The creekit

[dirty leeds]

Ton for Harry of 81 balls. Four England players have centuries on a first day.

[Rob]

Whether it is a featherbed or not, extraordinary batting again by England. When Bazball works, it quickly takes the game away from the opposition. And Brooks narrowly missing out on the all time record for the quickest test century for England. And it’s a record that’s stood since 1902 ! And some very big hitters to come.

[Devi]

And some very big hitters to come.

Stokes already 34 from 15, and Livingstone to come. Blimey.

[eric olthwaite]

There can’t have been many 500+ scores in a day’s Test cricket?

[Devi]

Only one. Previous record was 494 (at least, for day 1) I think

E2A 5th highest ever: https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/conte ... 83082.html

[Tommy]

I think the defining feature of Bazball has been the pace with which the runs are scored rather than the totals, which allows them much more time to collect 20 wickets - the only way you can actually win a test match.

With that in mind I reckon we might see a declaration at or around lunch. Apparently the central ethos is that they don't do draws and the only way to force a result on such a nothing pitch is to get them in early. Be fascinating to see who if any of the many part-time spinners (Root, Livingston, Jacks, Duckett) will be able to make headway as the pitch wears. Also if there was any point bringing Anderson, who is presumably in for some rough chuckles at his age on such a flat track.

[Rob]

I think the defining feature of Bazball has been the pace with which the runs are scored rather than the totals, which allows them much more time to collect 20 wickets - the only way you can actually win a test match.

With that in mind I reckon we might see a declaration at or around lunch. Apparently the central ethos is that they don't do draws and the only way to force a result on such a nothing pitch is to get them in early. Be fascinating to see who if any of the many part-time spinners (Root, Livingston, Jacks, Duckett) will be able to make headway as the pitch wears. Also if there was any point bringing Anderson, who is presumably in for some rough chuckles at his age on such a flat track.

We might need to score at this sensational pace as just 75 overs were bowled today. Guess they lost a few overs having to repeatedly fetch the ball !

Had the required 90 been bowled surely we’d scored north of 600

[Tommy]

It is annoying that, particularly since they could have started earlier. They were well on for smashing the one day test record and given how shagged the hosts looked, I suspect it would have be absolute carnage. I was half hoping for Jack Leach to come out as the bespectacled Nighthawk but the Stokes cameo at the end really rubbed salt into the wound and propelled them to over 500 runs. Might have to set an early alarm tomorrow.

[dirty leeds]

I see Pakistan are moving along very slowly compared to our lads. Forty overs for 135 runs at present.

[Tommy]

Was nice to see Brook bag 150 and the over this morning that went for 27 was especially entertaining but this match looks doomed to be a draw.

[eric olthwaite]

In fairness to Pakistan, faced with our first innings, I’d be aiming to go at 1-2 an over for the rest of forever.

[Bobbycollins]

Assuming Pakistan bat throughout days 3 and 4, they should have a lead of around 100, which should be sufficient to bowl out an England side intent on hitting sixes on a pitch with zero bounce on the fifth day.

[eric olthwaite]

England did a declare which might be considered as a little towards the lairy side of things. Where’s Vamp when you need him?

No, don’t answer that.

[H-Bombs]

Vamp had a lot to contribute when he wasn't being a wum/prick. Sadly, he was being that way the vast majority of the time.

Have to admit, I don't care for bazball. It's exciting and everything, but I think it's taking some of the real great elements out of test cricket.

[dirty leeds]

Vamp had a lot to contribute when he wasn't being a wum/prick. Sadly, he was being that way the vast majority of the time.

Have to admit, I don't care for bazball. It's exciting and everything, but I think it's taking some of the real great elements out of test cricket.

I think, in this particular test, on this particular track, it was a brave and daring thing to do.
It actually won't matter a lot if they end up losing this game now, because everyone already knows we could have batted slower and easily gone for the draw. We chose not to and, although a load of hours have been lost to bad light, the odds are on a result either way now, on a pitch that really shouldn't have had test cricket played on it at all. Credit to our lads for that.

As to the future and full-on Bazball... yeah, I do take your point.

[eric olthwaite]

Cor!

[Devi]

Pope’s catch? Cor indeed! (And Foakes’ reaction? )

[eric olthwaite]

Pope’s catch? Cor indeed! (And Foakes’ reaction? )

I was cor-ing after the 7th. I’ll blimey now

[Mustafaster]

Crikey!

[Andymac-47]

Brilliant gutsy win, well done Stokes!