There's practically no chance of us dropping both Roy and Buttler for the next test by the way. One of them maybe, but not both. So in a weird sort of way, Buttler isn't just potentially playing for his immediate test future here. Buttler has Roy's on the line too.
Starc wasn't on it yesterday. But aside from one ball, he's been right on it today. A frighteningly good Aussie pace attack.
really? bbc Posted at 13:3513:35 Post update please log in to view this image Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent That was a shot from a number nine, but he'll regret flashing a tit. Another England batsman trudges off...
These two seem to compliment each other well. I think Buttler has confidence in Leach and it's showing in the way he's playing. I do wonder though if this is a by product of Buttler batting 8, he's got more freedom than batting 7 (or higher). Part of me thinks Buttler might be good batting number 1. He's a perfectionist and if he walks in first literally number 1 then he has the most to gain. It would be a gamble. But I feel like the reason he hasn't thrived in red ball might be that he's a natural 8, 9 or 1 in it. Maybe I'm losing my marbles, who knows. But Buttler is a decent opener in limited overs when he's had the chance to do it. If you wanted to get Sibley in there also he could bat 3. Something to think about about the series ends maybe.
Like watching Starc bowl. Something about it is difficult to comprehend for me. He's good. Still young. I think they are being very protective of Curran and Pope due to their ages. Rightly or wrongly.
I want to happy with this. But I'm finding it difficult. Firstly, the match is moving along too quickly. Australia are going to have a much longer time to bowl us out at this rate - I was banking on them batting on for too long. Secondly, there is clear assistance in the pitch for the bowlers. Not great for our batters.
I've just noticed that as a result of our first innings, Woakes has gone back above Denly and Bairstow in our batting averages (and remains ahead of Roy and Buttler). In fact, as I write this, only five players (three for us, two for them) in the whole series have a better batting average than Woakes. And yet we dropped him. (And many people wanted that too.)
