England vs West Indies 2nd test Headingley

[bigfluffylemon]

I will be surprised if Stokes doesn't end his career with an average of over 40.

We certainly need his batting more than his bowling at the moment

More lives than a cat today, but when you get good fortune, make the most of it, and he has done. If WI had been able to hold their catches, they'd have had England for under 150.

That said, giving Chase 11 overs this evening has partly contributed to letting England off the hook, and I'm sure the decision to keep him on is solely due to the over rate. Should have pulled Roach and Gabriel on immediately when Moeen left.

[backfootpunch]

100 for Stokes

Not his best hundred

But vital nonetheless

West Indies have been there own worst enemy

This should have been 150 all out

[bigfluffylemon]

100 for Stokes

Not his best hundred

But vital nonetheless

West Indies have been there own worst enemy

This should have been 150 all out

Jinx!

[andy]

Dosen't need to be his best hundred..a hundred is a hundred, and a much needed one

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well done to Stokes. Another valuable intervention from 6-7-8.

And some useful runs from 9 too.

[andy]

Stokes goes to Gabriel

Gabriel against Broad...won't last long

[bigfluffylemon]

Still 21 overs to be bowled today, with 35 minutes until the official close and 65 until the cutoff. Surely Holder will be fined - West Indies will be 7-8 overs short in the day.

6-9 rescue England again, although now the total is poor but something to bowl at rather than just awful. Definitely West Indies day, although if England are bowling before the close and nip a couple of quick wickets, they might be relatively happy from being 120-5 after lunch.

[mikesiva]

Gabriel makes up for dropping a dolly...Stokes out for a round hundred.

[andy]

another dropped catch...whats that 4..?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Since he came back into the side for the home NZ series of 2015, it feels like Stokes has made a place in the top six his own, though actually, he only averages 37.1. But, the context is that none of the players to come into the side in this period have averaged over 30.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=batting

[captaincolly]

Stokes goes to Gabriel

Gabriel against Broad...won't last long

Spot on!

[andy]

Why on earth has Bishoo, only bowled 6 overs when Chase has bowled double that..? Pointless selecting him if the part timer is gonna bowl double the overs...

[DiligentDefence]

Is it time for Anderson to come in ahead of Broad?

[andy]

Surely gonna be a quick end here too..

[mikesiva]

Stokes goes to Gabriel

Gabriel against Broad...won't last long

Spot on!

Gabriel gets his fourth! Broad out for a duck, and England are nine down.