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

[sussexpob]

This time Hales edges it and it flies over the slips.....

England living dangerously

[hopeforthebest]

Cook has dropped catches to make up before it counts.

[alfie]

On paper in a few years time some one is going to tell me Cook had a really good series. But he has had some unbelievable luck

Yeah he has had some luck - though I wouldn't classify the soft low edge a little while ago as a particularly lucky break ; not much has carried since day one , unless the batsman has gone hard at the ball.

However he has made a lot of runs in the series at an (uncharacteristically) extremely good rate - and many of them with quite attractive strokes. Off some useful bowling.

I think that does indeed qualify as " a really good series ". End of the day : it is runs made that count. I can think of a lot of
major Test innings down the years which featured spurned chances ; which tend to be forgotten .

Hopefully for the team's sake he keeps scoring well...

[hopeforthebest]

There are very few chanceless centuries.

[backfootpunch]

On paper in a few years time some one is going to tell me Cook had a really good series. But he has had some unbelievable luck

I wouldn't say he has had unbelievably good luck, a little here and there yes but most batsmen get that everyone now and then

Unless you consider rahat Ali constantly bowling badly to him as luck

They have fed is cut and bowled on his pads all series, which is why his strike rate so high

[backfootpunch]

Terrible run from Hales

Luckily the throw was even worse

[alfie]

Hales watchful so far ...a couple of nice strokes just recently.
Jury still out on him I guess , despite good runs against Sri Lanka ; I'm still not sure about him myself but am hoping he will nail the Test Match Opening gig as he could be a very useful member of he team if he could transfer his white ball form across.

I do agree he has probably brought some of his problems on himself : worrying too much about getting out to a loose shot , so getting bogged down - until he cops a good ball (and he has had a few in this series !).
Striking the balance between positivity and safety isn't that easy for a relatively new player : ask Vince

After England 's first innings carelessness I suppose a reasonably conservative approach seems sensible. Oddly enough Cook is once again motoring along quite rapidly...did I hear correctly : he has the best scoring rate of all batsmen in the series ?

[yuppie]

Is the pitch just getting easier to bat on?

It seems England will have a bonus lead this evening, and that they might well get themselves into a position tomorrow to try and force a result.

Would Cook have the courage the go for an attacking declaration?

[dan08]

Hales watchful so far ...a couple of nice strokes just recently.
Jury still out on him I guess , despite good runs against Sri Lanka ; I'm still not sure about him myself but am hoping he will nail the Test Match Opening gig as he could be a very useful member of he team if he could transfer his white ball form across.

I do agree he has probably brought some of his problems on himself : worrying too much about getting out to a loose shot , so getting bogged down - until he cops a good ball (and he has had a few in this series !).
Striking the balance between positivity and safety isn't that easy for a relatively new player : ask Vince

After England 's first innings carelessness I suppose a reasonably conservative approach seems sensible. Oddly enough Cook is once again motoring along quite rapidly...did I hear correctly : he has the best scoring rate of all batsmen in the series ?

Yes, Cook has a strike rate of 72 this series!

[alfie]

Pitch was never a minefield , though there was a bit there for the bowlers on day one. As the groundsman predicted , it got very good to bat on days two and three.

Still wouldn't expect Cook to have to worry about a declaration : imagine they'll be bowled out sometime tomorrow - and if they were to bat until stumps on Saturday the lead would presumably be unassailable so they could close without much risk.

Might be something for the spinners late tomorrow and Sunday (though it will be slow turn at best , I guess) not that Moeen will have Pakistan quaking in their boots

Hundred partnership ! Long time since England had one of them at he top of the innings...

[alfie]

Wonder how our Indian correspondent is enjoying his day at the Test ?

Imagine we'll get a thorough report tomorrow....

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wonder how many empty seats.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Thirteen overs left!

[backfootpunch]

Wonder how our Indian correspondent is enjoying his day at the Test ?

Imagine we'll get a thorough report tomorrow....

Was just about to mention him


Bet he's watching england rack them up through gritted teeth

Oh I forgot he is neutral

[yuppie]

Thirteen overs left!

15 minutes left of play?