I'm expecting 320 or so. Still a good score on this pitch. Then we need to get after them....wonder if Ben will fancy a bowl.
Joe Root playing like a test batsman again. Majestic. A score of 350 will be satisfying after our disasterous start. Been saying it for a while about our top 3 not getting 150 between them on a regular basis is a big problem for us. Other batsmen having to come in too early. Do we have anybody who can replace them??? When Brooks is back it'll be Bairstow who is left out hopefully.
It's positions 3,4 and 5 that aren't really consistent imo. The openers in general do a good job. Pope has one good innings which keeps him in the team. Bairstow definitely getting dropped after this series I reckon.
Brook is too good to keep out the team, but my worry is that it will be Foakes that drops out. Not too worried about Pope - averaging 40 since Stokes took over and scores at a decent lick. Been a while since we had a settled top 3 so happy enough. If Stokes can bowl regularly, then it opens up more options for selection. I think Hartley could replace Leach in the summer which really extends the batting line up. No young fast bowlers coming through though (jury is out on Atkinson) which is a worry as Wood cannot go on forever.
"Brilliant bowling, what a ball" As it shoots along the ground and rolls under Stokes' bat. ****ing joke this commentary
Frustrating captaincy once again from Stokes. It’s clear that these batsmen are comfortable against these two spinners and are cruising to victory, yet he’s never changed it up and just persisted with them after we had ourselves in a decent position to win the game.
England collapsing and England do. DRS very iffy for me - Stokes hit above the knee roll (he's a tall man) and it's not even umpires call, it's apparently smashing into leg stump? Hmm
Grim morning but…. 61.1 overs WICKET Rohit b Stokes 103 (Ind 275-2) You couldn't write it! England's captain gets rid of his opposite number with his first ball! It's an absolute beauty that nips past Rohit Sharma's defence and clips the top of off stump. Mark Wood has his hands on his head and his jaw almost on the floor. You speak for us all, Woody! 62 overs Ind 279-2 And breathe! England's other bowlers must be thinking that's some kind of cruel joke. They toil and toil all morning, watching the ball fly to the boundary - and then Stokes, having not bowled for almost a year and having undergone knee surgery, trundles in and takes out the off stump. At least Mark Wood could see the funny side. India now 3 down after Anderson bowls Gill.
