Essex have nine bowling options (and only two of them are part-timers). They surely could have played another batter.
Amir into the Essex side. Vince and Northeast not yet finding form in the competition. Cue us being 20-3 in this chase...
I wouldn't say that Vince looks like his old self yet, but he does look in control. Which is a decent base to work from.
Because he is Anderson and in cricketing terms the equivalent to Messi in football. Undroppable!!!! In hindsight it would have been better to have had Leach keeping it tight at one end and the other bowlers attacking from the other. Hope Leach comes in for the second test so England go with two front-line spinners if Moeen is considered a front-line spinner as well.
Essex have bigger things on their mind as do Somerset. Kent are away and have all but qualified so the next 3 places are all up for grabs.
Hasn't been the most comfortable session for England with the ball doing a fair bit - but 71-1 at lunch is fantastic
A century stand between Burns and Root. Anyone know when England last had a century stand in a Test match for the second wicket.?
Couldn't ask for better circumstance to make your ashes debut. Good score on the board, ball 50 overs old, decent playing conditions and pitch not offering the bowler that much. Time to shine!
