Print

[RightArmLedge]

Very glad he was wearing that stem guard!

[jamielsn15]

Graeme Swann's just selected his XI for this test and this test alone on TMS...

Cook, Ali, Bell, Root, Bairstow (wk), Stokes, Rashid, Broad, Sidebottom, Wood, Anderson

Sidebottom, as he's the top left armer in England and would provide rough for the spinners

Also thought this post may divert from feeding the troll 

[Seniorplayer]

Cook in his element on these kinda flat dead pitches. No pace or swing to expose his limited ability.

This Aussie has yet to write somthing constructive   Imo hes only on here to slag England off agree with Peter he's best ignored.

[petehosk]

I am pretty sure mine would absolutely be:

Cook, Hales, Bell, Root, Taylor, Bairstow (wk), Stokes, Ali, Rashid, Broad, Anderson
Drop Buttler until he finds the form and confidence that we hope he will, plus drop Woods as too many seamers on this wicket.

Or if there is a stubbornness to drop Buttler, then:

Cook, Ali, Bell, Root, Taylor, Bairstow, Stokes, Buttler (wk), Rashid, Broad, Anderson

So much stronger with batting and should still have more than enough bowling!
One change to fielding is to remove Bell from slips 

[rickjames]

I do think Bumble had a point after having a left armer in the side in these sort of conditions, hopefully one day Mr. Willey gets a go.

[FattusCattus]

Oooh look!! we scored a run!!  That was exciting.

[smilley792]

We are 1 down and nearly batted 4 sessions.(Pakistan batted just over 5)



We are still 299 behind Pakistan. So a collapse could see us lose, we are obviously aiming for a draw but some pickup in run rate will help that cause!

[roco]

cook has come out with a game plan to just bat for as long as possible so no chance of pivking up rate

bell is batting for his place so being over cautious so no chance of quicker rate there

if rooooooooooot gets in I think things will pick up as he will play naturally as in great form and sure of his place

[Stuey]

I fail to see how Buttler is retaing his spot, he doesn't score any runs. Bairstow is a better test bat and just as good a keeper, if anyone is blocking Taylor getting into the team it's Buttler.

And the ICC need to do something about these pitches, we are basically watching a 5 day outdoor net. I'll stay with test cricket through thick and thin, but the majoritywill switch off and move on.

[FattusCattus]

We'll get 200 ahead and Adileen will spin them out on a minefield for victory!!

[liscon12]

We'll get 200 ahead and Adileen will spin them out on a minefield for victory!!

is this on day 10?? hahaha

[TangoWhiskey]

Kallis didn't boost his stats by feasting on Bangladesh.

I agree, Cook's stats have been padded... by feasting on hopeless Aussies.

[roco]

this pitch is a great advert of why they brought in time limits on test matches

we would be here till 2016 on this

[ppccopener]

We'll get 200 ahead and Adileen will spin them out on a minefield for victory!!

Plums in the cool box England gonna win!!!

[uknsaunders]

wouldn't go that far. IF England bat well until the end of Day 4, then we might be at parity or 50 ahead/behind. We might cause a few moments of discomfort on Day 5 if we get parity but I think the wicket is probably going thwart everyone.