Bangladesh V England Test Series 2016

[Aidan11]

Chance for Moeen to become the hero tomorrow by getting a double ton to go with his Michelle.

Ive never heard the 5-for being called a Michelle

Quite common. Alec Stewart and Nasser use the term occasionally.

[dan08]

Not sure picking the squad for both tours is working. Ballance is going to travel as a dead duck, and there are a few spinners England won't like the look of when they are picking the side for the first Test. There is no middle order back up. Time to bat Stokes at four? Or Bairstow?

Matt Prior was a great player of spin, and he was never budged from seven in Asia, so maybe not.

Buttler is there.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I suppose that's what will happen. Duckett needs to offer a little encouragement though.

England are looking like they could do with a tour game in India.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Michelle Five-fer was a user name on the BBC site. Posts on the Guardian occasionally. And Cricinfo.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not sure picking the squad for both tours is working. Ballance is going to travel as a dead duck, and there are a few spinners England won't like the look of when they are picking the side for the first Test. There is no middle order back up. Time to bat Stokes at four? Or Bairstow?

Matt Prior was a great player of spin, and he was never budged from seven in Asia, so maybe not.

Buttler is there.

Yes, Bayliss wanted him in last summer. Will he bat at four? And with any justification for his recall as a specialist bat?

[Aidan11]

Duckett is a promising young player and it's a baptism of fire at present trying to play spin on a pitch suited for just that.

In a way I'm glad Hameed is not playing here. His time will come. Duckett may be more suited slotting into 4 with Hameed opening but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here.

[dan08]

Not sure picking the squad for both tours is working. Ballance is going to travel as a dead duck, and there are a few spinners England won't like the look of when they are picking the side for the first Test. There is no middle order back up. Time to bat Stokes at four? Or Bairstow?

Matt Prior was a great player of spin, and he was never budged from seven in Asia, so maybe not.

Buttler is there.

Yes, Bayliss wanted him in last summer. Will he bat at four? And with any justification for his recall as a specialist bat?

At least he's scoring well in the ODIs. I wouldn't pick him though. Hameed to open and Duckett at 4 is what i'd do.

[Gingerfinch]

About even after day one?

[Aidan11]

Glad they ditched Batty.


Couldn't see the point with Ansari knocking on the door.

[Aidan11]

About even after day one?

I'd say so. We need to do the opposite of what they did. Good start then collapse. We have a bad start so need to dig in.

[bigfluffylemon]

It will go to a fourth day, but only because of the rain.

Ballance out, Duckett down to four, Joe at three, and Hameed to come in and open. But really, Cook has to pull his head on. That was bloody awful.

Batting fourth on this pitch, England need a first innings lead, without a doubt. Can we scrape to 300?

That said, I bet bhaves wishes he'd cashed that bet in when Bangla were 171-1. What a collapse.

[dan08]

Glad they ditched Batty.


Couldn't see the point with Ansari knocking on the door.

Batty will be back for India.

[Aidan11]

Glad they ditched Batty.


Couldn't see the point with Ansari knocking on the door.

Batty will be back for India.

I hope not. I don't see the point. Bring the young un on. We'll probably get hammered but Batty will not make a difference to that.

[hopeforthebest]

I suppose that's what will happen. Duckett needs to offer a little encouragement though.

England are looking like they could do with a tour game in India.

I got the back of my hand slapped by splinters for being harsh too soon on Duckett as an opener. Personally I fear that he is not cut out for the sub continent wherever he bats.

[alfie]

Game poised interestingly after day one - again. Looks like another good match .

Huge comeback from the England bowlers today but losing three wickets in the evening took the gloss off it...not sure I can see them getting much of a lead from here but given the shakiness of the home side's batting if England can even achieve parity the game will be wide open.

Not easy for them opening against spinners on these pitches but I'd have hoped for better...it is certainly a concern with an eye to India as the potential replacements do not inspire too much confidence (OK we don't know what Hameed can do as he is as yet untried ; but it won't be easy for him , you'd think) I do think the party is overloaded with bowlers and short a middle order batsman...
Still can't worry about India yet as this Test looks like being a real battle. And tough to call . Our Indian friend can bet on it if he likes but I wouldn't be risking Boycott's house let alone mine