Second Test. England v Sri Lanka at Riverside. 27/5/16.

[Arthur Crabtree]

What I saw of Bairstow in the first game, he played a lot of high risk shots, sort of white ball shots, with an open bat and away from his body. As well as shovelling across his legs. These might not be as successful against better attacks or when form is elusive. I'm a bit reluctant to just conclude he's now a top six batter ready to be a specialist bat.

I'm not sure either how meaningful runs are against SL right now for all of them. Though obviously, better to score them than fail.

[Arthur Crabtree]

By the way, Notts usually sell the ground out for internationals.

[sussexpob]

What I saw of Bairstow in the first game, he played a lot of high risk shots, sort of white ball shots, with an open bat and away from his body. As well as shovelling across his legs. These might not be as successful against better attacks or when form is elusive. I'm a bit reluctant to just conclude he's now a top six batter ready to be a specialist bat.

I'm not sure either how meaningful runs are against SL right now for all of them. Though obviously, better to score them than fail.

In the context with a batting order where only really 2 people have proved in the long term they are test level, a guy with a middling 30 average that has gone up by 10 in a handful of tests is as close to being a certain pick as anyone.

[yuppie]

Of course this is England, so dont descrited them picking Sam Robson for his right arm leg spin and batting him at 8 or 9

Seems plausable

Could you imagine in 2014 insisting that within the year, Moeen Ali would be England's front line spinner and batting at number 9 with a FC average in both disciplines at 40

Id love to have been in that selection meeting.

People would have thought the idea mad.

A chance now for Ali to show he should be batting higher. And that maybe its time to pick a spinner instead of shoe horning a top order batsman into the job.

[Durhamfootman]

blimey.... 90 overs bowled within the allotted time

how often does that happen?

[yuppie]

SL taking 6 wickets is not to bad a return for them. But got to think that England might already have enough runs.

[Aidan11]

England's day I would say.

[yuppie]

England's day I would say.

Yep i would think so

[Aidan11]

It appears there was a £1 deposit charge for the plastic cups at the ground for those who liked a bevvy or two.

Seems it's to stop those irritating beer snakes.

[Durhamfootman]

Seems it's to stop those irritating beer snakes.

or to make a profit on them, more likely

Is it us, or is it Geordie O devising a new stealth tax on drunken people

in the national interest, naturally.... all in it together

[Durhamfootman]

how was the cricket?

what was the attendance?

what was the attendance at Headingley?

[captaincolly]

how was the cricket?

what was the attendance?

what was the attendance at Headingley?

It looked fairly modest today. Significantly down on Headingley but if Harker is to be believed tomorrow is virtually sold out and Sunday is - in his words - getting there. We will see.

[Durhamfootman]

Harker might think we are getting there on Sunday..... but will SL?

[captaincolly]

Harker might think we are getting there on Sunday..... but will SL?

I was half listening to TMS and think I heard one of the pundits say Cook will have to wait unit Lords for his 10000th run - so whoever it was must not be expecting England will bat again in this match.

[Aidan11]

Harker might think we are getting there on Sunday..... but will SL?

I was half listening to TMS and think I heard one of the pundits say Cook will have to wait unit Lords for his 10000th run - so whoever it was must not be expecting England will bat again in this match.

Just imagine it...England 350 all out. SL collapse to 70 all out half way at tea on day 2. A crazy-looking Harker bursts into the England dressing room with a gun, holds it to Cook's head and screams "Don't you f-ing dare ask them to follow on".