Bah. Should have been better, but I suppose in those conditions, it could have been much worse as well.
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Crawley, Root and Pope all getting in, but only Stokes and Buttler got in and made something of it. In truth, without that partnership I've been in a bad place, though they both played well and got what they deserved.
Frustrating to have passed their score 5 down and only finished 59 ahead, but such is life. You just have to be incredibly watchful, and accept you can't do certain things with lower order players like you can with actual batters. It's been good, enjoyable.
Had to can it for now, but West Indies were 2 down early doors, so there's plenty to play for yet!
Well, I finished this test off. I'm happy to play more, let's say a 5 match series, just to see how it pans out. But for now, a brief overview and some thoughts.
The West Indies 2nd innings:
As I was 59 ahead from the first innings, that left me needing 176 batting last to win.
After the overcast image I posted of the sky for my first innings, I was far more hopeful when this was what greeted me for my second go:
120/2, needing 176. Laughing
152/6, not laughing.
Made it in the end though:
Much like real life, England appear to suffer really badly from losing wickets in clumps when I use them. Burns and Hameed then Burns and Crawley did the hard work, then we lost out way before Buttler and Woakes helped us crawl over the line.
I've now played 2 games against West Indies in England. They've managed:
- 228 all out in 78 overs
- 197 all out in 66 overs
- 230 all out in 97.1 overs
- 234 all out in 83.3 overs
I've managed:
- 185 all out in 58.2 overs
- 153 all out in 50.4 overs
- 289 all out in 88 overs
- 177-7 in 53.3 overs
I've won one, lost one. I appear to be getting a bit better with the bat, but it is hard work. I lost 4 of my 7 wickets in that 2nd innings bowled playing through the offside and losing my timber as the ball swung and/or seamed. The AI's innings have all felt a bit similar though, we'll see what happens in the third test.
Also, through four innings, Roston Chase averages 66.5 against me. Getting fairly fed up of him, I'll not lie. I routinely get rid of the openers and then he rebuilds every time. I would love to skittle him at some point!
Still, the point remains, I'm enjoying this game and I'm enjoying the reskilled teams.