The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

Compton and Taylor are doing a good job.

[PaulWinch again]

Good knock from Taylor, shame he couldn't go on.

[dcdavecollett]

Compton certainly did a good job for himself -at the rate of one run per over.

Perhaps, like Boycott, he will be dropped for slow scoring.

[DaveD]

Compton certainly did a good job for himself -at the rate of one run per over.

Perhaps, like Boycott, he will be dropped for slow scoring.

That's why he was recalled wasn't it, to drop anchor and stop the collapses ?

[OzVilla]

Comptons done a good job there, exactly what was required given the conditions, hang in there, bat long and get a score on he board. 300+ will be a good score on this wicket and outfield.

Sometimes scores alone don't tell the story, a wicket thats doing a bit, rain interuptions breaking batsmans rythem and keeping bowlers fresh and a slow outfield. 179-4 is easily worth 240-4 on another day.

[Dave Cooper please]

Nice little collapse from our "deep batting line-up"!
Hopefully our bowlers can find the life that Morkel has found in this pitch.

[Villan For Life]

These are vital runs for the 10th wicket, so far Broad and Finn have put on 20. If we can eke out another few runs then 300+ isn't a bad score.

The pitch is beginning to look a little slow and dead so we will need to bowl at our best.

[PaulWinch again]

Pretty bad collapse, but useful last wicket partnership this.

[Proposition Joe]

Pretty much a par score for when Cook doesn't make runs, but still sick of collapses.

Not out of it yet, think their batting is vulnerable and they are wasting AB having him keep.

[OzVilla]

Great start from the bowlers but Bairstow showing again that he's just not good enough as a Test keeper. Didn't move his feet at all and was late reacting.

He'd have been better leaving it for Cook if he couldnt make it. The ball was behind him when he got the glove on it.

[OzVilla]

Amla gone, relief for Bairstow. Terrific from Broad.

[Villan For Life]

Great bowling from Broad and Woakes. Woakes was unlucky and his spell deserved a wicket.

[PaulWinch again]

I love watching Finn bowl in form.

[PaulWinch again]

I like the balance of this England team. Hopefully Hales will come good and if he does Compton is a good choice at three. I think any criticism of Compton's knock is ridiculous. Taylor is perfect at 5.

[paul_e]

absolute beauty from Broad to get de Villiers.