Cricket

[pink_triangle]

Root and Smith are very different personalities. Smith always seemed old for his age, while root is the opposite. I think captaincy would ruin him.

[kaosmark2]

Neither am I, but I think an attacking player sandwiched between Robson and Ballance could work well. If Hales is up to it...

I agree. It's a major if though.

[TheGayTent]

Root and Smith are very different personalities. Smith always seemed old for his age, while root is the opposite. I think captaincy would ruin him.

I think that reads like lazy journalism - Root just looks like a pubescent teenager whereas Smith looked 30 when he was 20.

[pink_triangle]

I think that reads like lazy journalism - Root just looks like a pubescent teenager whereas Smith looked 30 when he was 20.

It's not just the look, but the personality. Smith has a much more confident/arrogant nature than root. I think that helps taking a leadership role so young.

[TheGayTent]

It's not just the look, but the personality. Smith has a much more confident/arrogant nature than root. I think that helps taking a leadership role so young.

Brearley was more similar to Root than he was Smith.

[Ed209]

A lot of talk that Broad will be the seamer rested for the next match, his knee is knackered apparently. Can't see them giving both Anderson and Broad a break, although they might. Would like to see Finn come back for which ever one they rest. I'd drop Stokes and give Chris Jordan another go (still don't know why they dropped him!? 50 odd runs and 5 wickets is hardly a disaster), and Prior has to go, he's shot, Butler in.

I think they'll stick with Cook until the end of the series. That's then the last test match until NZ series in May at which point I think they could be looking to make Root captain if Cook's fortunes haven't turned.

[kaosmark2]

A lot of talk that Broad will be the seamer rested for the next match, his knee is knackered apparently. Can't see them giving both Anderson and Broad a break, although they might. Would like to see Finn come back for which ever one they rest. I'd drop Stokes and give Chris Jordan another go (still don't know why they dropped him!? 50 odd runs and 5 wickets is hardly a disaster), and Prior has to go, he's shot, Butler in.

I think they'll stick with Cook until the end of the series. That's then the last test match until NZ series in May at which point I think they could be looking to make Root captain if Cook's fortunes haven't turned.

Yeah, they won't give both of them a break. Anderson's just looked more tired to me hence why I suggested they should give him one. Agree Finn should come in for whoever's rested.

Jordan did well, but in Aus Stokes had done better. I think it's time to switch them back though.

Agree about Prior having to go, but I'm not convinced Butler's the one to bring in.

[Ed209]

Yeah, they won't give both of them a break. Anderson's just looked more tired to me hence why I suggested they should give him one. Agree Finn should come in for whoever's rested.

Jordan did well, but in Aus Stokes had done better. I think it's time to switch them back though.

Agree about Prior having to go, but I'm not convinced Butler's the one to bring in.

I don't think Butler's batting is going to be up to the job. I'd like to see Kieswetter eventually given a run, but he's got a smashed up face at the moment. Butler seems like the easy fix for the time being.

[TheGayTent]

Jordan wasn't dropped he was rotated (there's no way 4 seamers can play all 5 tests). He would have been brought back for one of Broad/Anderson for the Rose Bowl had things gone to plan. With the other and Plunkett also getting a rest for Lords/Old Trafford.

Jordan will not be a success for England long term IMO.

[TheGayTent]

I don't think Butler's batting is going to be up to the job. I'd like to see Kieswetter eventually given a run, but he's got a smashed up face at the moment. Butler seems like the easy fix for the time being.

I'm not convinced by his glove work either. However, with no decent specialist wicketkeeper that's young enough to be considered by the selectors (Foster...) I can't see past Buttler if Prior is to go.

[kaosmark2]

Jordan will not be a success for England long term IMO.

I think he'll probably be a good rotation option long-term. I don't think he's the future of England cricket though.

I'm not convinced by his glove work either. However, with no decent specialist wicketkeeper that's young enough to be considered by the selectors (Foster...) I can't see past Buttler if Prior is to go.

Me neither. I think Foster would be a great shout for the rest of this series, with a view to one of the young ones for next summer. I think Buttler is the one that will be selected, but I don't reckon he's ready yet (if ever).

All of the three young keepers who get talked about as England's future, Buttler, Bairstow and Kieswitter look sketchy with the gloves IMO, and more suited to limited overs batting than Test. I hope one of them prove me wrong, but with us picking all-rounders for bowling I really want to see us pick the best keeper there is based on glovework alone and be grateful for whatever batting contribution they offer.

[TheGayTent]

The fact he's suggesting Morgan as an alternative for the captaincy makes his opinion null and void.

[kaosmark2]

The fact he's suggesting Morgan as an alternative for the captaincy makes his opinion null and void.

I think Morgan's done a decent job as VC in limited overs. I don't think Morgan's a test cricketer though.

[Ed209]

Prior stepping down "due to injury" but isn't retiring - although even he must think that's probably it for his England career.

[pink_triangle]

Brearley was more similar to Root than he was Smith.

I think he was significantly older wasn't he? Admittedly a bit before my time. I think root can be captain one day, however he isn't ready for a high profile leadership role at present.

[TheGayTent]

I think he was significantly older wasn't he?

Yes, more than a decade older than Root is now.

Admittedly a bit before my time. I think root can be captain one day, however he isn't ready for a high profile leadership role at present.

I don't disagree.

[kaosmark2]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/28418497

No one is standing up for Cook... Everyone calling for him to go...

I think Cook's right not to jump ship mid-series. It could put whoever replaces him into a shit situation.

[TheGayTent]

Cook chooses to bat first on a pitch with some green on it ?

Stupid or brave ? Time will tell...

Neither. Just the right decision - Dhoni would have batted too.

Gutted to get out so close to a century but you'd take 95 every time at the start of play.

Be nice to see out the last couple of overs and only be 2 down overnight.

[kaosmark2]

Neither. Just the right decision - Dhoni would have batted too.

Gutted to get out so close to a century but you'd take 95 every time at the start of play.

Be nice to see out the last couple of overs and only be 2 down overnight.

Dhoni would have batted but it looked a good toss to lose. Doesn't now.

Things great to see today:

1) 90 overs completed.

2) Cook get a score. It may not be a century but if we can get Cook the batsman back in form the team will look a lot stronger.

3) Ballance. Again. Really impressing me. When they announced the team in the first test against Sri Lanka I wasn't sure about Ballance at 3, I thought it wasn't the slot for him. Delighted to see how wrong he's proving me.

4) One wicket not turning into 3/4.

Be nice tomorrow if Bell can get a score.

[TheGayTent]

Never ever out.

[kaosmark2]

Some terrible umpiring decisions this series. Ballance being "out" in particular but some both ways again. Lack of DRS seems twisted.

Hoping that Bell's score means he can kick on and score some important runs in the rest of the summer.

Great innings from Buttler as well. Unlucky to chop it on to the stumps but lucky with that early reprieve - looked like he caught it to me but whenever the umpires refer you assume they're going to give not-out. It's his keeping that I want to see though.

[TheGayTent]

Telling what scoreboard pressure can do to one sides batsmen and another sides bowlers.

[kaosmark2]

Telling what scoreboard pressure can do to one sides batsmen and another sides bowlers.

Jordan?

[TheGayTent]

Jordan?

Well ok Broad and Anderson! Mind you Woakes bowled pretty well and that's from someone who thinks he's not up to it long term.

Did you see Anderson and Broad have now got 500 wickets between them in tests they've both played in? Don't think there are too many above them now.

[kaosmark2]

Well ok Broad and Anderson! Mind you Woakes bowled pretty well and that's from someone who thinks he's not up to it long term.

Did you see Anderson and Broad have now got 500 wickets between them in tests they've both played in? Don't think there are too many above them now.

He did. I'm not convinced by Woakes either but he definitely bowled well. It'd be nice if he can keep it up.

I didn't no, doesn't surprise though. They've played together for 7 years or so in the period of most frequent tests ever.