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system was changed because it was when they were shrinking PL to 20 clubs. also now with significant financial imbalances between divisions the club 1 place above relegation spots would probably have a significant advantage in terms of investment in players/wages etc.

Sat on a bar terrace overlooking the Danube. Beautiful summer evening. quietly grinning like an idiot. Family think it's because I'm enjoying a birthday dinner. They've learnt nothing over last 20 years. :)

Me. Just finished in court in Budapest and racing across the river to get to Beckett's (irish pub) and meeting up with another couple of exiled Sky Blues and some local converts. Bloody hot here so may try and move to one of the sports bars with a terrace bigscreen instead. Youngest's birthday...

Root has held his form with the bat as captain but that's it. Viable alternatives aren't there in current side unless you bring in an outsider that has happened in the past but with little success. There is a collective spirit but it just seems to be a "matey" one rather than a professional team...

Problem is I think the ECB etc. are now encouraging/allowing these players to have max. exposure to IPL to compete at a higher 20/20 level. Prioritising 20/20 team over Test side. Allowing players just to opt for white ball cricket another example.

"Liverpool had 56 attacking touches in the final third compared to Madrid’s 21 when Salah was on the pitch..after that one compared to Madrid’s 65!" That stat doesn't seem right. Liverpool did score a goal after that and had a few chances. Should imagine a fair chunk of Madrid's touches etc...

just embarrassing. Pakistan better plans, better prepared. Got to wonder whether proper preparation in terms of warm-up games had them at a much higher level coming in. (in contrast to the weak preparation games - if any - England usually have on overseas tours)

well that was pitiful. just waved the white flag

Thought it was a decent game between 2 decent sides (but not outstanding teams). Liverpool without Salah struggled. From an England point of view was impressed with TAA. Thought he handled Ronaldo comfortably. And is a good threat going forwards.

That was special

Game on

Never going to live that one down

should have had that innings defeat bet

Stokes dismissal just sums up England atm. Brainless. So much ability but seemingly little cricket sense. really has been an inept performance all round

beginning of end for England Test cricket. already too small a pool of players with necessary technique & mentality for longer form of the game. I don't see any merit in proposed changes (conferences etc.). No strength in argument it would make it more competitive. What are teams playing for...

Following the theme about ECB priorities and county finances can someone explain the logic of having a blank Saturday. Why is it better to have midweek games and then leave a saturday fixture-free? Know there's games tomorrow but 2 one-day games in a weekend shouldn't be that big a deal for the...

just getting sloppy now. got to start finding odds for Pakistan innings win.

mixed bag. some decent bowling, some just too short. some missed chances/drops. But it is obviously not a terrible pitch to bat on and underlines how brainless 1st innings batting was (although full credit to Pakistan bowlers who bowled with good discipline and to a team plan)

It's this issue of where out & out pace may not be the best option for home series but is usually an asset for away series. Why Anderson & Broad are game changers at home and underwhelming away from home.

That's the problem - no-one's claimed the 3rd pace spot with the view to being Anderson's successor. Been what 6 or 7 candidates in last couple or so years - Finn, Ball, T R-J, Woakes, Wood, Curran, Overton. Old story English county cricket not conducive to producing express quicks - number of...