International Cricket Thread

[Diable Rouge]

And that's all folks.

[SouthdownRebel]

Great to see Ireland finally take that step into the test arena, really pleased to see them start so well.

[Sits]

Ah, I feel my 25% Athlone blood stirring.

[Etienne]

Pakistan declare at 310-9. Ireland getting their first ever bat in tests.

[ad hoc]

5 - 2. You probably can start worrying now DR. Obviously there's still a good chance of a partnership but at this precise moment 310 is looking like a good score

[Etienne]

5-3. PANIC!

[Janik]

7-4.

Hmm. Never assess a cricket match until both teams have batted.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Just for reference, it took new Zealand 26 years and 45 tests before they beat West Indies at Eden Park and won their first test match.

[Janik]

The only team to win their first test is Australia. And that was the first ever test, so isn't really comparable. Being completely thrashed is also not unusual, but it doesn't stop it being depressing.

It would be nice if they could save the follow-on. It's odds against, surely.

[Janik]

Follow-on is 150 behind rather than 200, apparently. Due to the full day lost before okay commenced. Forget that then, particularly with two wickets in the last few balls.

[longeared]

The only team to win their first test is Australia. And that was the first ever test, so isn't really comparable.

Only other team to avoid defeat in their first Test was Zimbabwe and that was thanks to them producing a dead pitch against India.

[Kevin S]

Decent wag for the final two wickets though.

[Satchmo Distel]

Follow-on is 150 behind rather than 200, apparently. Due to the full day lost before okay commenced. Forget that then, particularly with two wickets in the last few balls.

Does anyone know when this rule was introduced? It's a good one.

[Janik]

I can't say when it was brought in, but it apparently it depends when the toss happens. If they had tossed on Thursday but not got any play in after that, it would have officially counted as a five day game with five day rules. As they didn't do the toss because it was already raining, it became a four day game instead.

Just one more boundary needed to avoid an innings defeat, btw. 176/6 currently.

Edit - by Thursday read Friday.

[Janik]

Ireland lead and Kevin O'Brien is one run short of a first Test 50 for the side.

Four wickets still in hand, so the question/aim is to try and eek out as much as possible to set Pakistan a vaguely challenging chase. Can't see it being too onerous, but anything 80+ would at least make them play it sort of properly.

[Janik]

And there is the 50.

Some decent milestones reached in the game, then. Pakistan still overwhelming favourites of course, particularly as the weather doesn't appear to be playing ball.

[Kevin S]

And this stand persists. If they can see out the day then Pakistan may well get jittery in the chase.

[Diable Rouge]

After yesterday's "introduction" to Test batting, they'll just be relieved if, as seems likely now, play continues tomorrow.

[Kevin S]

FYI, DR:
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1249186...ay-five-tests/

[Janik]

Been offline for a bit and check back in to find O'Brien and Thompson have built a hundred partnership, the Ireland score is pushing on towards 300 and the innings has gone past 100 overs. Oh and O'Brien is closing in on a century (crosses fingers)...

Did Pakistan take the new ball as soon as it was due? Is it now 20 overs old and essentially dealt with?

A three figure target is on a day 5 pitch is heading into proper questions territory. 150+ and we are really talking. Pakistan were 500/1 on to win at one point. It's now 10/3 on.

[Diable Rouge]

At least O'Brien has a test century! How many more overs today?

[ursus arctos]

Seven per CricInfo

[longeared]

Some good Proper Cricket from Tyrone Kane there in scoring an undefeated 8 from 67 balls.

[Diable Rouge]

Stumps on Day 3 of actual play, with Ireland now holding a 139-run, so still on course to reach Janik's "Goldilocks zone".

[SouthdownRebel]

Lovely stuff. Still a bit in this match even if Pakistan remain favourites - another 50 runs in the morning would make things very interesting.