The Cricket Thread 2016

[PaulWinch again]

They're putting on valuable runs now. Finn has bowled brilliantly this tour and should be bowling at numbers 10 and 11.

[Villan For Life]

Anderson taken out of the attack for running on the pitch. You don't see that very often. He seems really out of sorts on this tour, maybe his test career is beginning to come to a close?

[PaulWinch again]

Anderson taken out of the attack for running on the pitch. You don't see that very often. He seems really out of sorts on this tour, maybe his test career is beginning to come to a close?

I wouldn't say that yet, he just doesn't look remotely match fit. He should have been eased back in rather than straight back into the team. See Stokes has come on and got the wicket, probably could have saved 20 runs if we'd brought Stokes or Finn on earlier. Anyhow, come on England bat well.

[Villan For Life]

Anderson taken out of the attack for running on the pitch. You don't see that very often. He seems really out of sorts on this tour, maybe his test career is beginning to come to a close?

I wouldn't say that yet, he just doesn't look remotely match fit. He should have been eased back in rather than straight back into the team. See Stokes has come on and got the wicket, probably could have saved 20 runs if we'd brought Stokes or Finn on earlier. Anyhow, come on England bat well.

He seems to be taking longer to come back from injuries which is a sure sign that age is catching up with him. He's always been a rhythm bowler who needs to play regularly to be at his absolute best.

This will be an interesting hour before lunch for England. We need to bat well and runs from Cook would be good. I think the Saffers got a good total on that pitch.

[Dave Cooper please]

Cook just can't resist a nibble down the leg side can he?

In a spot of bother here.

[Villan For Life]

They're bowling much better than we did, that's for sure.

[PaulWinch again]

Good to see the opening partnership is as solid as ever. Hales is obviously having a poor time, but Cook is having a really poor tour. Not good enough.

[PaulWinch again]

Shows how poorly we bowled, in better bowling conditions, in the first session yesterday. Given his form at the moment I would strongly consider giving Finn the new ball first up rather than Anderson in the second innings.

[Dave Cooper please]

In fairness the pitch has changed, it's drier and quicker now than at any time yesterday.

[PaulWinch again]

It's a brilliant counter attack from Root and Stokes, but they need to keep going.

[DaveD]

Picked the right time to tune in, this is marvellous stuff.

[DaveD]

Oops. Commentator's curse. Will keep my gob shut.

[paul_e]

I was just in the middle of posting about how easy he was making it look when he got out so I'll let DaveD take the hit on being the cause of that one.

[PaulWinch again]

Brilliant effort though, and brought us back into the game.

[paul_e]

Brilliant effort though, and brought us back into the game.

This is the value of having a middle order that likes to score runs, Stokes is the one in form right now but Taylor, Bairstow and Ali all bring similar intent to the crease, if 1 of them gets going and has a bit of support at the other end they can quickly change an innings.  If Hales can get into things and bring similar intent at the top then I can see us becoming a side that scores at least 300-400 almost regardless of the conditions in the first innings (much like Australia used to be) and that consistency, as a team, gives you a lot of confidence with the ball and lets you be much more aggressive.