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[edge]

Chris Woakes is a hell of a batsman to go out as nightwatchman, Jimmy and Broad have clearly stamped their feet there.

[Woodyspin]

Vince and ballance are a waste of time. England's and my own... awful performances! How many tests do you allow a batsman that hasn't scored a 50 in any of his 7 innings? and how many chances do you give Ballance? His last 13 innings have only contained 1 50 and that's against 4 different opposition!

[Buzz]

I think woakes has said night watchman is my best chance of a decent knock. Good for him and good luck to him.

Who would have thought Root would be a decent no 3.

Well batted eng today. Going to need to bat all tomorrow too though.

[Big Mac]

Would have been nice to see Vince or Ballance get some runs but apart from that, England couldn't have asked for a much better day.

[justnotcricket86]

Would have been nice to see Vince or Ballance get some runs but apart from that, England couldn't have asked for a much better day.

Coming from a Hampshire man, I just don't think Vince has it at this level. Would make an awesome ODI/T20 player, but he looks stiff as a board and can't help himself with those drives.

[GoodLeave]

Looking forward to a day 5 PAK 2nd innings when Moeen is getting a 1 or 2 degrees of turn out of the rough!

[Wills]

Pains me to say it, but I really want Pakistan to expose our lack of a competent spinner and give Moeen Ali the treatment like they did in the UAE.
Realistically, that's the only way he'd get dropped for Rashid. Wouldn't surprise me if he goes unused because Jimmy and co. do the business first up.

[ppccopener]

The wicket looks pretty flat to me and gun barrel straight
We might need wickets from spin
I hoped England would pick rashid too,it does turn at old trafford but as long as he's got an england shirt on im supporting him

[Jlscarroll17]

I think Ali has to go we need an out and out spinner with rashid a bowler that can bat rather than a 'batsman' that can bowl

[golders]

The English have no clue how to look after legspinners!

[ProCricketer1982]

Simple truth is, county cricket is now completely designed to produce one day players. That means that spinners will be rare and any that come about will generally be one day style spinners. People can argue but the fact he majority of batsmen playing 4-5 day cricket now are all one day style players just proves the system is wrong.

What county is going to develop a cook style player when the majority of cricket anyone plays now is hit and biff. Spinners come into their own in long games, if you aren't playing any then you won't develop the skill.

Moeen is crap but given England seem to want his batting more than bowling expect him to stay for a few more years yet.

[Big Mac]

Pains me to say it, but I really want Pakistan to expose our lack of a competent spinner and give Moeen Ali the treatment like they did in the UAE.
Realistically, that's the only way he'd get dropped for Rashid. Wouldn't surprise me if he goes unused because Jimmy and co. do the business first up.

*Hopes Moeen gets dropped for a competent spinner*

*Wants Rashid to replace him*

Come on man.

[GoodLeave]

Adil is a good spinner, but he isn't great yet.

He can rip the ball, but he's inconsistent with line and lengh. Way too many short balls.

He needs to pay Warne's gambling bills for a few years in exchange for some insight.

[FattusCattus]

I think the best thing is to see how Moeen goes on this pitch that is purported to be helpful before swing the axe.

If he can't bowl competently on this, then it should answer the questions about both temperment and technique.

[ElPerro]

Impressive from Root that of his 10 hundreds he's gone on to turn 5 of those into 150+ scores