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[joeljonno]

Well, in amongst the Anderson bashing/defending, there was a very good win for England, on a pitch which was described as "dead", "draw is the only option" and "you'll never take 20 wickets".

Good things that have come from it.

Runs for Cook and Bell, first step back to their bests, hopefully this will continue rather than be a one-off.
Runs for the youngsters, such as Ballance.  All looking very good for them.
Even Cook's captaincy has been better once there was some breathing space with the runs on the board.
Bowlers bowled well in general.
Moeen may, or may not be the answer to the spinners role, either way, he is improving
Buttler has shown why he was understudy to Prior, done well with bat and ball

Others

Robson could do with a score or two.
Cricket NEEDS DRS!!!

[tim2000s]

For me what I think this test match demonstrated about Cook's captaincy is that he doesn't have the deft, intuitive touch that captaincy in tricky situations requires.

When you've got 569 runs on the board, you can work to a relatively straightforward plan and expect it to work reasonably well, as with such a mountain to climb, it inevitably plays on the batsmen's minds. There is less need to come up with ways to get the opposition out. Attacking fields and top of off stump bowling will do the trick.

When you've 269 runs on the board, that job becomes a whole lot harder as the psychological pressure on the batsmen has gone and the pressure is on the bowlers. When they start to splutter you need to have a way to come up with something and that's where the reading the game/intuitive side comes in.

I've seen nothing in this test to suggest that Cook is a great (or even particularly good) captain. Just plenty that suggests when England have made a big first innings total, it is much easier to captain the side. It's winning the really tough ones that will prove just how good he is...

On the other hand, what we've also seen is that when Cook gets runs, there is far more likelihood that other top order batsmen will, which is the crucial role he plays. And that is much more important...!

[steyn92]

Hopefully the Old Trafford pitch has something in it. Dull and boring wickets do nothing for the game.

[mp07]

I am glad that Cook got runs in this test, this will give him more confidence and the rest of the team. 

[FattusCattus]

We should all be a little cautious with the Moeen praise. He is a very good part time / no2 spinner, and I wish him well - but he is not a substitute for the real thing, and I don't agree with giving him a few test to get a bit better, which would just prolong England's unbalanced attack.

England should be picking a front-line spinner, even if it is the best of an average bunch - you won't know until you try.

[Giraffe208]

I don't agree with giving him a few test to get a bit better, which would just prolong England's unbalanced attack.

England should be picking a front-line spinner, even if it is the best of an average bunch - you won't know until you try.

So how long would you give a specialist spinner to see if he settled? Surely he would need a few tests and could turn out to be a failure. Yes it could be a success but there are no front line spinners stepping forward enough to warrant a selection so whether Moeen bowls or a newcomer, it will be a potential gamble as to what happens with a spinner. Runs on the board and consistent seam bowling makes any spinners job easier and can you see the England selectors bringing in a spinner after Mo got 6 wickets, especially when his place could be under scrutiny anyway?

[Percy]

For me what I think this test match demonstrated about Cook's captaincy is that he doesn't have the deft, intuitive touch that captaincy in tricky situations requires.

When you've got 569 runs on the board, you can work to a relatively straightforward plan and expect it to work reasonably well, as with such a mountain to climb, it inevitably plays on the batsmen's minds. There is less need to come up with ways to get the opposition out. Attacking fields and top of off stump bowling will do the trick.

When you've 269 runs on the board, that job becomes a whole lot harder as the psychological pressure on the batsmen has gone and the pressure is on the bowlers. When they start to splutter you need to have a way to come up with something and that's where the reading the game/intuitive side comes in.

I've seen nothing in this test to suggest that Cook is a great (or even particularly good) captain. Just plenty that suggests when England have made a big first innings total, it is much easier to captain the side. It's winning the really tough ones that will prove just how good he is...

On the other hand, what we've also seen is that when Cook gets runs, there is far more likelihood that other top order batsmen will, which is the crucial role he plays. And that is much more important...!

Couldn't agree more! I am as delighted as the next guy that England have done so well but one swallow doesn' make a summer. You always need a bit of luck, and England certainly had some of that early in thier first innings, but lets reserve judgement until we see how they perform on a track that hasen't been tailor made for them and Lady Luk isn't so kind.

[A-Swing-And-A-Miss]

We should all be a little cautious with the Moeen praise. He is a very good part time / no2 spinner, and I wish him well - but he is not a substitute for the real thing, and I don't agree with giving him a few test to get a bit better, which would just prolong England's unbalanced attack.

England should be picking a front-line spinner, even if it is the best of an average bunch - you won't know until you try.

First of all, I wouldn't class Moeen Ali as a part timer, I'd class him as a 2nd spinner. KP and Root were part time spinners, he's a lot better than them two. Secondly, looking at the current performers in the CC it's hard to see who would stand in as a good front line spinner.. Rashid, Borthwick and Patel are all 2nd spinners at international level and wouldn't really offer England anything more than Ali does now. Then if you look at the "pure" spinners, Panesar won't get picked now and Kerrigan is very much a risk due to the potential for a repeat of his performance against the Aussies.. And then most of the other potential candidates are a bit too young and inexperienced to get shoved into the deep end.. I genuinely don't see who they can bring in ahead of Ali and who they would drop to accommodate this new spinner..

[joeljonno]

Rashid as a second spinner?  He is winning matches for Yorkshire by himself at times.

[Gerry SA]

India have taken a step to breath life into their misfiring(mighty talented) batting lineup.

Naman Ojha, a batman/wicketkeeper, has been called up.

Can't say the lad doesn't merit a call up TBH, on India A's recent(and ongoing tour) of Australia - Ojha registered 219*, 101* and 110. Bradman like...

Anyway Ojha is capable of batting anywhere between 1-7.

So Dhawan and Rohit are under threat. Whilst a batting order reshuffle may well be on the cards...

[rbblack]

India have taken a step to breath life into their misfiring(mighty talented) batting lineup.

Naman Ojha, a batman/wicketkeeper, has been called up.

Can't say the lad doesn't merit a call up TBH, on India A's recent(and ongoing tour) of Australia - Ojha registered 219*, 101* and 110. Bradman like...

Anyway Ojha is capable of batting anywhere between 1-7.

So Dhawan and Rohit are under threat. Whilst a batting order reshuffle may well be on the cards...

I'm so glad he's made lots of runs for an A team playing against sub par bowling attacks on batting paradises, shouldn't trouble us too much.

[joeljonno]

If Anderson is banned, and Stokes is brought in to replace him, potentially Stuart Broad could be number 11.

[Sam]

Highly doubt that would happen, think it's much more likely we'd see Plunkett and Stokes come in for Jordan and Anderson or just Plunkett for Anderson. I still personally feel Broad should be batting ahead of Jordan anyway.

[joeljonno]

Highly doubt that would happen, think it's much more likely we'd see Plunkett and Stokes come in for Jordan and Anderson or just Plunkett for Anderson. I still personally feel Broad should be batting ahead of Jordan anyway.

Highly doubtful, but still potentially.

I expect Plunkett to return, but who for depends on who is not available.

[Buzz]

I want to see Finn recalled for Old Trafford and the oval, two of the fastest pitches in the country (the Oval pitch has been quickened up again to suit the Surrey side's pace attack...)