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[csnew]

For the first session of a test match series, anderson's body language is shocking at the moment

[Wickets-then-runs]

I don't rate Cook as a brilliant captain but how hard are the groundsmen making it for him to fight for his job? C'mon England, why prepare pitches that suit your opposition more than your own team...?

[MD2812]

It's a mind game, India are regretting now only picking 1 spinner. Ashwin will be depressed he's not playing.

Next test India pick a depressed Ashwin alongside Jadeja only for the track to be a seamers paradise offering nothing for spinners and lose by an innings. 

[ppccopener]

Dravid just said on the bbc text 'it's a beautiful wicket,it could be anywhere in India'

From what I have read of the drainage nowadays(so less days are lost to rain and grounds don't have to refund tickets) there won't really be any green seamers to bowl on much.

Quite right this is not Cook's fault,he may not be a good captain but there's nothing he can do about the pitch

[tim2000s]

I think they should have introduced intelligent drainage systems, where, at the turn of the dial, you can allow enough water to remain to create a nice green seamer's paradise or a flat, dead, bunsen. That would have been money well spent...

[Stuey]

In the quest to increase cricket income, the ECB seem to be killing English cricket. Who would want to be a fast bowler on our tracks at the moment. Now watch the Indians turn it square and play 2 spinners for the remainder of the series. What happened to home advantage?!

[joeljonno]

Dravid just said on the bbc text 'it's a beautiful wicket,it could be anywhere in India'

From what I have read of the drainage nowadays(so less days are lost to rain and grounds don't have to refund tickets) there won't really be any green seamers to bowl on much.

Quite right this is not Cook's fault,he may not be a good captain but there's nothing he can do about the pitch

Counties can't afford to have three day tests. Got to go into at least the 12th session really to make the money.

[ppccopener]

You're absolutley right there Joel...
It does beg the question is there an advantage now playing at home?
Trent bridge should turn days 4 and 5 so we could be up against it first game of the series

[Gerry SA]

England have really shot themselves in the foot by selecting two half bowlers in Stokes and Ali.

Both are batsmen whom can bowl.

Anderson, Broad and Plunkett are being overworked and will struggle to play 3 Tests out of 5 at this rate.

[uknsaunders]

The money grabbing ecb have shot England in the foot. It's really not difficult to leave some grass on or water it slightly closer to the game. The wicket doesn't have to be tinder dry to last 5 days or play well from ball one.

[Kieron_BT]

May sound a daft idea but something different needs to happen to make groundsman prepare better pitches.

The ECB need to organise it so that it the game ends on day 4 then the same test teams will play 2x 20/20 games on the last day.

What do they have to loose by playing a couple of T20's instead of a last days play?

[Stuey]

like a beer match

[FattusCattus]

Hello - things seem to be happening now!

[Gerry SA]

I bet India are regretting not selecting R Ashwin in place of Stuart Binny.

Binny is a clubbie at the very best. Ashwin has two Test hundreds and a fair few wickets as well.

[mp07]

I think Binny will do good with this bowling, Ashwin is too predictable now...not the same Ashwin 2 years ago