UKH

England reverting to type. 1st inning resting on Ian Bell again.

In reply to GrahamD:

Well that ended up a lot better than expected - from 120-4 to 344-5, well played Ali, Root, Prior and Bell. Prior settled nicely and could make a hundred tomorrow.

Hopefully we will have a few bowlers turn up too... goodness knows what Plunkett will do. Previously he's been entirely forgettable.

b

In reply to ben b:

Failure from the top 3 is worrying though. Cook needs to get some form

In reply to Graeme Alderson:

The top 3 have not really been the top 3 run scorers very often.

In reply to lowersharpnose:

I am aware of that but surely one of the top 3 should score more than Extras

In reply to Graeme Alderson:

Indeed, does beg the questions 'what are they for?' & 'why persist in their selection?'.

In reply to lowersharpnose:


It's not their only job, easing in the new ball, gauging the pitch, testing the fielding side are also important. In recent years we have relied on a strong middle order to keep us on track and it's more often the case that careful batting has kept us in the game while the bowling wins it for us.

However, it's not unreasonable to expect to crack the ton before we've lost the first 3! Look at the 2012 series of Australia vs Sri Lanka. First test the Aussies were 183-3 and 153-3. 117-3 in the second test. Even when they lost to India last year they still managed more than 100 for the first 3 wickets in 3 out of 8 innings.

In reply to lowersharpnose:

Its interesting that Bell clearly doesn't relish the thought of 3. As senior middle order batsman it ought to be tailor made for him.

In reply to GrahamD:

Bad call by the Sri Lankans to field first. The pitch was doing something in the morning, but became pretty docile after that. I think they gambled on it being more feisty further into the day.

Great innings from the Sheffield lad.

Alan

In reply to Alan James - Rockfax:

Its looking that way now but one more quick wicket after the first three had gone and who knows ?

Opener and number 3 are a worry - especially given Cook's bad form right now.

They've got to be looking at bringing the middle order up to a better standard and then pushing them up the list to make room for future talent. Expecting a young county player to drop straight into a 1/2/3 slot is asking a lot. If Root does well in these two matches I think they should look to push him up against India into 2 or 3.

I haven't got TMS on, and I didn't yesterday, but I expect Boycott was banging on about building partnerships to his heart's [lack of] content. It's true, they need to build the squad around dependable anchors, and it does take time. The India series needs to be the preparation for next years Ashes.

In reply to GrahamD:

Just tuned into TMS, what did Prior get?

In reply to Johnny_Grunwald:

86 I think. Caught out by a bumper.

In reply to GrahamD:

Thanks, shame he didn't make the ton.

In reply to Johnny_Grunwald:


Yes, it would have made a nice start to the day. Only 14 minutes left until the end of my working week. TMS on the digital radio and the difficult job of finishing up the tonic before we move house, and the gin!

In reply to Philip:

Broad is making hay in the sunshine

In reply to GrahamD:

473/8 at lunch - cracking pace this morning and Root still there on 152. He's looked slow compared to the others but his strike root is over 60

In reply to Chris the Tall:

There we go - double ton and a NO for Root. About time Englang put a big score on the board.

In reply to GrahamD:

Sri Lanka's reply is going along pretty well - 86/1 off 20

In reply to GrahamD:

Could be an interesting day. Sri Lanka need 390 to win, looked like they might be going for it, but just lost a wicket - 26/1 in the 8th

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Looking interesting now: 5 wickets down ....

In reply to GrahamD:

6 down now and 11 overs left

In reply to Graeme Alderson:

Not moving from the radio for a bit....

In reply to GrahamD:

7 down with 6.4 left

In reply to Graeme Alderson:

Another one down...

In reply to GrahamD:

And another. 5 balls to get one wicket!

In reply to GrahamD:

Lbw - review

In reply to GrahamD:

Not out

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Brilliant finish. Almost glad we didn't win as a win I think would have been more likely to have papered over the cracks at the top of the order

In reply to GrahamD:

Apparently England have been punished for their slow over rate !

They got two bad decisions in their favour in the last over so a win would have been a tad unfair

In reply to Chris the Tall:

It also may teach as to declare a tad earlier.

In reply to the sheep:


That's a bit harsh. At one stage SL were well up with the required run rate.

In reply to GrahamD:


Plus Yorkshire lost a similar run-chase there earlier in the season