Sri Lanka just chipping away at one end whilst Root looks supreme at the other. The most telling stat from earlier was that from 99 balls bowled by Embuldeniya, he was 0/43 from 47 balls against Root and 4/8 from 52 against the rest.

These two need to bat another session at least, preferably 2 as the tail didn't contribute much last time out.

Root

That's a crazy stat Tailender (you're TCM, right?).

Bairstow

So unlucky Buttler

I actually thought they were looking at LBW

Must be so frustrating for Root when he just doesn't seem to be even remotely troubled and his team mates keep getting out

comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 41 minutes ago
Must be so frustrating for Root when he just doesn't seem to be even remotely troubled and his team mates keep getting out
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He's scored more than half our total on his own FFS. Really showing up how shallow our batting is, competition for places be damned

Think Root will have to get a move on here.

comment by Bennyville (U8058)
posted 9 minutes ago
Think Root will have to get a move on here.
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I reckon he will run out of partner's by close of play today

comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
Root

That's a crazy stat Tailender (you're TCM, right?).

Bairstow
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Yes mate!

Yeah it shows Root is on a different level to the rest and thankfully that level is top class right now rather than him getting to 70 or something. Hopefully he can maintain this level for the rest of the year.

I've been very critical of Root in the last couple of years, a player of his calibre needs to be getting regular hundreds

If he can keep this form up though he will earn his place back in the big 4.

Root 150

He might have a poor conversion rate from 50 to 100 but his conversation rate from 100 to a daddy 100 is pretty good. Just need Bess to stay with him here.

Bess is doing nicely actually.... I thought we'd be 8 down by now

comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
Must be so frustrating for Root when he just doesn't seem to be even remotely troubled and his team mates keep getting out
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Really need to sort this openers business been a mess for a while

comment by Dave&Danny (U4428)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
Must be so frustrating for Root when he just doesn't seem to be even remotely troubled and his team mates keep getting out
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Really need to sort this openers business been a mess for a while
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Bring back trescothick that's what I say

Yeah basically if openers can't play spin adequately they are not openers

Imo, aside from the core group of batsman who are great in all conditions we should start being more flexible and playing horses for courses.

Ie Sibley is a very solid traditional opener, but seems clueless v spin. Keaton Jennings is the complete opposite. The decision should be who will get more runs in India.

They always do this with bowling, ie we aren't going to be playing two spinners in the first test of the English summer. Don't see why it's different for batsman who seem to have their spot in the team and keep it regardless of conditions.

Bess finally goes after getting away with one

Pretty good day overall only 45 behind now hopefully root stays in for his double century before we all get skittled out

Is Burns injured ?

comment by Everywhere you go always take Lamela with you. (U7905)
posted 20 minutes ago
Imo, aside from the core group of batsman who are great in all conditions we should start being more flexible and playing horses for courses.

Ie Sibley is a very solid traditional opener, but seems clueless v spin. Keaton Jennings is the complete opposite. The decision should be who will get more runs in India.

They always do this with bowling, ie we aren't going to be playing two spinners in the first test of the English summer. Don't see why it's different for batsman who seem to have their spot in the team and keep it regardless of conditions.
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That's probably why Bairstow is playing tbf. Better against spin than most of the alternatives.

Burns is also better vs spin than (it seems) Crawley and Sibley too

Wood

Ffs Root gone

What a sickener.