Second Test: England v Pakistan, Headingley

[sussexpob]

Pakistan wont mind Malan chasing after those wide awayswingers.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I watched Bess on the highlights and he seemed to back away quite a bit then throw his bat through the off side. Should be possible to block off his shots.

Good start with the bat though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not much rain forecast for the rest of the game.

[alfie]

Despite losing Root England can be fairly happy with this delayed session so far. Bess has played pretty sensibly in extending his night watchman role past thirty ; and they've reached parity with seven in hand...quite a respectable run rate too.
Still plenty to do to take a real grip on the game ; but the remaining batsmen cannot complain they haven't been given a platform to build on...

Pakistan bowling a mixed bag today. Amir looked dangerous ...and was rewarded once. And Faheem bowled some steady stuff ; but they've probably delivered a few too many loose balls which have been duly dispatched.

Shadab has started tidily with the spin option ; I think Bess was looking happier against the pace men.

In the lead now ...

[meninblue]

Lead of 16. Have England as favorites unless Pak pull of win like Misbah did versus SL chasing a mammoth second innings total at a very good run rate.

95:5 with England as massive favorites imo if all overs as bowled throughout remaining days.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Plenty of cloud around over the next few days so the pitch shouldn't really go to sleep.

[meninblue]

Amir strikes. Good ball that, Dawid had to play it. Edge well taken.

[sussexpob]

Bess is going to be opening by the end of the summer.....

Malan fails once again, even though he couldnt have hoped for a better situation. Time he went.

[sussexpob]

Bess goes for 49...... good knock from the lad again.

Another one or two wickets in the next hour, and Pakistan might be giving themselves a chance to get into the game

[sussexpob]

Looks like Buttler is going to be playing another good old fashioned test innings here....

Slogs three in that over, gets dropped after only 4 balls, luck once again to survive his first over.

[meninblue]

England have a lead of 54. Think they will get a good lead.

Pak attack has lost all the pace.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Felt that Bess was going to get a ton.

This is why I don't bet.

Should bat Pakistan out the game now.

Who was the last England nightwatcher to score a ton? I just remember (as everyone does) Tudor going very near.

[meninblue]

Jos playing a counter attack innings. 28 from 29.

Takes lead to 77.

[ianp1970]

Who was the last England nightwatcher to score a ton? I just remember (as everyone does) Tudor going very near.

Don't think we've had one - Eddie Hemmings with 95 at Sydney to help us draw the last match in a 2-1 series defeat - is the one I always recall.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Disappointing from Bairstow in a very advantageous position. England were very good in the Prior/Bell/KP era at seizing these situations and running away with them. Not so much now.