I’ve no problem with Moeen at 3, he’s in form with the bat and has both calm and aggressive styles. But I doubt this was the plan when he was selected, it looks like Root needs protecting as we look for someone who can just hang around. Come on lads, bat all day and a bit please.
I think his time is up, same for Jennings. I can't remember when England had a consistent pair of openers. If it was down to me I'd go with Rory Burns ( Surrey ) and Moeen Ali.
Well he didn't last long and didn't look at all comfortable. Kohli's now ripping into Root for stepping down to 4. Tense stuff, proper Test cricket.
We've been here before with Cook. He always seems to turn it around just in time and as our all time leading run scorer I think he deserves that patience. However, if he fails again at The Oval that may have to be that For me, Jennings doesn't look good enough. Let's hope he battles it out today and makes a few. Intriguing test this, in keeping with the entire series to date.
We’ve got issues at 1,2 and 3 in the order. But it’s ok as we can rely on one of our surfeit of number 7s to score a few, wherever they are in the order.
Would have been a decent session for England with just 2 down, but Jennings goes right on the stroke of lunch. He'd looked better today, bur probably hasn't done enough to save his place. Still anyone's game.
What a bugger losing Jennings to the penultimate ball before lunch. At 2 down it would have been England's session, but with 3 down a bit more in India's favour as England effectively 65/3......
Bairstow out first ball. Terribly loose shot. His broken finger can't be helping I suppose. Having said that, it was a ridiculously loose, attacking shot first up. England now, effectively 65-4.
Is that three ducks in a row now for Bairstow? I wouldn't of played him in this test, you can't bat at this level a week after breaking a finger.
Two consecutive 2nd innings golden ducks? That's grim for someone who was played in this test as a specialist batsman.
How about this stat? How's stat?! please log in to view this image Andrew Samson BBC Test Match Special statistician In Test cricket this season in England 188 wickets have fallen. There have been six 100-run partnerships. Five centuries have been scored by batsmen.
