The International Cricket Thread

[UK Redsox]

Paine puts England in to bat.......so Archer & Broad need to warm up to bowl before tea

[Nev]

The difference for this test compared to others this series is (Mitchell) stark. I've been so nervous, anticipating what was to come but today I feel like a curious bystander.

[OzVilla]

Denly goes after a wide one and edges to 2nd slip. In other news, water is wet.

[UK Redsox]

Always brings a smile to my face when Jim Maxwell introduces the Shipping Forecast

[UK Redsox]

27 opening partnership is the highest of the Ashes so far by either side.

Highest opening partnership of the Test summer was 32 by Ireland

[Risso]

Burns has been one of the relative bright spots of the series.  Four good first innings totals now, and looks like he's developing into a proper test opener.  Just needs a reliable partner now.

[tomd2103]

Burns has been one of the relative bright spots of the series.  Four good first innings totals now, and looks like he's developing into a proper test opener.  Just needs a reliable partner now.

Agree Risso mate.  Finding a new opener to partner Burns is the priority going forward.  He's got out early today, but I still think Denly could be the stop gap at three for the next series or so that will allow Root to go back to four.  If we can get a somewhat functioning opening partnership then we can concentrate a bit more on the three position.

[UK Redsox]

Root dropped for the third time this innings

[taylorsworkrate]

Burns gone.

Australia 1 wicket away from the tail.

[taylorsworkrate]

That's really poor from Stokes.

Looked in good touch and just gave it away to a pie chucker

[taylorsworkrate]

Right on the edge of turning into another poor batting peformance. Pitch has done nothing and Australia made a mistake bowling first.

We really should take advantage and be no more than 5 down for 280. Anything worse than that is crap.

[Risso]

What's that you say?  Root gets a half century then is out shortly after?  I refuse to believe such an unlikely turn of events is even possible.

[taylorsworkrate]

Bowled in the same way as he has been a few times in the series.

Not moving his feet and stuck in the crease. Makes the ball look a lot better than it actually is.

Root looks shot mentally. Should have been out 3 times before he was. Captaincy has to be taken away from him.

[PaulWinch again]

The bell must be tolling for Bairstow in this team. He’s not the best wicketkeeper, and that was tolerable when he got runs but he’s not anymore. He either gets in as a bat or he doesn’t, Foakes needs to be keeper.

[taylorsworkrate]

Bairstow was plumb, but I can understand him reviewing it.

He probably realises that another couple of years of averaging around 20 and people will start to question his place in the team.