Second Test: West Indies v England, April 21-25

[backfootpunch]

Decisive footwork from Cook in this innings. Hasn't looked like a man out of form at all. Really impressive inns so far. Feet moving nicely.

when he times a few cover drives i will agree he doesnt look out of form, when in form he is capable of timing the ball off the front foot just with not much power

[Arthur Crabtree]

Low intensity stuff.

Surprised to hear Gower say that a hundred here will put misgivings about Cook's batting 'to bed'. Will it really? Even an ordinary player will score runs eventually, against the right attack. It will take months of good batting to overturn the past two years.

[hopeforthebest]

On SKY and TMS everyone, even to a degree Boycs, are being very kind to England's performance so far. I wonder if they've been got at.

[Alviro Patterson]

It is reported on BBC local radio that Yorkshire's request to release Adil Rashid from the Carribean tour has been denied.

So hes certain to play in the last test then...........

As likely as England winning The Ashes 5-0.

Of course the ECB will claim Rashid is in contention but will have no intention of playing him. Just like when they pulled Gary Ballance out midway through a County Championship match for a T20 series against New Zealand and not get selected.

The mind boggles with the ECB, they would rather play makeshift spinners and openers rather than select talented players in their normal positions.

[bigfluffylemon]

England's travails against the lower order continue. Since Jan 2013 only India and Bangadesh have been worse at bowling to tailenders:
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... s;type=fow

What really stands out from those stats for me is how good South Africa are at blowing away the tail compared to everyone else. Australia are next, but a way behind (I don't trust the Zimbabwe score to be significant, as it's based on only 8 tests, of which 5 were against Bangladesh). I guess it just goes to show that having really fast bowlers is still by far the best way to clean up the tail.

[yuppie]

It is reported on BBC local radio that Yorkshire's request to release Adil Rashid from the Carribean tour has been denied.

So hes certain to play in the last test then...........

As likely as England winning The Ashes 5-0.

Of course the ECB will claim Rashid is in contention but will have no intention of playing him. Just like when they pulled Gary Ballance out midway through a County Championship match for a T20 series against New Zealand and not get selected.

The mind boggles with the ECB, they would rather play makeshift spinners and openers rather than select talented players in their normal positions.

When looking at the county stats of the three English spinners on this tour. Rashid has the better average, and the much better SR. Yet he gets picked behind a steady county player in the first test, and dosent have a chance as soon as the Ali is available even though he has just come back from injury and it's obvious hes very rusty. Send Rashid home and let him play country cricket, he's certainly not going to play the 3rd test. Probably never play a test for England

[sussexpob]

It is reported on BBC local radio that Yorkshire's request to release Adil Rashid from the Carribean tour has been denied.

So hes certain to play in the last test then...........

As likely as England winning The Ashes 5-0.

Of course the ECB will claim Rashid is in contention but will have no intention of playing him. Just like when they pulled Gary Ballance out midway through a County Championship match for a T20 series against New Zealand and not get selected.

The mind boggles with the ECB, they would rather play makeshift spinners and openers rather than select talented players in their normal positions.

Well Ali is a player that just wont bowl successfully against strong batting line ups over time. Australia must be licking their lips at facing him

[yuppie]

A leg spinner brings variety, more options and brings something a little bit different to a team if used correctly.

England seem to want spinners to hold up an end whilst they charge in with right arm fast mediums from the other end.

[Gingerfinch]

Cook and Trott saw it out then. An excellent day for us, and if the weather holds out, we should be looking to win it from here. Nice to see Broad back in the wickets, and getting some pace up. We're going to need him back to his best this summer.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think Moeen looks a good spinner. He's not hitting the right areas (thanks Monty) and looks a bit rusty, but normally he's accurate. He spins the ball hard and gets drift and dip. Not to say that there isn't an argument against leaving him out because of his injury. Or that England wouldn't benefit from giving Rashid a game. But I doubt Rashid will do better. Tredwell's pretty limited though. I'd be looking to give Rashid a chance before the UAE tour, and this series seemed the perfect opportunity.

[greyblazer]

So it took data to understand that they didn't pitch it up on Day 1? As my co-commentator repeatedly kept saying, 'why are Anderson and Broad not bowling a fuller length' after JA bowled that brilliant in-swinger. WI should have been bowled out for around 180-200.

[westoelad]

ECB' s refusal to release Rashid is fully understandable. They take a squad of 16/17 on tour to cover for injury in all areas and until the final match of the tour that squad has to remain intact. ECB are,after all,the paymasters. Once the XI for the 3rd Test has been named,however, it would seem logical to release the surplus bowlers to get as much practise as possible prior to the New Zealand fixtures. Unfortunately for Yorkshire they aren't involved in the round of games commencing 3rd May. They seemed to be doing fine without their England players.

[Arthur Crabtree]

So it took data to understand that they didn't pitch it up on Day 1? As my co-commentator repeatedly kept saying, 'why are Anderson and Broad not bowling a fuller length' after JA bowled that brilliant in-swinger. WI should have been bowled out for around 180-200.

I did see a fair amount pitched up on the first day, just that they varied their lengths. Maybe too much, but it can't be right to only bowl one length.

Just before tea for Cook's ton?

[Aidan11]

I wonder if we'll start on time today.

[captaincolly]

I wonder if we'll start on time today.

Think so, Mike Selvey tweeted that the weather is much better than yesterday.