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[Vantage_Cricket]

Awful LBW decision for Cooky.

[Number4]

Only 12 months ago people on here were calling to drop Cook for Bell as Bell was "the best batsman in the country" and some said best in the world.... Go figure!!!

[uknsaunders]

track sounds turgid. Scoring is always difficult when the ball doesn't bounce. It'll be interesting to see what a good score is and how much of a say the seamers have. Looks like they could be more in the game than the spinners. Also looks very slow and timing the ball seems a tricky, let alone keeping it on the floor. Not spinning much but lack of pace alone causes problems.

160-5 doesn't sound great but if England can bat well into tomorrow and scrape up 300, it could be good enough.

[Kulli]

Only 12 months ago people on here were calling to drop Cook for Bell as Bell was "the best batsman in the country" and some said best in the world.... Go figure!!!

Wasn't Bell in the side 12 months ago, he had a great summer in 2011, but has been (No Swearing Please) ever since, that's usually how players get dropped!

[Riddy]

good knock from KP.

[joeylough]

Anyone think that Onions could have had a start instead of timothy?

[Kulli]

Anyone think that Onions could have had a start instead of timothy?

If Bresnan can get it back up into the mid 80's then he's worth his place. If not then he's mainly there as he bats, and because Onions is too similar to Anderson, in conditions that don't really help swing bowling.

[Manormanic]

If Bresnan can get it back up into the mid 80's then he's worth his place. If not then he's mainly there as he bats, and because Onions is too similar to Anderson, in conditions that don't really help swing bowling.

The thing is, this pitch is perfect for Bunny - very very slow and low, would suit his wicket to wicket style. 

[Buzz]

The thing is, this pitch is perfect for Bunny - very very slow and low, would suit his wicket to wicket style. 

I agree, I would have gone with Onions (or Meaker) on this track. Runs will be at a real premium in this match

[Manormanic]

Agreed - pitches like this are usually a complete nightmare by about the middle of day three.

[uknsaunders]

good comeback after tea 199-5 might not sound great but it looks very hard work. Root and Prior have dug in big time and hopefully they'll carry on for a while tomorrow. I have doubts India will be as patient.

Onions debate is interesting. Wicket to wicket is fine but the Indian batsman live off whipping it off middle. I think a shorter length and a good cutter/slower ball might be equally important. Tried defending an off cutter that doesn't bounce? Bresnan might surprise us all.

[Manormanic]

He might, but he has not looked fully fit for some time, so I would be a little bit concerned as to whether he was really up to the task...

[Alvaro]

Good for 12 off about 90 balls though.

[The_Bird]

Can't believe this wicket, it completely nulifys any sort of skill required to play the game. The new ball was rolling on the ground consistently. India should be embarrassed to've prepared such a terrible wicket.

[Manormanic]

Can't believe this wicket, it completely nulifys any sort of skill required to play the game.

Not entirely true - it asks different questions of both batsmen and bowlers.  Would you really rather have seen yet another Chief Executives Wicket?