so england are ****ed then... ok. no but seriously batting first has given england freedom to set a target and if they get in on day 4 at least the pitch is better for us than them I can't see us having enough time from here really.
It was interesting. There was still green on the pitch today so India will be annoyed about the pitch I think. England have found an opener it seems too. Cook did ok in the last of the conditions too. For me it seem England now have more batting in depth and rash I'd proved a point from odis. India held on so it was a bravish declaration today from cook. he made a chance at a win, though a small one. I just thought the toss decided it but if England can take confidence from it with several centuries and the kid getting a 50 too... well... that can't be bad plus it won't be a whitewash now.
That's the problem with subcontinent pitches - they will usually produce results but it's heavily influenced by the toss. Day 5 pitches are a nightmare.
I thought this pitch was very odd for them and i think gave us a real dolly of an intro to the series. I think the indians will be very unhappy with that but **** them. Its a great result to get hameed and rashid into the team and off the mark. england have been weak at no 2 for too long. not sure about duckett yet but we will see.
I would wonder what the approach will be to next test. woakes, broad, anderson, rashid with ali as all rounder at no 5 and stokes inthere too. that seems plenty of bowling anway cook hameed root duckett ali stokes bairstow woakes rashid broad anderson seems to give 4 seamers, 2 spinners and have what looks to be 2 genuine all rounders plus woakes who is just about one. If hameed continues and is not found out on his off stump almost immediately by india then the only question is duckett. India looked unruffled really so it will be interesting.
Good start, no break through since and india are on track for a good score. shows their quality. the question is how long for next wickets and where does their tail start 400+ is probably certain, 500+ could occur. turn about is fair play i suppose.
its not bad. anderson has done well enough there but the rest toiled. england need to be on top form with the bat on day 3 by the look of it to make this one a draw. fair play to anderson for coming in and picking up where he left off. woakes is unlucky IMO but its horses for courses.
Its all kicked off over night. Moeen breaks in and takes 3/4 They end up 455 all out... seems a short tail here. Then cook is out early right now.... anything coyld happen but the young lad and root might settle and give enfland a score.
Root steadying the ship. Need couple big partnerships now though. Batting to save the game and get a draw.
