[Cricket] Third Test- India v England- Venue: Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad 24-28.02.2021

[Eeyore]

Forget the football, the Monday blues, the relegation battle. It's bat 'n' ball time again.

As we think of the prospect of those village greens resounding to the leathery sound (and the explicits of another soft dismissal when some of us bat), let us take ourselves to India for a Test in which all of us can get up at an earthly time or at least follow when awake.

Do NOT set your alarms early chaps and chapesses, it's a day/night match that starts at 9am UK time.

England have won their last four series and whilst the selection policy seems to be more Peter May than meticulous planning, it is working. The last Test, well, we are in India.

This match SHOULD be England's joker to play. There will likely be a green tinge (not like the Daily Mail clickbait articles suggested when they posted pictures of the pitch barely cut though). It will spin too, but how much ?

So for a few days before the next Albion match binfest strap yourself in.

With 10/11 in the last selection lottery, I'm running with this team:

My XI

Sibley
Burns
Bairstow
Root
Stokes
Pope
Foakes
Broad
Archer
Leach
Anderson

 

[Change at Barnham]

I am very much looking forward to this. Hoping we can win the toss and bat until mid-afternoon on day 2, just as dusk begins and Jimmy A and Chris Woakes make it swing.

My starting XI:

Sibley
Crawley
Bairstow
Root
Stokes
Pope
Foakes
Woakes
Leach
Archer
Anderson

 

[knocky1]

I'll be expecting a brownish wicket with spin competing against seam.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...all-test-virat-kohli/articleshow/81170718.cms How the pink ball with half the sesssion under lights in a new stadium for a Test move for seamers or spinners is anyone's guess.
So at 3-1 England are a great price for my series winnings to be risked yet again.

Spent a month in Gujurat and the stadium is in a beautiful location on the river just up from the peaceful setting of Ghandi's Ashram.

 

[The Wizard]

Good covering of grass but looks like the usual dry Indian wicket, I’d imagine that grass will be baked off over the 48 hours between this being taken and the match starting. Don’t be fooled, India would not prepare a green top for us.

 

[Gwylan]

I'm sure Buttler will play

My guess is
Crawley
Sibley
Bairstow
Roooooooooot
Stokes
Buttler
Foakes
Bess
Archer
Broad
Anderson

It will be great not to have to get up at stupid o'clock; trouble is, after two weeks of little work, I'm snowed under now so can't watch much of it

 

[Tony Towner's Fridge]

Looking at the Wiki page the chances of ran stopped play seem pretty remote. In my working life i have had numerous opportunities to go to India and never have , mainly for fear of health issues with asthma and allergies. Lovely people though, have worked with many and their love of cricket is such a plus.
Chennai looked fabulous and the French coast areas look especially enticing. Ahmedabad is slightly different but I am sure it is equally friendly and welcoming.
Looking forward to it to part quench the Monday football hangover......


TNBA


TTF

 

[Beach Hut]

I'm sure Buttler will play

My guess is
Crawley
Sibley
Bairstow
Roooooooooot
Stokes
Buttler
Foakes
Bess
Archer
Broad
Anderson

It will be great not to have to get up at stupid o'clock; trouble is, after two weeks of little work, I'm snowed under now so can't watch much of it

Thought Buttler had gone home under rotation

 

[Gwylan]

Thought Buttler had gone home under rotation

You're right. I thought he was only missing the second test but he's not there

Pope for Buttler then

 

[vegster]

Looking forward to this with a guarded amount of optimism....

 

[Mackenzie]

The perfect antidote for Monday evening.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

We will be 15 for 2 by 9:30.

316 all out by the close.

India will make 520 and we lose by an innings.

You heard it here first.

 

[Guinness Boy]

A Test!

That is, a test of my ability to watch it without wanting to murder the family and/or get the sack.

Sorry to be the grumpy one about the time, but getting up four hours before the rest of the house and watching cricket undisturbed by wife and kids before I even had to consider calling my boss was an absolute joy. Now I'll probably see about one ball in twelve.

 

[Eeyore]

A Test!

That is, a test of my ability to watch it without wanting to murder the family and/or get the sack.

Sorry to be the grumpy one about the time, but getting up four hours before the rest of the house and watching cricket undisturbed by wife and kids before I even had to consider calling my boss was an absolute joy. Now I'll probably see about one ball in twelve.

Most disappointed in you.

21 years married, the sprogs have been around a while, and utter apathy means you have to watch cricket alone.

You only had one job.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Most disappointed in you.

21 years married, the sprogs have been around a while, and utter apathy means you have to watch cricket alone.

You only had one job.

The fam are the least of my worries. I have to convince my boss I'm listening to him telling me about sprint velocity.

"Do you think we need to add another developer?"

"IT WAS PITCHING OUTSIDE LEG FFS"

Hello P45

 

[indy3050]

Very much looking forward to this! Other than Butler, who else isn’t available for selection?

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Cricket on all day in the background while working from home - try not to get too distracted everyone

 

[Sid in the Sharknado]

I can guarantee that I will be fully focused on the cricket.

oops, I said the loud part quiet and the quiet part loud.

 

[Change at Barnham]

It will be interesting to see who they chose between Olly Stone, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer.
Or possibly leave out the speedsters and select Anderson, Broad and Woakes who can all swing the pink ball under lights.

I reckon they will go with Anderson, Archer and Woakes (and a few overs from Stokes).

 

[Sid in the Sharknado]

I expect they'll pick Anderson, Woakes and Archer for this test, and keep Wood back for the following match on the inevitable sandpit.

 

[The Wizard]

Another Bunsen, a little greenery left.