Pakistan v England 3rd Test, Sharjah, Nov 1-5

[budgetmeansbudget]

I'll wait until I get into to work to tune in. I normally arrive at 8am so it'll be lunch, hoping we're only 3 or 4 down, but I'm expecting 6.

7 down, oh well.

For a while there it looked like it was not even going to get this far

Yep, I see it was 6 down pretty early this morning.

[yuppie]

Well England made Lunch.

50 for Cook who has had a great series. Done his job well, still a poor captain though.

All down to Broad and Anderson to stick with him. I wonder at what stage Stokes would come out to bat. 20 overs left?

[sussexpob]

Just tuning into the score. Save for the Captains effort this looks a bit dire.

Hopefully the only advantage of this will be the end of Jonny Bairstow's rather abject failure of a test career.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Not much to sort out then.
Cook's opening partner.
The fragile middle order.
The wicketkeeper.
The spin options.
And I guess third and fourth seamers.

Apart from that the team picks itself!

[dan08]

Just tuning into the score. Save for the Captains effort this looks a bit dire.

Hopefully the only advantage of this will be the end of Jonny Bairstow's rather abject failure of a test career.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Just read that this is the first time Cook and Broad have ever batted together in a test.

First time Cook has batted to the eighth wicket in his test career apparently.

[hopeforthebest]

I thought Hussain in the studio made a good point about England batting against spin. He said in the nets they practice against Moeen, Rashid and Patel bowling quite slowly and then face the Pak spinners bowling significantly quicker.

[yuppie]

So what should Cook do now?

At this rate he will bat out the innings.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Stokes batting???

Injury can't be that bad.

[yuppie]

Stokes batting???

Injury can't be that bad.

Maybe batting will not make it worse?

[hopeforthebest]

It will probably be bowling that will be the big test for Stokes.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Stokes batting???

Injury can't be that bad.

Maybe batting will not make it worse?

Anderson must be well offended. A batsman with one arm is better than him!

[yuppie]

Stokes batting???

Injury can't be that bad.

Maybe batting will not make it worse?

Anderson must be well offended. A batsman with one arm is better than him!

Deep down he knows its true

[hopeforthebest]

A rush of blood from Cook there, pity he deserved to carry his bat.

[yuppie]

I guess thats why Cook never attacks the bowling.