Tea. Bit like watching paint dry. I can't help thinking that Bairstow needs to open up and go for it if England are to get close. Just surviving means the result is inevitable.
Can't condone Moeen's shot, but these two need to get after the bowling a bit more. They can't block their way to victory.
Yawn! What's happened to the all new brave attacking England? Blocking like this only guarantees one result. Frustrating.
Giving up with this. England are blocking to defeat Now flicking between the open and Davis cup tennis.
Just started watching again in time to see the entirely predictable sight of Bairstow missing a straight one after blocking himself out of form.
You can play sensibly without stopping scoring. Slog or block is poor cricket, but now I think slog is the only option.
Terrible lbw decision overturned because he hit it But I knew it had pitched outside leg straight away.
Some truly disgraceful shots played by English batsmen today. Root's was just another lack of concentration,i'm willing to overlook it as he's been fantastic for us over the last couple of years.However it's becoming more prevalent in his batting,he's got to get his concentration right again and start converting good starts into hundreds. Vince is not a test match player yet,he's a decent one day player he needs to find a way of playing test cricket just like Hales has done recently.He shouldn't be in the side until he's achieved this.Ballance is a dour batsman but I just don't think he should be in the side,there's too many flaws in his game. As for Ali,well I'm lost for words.Too many times this guy just plays a ridiculous shot and throws his wicket away,if he was a match winning spinner I might be able to overlook this.For me Adil Rashid should be in the team,he's our best spinner and takes wickets,he can bat a bit too.Feel sorry for Woakes,he put in a tremendous performance and deserved better ! Anderson and Stokes should both come in if fit,but we're still searching for someone to truly own the number 3 slot ! Rant over,roll on Old Trafford.
Great Test Match. An advert for why it is one of the best games in the world. One thing that struck me was the team spirit the Pakistan squad has. They must have been watching the Euros!
Good post, but I think Pakistan played very well, and they have only lost 2 of their last 14 Tests, despite playing their 'home' matches in the Gulf. Very useful unit, as England can be on their day. Should be a good series if we pick it up a bit.
They have an excellent bowling unit,but it's only a 4 man attack.If we bat well,their pace men will tire. Their spinner looked usefull,but he didn't really spin it that much.Our batting looked weak,and although I rate him,Root should be looking at himself in the mirror.In the 1st innings we were cruising at 138-1,and he threw his wicket away again.It's becoming a worrying trend with him,and he needs to arrest it now.Anderson and Stokes will improve our bowling no end,and Woakes should keep his place.Ali brings less to the party for me and should be replaced with a genuine turner of the ball,but I don't think they will leave him out unfortunately.The batting is a worry,the middle order looks too weak.Stokes can strengthen it,but the number 3 slot is the main issue.Root is happier at 4 and neither Vince or Balance are up to the job in my eyes,it's either bring back Bell or throw someone in at the deep end. If they stick with the same batting order,i fear Pakistan could romp away with the series !
