England v Pakistan 2020.

[Durhamfootman]

"there you go, boys.... it's that easy.... stop messing around"

[sussexpob]

Well it's hardly like England are bowling badly, that's the crazy thing. It's 100-5....or 6 now. If he's not fit to bowl then it's a silly.move with the series just starting.

[Durhamfootman]

muddled thinking

trying to be too clever by half.

Broad joins the party

[Durhamfootman]

I'm guessing that play has to stop at 7pm?

[Durhamfootman]

Yasir will try to grab what he can from here. the last 3 are not noted for their batting prowess

[sussexpob]

Pakistan have found a way to turn victory into possible defeat. Pitch is tough to bat on mind, this is poised nicely. Another 20-30 I think it's Pakistan's game, but 230 is chase able

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pakistan added 19 when Stokes took that wicket. Hardly warranted desperate measures.

[Durhamfootman]

it will need some excellent batting though.

I doubt England have the technique to hold out for long against 2 leggies and a pitch that will offer them a fair bit. That's if they can find a way to negotiate the seamers at the top

[Arthur Crabtree]

Only takes someone to score and hundred though.

But who?

[Durhamfootman]

Stokes has another and that's it for the day I think

It really needs to be Root, Arthur

[mikesiva]

A total of 14 wickets fell today.

Minefield!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Honest Joe's all out of runs.

He's due another run out too.

[Durhamfootman]

He's been out of runs for a while

head full of nappies

Not helped by having to come in in the first over. If they lose this test, I'll bet you England will have a number 3 in place for Southampton, presumably Crawley (much good that will do them) with Honest Joe and Gentle Ben back where they should have been all along. If Buttler is still in place (and the telly are trying very hard to get shot of him by shining a glaring light on every error that he makes...... MPV probably has a keeper or two in his PR stable) then he will be back at 7 where a keeper belongs. Pope will be fine at 6, Archer will be dropped rested (it isn't his job to bowl at 80mph and then tell the press that this isn't a pitch to bend his back on ) as will Santiago. Woakes will be retained as will Bess (who appears to be the latest project) and presumably Wood will return and be told to steam in and bend his back.

[sussexpob]

Dobell wrote yesterday the patience is wearing thin with buttler. You do get a feeling his consistent terrible scores haven't nudged anyone, but as soon as he starts shelling chances in a game England lose, the pressure is on.

[sussexpob]

Bess is young learning the hardest art in the game, it's hard to be very critical. But the conditions were really suited to him this test and he hasn't as yet made much of an impact. He seems to lack a little subtle and control at the moment, all a bit all over. Taking wickets not on sustained pressure but one off balls. Need to learn how to work over a batsman and bowl to a plan better.

He's what 22? Long time to.improve