They are consistent, it has to be said. The tiniest amount of any assistance on a pitch, they collapse every time. 91-7. I'd seriously consider ending this experiment of playing one day, t20 flat track bullies in a test team. Truly dreadful at batting. Desperately need a couple of Trott/Collingwood/Thorpe types who could just stay and not play these dreadful wafty cross bat shots.
I've been following it all morning. Kept having to flick over to the Brexit thread to cheer myself up.
Makes you wonder what kind of criteria our selectors use when picking a test side. This must surely put to bed this stupid idea of playing both Bairstow and Buttler together. I'd say Bairstow should get the nod ahead of Buttler on both his batting and keeping. He's a better fielder all round in fact. There's a place for Buttler in the big bash game - not a five day test match. I'm not even sure that Stokes is worth his place either. Our so-called power-house middle order looks great on paper - just not so good on a test match scorecard.
Completely agree, I wouldn't play Stokes either. Fabulous fielder, but for his supposed talent, I can't recall him knuckling down and winning a game on his own, or doing something impressive in tough conditions. I like Bairstow, but his technique isn't a test one. Nor is Buttler. Nor is Malan. Nor is Jennings. And you can go on and on to be fair. We've had a long run with this coach, and he's taken us a long way backwards at test level. We've improved at ODI level because we've aggressive players who throw the bat and bat a long way. We're making Ishant Sharma look like Wasim Akram in his pomp. I'd really consider sweeping the board here. Root isn't a captain either. Thought that from day 1, a good player, and I think the captaincy is affecting him. Cook got 2 terrific deliveries to dismiss him, but the rest of that batting line up.... I think its time to take a longer term view and try getting a test team together.
My 11/5 and 15/8 odds on India for the match and the series I got before the game started; like printing money.
Gave the game away last night for me,Kept bowling stokes and let India off the hook gave them the impetus back.
It's not over yet. Difficult to comment fully as it's no longer possible to watch test cricket on "normal" TV, but I'd imagine India will be starting to get twitchy as things stand.
Just dropped a gimme slip chance off a loose Rashid drive. 143 ahead, 3 wickets left. Very slow swing from the hand. Turning sharply sometimes and keeping low though
It's ironic isn't it. Floodlights allegedly cast a shadow that puts off the batsmen…. so why have them then???
Had Malan caught Kohli yesterday when he was on just 21 the match was ours. Too many players with a one day mentality. And the captaincy is certainly affecting Root.
India can't bat either on anything but a flat dustbowl. The one saving grace if we can get to 225+ and get off to a great start. About time Broad made a score too.
All out 194 to win Its not a featherbed, but its certainly not a 180 all out pitch against an average bowling line up.