3rd Test England v Pakistan, Edgbaston, Aug 3-7.

[hopeforthebest]

England bowlers are disappointing this morning, even Woakes cannot find that length and line that have caused problems for batsmen. I get the impression they are trying to take wickets rather than concentrating on getting the ball in good places and letting them come to them.

Must say these two batsmen are playing really well but have have rarely been threatened.

[KipperJohn]

Yet another batsman hit on the head (Sami) - it's a pretty regular occurrence.

Didn't happen in the 60s and 70s when they had some equally fast bowlers - batsmen had to rely on their technique not helmets- a few of them would have copped it seriously if they'd played like they do today.

Good contest this.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Woakes is having a shocking test match by his recent high standards!

[sussexpob]

Yet another batsman hit on the head (Sami) - it's a pretty regular occurrence.

Didn't happen in the 60s and 70s when they had some equally fast bowlers - batsmen had to rely on their technique not helmets- a few of them would have copped it seriously if they'd played like they do today.

Good contest this.

Ball did keep a bit low on him.

[sussexpob]

In fact Woakes bouncer a moment ago didnt really get up, and Finn just had one that came up off a length. Some evidence of uneven bounce in the pitch maybe... but England ant really bowling in areas that can make it tell.

[Dr Cricket]

Still wandering where is all the movement people were expecting yesterday.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Wish I'd had a helmet when I was playing. It was the one thing that inhibited the way I played. Got hit on the head a few times, and it made me over fearful of getting seriously injured.

[hopeforthebest]

This partnership is becoming significant and the way they are handling the bowling will encourage the other batsmen. That 297 total is looking a lot less than it once did.

[backfootpunch]

Barely beat the bat at all

Far too short

Good thing is we have control of the run rate so they aren't going anywhere fast means a couple of quick wickets and we are well on top

Finn bowling fast but with no control

[Gingerfinch]

Wish I'd had a helmet when I was playing. It was the one thing that inhibited the way I played. Got hit on the head a few times, and it made me over fearful of getting seriously injured.

I don't think I played against anyone fast enough to get hit.

[hopeforthebest]

Woaekes is bowling too often on middle or middle and leg what's in his head. Maybe he is looking for pace rather that good line and lengths.

[KipperJohn]

My stumps used to get hit quite regularly.

[Dr Cricket]

Think people are also missing the fact bowling when your batting line failed in a decent batting deck means the bowlers are underpressure looking for wickets and not being patient.

Like I said yesterday England would have had to bowl out of their skin to get Pakistan all out for 220 and Pakistan would have to be awful with the bat.

Was quite baffling really many people expected England to steamroll Pakistan here.

[hopeforthebest]

That was a stroll in the park for these two Pakistan batsmen, I suspect they could leave about 70% of the deliveries they faced so our bowlers made it very easy for them.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Wish I'd had a helmet when I was playing. It was the one thing that inhibited the way I played. Got hit on the head a few times, and it made me over fearful of getting seriously injured.

I don't think I played against anyone fast enough to get hit.

Did you ever play in the indoor nets and stick the bowling machine up to over 70mph?

Now that was tough!