The standard of batting is abysmal.

Sets up an exciting last hour though.

comment by VK18 (U22300)
posted 34 minutes ago
Can anyone explain Joss Buttler's innings? Came in at 190 odd for 5 down and comes out swinging? Fair enough if it was 8 or 9 down but that was completely irresponsible. This whole "I'm going to play the way I know" is not test cricket.
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Irresponsible is the best thing to say about it. Although I imagine it was down to instruction.

Obviously in the past, the counter attack from 6/7/8 with Stokes, Bairstow and Moeen used to be very productive. However it's not the way to consistently reach big scores.

We're in the driving seat now. Should get a first innings lead.

We will let them off the hook and their tail will get them 350-400. Always happens when we get within a sniff.

Wonderful day of cricket. Barmy army loving it, and who wouldn't?

Philander is capable but hopefully with a still quite new ball, Jimmy and Broady can come out fresh and finish it off. Any sort of lead will be a bonus.

Good day

Have to finish to off in first half hour tomorrow now.

Anderson & Broad - what on earth are we gonna do without them

Don't see the saffers chasing anything over 250.

Makes the decision to bowl first last match even more bizarre. We're a much better side batting first.

comment by VK18 (U22300)
posted 3 hours, 13 minutes ago
Can anyone explain Joss Buttler's innings? Came in at 190 odd for 5 down and comes out swinging? Fair enough if it was 8 or 9 down but that was completely irresponsible. This whole "I'm going to play the way I know" is not test cricket.
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I think you've pretty well summed it up tbh, it was very irritating to watch

Good comeback from England

Listening to Gooch on the debate show not surprising englands best side of memory was with him as batting coach

Decent start Jimmy

1st innings lead here would be a massive bonus

5fer Jimmy. 1st innings lead of 46.

I think we'd all have taken that this time yesterday

Time for Crawley and/or Sibley to step up...

You'd think scratching our way to 200 in our 2nd innings should see us home. I'm sure Philander will have something to say about that though

5 for Jimmy and 5 catches for Stokes. Awesome effort. Now up to 582 wickets.

Pretty close to a perfect start all being wrapped up from 25 balls.

comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 16 minutes ago
Time for Crawley and/or Sibley to step up...

You'd think scratching our way to 200 in our 2nd innings should see us home. I'm sure Philander will have something to say about that though
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Spunky start from Crawley.

Crawley averages 30 at first class level...how has he justified his selection?

comment by Everywhere you go always take Lamela with you (U7905)
posted 9 minutes ago
Crawley averages 30 at first class level...how has he justified his selection?
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We aren't blessed with opening bats. After Burns and Sibley, there's not a lot else. Crawley is a decent young opener who England think will improve.

comment by TCM (U8959)
posted 42 minutes ago
comment by Everywhere you go always take Lamela with you (U7905)
posted 9 minutes ago
Crawley averages 30 at first class level...how has he justified his selection?
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We aren't blessed with opening bats. After Burns and Sibley, there's not a lot else. Crawley is a decent young opener who England think will improve.
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Looked very poor to me and had a loose technique. Nick Browne at Essex has been pretty consistent for a few years. Just checked and he averages 40 at first class level. Don't understand how Crawley is above someone like him in the pecking order.

Browne hasn't really got going in the 3 years that we have been in division 1. Cook was always an advocate for him though and he's a daddy hundred kind of player. Thought he had an outside chance of going the Ashes series in Aus a couple of years ago but he's just not been good enough. Still, probably deserved a chance over some of the jokers who've opened for us over the years.

Anyway, this is good from England, lots of players chipping in is all we need but hopefully Sibley can get a good score and cement his place in the side.

comment by Everywhere you go always take Lamela with you (U7905)
posted 1 hour, 58 minutes ago
comment by TCM (U8959)
posted 42 minutes ago
comment by Everywhere you go always take Lamela with you (U7905)
posted 9 minutes ago
Crawley averages 30 at first class level...how has he justified his selection?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We aren't blessed with opening bats. After Burns and Sibley, there's not a lot else. Crawley is a decent young opener who England think will improve.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Looked very poor to me and had a loose technique. Nick Browne at Essex has been pretty consistent for a few years. Just checked and he averages 40 at first class level. Don't understand how Crawley is above someone like him in the pecking order.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think the idea is that Crawley's average is relatively low due to being a youngster who's not played enough innings yet to drag his average back up after all the inevitable low scores when first starting out. Trouble is that doesn't really apply when you have players like Ollie Pope averaging 60 at the same age. Different batting positions admittedly, and Pope is a rare talent, but it does feel like Crawley has been fast tracked a bit earlier than he should have been.

Then again, assuming Sibley continues improving, once Burns is back the problem goes away and Crawley reverts to being backup again.

Shame for Denly, but how often do our players get caught hooking...

^Meant to say that the selectors must see something in Crawley that makes them think they can develop him into a test opener, despite the relatively low average

Well in Dom Sibley

Sibley ton, declare, get them in for a few overs tonight, Bob's your mother's brother. Perfect day. Fingers crossed...