Second Ashes Test, Lord's, 14-18 August.

[alfie]

Bancrofts technique is all over the place...would bring harris in for him

Warner also needs to be dropped though.

Aussie top 3 being totally exposed.

Easier to drop them than replace them though ... Think Harris must fancy his chances of a call up at least but for which one ?
Will be sweating on Smith's health...

[backfootpunch]

Wee Davie's nightmare goes on.

Just watched the highlights from yesterday and have to give Stokes some credit for the ton. That's not an easy pitch to bat on. Could have been out twice in an over to Lyon on outside edges to Warner at slip... but made a lot of his chance.

Stokes has the talent to average 45 in tests

Just needs to find a bit more consistency and perhaps a top 4 that shields him from the new ball more often

[backfootpunch]

Bancrofts technique is all over the place...would bring harris in for him

Warner also needs to be dropped though.

Aussie top 3 being totally exposed.

Easier to drop them than replace them though ... Think Harris must fancy his chances of a call up at least but for which one ?
Will be sweating on Smith's health...

Cant see warner being dropped given his record

[yuppie]

Australia might do well to see what Chris Rodgers is doing at present.....

Top 3 again being little help when needed.

[yuppie]

7 wickets needed, 32 overs, a real soft middle order.

England should feel very confident.

[alfie]

7 wickets needed, 32 overs, a real soft middle order.

England should feel very confident.

Hopeful rather than confident , I think. Would need a huge collapse...though a couple more wickets now would have the dressing room a bit nervous ...

[alfie]

Labuschagne doing a good job. Tough intro...getting an immediate bang on the head . But he's battled through well so far and looks pretty composed.

Can't say quite the same for Head at the moments- he is really struggling with Leach.

[yuppie]

Labuschagne doing a good job. Tough intro...getting an immediate bang on the head . But he's battled through well so far and looks pretty composed.

Can't say quite the same for Head at the moments- he is really struggling with Leach.

Just shows how bad Australis top 6 is.......except for Smith.

[backfootpunch]

Australia might do well to see what Chris Rodgers is doing at present.....

Top 3 again being little help when needed.

Just looked and khawaja averages 53 at home and 24 away

Very frustrating player

[Durhamfootman]

Wee Davie's nightmare goes on.

Just watched the highlights from yesterday and have to give Stokes some credit for the ton. That's not an easy pitch to bat on. Could have been out twice in an over to Lyon on outside edges to Warner at slip... but made a lot of his chance.

Credit indeed...he could have fallen half a dozen times to Lyon - who was really testing the left hander ; but he found a way to survive and ended up cashing in brilliantly.
Is definitely improving as a Test bat. Five seems his right place , I think.

He'll be at 4 on Thursday, I reckon

even though that would be just plain silly

[Durhamfootman]

Moeen watch... 42 runs and going at over 4 with the ball against Northants

[Arthur Crabtree]

Stokes obviously can bat. He just doesn't score many runs. Two years between Test tons doesn't warrant moving up to four. If it wasn't for the bowling and fielding he'd be hovering over the trap door.

If he could get the game head right, he could be a Test class bat.

But he's had plenty of time to get there.

[Durhamfootman]

what's the deal with Woakes?

only 2 overs?

[Durhamfootman]

Roy copying wee Davey

no runs, plenty of drops

they'll be drinking buddies next

[yuppie]

Australia considering a dash at this....?