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[The_Bird]

This guys a great follow on twitter, his commentary is golden

@51allout: England's bowling with this new ball has been about as threatening as Samit Patel in a salad bar. #IndvEng

[Kulli]

51allout is a decent website, was started by some posters from the football356 forum

[Kieron_BT]

Why are they even persisting with Samit Patel when Joe Root is in the wings who is a better bat and can also bowl some offspin? Would be a perfect spot at number 6 to bring him into test cricket

[wasted_talent]

Why are they even persisting with Samit Patel when Joe Root is in the wings who is a better bat and can also bowl some offspin? Would be a perfect spot at number 6 to bring him into test cricket

a bit unfair on patel, given he was the victim of two poor decisions in the first test. he hasnt really done much wrong. reckon he deserves a chance.

[Kieron_BT]

a bit unfair on patel, given he was the victim of two poor decisions in the first test. he hasnt really done much wrong. reckon he deserves a chance.

What has he ever done right to deserve the chance in the first place?

In first class cricket he averages under 40 with the bat and just under 40 with the ball and averages only 30 in ODI's!

Root averages the same with the bat at 21 years old and will only get better. If Patel was any good he would have done something by now

[SelectCricket]

I agree that Root looks a good option but to be fair, Kieron_BT is right.
He deserves a chance since he was one of the only ones to get runs in the warm ups.

[Kulli]

What has he ever done right to deserve the chance in the first place?

In first class cricket he averages under 40 with the bat and just under 40 with the ball and averages only 30 in ODI's!

Root averages the same with the bat at 21 years old and will only get better. If Patel was any good he would have done something by now

Patel was the only player (except Morgan) we had at the T20 WC who looked like he knew which end of the bat to hold against spin.

[Manormanic]

a bit unfair on patel, given he was the victim of two poor decisions in the first test. he hasnt really done much wrong. reckon he deserves a chance.

I have always said that I really don't understand what it is that the England management see in Fat Sammy; he is a reasonable county player but has never offered anything to suggest that he can be more than that - his bowling is sub-Yuvraj pie chucking and his batting unremarkable (whilst his appalling attitude to fitness and conditioning ought to be enough to rule him out entirely).

Having said all that, it ould have been harsh to drop him after the last game when he was triggered twice (batting being the primary reason he is there).  If he fails here, maybe they will start to look at it mind...

[SelectCricket]

I think in these conditions, England will opt for Patel but when we get back home or out in Aus next year, Patel will not be so important as spin does not play such a huge role bowling and playing against it batting wise.
Root is definitely a better option for the long run.

[Vantage_Cricket]

Monty with the important first wicket this morning - the break through that England needed and also a 5fer for him. Congrats Monty

[Cover_Drive]

Trott is being inept now, too slow to react at slips drop Harbajhan, Monty's sixth victim.

 

[Vantage_Cricket]

Indeed, especially as all of the hype Nick Knight gave Trott of being the best slip fielder ever. deluded bear

[Buzz]

what a day for England! well played cook and KP! still 149 behind, so the first session tomorrow is massively important. we really need another good day tomorrow.

lots of room for an Indian fight back tomorrow.

[roco]

New balance getting value for money at least

[Manormanic]

New balance getting value for money at least

well, their bats last, like, forever....if you never bother to actually hit the ball!