Good job today. However, we should have batted like this in the first innings, got some batting points and taken all jeopardy out of the game way earlier. The first innings was absolutely woeful and needs addressing.
I believe Barker will be available for the rest of the CC games. Of course not having played a competitive match for so long he may not come straight back in.
Okay, so they got away with it last time but this time, it does look a stupid decision to chase in these conditions! Now I've stuck my neck out we can all expect a Stokes masterclass
England vs India: Ben Stokes' side showed "ominous signs" in field, says Michael Vaughan - BBC Sport Michael Vaughan cannot say anything positive about England. After day 1 of the first test he was scathing about England's decision to bowl first. Having been left with egg on his face, he's now attacking England's fitness. Knob.
Was said very much in gest. I thought Stokes made the wrong call at Headingly, and think he definitely has in this test. We got away with it in Headingly due to poor indian fielding and the fact Bumrah isnt fit.
What do Brook and Smith do when England are in big trouble? Produce a 100 run partenship, scoring at 6.8 runs an over!
Nearly killing the opposing captain into the bargain. That was nearly horrible, and I hope Gill doesn’t suffer for it later.
They weren’t exactly batting for lunch in those last couple of overs. This kind of drama and swashbuckling excitement reassures me that Test cricket is always going to be the ultimate format of cricket. The number of players who are bringing white ball skills into the first class game via multi-format contracts can only be good for Test cricket.
It's actually the smart way to play. If you simply block everything and simply look to occupy the crease the filelding side can set an attacking field and eventually you'll nick one to the keeper or slip or miss a straight one. This way India have to set a defensive field and makes life so much more comfortable for Smith and Brook.
