Print

[Buzz]

It was very noticeable how all the English batsmen are standing much taller at the crease than previously - I am not sure who the batting coach is at the moment - but there is a clear technical change.

It will be interesting to see how long the players are able to keep doing that and if it reaps benefits over the longer term.

Further to this - anyone else think that Ballance's technique looks a bit like Andrew Strauss'?

Separately today is going to be a fun day - the ball is hooping around so far...

but why a square leg and not s short leg?

[Kieron_BT]

Lords should be ashamed of this pitch they have prepared.

[Nickauger]

Absolute bore fest!

[ppccopener]

the media seem to have it in for Cook at the moment,perhaps because he is seen as the one who got rid of KP(rightly or wrongly) but on these decks it's virtually impossible to get a result.
It's all about getting maximum ticket sales over 5 days,and hospitality of course...

it's boring cricket and these games do nothing for the genuine fans.
Cook is not a good captain let's be honest,but he has one hand behind his back trying to get a win on a road of a pitch

[Kieron_BT]

I think the media are more bothered about him not being able to score a run on a road of a pitch which everyone else seems to be scoring at ease on!

[ppccopener]

that's a fair point!

[MD2812]

The thing with Cook is that it seems he's been figured out. Full and across him and he's struggling.

[ppccopener]

all left handers have that line of attack to them if you look back over the years,most are vulnerable there

but if you look at the way Cook is out these days it's almost always a defensive shot going across him,rather than an attacking shot

he's either got to start giving it some beans outside off or a change in technique which is by far the harder option at nearly 30 years old.

Gower...bless him for those of us that remember,didnt move anything but creamed it thru cover thru timing and natural ability..but he got caught in the slips a lot.

Cook does'nt have that natural ability,it's more manufactured like a Boycott or a.........'.brain has gone blank'

someone else who got to the top thru sheer hard graft rather than a 'natural ' gift for batting

[csnew]

Hope Ballance's 100 was worth it now, an extra 30-45 minutes bowling time might have been useful now!

[smilley792]

The drizzle is here!

[ppccopener]

hold onto your hats Anderson is making some in roads:)

[csnew]

Brilliant from Anderson but Cook to blame! What a end to the match!

7-9 overs last night would have been perfect instead of allowing personal landmarks.
Cook only attacked in post tea, someone must have told him get the field up!
Then he gave Jordan the new ball ahead of Anderson, those 6 balls could have been the difference

[mini998]

Phew!! What a Thriller!!!

Only if England had few more overs... hope Balance's century was worth it.

[smilley792]

Draw a test with Sri Lanka that means not a lot. But prolong, and maybe make a bats and test career.


Or declare, win a test that no one will remember in a months time, and at the same time deny a great opportunity to settle ballances nerves, so instead he fails in the next test, and eventually dropped for another guy to be tried. And another and another. And so on.


Right call IMO

[pie-man]

Only if England had few more overs... hope Balance's century was worth it.

Quote of the day that is. If Ballance's confidence is going to take a knock getting 80 no instead of 100 is he really the bloke England want? Huge talent and I rate him - can't believe declaring yesterday would have had any effect on him