That passed me by, unlike Foakes who let no byes past him. That is an incredible achievement, standing upto not very accurate spinners on a bunsen burner.
Also standing at the wickets when broad was sending em down.....would like to see foakes in on a regular basis tbh,but with buttler and bairstow about it will be difficult
Well, that was a sorry watch, India trounced us, though to win the toss was obviously a huge advantage. It's a pity the next test is a pink ball game, as it would have been nice to see a normal day game with England winning the toss and then see how both sides fare? That probably would give us a better measure of how vulnerable this England side are. Still level after 2 tests, I think we would take that before proceedings started.
Foakes' keeping was a joy to behold. He did miss a stumping but made the 3 he did get look routine when they were all difficult. I think we can accomodate him. Buttler or Bairstow in the team as batsmen with Foakes keeping would not weaken the batting. As India are opening with spin, one of the JBs could open the batting as both Burns and Sibley look all at sea against the turning ball. And I know that this is close to sacrilege but if Stokes isn't going to bowl (2 overs in the 1st innings, none in the 2nd) could he be left out in favour of a JB?
I thought Stokes looked as though he didn't want to be there when he batted in the 2nd innings. Playing the straight bat and obviously under instructions to occupy the crease isn't his game. 45 mins at the crease eight singles and then out faffing about instead of imposing himself on the bowlers isn't his game at all. He looked totally pissed off.
We could be in for another stuffing in this test match. Poor application with the bat again apart from Crawley. Just hope our bowlers can find something in this wicket to stop India building a huge lead.
Let's see how India bat, it looks to be an abysmal showing, but both teams have to bat to make a full judgement.
england's 1st innings of a mere 112 included the first EVER occurrence in test cricket in the subcontinent wherein two of the first three batsmen in a team were out for ducks.
Well, I think we have seen enough of their batting to see they out skilled us. Unless there is a collapse this morning, they are going to build a biggish lead in the first innings. Winning the toss completely wasted it seems!