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[Steveo1000]

I am quite calm, I've just eaten some cheesecake whilst watching Gardeners World

I've never once heard any commentator or pundit use the word 'hate'. Just thought it was unnecessary term to use about a cricket player especially one who is representing England

What sort of cheesecake?

[scottish_slogger95]

I am quite calm, I've just eaten some cheesecake whilst watching Gardeners World

Not sure you can get calmer than that! maybe a hot water bottle?

[alba caerulea]

Passion fruit and mango from a certain supermarkets extra special range. Bit of a let down if I'm honest, exactly the same biscuit base and cream cheese as the 99p ones from the freezer just with a different topping

[Steveo1000]

Passion fruit and mango from a certain supermarkets extra special range. Bit of a let down if I'm honest, exactly the same biscuit base and cream cheese as the 99p ones from the freezer just with a different topping

I hate it when that happens. Fancy flavours though. Look, you thought my use of the term "hate" was unnessasary. I thought your aspersions about my intellect and ability to express myself was unnessasary. Shall we call it quits?

[ProCricketer1982]

sod declaring.. McCullam keep batting like this.. It's fun to watch! Rub Broads nose in it!

[alba caerulea]

I hate it when that happens. Fancy flavours though. Look, you thought my use of the term "hate" was unnessasary. I thought your aspersions about my intellect and ability to express myself was unnessasary. Shall we call it quits?

I was lured in by the pretty colours on the box

Of course. I'm sure you didn't mean it like it sounded, lots of people don't want Broad in the side so you're not alone there

[The_Bird]

Superb Tons from Cook and Compton and they were really grinded out especially Compton. A similar day tomorrow and the test match will be saved!!

[Nickauger]

We all still calling for Compton's head this morning! I would imagine there will be a few smug somerset fans, selectors and coaching staff who will be able to say I told you so tis morning! Me being one of them

[Bulldog Cricket]

Fair play to Compton he has done what he had to do.

Personally I still don't think he is the man to open for England. The Somerset coaches obviously don't think he's an opener as he does not open for them and remember this is NZ who have probably the worse bowling attack in world cricket at the moment.

Still, he has done all he can do and that is score runs.

[Buzz]

I have to agree, I don't think he deserved to be dropped, but that doesn't make him the right person. I am delighted for him that he scored runs today, but would love to see a slightly more aggressive player with Cook up front.
my belief is that the openers need to be able bat time, but on occasion take the game away from the opposition, in a way that Tresco did.
On the plus side it gives Joe root time to learn about his game and test cricket a bit more before he has even more pressure.

we had a better day today, but we still need to bat at least 2 sessions tomorrow/tonight. the game isn't safe.

[petehosk]

The game isn't safe!! Look what happened on day 2 ( or day 1 if you discount the washed out first day!) The fat lady will not even start to warm up her voice until tea tomorrow!!

And Compton has done superbly well. But once Root has learnt the International game then Compton and Root could always swap round  But who knows what will happen!
JB will just have to be patient!!
If England do somehow muster a draw from this Test, it'll be known as 'The Great Escape'!!
But that's still a big IF!!

[MD2812]

I think Compton should open. Keep root at 6 so he can learn the Aussie bowlers when they have a soft ball before the return ashes.

Compton has shown he has the mental aspect to his game, he batted well in India. His only fault was not converting 50s into tons (something cook has a 100% rate of doing so as captain). Yes he got a dck first innings, but nobody from the top 6 batted well and he seems to be the frustration release point.

I'm a fan of broad, because I grew up following him, he played in local leagues. This makes it so frustrating to see him think he is the completed article. He needs to be told go back to notts and prove your ability with bat and ball, try buck his ideas up.

When Broad was 18ish he went to play 6 months cricket down under. He went there as an opening batsman, grew tall and came back an opening bowler. So he clearly has batting ability and mentality. It's like he has the mind set "I shouldn't be required to bat well so I can just have a swing and then I get to bowl sooner"

[alba caerulea]

Lucky for us the first day was rained off!

Cook is a machine and well done to Compton. NZ may not have a brilliant bowling attack but neither have Australia. You've still got to score the runs, and it was a difficult situation too. A long way behind the game and on a pair so good character shown I feel

Any other Grandfather/Grandson pairs that have made Test hundreds? Bet Nick won't be getting a game for Arsenal though, although we could do with a centre half . . . . . .

[ProCricketer1982]

Well played Cook and Compton. That's him safe now for the ashes unless he playes badly again. Still, now there has been a ton scored we all know who will now score a ton to save his bacon once again...... Bell

[procricket]

I think your all assuming something that may never happen.

Root is decent but he too is no world beater himself the hype around him by this forum and everywhere is amazing what has he done at this level. I'am not saying he can't or won't I just saying he is not the world class player so many of you are painting yet.

I saw a touch of Trott in Compton and if Compton was 21 you would all be saying something different, and although he might not be long term the lad is averaging 40 at test level not a bad start considering where his tests have been played.

As my coach said possession is 9 tenths of the law and a 100 is a 100 no matter what attack.
As for Bell his quality is there to see I rate him always have.
Well done Compton the pressure people,put on him and he came through it