From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket




Ashwin chastises Stokes for being a cry baby and sledging Jadeja and Washington about their centuries

=======================================================



https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ashwin-takes-dig-at-ben-stokes-draw-offer-manchester-test-10154508/


rCyHe should have asked his bowlers to bowl underarm like Greg ChappellrCO: Ashwin takes a dig at Ben StokesrCO draw offer and sledging Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Ben Stokes could have asked his bowlers to
bowl underarm and shouldn't talk about the spirit of cricket after the last-hour controversy during the Manchester Test.

The final day of the fourth Test between India and England in Manchester
saw its share of controversies as England captain Ben Stokes showed frustration over Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar
refusing a handshake and draw offer with one hour remaining. While
Jadeja and Sundar stitched an unbroken 202-run fifth-wicket partnership
to end EnglandrCOs hopes of victory, Stokes targeted them verbally, asking Jadeja: rCLYou want to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook?rCY

With Stokes opting to bowl part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root in the mandatory last hour, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin
sarcastically suggested Stokes should have gone further.

rCLI am actually disappointed. He (Ben Stokes) should have asked his
bowlers to bowl underarm like Greg Chappell. It would have looked nice.
Please donrCOt talk about the spirit of cricket, sportsmanship. This is ridiculous,rCY Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.

rCLWhat is the rule? If both captains believe the game cannot head towards
a result, they can agree to a draw. One captain wanted to close it out.
Why? First, he didnrCOt want to tire his bowlers. Second, rCyI am
frustrated. You should also not be happy.rCO The second point isnrCOt in the rules. According to the first point, India was right. If I were captain,
I would have played all 15 overs.rCY

While Stokes cited protecting his frontline bowlers from fatigue and
injury, the incident drew reactions from across the cricketing world, including Indian coach Gautam Gambhir, who defended IndiarCOs right to bat.

At the start of the final hour, Jadeja was on 89 and Sundar on 80. Both
went on to complete centuriesrCoSundarrCOs maiden Test hundred and JadejarCOs fifth. Ashwin called StokesrCO behavior rCLdouble standards.rCY

rCLDouble standards. They defined it in the last ten minutes today. YourCOre
frustrated you canrCOt win, so you fight with your players, punch the
ball, do whatever. But by offering a handshake, yourCOre saying, rCyIrCOm frustrated, so you also donrCOt get a hundred. You also go crying.rCO How is this fair? HerCOs battled since morning against Archer, Hoggard, Gough, Flintoff. Should he leave his century? Your question was, rCyDo you want a century against Harry Brook?rCO No, he wants a century. Bring Steve
Harmison, bring Flintoff! They wouldnrCOt say no. YourCOre bowling Harry BrookrCothatrCOs your mistake, not ours.rCY

Stokes exchanged words with Jadeja, while England openers Zak Crawley
and Ben Duckett also sledged the Indian pair. Crawley was heard telling Sundar: rCLF***ing hell Washi, get on with it,rCY with Jofra Archer adding: rCLIf you wanted a hundred, you should have batted like it earlier.rCY
Sundar reached his maiden Test ton before the teams agreed to a draw
after five overs.

Ashwin mocked CrawleyrCOs comments, declaring the result an rCLIndian winrCY: rCLZak Crawley told him, rCyIf you wanted 100, you should have batted quicker.rCO ThatrCOs his choice. You want quick runs and get out at 70? ThatrCOs your game. Zak Crawley or Ben Stokes, if you were batting, would
you leave your hundred for the rCyspirit of the gamerCO? I feel like
laughing. ItrCOs crazy. ThatrCOs why I say this isnrCOt a draw, itrCOs an Indian
win.rCY
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 7/28/2025 3:10 AM, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

Ashwin chastises Stokes for being a cry baby and sledging Jadeja and Washington about their centuries

=======================================================

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ashwin-takes-dig-at- ben-stokes-draw-offer-manchester-test-10154508/

rCyHe should have asked his bowlers to bowl underarm like Greg ChappellrCO: Ashwin takes a dig at Ben StokesrCO draw offer and sledging Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Ben Stokes could have asked his bowlers to
bowl underarm and shouldn't talk about the spirit of cricket after the last-hour controversy during the Manchester Test.

The final day of the fourth Test between India and England in Manchester
saw its share of controversies as England captain Ben Stokes showed frustration over Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refusing a handshake and draw offer with one hour remaining. While
Jadeja and Sundar stitched an unbroken 202-run fifth-wicket partnership
to end EnglandrCOs hopes of victory, Stokes targeted them verbally, asking Jadeja: rCLYou want to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook?rCY

With Stokes opting to bowl part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root in the mandatory last hour, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin
sarcastically suggested Stokes should have gone further.

rCLI am actually disappointed. He (Ben Stokes) should have asked his
bowlers to bowl underarm like Greg Chappell. It would have looked nice. Please donrCOt talk about the spirit of cricket, sportsmanship. This is ridiculous,rCY Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.

rCLWhat is the rule? If both captains believe the game cannot head towards
a result, they can agree to a draw. One captain wanted to close it out.
Why? First, he didnrCOt want to tire his bowlers. Second, rCyI am frustrated. You should also not be happy.rCO The second point isnrCOt in the rules. According to the first point, India was right. If I were captain,
I would have played all 15 overs.rCY

While Stokes cited protecting his frontline bowlers from fatigue and
injury, the incident drew reactions from across the cricketing world, including Indian coach Gautam Gambhir, who defended IndiarCOs right to bat.

At the start of the final hour, Jadeja was on 89 and Sundar on 80. Both
went on to complete centuriesrCoSundarrCOs maiden Test hundred and JadejarCOs
fifth. Ashwin called StokesrCO behavior rCLdouble standards.rCY

rCLDouble standards. They defined it in the last ten minutes today. YourCOre
-afrustrated you canrCOt win, so you fight with your players, punch the ball, do whatever. But by offering a handshake, yourCOre saying, rCyIrCOm frustrated, so you also donrCOt get a hundred. You also go crying.rCO How is this fair? HerCOs battled since morning against Archer, Hoggard, Gough, Flintoff. Should he leave his century? Your question was, rCyDo you want a century against Harry Brook?rCO No, he wants a century. Bring Steve Harmison, bring Flintoff! They wouldnrCOt say no. YourCOre bowling Harry BrookrCothatrCOs your mistake, not ours.rCY

Stokes exchanged words with Jadeja, while England openers Zak Crawley
and Ben Duckett also sledged the Indian pair. Crawley was heard telling Sundar: rCLF***ing hell Washi, get on with it,rCY with Jofra Archer adding: rCLIf you wanted a hundred, you should have batted like it earlier.rCY Sundar reached his maiden Test ton before the teams agreed to a draw
after five overs.

Ashwin mocked CrawleyrCOs comments, declaring the result an rCLIndian winrCY:
rCLZak Crawley told him, rCyIf you wanted 100, you should have batted quicker.rCO ThatrCOs his choice. You want quick runs and get out at 70? ThatrCOs your game. Zak Crawley or Ben Stokes, if you were batting, would you leave your hundred for the rCyspirit of the gamerCO? I feel like laughing. ItrCOs crazy. ThatrCOs why I say this isnrCOt a draw, itrCOs an Indian
win.rCY

Stokes was really WRONG to ask Indian batters to call it a day before
they completed their centuries.

England's main bowlers TIRING is NOT India's PROBLEM.




https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ben-stokes-spoiled-kid-sanjay-manjrekar-manchester-test-drama-10154393/


rCyThat was Ben Stokes behaving like a spoiled kidrCO: Sanjay Manjrekar on last hour drama in Manchester Test

England Captain Ben Stokes had offered the draw with 15 overs remaining
in the fourth Test before Indian batsman Ravindra Jadeja and Washington
Sundar declined the offer with the match going into last one hour.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar termed England captain Ben
Stokes a rCLspoiled kidrCY over the incident, believing the England captain could have rCLhandled things better.rCY

rCLOkay fine, herCOs unhappy that the players havenrCOt walked off, herCOll have
to manage his overs carefully with the main bowlers already exhausted
from bowling long spells the whole day. But throwing lollipops in the
air and showing a bit of grumpiness out there, that was Ben Stokes
behaving like a spoiled kid. I can understand him being surprised that
India wanted to continuerCa but everything wonrCOt go as per your wishes, he shouldrCOve handled that better. It was Ben, the hero, the champion that I admire, on that occasion behaving like a spoiled kid,rCY Manjrekar said
during the post-match show on JioHotstar.



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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 7/28/2025 3:10 AM, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer wrote:

Ashwin chastises Stokes for being a cry baby and sledging Jadeja and Washington about their centuries

=======================================================

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ashwin-takes-dig-at- ben-stokes-draw-offer-manchester-test-10154508/

rCyHe should have asked his bowlers to bowl underarm like Greg ChappellrCO: Ashwin takes a dig at Ben StokesrCO draw offer and sledging Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Ben Stokes could have asked his bowlers to
bowl underarm and shouldn't talk about the spirit of cricket after the last-hour controversy during the Manchester Test.

The final day of the fourth Test between India and England in Manchester
saw its share of controversies as England captain Ben Stokes showed frustration over Indian batsmen Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refusing a handshake and draw offer with one hour remaining. While
Jadeja and Sundar stitched an unbroken 202-run fifth-wicket partnership
to end EnglandrCOs hopes of victory, Stokes targeted them verbally, asking Jadeja: rCLYou want to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook?rCY

With Stokes opting to bowl part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root in the mandatory last hour, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin
sarcastically suggested Stokes should have gone further.

rCLI am actually disappointed. He (Ben Stokes) should have asked his
bowlers to bowl underarm like Greg Chappell. It would have looked nice. Please donrCOt talk about the spirit of cricket, sportsmanship. This is ridiculous,rCY Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.

rCLWhat is the rule? If both captains believe the game cannot head towards
a result, they can agree to a draw. One captain wanted to close it out.
Why? First, he didnrCOt want to tire his bowlers. Second, rCyI am frustrated. You should also not be happy.rCO The second point isnrCOt in the rules. According to the first point, India was right. If I were captain,
I would have played all 15 overs.rCY

While Stokes cited protecting his frontline bowlers from fatigue and
injury, the incident drew reactions from across the cricketing world, including Indian coach Gautam Gambhir, who defended IndiarCOs right to bat.

At the start of the final hour, Jadeja was on 89 and Sundar on 80. Both
went on to complete centuriesrCoSundarrCOs maiden Test hundred and JadejarCOs
fifth. Ashwin called StokesrCO behavior rCLdouble standards.rCY

rCLDouble standards. They defined it in the last ten minutes today. YourCOre
-afrustrated you canrCOt win, so you fight with your players, punch the ball, do whatever. But by offering a handshake, yourCOre saying, rCyIrCOm frustrated, so you also donrCOt get a hundred. You also go crying.rCO How is this fair? HerCOs battled since morning against Archer, Hoggard, Gough, Flintoff. Should he leave his century? Your question was, rCyDo you want a century against Harry Brook?rCO No, he wants a century. Bring Steve Harmison, bring Flintoff! They wouldnrCOt say no. YourCOre bowling Harry BrookrCothatrCOs your mistake, not ours.rCY

Stokes exchanged words with Jadeja, while England openers Zak Crawley
and Ben Duckett also sledged the Indian pair. Crawley was heard telling Sundar: rCLF***ing hell Washi, get on with it,rCY with Jofra Archer adding: rCLIf you wanted a hundred, you should have batted like it earlier.rCY Sundar reached his maiden Test ton before the teams agreed to a draw
after five overs.

Ashwin mocked CrawleyrCOs comments, declaring the result an rCLIndian winrCY:
rCLZak Crawley told him, rCyIf you wanted 100, you should have batted quicker.rCO ThatrCOs his choice. You want quick runs and get out at 70? ThatrCOs your game. Zak Crawley or Ben Stokes, if you were batting, would you leave your hundred for the rCyspirit of the gamerCO? I feel like laughing. ItrCOs crazy. ThatrCOs why I say this isnrCOt a draw, itrCOs an Indian
win.rCY

England team unfortunately THINKS that the CRICKET WORLD "REVOLVES"
around them.

What Jadeja and Washington did was STANDARD through out test cricket
history.

WHY is STOKES CRYING NOW?

Because England FAILED to FORCE A WIN.



Nasser Hussain slams Ben StokesrCO rCysillyrCO move: rCyHe didnrCOt have to bowl
BrookrCa Washington & Jadeja deserved to be there at the endrCO

Former England captain Nasser Hussain said he didn't have a problem with
the call made by the Indian team, and both Jadeja and Sundar deserved to
be there at the end.

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/nasser-hussain-slams-ben-stokes-silly-move-brook-bowl-ind-vs-eng-10154009/


The Manchester Test between India and England, which seemed to be ending
for a quiet draw took a u-turn quickly after England skipper Ben Stokes
went to the Indian batters and offered his hand to call an end to the
match before the last hourrCOs play was to start. But with Ravindra Jadeja
and Washington Sundar batting on 89 and 80, the Indians didnrCOt take the offer from Stokes and chose to continue batting.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain said he didnrCOt have a problem with
the call made by the Indian team, and both Jadeja and Sundar deserved to
be there at the end. He also slammed Stokes and called his move to let
Harry Brook bowl silly.

rCLI didnrCOt have a problem with it. England did. They had tired bowlers
and tired legs and wanted to get off but the two lads had worked hard to
get into the 80s and 90s and wanted hundreds,rCY said Hussain to Sky Sports.

rCLStokes didnrCOt have to bowl Harry Brook and it looked a bit silly but we make too much of these things. India deserved the draw and Washington
and Jadeja deserved to be there at the end,rCY he added.

Shortly after this drama, Jadeja scored his century as Stokes resorted
to bowling loopy deliveries to him through Harry Brook. Jadeja slammed a
six down the ground to score his 2nd Test century. Sundar, too, reached
his maiden century as India finally agreed to end the hard-fought match
in a draw.

A visibly frustrated Stokes said after the match, rCLI donrCOt think there would have been much more satisfaction in walking off 100 not out,
getting your team out of a tricky situation, than walking off at 80 or
90 not out. Scoring 10 more runs isnrCOt going to change the fact yourCOve saved your team from a series defeat.rCY

India head coach Gautam Gambhir asked that if the shoe was on the other
foot, would England have done the same?

rCLIf someone is batting on 90 and the other one is batting on 85, donrCOt they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off? If someone from
England side was batting on 90 and 85 and someone had the opportunity to
get his first Test 100, wouldnrCOt you allow him to do it? They weathered
the storm. ItrCOs up to them. If they want to play that way, nothing more
to say. I think both those guys deserved a 100 and fortunately they got
it,rCY he said on Sunday at the post-match press conference.



--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

In message <O0IhQ.17743$SEc1.6908@fx01.ams4>, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer <FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer@america.com> writes

Ashwin chastises Stokes for being a cry baby and sledging Jadeja and >Washington about their centuries

I agree with Ashwin. No doubt Stokes was exhausted and feeling
frustrated, but surely if England had been batting in that situation and
one of the batsmen was nearing their maiden Test century he wouldn't
have wanted to call an end to the match? I know he's strong about it
being the team that matters and not individual players' milestones, but
a balance has to be struck.

=======================================================

https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ashwin-takes-dig-at-ben >-stokes-draw-offer-manchester-test-10154508/

rCyHe should have asked his bowlers to bowl underarm like Greg
ChappellrCO: Ashwin takes a dig at Ben StokesrCO draw offer and
sledging Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Ben Stokes could have asked his bowlers to
bowl underarm and shouldn't talk about the spirit of cricket after the >last-hour controversy during the Manchester Test.

<snip>

After the Chappell incident they made underarm bowling illegal. I
imagine that telling his bowlers to bowl a succession of underarm
no-balls would have landed Stokes in hot water with the match referee.
--
John Hall
"I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly,
will hardly mind anything else."
Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-84)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 7/28/2025 8:48 AM, John Hall wrote:

In message <O0IhQ.17743$SEc1.6908@fx01.ams4>, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer <FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer@america.com> writes

Ashwin chastises Stokes for being a cry baby and sledging Jadeja and
Washington about their centuries

I agree with Ashwin. No doubt Stokes was exhausted and feeling
frustrated, but surely if England had been batting in that situation and
one of the batsmen was nearing their maiden Test century he wouldn't
have wanted to call an end to the match? I know he's strong about it
being the team that matters and not individual players' milestones, but
a balance has to be struck.

It's actually STANDARD for ANY team to complete their centuries before
shaking hands in that situation of being very close to the landmark.

Has been like that for entire test cricket history.

=======================================================



https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ashwin-takes-dig-at-ben
-stokes-draw-offer-manchester-test-10154508/


rCyHe should have asked his bowlers to bowl underarm like Greg
ChappellrCO: Ashwin takes a dig at Ben StokesrCO draw offer and sledging
Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Ben Stokes could have asked his bowlers
to bowl underarm and shouldn't talk about the spirit of cricket after
the last-hour controversy during the Manchester Test.

<snip>

After the Chappell incident they made underarm bowling illegal. I
imagine that telling his bowlers to bowl a succession of underarm no-
balls would have landed Stokes in hot water with the match referee.

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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

In message <13410883-0738-4f36-b856-676551fd9bfe@america.com>, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer <FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer@america.com>
writes

On 7/28/2025 8:48 AM, John Hall wrote:

In message <O0IhQ.17743$SEc1.6908@fx01.ams4>,
FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer <FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer@america.com> >>writes

Ashwin chastises Stokes for being a cry baby and sledging Jadeja and >>>Washington about their centuries

I agree with Ashwin. No doubt Stokes was exhausted and feeling >>frustrated, but surely if England had been batting in that situation
and one of the batsmen was nearing their maiden Test century he
wouldn't have wanted to call an end to the match? I know he's strong >>about it being the team that matters and not individual players' >>milestones, but a balance has to be struck.

It's actually STANDARD for ANY team to complete their centuries before >shaking hands in that situation of being very close to the landmark.

Has been like that for entire test cricket history.

<snip>

Indeed. Pretty much all the comment I've seen in the British media has
been critical of Stokes. I think he was taking out his frustration out
on the batsmen, which he shouldn't have done.
--
John Hall
"I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly,
will hardly mind anything else."
Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-84)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 7/29/2025 2:20 AM, John Hall wrote:

In message <13410883-0738-4f36-b856-676551fd9bfe@america.com>, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer <FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer@america.com> writes

On 7/28/2025 8:48 AM, John Hall wrote:

In message <O0IhQ.17743$SEc1.6908@fx01.ams4>,
FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer-a <FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer@america.com>
writes

Ashwin chastises Stokes for being a cry baby and sledging Jadeja and
Washington about their centuries

-aI agree with Ashwin. No doubt Stokes was exhausted and feeling
frustrated, but surely if England had been batting in that situation
and-a one of the batsmen was nearing their maiden Test century he
wouldn't-a have wanted to call an end to the match? I know he's strong
about it-a being the team that matters and not individual players'
milestones, but-a a balance has to be struck.

It's actually STANDARD for ANY team to complete their centuries before
shaking hands in that situation of being very close to the landmark.

Has been like that for entire test cricket history.

<snip>

Indeed. Pretty much all the comment I've seen in the British media has
been critical of Stokes. I think he was taking out his frustration out
on the batsmen, which he shouldn't have done.

I think Stokes and England team ASSUMED they will WIN the test quite
easily after they got India on the mat at 0/2 in the I2 first over.

I hope Stokes realizes that HE is WRONG in this issue and won't repeat
it in the future.

He looked quite silly and obnoxious in front of the cricket world.




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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 29/07/2025 10:20, John Hall wrote:

In message <13410883-0738-4f36-b856-676551fd9bfe@america.com>, FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer <FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer@america.com> writes

On 7/28/2025 8:48 AM, John Hall wrote:

In message <O0IhQ.17743$SEc1.6908@fx01.ams4>,
FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer-a <FBInCIAnNSATerroristSlayer@america.com>
writes

Ashwin chastises Stokes for being a cry baby and sledging Jadeja and
Washington about their centuries

-aI agree with Ashwin. No doubt Stokes was exhausted and feeling
frustrated, but surely if England had been batting in that situation
and-a one of the batsmen was nearing their maiden Test century he
wouldn't-a have wanted to call an end to the match?

Indeed. Would Stokes have called it off with Dawson or Carse on 80*?

I also remember the Antigua Test in 2021/22, when England (under Root)
needed 6 wickets, and carried on until there were only 5 balls left.

I know he's strong
about it-a being the team that matters and not individual players'
milestones, but-a a balance has to be struck.

It's actually STANDARD for ANY team to complete their centuries before
shaking hands in that situation of being very close to the landmark.

Has been like that for entire test cricket history.

<snip>

Indeed. Pretty much all the comment I've seen in the British media has
been critical of Stokes. I think he was taking out his frustration out
on the batsmen, which he shouldn't have done.

Agreed. I have no problem with Stokes offering the draw, but if the
Indians didn't agree, he should just have accepted that and got on with
it. Frustration and tiredness don't make for cool heads though.

I also have no problem with Stokes putting Brook on, or the joke
bowling. It was a means to an end. I wouldn't expect any team to use
their best bowlers in that sort of situation where a result wasn't
possible. In fact, if he had anticipated the situation earlier, he could
have spoken to the batsmen and agreed to get them to their centuries
around the start of the last hour.
--
David North
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

In message <metnmbFn62mU1@mid.individual.net>, David North <nospam@lane-farm.fsnet.co.uk> writes

I also have no problem with Stokes putting Brook on, or the joke
bowling. It was a means to an end. I wouldn't expect any team to use
their best bowlers in that sort of situation where a result wasn't
possible.

Yep. The main bowlers were all tired, and there was always the risk that
they might pick up an injury. I think and hope that Brooks wasn't
deliberately bowling badly, though, but is just a rubbish bowler.

In fact, if he had anticipated the situation earlier, he could have
spoken to the batsmen and agreed to get them to their centuries around
the start of the last hour.

I don't think that would be right.
--
John Hall
"I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly,
will hardly mind anything else."
Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-84)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 30/07/2025 09:54, John Hall wrote:

In message <metnmbFn62mU1@mid.individual.net>, David North <nospam@lane- farm.fsnet.co.uk> writes

I also have no problem with Stokes putting Brook on, or the joke
bowling. It was a means to an end. I wouldn't expect any team to use
their best bowlers in that sort of situation where a result wasn't
possible.

Yep. The main bowlers were all tired, and there was always the risk that they might pick up an injury. I think and hope that Brooks wasn't deliberately bowling badly, though, but is just a rubbish bowler.

OK, I don't know whether it was deliberate. I wasn't paying much
attention to the radio, as I had one eye on the Tour de France and was
doing stuff on my laptop at the same time, but I got the impression that
they were not attempting to stop India from scoring, or to stop balls
from reaching the boundary.

In fact, if he had anticipated the situation earlier, he could have
spoken to the batsmen and agreed to get them to their centuries around
the start of the last hour.

I don't think that would be right.

OK, maybe not actually agree it. They were effectively letting them get
their centuries after the start of the last hour, although if a catch or
a run-out or stumping opportunity had presented itself, I suppose they
would have taken it, as that could have hastened the end. It wouldn't
have been that much earlier that it became clear that they couldn't win
- less than half an hour at a guess. Once that point was reached, there
seems no point in prolonging things any more than they were required to.
--
David North
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