The Ashes; First Test, Cardiff, July 8-12

[hopeforthebest]

What a foolish shot to play just 8min before lunch. Could that set off another collapse?

[sussexpob]

Hopefully Lyth, Ballance and Starc at the wicket - proper Yorkshire moment.

Nothing says Yorkshire like an Aussie bowling to a Zimbabwean in an Ashes test in Wales

[pompeymeowth]

Yup had a ticket as a Christmas present, maybe I should go as Santa. A blue one of course.

Can I be part of your family... I get pants and socks for Christmas

Of course, we will be at Old Portsmouth this year, lunch at the point Broad street (!) after a visit to the Garrison church.

[pompeymeowth]

Hopefully Lyth, Ballance and Starc at the wicket - proper Yorkshire moment.

Nothing says Yorkshire like an Aussie bowling to a Zimbabwean in an Ashes test in Wales

[Aidan11]

Lunch and we survive without losing any more wickets.

[hopeforthebest]

Ballance looks dreadful, is he the best number 3 we've got?

[sussexpob]

Starc outclassed Ballance in that short session. Considering the very scratchy nature of Ballance first innings, it does make me wonder how useful his series long contributions are going to be

[Alviro Patterson]

Ballance looks dreadful, is he the best number 3 we've got?

Yes

[ntini77]

I believe there's an argument for promoting Root to 3 and replacing Ballance with his Yorkshire team mate, Jonny Bairstow.

[Gingerfinch]

I believe there's an argument for promoting Root to 3 and replacing Ballance with his Yorkshire team mate, Jonny Bairstow.

Do we really want to mess Root around again? And to be honest, is Bairstow going to score many more than Ballance? I'd say not.

[budgetmeansbudget]

I believe there's an argument for promoting Root to 3 and replacing Ballance with his Yorkshire team mate, Jonny Bairstow.

Do we really want to mess Root around again? And to be honest, is Bairstow going to score many more than Ballance? I'd say not.

Not really, besides we're getting used to being not many for three, the middle order thrive on it!

I'm sure if they were handed 250/3 every time they'd flunk it.

[Alviro Patterson]

I'm sure Ballance will adapt to the sharper bowling, it wasn't long ago Root's place in the England side was questioned due to technique issues.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Is it just me who thinks he resembles a younger Peter Kay?

[Gingerfinch]

Is it just me who thinks he resembles a younger Peter Kay?

or this man, who wants be Peter Kay.

[Alviro Patterson]

Is it just me who thinks he resembles a younger Peter Kay?

or this man, who wants be Peter Kay.

The Plusnet guy? He looks more like Tim Bresnan