, which is the premier domestic competition in the world

 

[Johan]

a competition where there was no winner and the title was awarded cannot be held in the same esteem as the big bash, which is the premier domestic competition in the world

Excuse me but are you a kiwi?

 

[centurymaker]

They literally amplify your batting capability, Gill 430 last game is clear evidence of that.

So Edgbaston 2022 and Headingley chases didnt happen? England outbatted India on roads. Fourth innings successful chases of 378/3 and 371/5. Gill's test was an exception, and it only happened because England went in with a weaker bowling attack.

 

[Spark]

And you don't think Woakes wouldn't have quite liked those conditions too? Bumrah takes wickets in any conditions, it wouldn't have made much difference to him.

He takes wickets anywhere but you really, really don't want to be facing him on a skiddy greentop. He's just about impossible to play on those, at least on roads you have a decent chance of at least survival if you don't try anything rash.

 

[Shady Slim]

Excuse me but are you a kiwi?

no just a reality accepter

 

[Johan]

no just a reality accepter

So a copium addict?

 

[Johan]

He takes wickets anywhere but you really, really don't want to be facing him on a skiddy greentop. He's just about impossible to play on those, at least on roads you have a decent chance of at least survival if you don't try anything rash.

He was not that crazy on the greentops in 2021.

 

[Molehill]

He takes wickets anywhere but you really, really don't want to be facing him on a skiddy greentop. He's just about impossible to play on those, at least on roads you have a decent chance of at least survival if you don't try anything rash.

Hope he's not lined up to play the WI anytime soon, that could be carnage.