Great fightback by Root and Malan, it shows that it can be done. If they can at least knock off the deficit tomorrow it'll give the incoming batters a big lift.
Definitely - Stokes and Buttler going in against a tired Aussie attack will be a very different prospect to the first innings. If Root and Malan can stay there until we're ahead on runs then I think we've at least got a chance
I agree about ECB setting dangerous precedence, if Surrey or Middlesex were found to have similar problems, would they ban test matches from Lords and the Oval?
Yeah, I worry about the ECB. I don't think they are fit for purpose. They made a similar knee jerk reaction with Ollie Robinson, and then similar messages surfaced from Buttler, Morgan and other senior pros. Suddenly went quiet. The CEO's performance at the Razeem enquiry was embarrassing. The way they are sacrificing the county championship for their beloved 100 is really worrying.
Terrific effort to even get back somewhere even near to being in this game, lots of ifs and buts, but you never know. A sense a hell of a lot will rest on the shoulders of Root during this series, and despite my reservations about his captaincy, his batting can never be questioned.
Ollie Pope just tried to cut a straight ball to backward point that was going a foot and a half over his middle stump. Not very intelligent.
Josh . . . . . terrible. Hit it or leave it. Don't half hit it or half leave it. There is no compromise.
Well, the optimism of yesterday didn't last long, I said yesterday the first hour today would be crucial, and so it proved.
You go to to bed with high hopes of a long, prolonged session leading to an exciting and ultimately victorious climax only to experience an incompetent and inept performance, leading to disappointment and which inevitability fizzles out like a limp, soggy squib. Yep. That's about the long and the short of it.
