England vs West Indies 3rd test Lords

[alfie]

It's my impression that Root has been giving him more of a chance with the ball. More propitious overs, better fields.

With the notable (and inexplicable !) exception of the second innings at Headingley. I am astonished more hasn't been made of that weird choice instead of all the fussing about the declaration.

[alfie]

Roach breaks the stand ...but that fifty partnership has just about brought England level.

Bairstow will be disappointed to get out just after playing a lovely cover drive - but he's done a vital job for England to get them here : hopefully the bowlers can get a bit of a lead now...

[mikesiva]

Finally a wicket!

Roach gets his fourth.

[sussexpob]

I'd estimate since bd away, he's been dropped or had his stumps hit without breaking in 95% off his innings, and that is literally not me being ott

95 % ?

I think that is you being OTT , Sussex.

me too

he has put in so many MOM-worthy performances of late, that SP must be ready to gnaw on his own liver at the sheer injustice of it all

it's like me and the blasted ball biter

Care to name me an innings he made a decent score in recently where he hasn't been put down.

His run of batting fortune hides what has been horrendous amounts of early chances he's gifting.

If teams didn't give him more lives than a cat, he'd be struggling to justify his positin

[alfie]

Clearly it is pointless arguing with Sussex about Stokes...

If Ben were to find a cure for cancer and bring peace to the Middle East , Sussex would still be complaining that he'd not yet achieved a satisfactory Brexit ...

His luck holds ...bowled by Gabriel and reprieved by a no ball

[Durhamfootman]

It hurts, I know.

When the ball biter hit his ton, or took wickets without conceding any runs, it was like a knife in my ribs. It feels like there will never be any justice, and I think I'm the only who has realised.

on the odd occasion when he got tonked or got a first baller, I revelled in it, wallowed in it, gloried in it

one day he'll actually retire

fffffffff

[sussexpob]

His luck holds ...bowled by Gabriel and reprieved by a no ball

Honestly, he needs to retire and start chasing after leprechauns at the end of the rainbow. It would be profitable for him.

[alfie]

Good lord...instant replay. And this time it's legal.

Strange end to his innings ? He'd been seeing it pretty well .

And leaves England struggling to get any real advantage...

[mikesiva]

Gabriel!

[sussexpob]

England desperate for tail runs here.

[mikesiva]

Roach gets his five fer!

[alfie]

Credit these West Indies pace men - as Roach gets Moeen : their stamina has been impressive ; as well as their skill.

Have reduced England to what will now be just a minuscule lead

Though the other side might be that they'll be back batting in similar conditions this afternoon...

[Durhamfootman]

Broad and Santiago won't last long, surely, so it won't be much of a lead for WI to overtake

[Arthur Crabtree]

Surely chanceless hundreds are quite rare?

Got to take your chance when it comes.

Great comeback from WI, five-fer for the formerly washed up Kemar Roach. Stirring comeback from the diminutive quick from St. Lucy.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A handy lead in a low scoring contest. Still, if Lord's does its old trick of going to sleep in the second half of the game, it won't mean much.