International cricket thread

VillaMad

Bangladesh closed on 401/6 and lead by 73. Great determination and patience by Bangladesh (which is something England could learn from) but very slow on a flat pitch which makes a draw likely.

Third new ball due in the morning and Bangladesh will aim for a lead of up to 150 possibly and then 5 or so sessions for New Zealand to get a draw. Pitch has shown some signs of uneven bounce but not enough to be concerned.

Elsewhere, India are 142-5 in the second test against South Africa. Duane Oliver back in the side and in the wickets.

Richard Hillman

Ashwin bringing things back a little. I think we have a top test match on here.

The NZ-BAN test is looking interesting but likely a draw. I watched the first morning, that was where Bangladesh could have won it. I have seen that Mount Monganui pitch before being as green as the outfield but would do absolutely nothing for the 5 days. I think it was against England.

Strumms

The NZ vs Bangladesh test is so entertaining.

if I’m the Bangladesh coach Domingo I’d be telling the remaining batsmen to take three overs, get the pace of the pitch and bat positively … if they can put on another 60/70 runs to have a lead around 140 they’d be favourites….

NZ score around 300 setting a target of 180 or so ? Doable, challenging certainly but doable.

Strumms

NZ 146-5 and lead by 18 at stumps on day 4…all on this Taylor / Ravindra partnership they gots to put on about another 130 runs plus and hope what’s to come as in the tail…. wags like fûck.

quality from Bangladesh who are both bowling and fielding incredibly well..

Gillespy

Very suspect catch claimed by Pant to get rid of Van der Dussen just before lunch. All for giving the benefit of the doubt but a few overs earlier he claimed an even more obvious catch that bounced well short.

VillaMad

Terrific bowling by Ebadot Hossain who changed the momentum late on and New Zealand are now effectively 17-5 heading into day 5. Set for a brilliant final day.

South Africa have just eeked ahead of India but are 7 wickets down and so honours are fairly even. Thakur has been the go to man for India bagging himself five wickets so far.

VillaMad

India close on 85-2, a lead of 58 and they will be happy enough with that. It's definitely been India's day but no side has control of the game yet.

Strumms

New Zealand bowled out for 169… 5 ducks in their innings, is that a record ?

Bangladesh set 40 for victory…

Bangladesh again brilliant with the ball and in the field…

Tom Mann Centuria

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118419090#Comment_118419090

They were fantastic, thoroughly deserved the win.

Richard Hillman

New Zealand were beaten good. The toss mattered a little bit but Bangladesh didnt really take advantage of it. They beat them solidly over the next couple of innings though. A great achievement and will be remembered for a very long time.

A real reminder that Test Cricket is the only cricket that matters.

Richard Hillman

I think SA-India is similar to the last test. South Africa seem like they are about 50 runs short. A much better chance to get the win here though.

Gillespy

Bangladesh did it without Tamin Iqbal and Shakib too. They don't have many household names besides them. No one gave them a prayer. And didn't during the game until it became obvious they were in a clear winning position. Combination of their batting fragility and the machine that is New Zealand at home. They have to back it up next game now. NZ will be hurt and embarrassed by this. Expect to see a big reaction.

Strumms

SA needing 206 more runs to beat India… all wickets intact you’d back them, fist hour after tea here key.

Gillespy

Promising start for South Africa although Thakur is on now and making things happen. The pattern of the game is batting getting more difficult after the roller wears off.

Gillespy

Markram lbw Thakur. It was coming in that over.

Strumms

You’d still make SA favourites although Indian lads are bowling well, and appealing for everything with gusto.. haha

Gillespy

Siraj is out on the field but hasn't been bowled yet. He would be a handful on this. Must not be 100%

Gillespy

Advantage South Africa you would say. Half the runs got for just two down. Long tail on a spicy pitch India will still believe they can do it.

Strumms

Yes SA will be the happier, morning session will be crucial… 122 runs needed… if they make 70 runs in the morning and say just lose one or even two wickets in the process its game over..

VillaMad

Proper test cricket. No easy runs and the batsmen not giving away their wicket. Always feels like a ball has your name on it. Hard to call the winner yet as the pressure will be immense on South Africa as they inch closer to the line.

Mad, that at the same venue four years ago, South Africa were given a target of 241 to chase against India. They failed then by 63 runs so they will hope to change the outcome this time.

VillaMad

South Africa are chasing this down comfortably. Elgar in particular has been brilliant.

Gillespy

So comfortable for South Africa today. Indian bowlers haven't turned up at all. Too many extras and boundary balls. Very uncharacteristic of them. Elgar punished them well. 1-1 going to Cape Town will do nicely.

VillaMad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118427832#Comment_118427832

I think 3 times, they have bowled bouncers that have gone way over the keepers head and that has handed South Africa 5 runs each time. Hard to build pressure when that happens. The rain around and the grey clouds was all set up for India to go on and win, but they lost their discipline and Elgar is a proper test match opener and nullified them. That result will do wonders for a fairly inexperienced South African lineup.

Strumms

How many times were the Indian physios on the field ?

how many times did the Indian bowlers have to be told by the umpires to get back to their mark and bowl, instead of ambling back and stopping for conversations ?

how many times did they start adjusting footwear ?

all the time trying to enable bad light or weather to intervene…

a desperately unlikeable group of cricketers and no doubt administrators / management as that’s not just left up to the 11 on the field.

jasperit Bumrah in particular… no wonder he’s disliked so much by fellow cricketers worldwide… think with the cash he’s earning he’d buy himself a pair of shoes that stay tied and maybe a psychologist to help him not want to stop and yap on those ohhh so lonely walks back to his mark, poor lad.

Tom Mann Centuria

Pukekura Park in New Plymouth looks like an absolutely stunning place to go and watch cricket. Was watching the NZ women's T20 from there, just need a lottery win now to go and visit for myself.

Slightly nicer than Wantage Road Northampton anyway....

Gillespy

Bangladesh win the toss and bowl at the Hagley Oval on a pitch green as could be. No Williamson still.

Strumms

Didn’t need him ultimately…. 456-5.. Tom Latham 227* , 264 his highest run total. Every other ball practically being smashed towards the rope or over it…got 1-1 written all over it.

Gillespy

After twelve overs, Bangladesh are 28-5. Two for Southee and Boult has three. The backlash has been brutal.

Gillespy

Fast moving, low scoring thriller at Newlands. Only day two and into the third innings. India are 28-2 leading by 41

Strumms

India lead by 193 but 8 wickets down in their second innings….they’ll be hoping of amassing a lead of 230 maybe but Rabada and co are looming .. only 3 batsmen in double figures