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[ppccopener]

Rashid will be judged on the forth innings....if we have enough runs that is

Totally agreed on the big four. Root is in the group but last. I like Williamson because he is technically superb

But kholi and smith are ahead for sure.

It's a shame I think Root needs everything cleared out of his way to be as good as he can. I genuinely think he could be the best we have had for a while, up there with KP and Gooch.

Today showed up why we have won one of the last nine matches. We are too soft and too green in five day cricket

[InternalTraining]

Kohli is not using a Keeley bat.

[csnew]

Kohli is not using a Keeley bat.

Using a SS - left the sticker on the top of the handle

[norman1979]

Poor showing from the openers.

Should have slowed down the game, change of gloves, bats etc to ensure the minimum number of overs where bowled. Instead India rattled through a couple of overs and then got the wicket at the end.

[stevat]

Obviously Kohli and Smith are superb, but I honestly think Williamson is just about their equal. Have to remember he's not got the supporting cast the others have and has done it everywhere he's played. Genuine class act.

[Mister Le Chiffre]

Please note I didn't say Williamson wasn't absolutely world class, I said I rate Smith/Kohli higher as they gave the ability to take the game away from the opposition. This is something I rate importantly whereas others may not.

If I was picking a world XI Williamson Kohli and Smith would all make the cut.

[stevat]

This test is perfectly poised though. Love watching Ashwin bowl, we've got to put something together, great chance for Jennings, Malan et Al to really prove themselves.

[ppccopener]

I think Malan owes us a few ! 

[SD]

That drop by Malan when He was on 21 as not only allowed varat to dominate and score big in this match but as probably set him up for the series.

It seems a curse of England in recent times that those batsman in the side contributing nothing in terms of runs are also the ones letting the side down time and again when we are in the field.  Malan will be be lucky to see out this series but he has certainly done his utmost to ensure that the pressure Kohli was under both in terms of his record in England and his record against Anderson has been released for the tests that foĺlow this

[skip1973]

Obviously Kohli and Smith are superb, but I honestly think Williamson is just about their equal. Have to remember he's not got the supporting cast the others have and has done it everywhere he's played. Genuine class act.

I agree same class of player and he's not dick head like the other pair, Kohli especially.

[six and out]

Saw an absolutely crazy stat from Kohli's innings -

Anderson bowled 74 balls to Kohli, who made only 18 runs off them. The other 131 he scored came in the 151 deliveries Kohli faced from everyone else.

I know he got dropped but that is a ridiculous amount of mental strength to go through when facing Anderson and then be able to capitalise and go up the gears against everyone else.

[Seniorplayer]

Saw an absolutely crazy stat from Kohli's innings -

Anderson bowled 74 balls to Kohli, who made only 18 runs off them. The other 131 he scored came in the 151 deliveries Kohli faced from everyone else.

I know he got dropped but that is a ridiculous amount of mental strength to go through when facing Anderson and then be able to capitalise and go up the gears against everyone else.

Mental strength against Anderson ? Or just hoping to survive against him with the assistance of Malan etc.

[six and out]

Mental strength against Anderson ? Or just hoping to survive against him with the assistance of Malan etc.

As I said I know he was dropped but the mental strength to battle through and not just give it away with some flirty cover drive attempt (after the drop) when you are that under the pump, complete examination of your new technique you are trying after being shocking last time out etc.. losing wickets at the other end. That is the sign of great batting.

[six and out]

What are everyone's predictions how today will go?

The realist in me can see us not lasting the day and getting 175ish to set around 200. I just think after that ball from Ashwin with all our left handers it really could be trouble.

[Seniorplayer]

Same here England need heads down and grind out the runs India should not have got to within 60 runs of England's total last night root looked idea less On getting a wicket when Varat was batting with Indias number 10 and 11.