Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by Emile Death Rowe (TCM) (U8959)
posted 42 minutes ago
I understand being critical of his ability and performances, his short format form has got him back into the test team and the failings of our lower middle order has seen him given another chance.

However I don't understand the attack on his personality, isn't that one of the reasons he is in the squad because he's well liked and seen as quite a funny character to have around. Also has a calm head in the field who Anderson himself said he quite liked to have as someone to talk to whilst he's bowling.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sure he's a lovely bloke but I've seen plenty of coverage that calls his character as a potential skipper into question. It's well publicised that he's laid back to the point of being horizontal - is that what we want in a captain, considering that from the outside looking in, it comes across as not giving a toss?

There's also the stuff about being "willing" to play Test cricket again after his "hiatus" (when he was actually already dropped for being terrible in Tests for an extended period). It just rubs me up the wrong way. Even if he merited selection on form, I still wouldn't be considering him as captain. He comes across to me as an entitled brat, just like Bairstow. Assuming the selectors will come calling without needing to earn it on form. At least Bairstow has shown a genuine improvement since coming back into the side, and he offers fighting spirit as well as being a top class fielder AND a wicket keeping option (and, to his credit, he averages more when keeping).

Then again, I suppose the coaches see more of Moeen than I do
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh yeah, I don't think he should have been given the vice captaincy role especially considering the leadership qualities that Burns must possess as Surrey's captain. Although I would have just given the role to Jimmy for this test / these last 2 tests if Buttler doesn't return.

Got no problems with how you feel about Moeen and I personally would always go Leach who has never really been given an extended run in the team and has decent averages despite the limited playing time.

However I think the attacks on him being laid back / emotionless are a bit unfair as being too emotional and confrontational cost us the test match at Lords. Not saying things would have been different if he was on the pitch necessarily as we'll never know but if senior players look to lean on him then that can only be a good thing.

Anyway, I personally wouldn't select Moeen but I'll be delighted for him if he can perform well and get a run in the side although I don't think he's got the game to do well in Australia.

Morgan's pretty laid back, hasn't caused him too many issues captaining the limited overs side.

Moeen has had good success captaining his county side too.

He's won a number of test games for you and there's a reason he must've been recalled to the test setup

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

It's why Buttler has surely had the vice captain gig across all 3 formats for the last few years right?

Anyway, Moeen isn't captain so it's a strange discussion to be having over his leadership qualities but he must be quite an influential character. Effectively there will be a leadership group which in this test will likely be Root, Moeen, Bairstow and Jimmy so the vice captain role is more of a "can you lead the team for a few overs whilst I have a lie down after batting you guys out of a hole again" type position.

Anyway, test match time. Normality resumes as Kohli loses the toss, Root choosing to bowl is an interesting choice but we'll see how it goes. Changes were as expected, Pope and Woakes in for Buttler and Curran.

No Shami

Good for us

Good luck to India under these conditions and with Woakes instead of Curran, England's bowling has gone up a level

Yadav and Thakur in for Ishant and Shami so no Ashwin again. I know Thakur has grabbed a few wickets but he doesn't feel like the most threatening bowler. Ashwin would surely do more damage especially with our 4 lefties.

India with only 1 spinner once again with England batting on a day 4/5 pitch at a normally turning oval.

Of England win this test guarantee India will bring Ashwin in for the last test. Madness really

Strange that he's refusing to pick Ashwin.

I know it's not ideal for spinners but he gives India better balance with the bat too

Great to see Chris Woakes back

England win the toss and bowl.

Full teams:

England: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.

India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Well we're definitely not going to bowl them out for 70 odd again but if we can bowl them out for 250ish then it's still a good day.

Pitch looks quite slow so yeah can't see them making such a low score again

Need a wicket.

Kohli got issues with Ashton? If he doesn’t play at the oval no point of being in squad

Not sure why Jadeja is getting the nod over Ashwin, he's been mostly ineffective with the ball albeit handy with the bat but Ashwin always seems to score runs against us.

Will probably get a 10 wicket haul in this test now though

Hmmm... Not quite the pitch Root and co thought it'd be by looking at it.

Seems very easy paced and hardly much movement now too

comment by Emile Death Rowe (TCM) (U8959)
posted 7 minutes ago
Not sure why Jadeja is getting the nod over Ashwin, he's been mostly ineffective with the ball albeit handy with the bat but Ashwin always seems to score runs against us.

Will probably get a 10 wicket haul in this test now though
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yep agreed, I've always felt Ashwin is the better player.

Not going well at all. Desperate for a wicket now.

0/20 off 4 overs. Jimmy should hang up his boots!

Yes Woakes

Christopher Roger Woakes! Welcome back

Ball definitely doing more in the last few overs than it did in the first 5 or 6.