Woakes ahead of Plunkett is strange. Woakes is the better batter, but Plunkett is the cleaner hitter.
337-7. A bit short, but way more than India have ever chased in a WC. England probably slight favourites, but it all depends on Kohli.
I'll take 337. Did we leave 20 - 40 runs out there, when we went 10 overs without a boundary after Bairstow made his 100? Yes, probably. But going in a batter light, I can understand Root and Stokes wanting to tie things down somewhat once Bairstow got out. There was still the best part of 20 overs left. Just a shame that Bairstow himself slowed right down first - I think he scored something like 12 off his final 28 balls.
Whether 338 is a big target rather depends in my mind on whether it is England chasing it or someone else. I guess I'm just depressed or I've supported Saints too long. Bit like Marvin, the depressed robot.
You're heading for a big first innings total Chilcs.... Need to break this partership asap....and there it is, Hildreth falls to Barker
Vince fielding instead of Roy . Does Roy have to play in this innings ? I am guessing YES , but not certain .
**** sake - all that hard work in what was a brilliant innings and then an easy catch dropped in the 2nd over.