First Test: England v Pakistan, Lord's.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just been out for a bit and England have got Azhar. The bowlers have been criticised, but they've got the Pakistan batters at about a par score and given few runs away. Just the batters put too few on the board.

[sussexpob]

You could make a case that the bowlers are a bit defensive, and havent really tried enough approaches to test the batsman, but in fairness they are defending 180 on a batsman pitch, theu could have easily thrown away the game in session bowling way too aggressively.

England have stuck to being quite economical and hoped that the Pakistan batsman reacted with equal generosity to their own gift giving yesterday, but Pakistan have come to play proper, traditional, up yours to the girls and nippers cricket

[sussexpob]

Stokes makes the breakthrough

[Alviro Patterson]

You could make a case that the bowlers are a bit defensive, and havent really tried enough approaches to test the batsman, but in fairness they are defending 180 on a batsman pitch, theu could have easily thrown away the game in session bowling way too aggressively.

England have stuck to being quite economical and hoped that the Pakistan batsman reacted with equal generosity to their own gift giving yesterday, but Pakistan have come to play proper, traditional, up yours to the girls and nippers cricket

[yuppie]

This morning i thought the England bowlers bowled to short or over pitched. Certainly not the length that the Pakistan bowlers had yesterday. Since then though from what i have seen they have improved but maybe by then the Pakistan bats had time to settle and batting has become easier.

Not sure about Bess from what i have seen on the poor quality video i have been watching. Being milked for some easy runs so far. Though very tough for a 20 year old to be bowling on the second day with only 180 runs in the bank.

[Alviro Patterson]

Meanwhile, Leicestershire CCC are showing messrs Graves and Harrison on how to attract a crowd for their One Day Cup game on Sunday.

http://www.leicestershireccc.co.uk/news ... -2018.html

[yuppie]

What a silly wicket at the end of that session. Ben has got 2 wickets with the old ball and has possibly opened the door for England with the second new ball 1 over away after dinner.

I think Pakistan might regret that brain fade from the captain.

[andy]

Shadab maybe one place to high at 7 and Amir 8, so long tail for Pakistan, one more wicket and could be over quickly

[yuppie]

Already this partnership has added more than England last 5 yesterday.....

[sussexpob]

This partnership already seems like the death blow. There was a slight opening 30-40 runs ago, its now an door thats starting to close.

England realistically going to be behind by a minimum of 150 runs

[yuppie]

Just to easy for the batsman now. England need to make something happen quickly. 100 run lead up and growing quickly.

[yuppie]

Short spell for Anderson. Changing ends?

[andy]

Cook drops a catch at 1st slip

[yuppie]

England really need to make the most of those edges when they come. Between keeper and 1st slip with neither moving.

England are just not on it at present.

And then cook drops another one. Is that his 3rd drop in this innings?

[andy]

Chances starting to present themselves now, but nothing going england's way...lead is 121, game slipping away already given our fragile batting line up