The Cricket Thread 2016

[cheltenhamlion]

Need the keeper and Moeen to push us towards 400. Broad let loose on that position would add very handy runs.

[paul_e]

for me this is a case of getting to the end of the day safely with this pair in place and something around 340 on the board then we can have a steady 5-10 overs in the morning before we let them just go for it and push the score as high as we can before lunch.

[cheltenhamlion]

I am going with a bold prediction of 430 all out. I also haven't looked at the score since I last posted!

[Jon Crofts]

Cheap wicket that.

[paul_e]

Buttler is a massive loss, 400 will be tough now.

[Villan For Life]

Honours just about even, particularly as we were 40-odd for 3.

[PaulWinch again]

It was a good effort from Moeen. Hard to tell yet, but we lost wickets at key periods so I'd say it's Australia's day. Brilliant knock from Root though.

[paul_e]

It was a good effort from Moeen. Hard to tell yet, but we lost wickets at key periods so I'd say it's Australia's day. Brilliant knock from Root though.

In the balance really, if we get around 400 I;d say that looks about par.

[tomd2103]

It was a good effort from Moeen. Hard to tell yet, but we lost wickets at key periods so I'd say it's Australia's day. Brilliant knock from Root though.

Bit generous to say it's been Australia's day Paul.  I personally would have taken that if offered it before the start of play.

[PaulWinch again]

I'm not saying I wouldn't have taken it, but the Aussies bowled poorly and it's a very flat pitch.

[olaftab]

Possibly well balanced day but get 400 plus and it's advantage England.

[Dave Cooper please]

Just England's day, but only just, and really only because at 43-3 we were in real trouble.

Already looking like two evenly matched teams, Lyth and Cook won't get out cheaply every time (he says!), we bat deeper than them with Ali at 8 and I would put our pace attack right up with theirs. Neither of us have a proper spinner either!

This could be a fun few weeks.

[PaulWinch again]

It's vital that Moeen and the tail put on a decent amount of runs this morning. This is a very flat pitch, so we're going to have to bowl well to get them out.

[PaulWinch again]

Australia claiming a catch that was clearly on the ground. It will be difficult for them to get off their high horse for Broad not walking now....

[olaftab]

 Broad should have ignored the fact that Voges was cheating and walked....that's what Aussies expected!